South Africa has been called “a world in one country” and it’s easy to see why: Towering mountains rise over a vibrant and trendy Cape Town, ostrich-dotted grasslands stretch to connect quaint villages, monkey-filled forests line the deserted beaches of KwaZulu-Natal and the Stellenbosch wine route tucks vast vineyards into lush fertile valleys. Then, of course, there are the lions..(ROAR!!!).., giraffes and crocodiles. South Africa’s stunning landscapes, wildlife preserves and pristine beaches along the 1,740 mile coastline have made it an ideal honeymoon destination.

Languages: Nearly everyone can speak English, but there are 10 other official languages (Afrikaans, IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, Sesotho, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, IsiNdebele and SiSwati)

Flight time (to Johannesburg): 5.15 hours from Nigeria, 15-20 hours from USA.

Getting around: Car, shuttle flights and taxi

Best weather: December-February is ideal for beaches, while June-August is best for game viewing. Average temperatures in Cape Town range from 64 degrees Fahrenheit in June-August and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in December-February . Other regions can reach as high as 95 degrees Fahrenheit in December-February.

Best prices: May to July for safaris; October to September for more beach-inclined honeymoons.

[center]Places to visit[/center]
Sand dunes: This destination has so many beaches that you’re sure to find your scene. You can join models and trendsetters on the rocky beaches of Cape Town’s Clifton and Camps Bay, explore the unspoiled sands of KwaZulu-Natal on horseback or join the locals on the laid-back shores of South Africa‘s famed Garden Route. If you’re planning to take a dip, just remember to stick to the Indian Ocean on the eastern coast — the Atlantic is freezing! (Cape Town has beaches on both oceans.)

Wine tasting: The country’s beautiful wine region is a quick drive from Cape Town. The wines are incredible, cheap and most of all the scenery is stunning. Most vineyards offer charming cellar tours, along with lunch and of course tastings of their prized libations. You won’t want to pass up the romantic gardens, homemade cheeses and luscious red wines. All this are sure to give you that honeymoon feeling.

The big five: South Africa has no shortage of wildlife, and many people come seeking photos of the “Big Five” (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino). Kruger National Park, the most famous of many local reserves, offers private luxury lodges where you can fill the time between game drives with massages and seaweed wraps.

Photo Credit: Joshua Dwain

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/south-african-honeymoon-know-the-basics/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Looking for wedding readings or guidance for your relationship, your marriage or love? Read these 21 Bible verses about marriage, relationship and love.

Couples who wish to show their devotion to each other and to their faith often turn to Bible verses about marriage when planning their wedding. These scriptures on marriage, relationship and love from the Holy Book serve as spiritual and sentimental reminders of the love that you share and provide you with a way to honor your religious beliefs while celebrating with friends and family.

Bible Verses About Marriage
The Bible contains numerous references to the sanctity and beauty of marriage. Its poetic love scriptures eloquently sum up what it means to be in love and to commit yourself to your better half for the rest of your life. These Bible verses about marriage are the ideal addition to your wedding vows, reception toast or invitations. Consider using Bible verses about love that everyone can relate to.

Genesis 1:27-28: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ ”

Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Malachi 2:14-15: “But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”

Song of Solomon 8:6-7: “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.”

Ephesians 4:2-3: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?”

Ephesians 5:25-33: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, …”

Mark 10:9: “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Bible Verses About Love
The Bible has a lot to say about the bonds of love and devotion. Bible verses about love speak of the perfect love that everyone should have toward their friends, family and mankind, not to mention the Lord. However, Bible verses about love also offer a revealing look at the strength and hope that romantic love can provide. It can be difficult to put your feelings for one another into words, but these Bible verses about love seem to capture its essence just right.

1 Corinthians 16:14: “Do everything in love.”

Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

1 Corinthians 13:2: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

Psalm 143:8: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

Proverbs 3:3-4: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

Song of Solomon 4:9: “You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.”

Bible Verses About Relationships
There is no relationship manual that tells you how to overcome obstacles and strengthen the ties you have with your loved one. Thankfully, Bible verses about love serve as excellent guides; these scriptures offer jewels of wisdom that can help you navigate the ups and downs of love, as well as convey your heartfelt thoughts to your future spouse. There are a number of wedding scriptures and Bible verses about love that touch on the subject of relationships that you may want to mention on your wedding day.

Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Proverbs 30:18-19: “There are three things that amaze me no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman.”

1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

Ruth 1:16-17: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

1 Peter 4:8: “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

We still have about 150 quotes Bible verses on marriage, relationship and love.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/21-bible-verses-about-marriage-relationship-and-love/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Proactively tackle wedding stress with these healthy tips before you start wedding planning.
Ready to start planning your dream day? Of course you are! But first, take a deep breath and begin your journey to looking and feeling your best for your pre and post-wedding activities by adopting these healthy habits.

1. Talk It Out
Planning a wedding is the time where you and your partner need to bring your A+ communication skills to the table. There are many things on the road to getting married that if left unresolved, can create resentment and anger that will spoil the celebration. By developing good communication habits early on, you learn how to address problems directly and openly.

2. Boost Your Body Image
A positive body image outweighs any wedding diet that could be harmful in the long run. That said, if you want to create a healthy fitness plan that matches your personal goals, make sure to do it smartly. Your wedding day should never be a day you look back on and think how you extreme-dieted or overexercised. Make your health and connection to your body the priority.

3. Get Enough sleep
Whether you go to bed early or stay up late, the most important thing is you have at list seven hours off sleep. Not to mention, sleep helps you create a clear and healthy mind, which will help you manage any wedding or work-related responsibilities.

4. Keep Your Focus With Meditation
Practice meditation to stay present and fully enjoy each moment says. There are no rules for where and when to do it just taking 10 minutes a day to focus on your breathing called mindfulness meditation can make positive changes and improve your concentration when it comes to wedding-related stress. Meditation is called a practice because it’s not going to be perfect every time. It teaches you to focus on one thing, be patient with yourself and get out of your own head. When you’re focused and calm, you don’t run the risk of missing those special wedding day moments you want to remember.

5. Get That Glow
Find that perfect skin care products that well help you to achieve that bridal glow. You don’t want to wait until the last minute if you’re dealing with acne, enlarged pores or sensitive skin . Make sure you have enough time for the usage of these products.

6. Get Comfortable Asking for Help
Whether you have a wedding planner or not, it’s important to realize that it’s perfectly okay to ask for help leading up to your wedding day. You may have a type A personality, but enlisting the help of friends and family can make the process easier and more meaningful. Your loved ones will likely be thrilled to give their opinions and help out, so don’t be afraid to speak up. Besides, keeping your mental health in check is more important than making DIY invitations alone at 4 hours to the Dee-day.

7. Remove These Three Ds From Your Vocabulary
Looking and feeling your best while planning shouldn’t have to involve these three crash: dieting, detoxing and depriving yourself of certain food groups. Wedding planning is stressful enough already, and you don’t want your eating habits to add to it. Taking a healthy, balanced approach to eating doesn’t have to mean changing up your diet all at once, because then it’s hard to keep it up.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/7-tips-to-help-you-tackle-wedding-stress/

Mynd44, lalasticla

You should definitely take your time celebrating your engagement but when you’re ready to officially start planning, here’s how to dive in.

Once the initial excitement of being engaged wears off, you’ll need to start making decisions. Here are the 10 most important things you need to do in other to kick off your wedding planning

Dream Up Your Style
Before you try on your wedding gown, pick your #asoebi, book a band or sample a bite of cake, look at the big picture and imagine what kind of style and vibe you want to set for your wedding and where you would want to hold it. Close your eyes and picture your fantasy wedding. What do you see? Is it an #Owanbe ceremony in a big hall with over 500 guests? Are you walking barefoot on a beach? Or maybe it’s in a 5 star hotel in Dubai. While you’re picturing your perfect wedding, here are some key questions to consider: Big (everyone you know) or small (just close friends and family)? Outdoors or indoor? Is it taking place in my hometown or my current city or a destination wedding? Modern, classic, romantic, vintage or all-out glam? Fancy, casual or somewhere in between? To help you get a better idea of what you want and what you don’t want, spend some time gathering inspiration.

Set Your Budget
Sit down with your families and figure out how much everyone is contributing. This number will affect every decision and purchase you make, so be sure to work out your budget before you start planning with your wedding planner. It can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, but it’s better to get it out of the way now so you have a realistic picture about what you can spend.

Draft a Guest List
As you begin to build your guest list, you’ll need to consider a number of factors. If you have a particular ceremony or reception site in mind, for instance, you’re going to be limited by how many people it can accommodate (you can’t squeeze 500 people into a small hall). Would you rather have quality one-on-one time with each guest or throw a once in a lifetime party for all your friends and family? If mom and dad are inviting throngs of friends and family, you’ll have to hear them out, especially if they’re footing a major part of the bill. Keep in mind that more guests means higher prices, as catering costs are generally calculated on a per-head basis. So, in addition to venue, your budget will have a big influence on the size of your guest list.

Create Your Wedding Gift Registry
Worried that you’ll look gift-grabby if you have a wedding gift registry? Don’t! With your friends and well-wishing relatives, everyone will appreciate your foresight although gifts are optional, some will want to give you something to commemorate the occasion, so have it beforehand so they don’t have to ask (or guess) what you’d like. One thing to note: Don’t include your wedding gift registry information in your wedding invitations instead it’s advisable your just put a links on your online wedding catalogue/website.

Choose Your Wedding Squad (aka #pepperthemgang)
Now it’s your turn to propose to your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Remember, the earlier you ask, the sooner you can enlist their help. Keep in mind that being a part of your wedding is them agreeing to spend their money and donate their time. Be considerate and kind by informing everyone about all your plans (including costs for attire, bachelor party, bridal shower and more), showing them a good time and making sure they know how much you appreciate them.

Consider a Wedding Planner
If you’re a super busy couple, have demanding jobs or have big dreams for your wedding weekend, then you should hire a full-time wedding planner to help you prepare your entire event, from the wedding planning to the honeymoon. You can also hire a part-time wedding planner to assist with the wedding blueprint which includes budget, schedule, list of good vendors and preferable vendors.

Book a Venue (and Set Your Date)
Your reception venue will become the backdrop for virtually all your photos and can influence everything from your budget and guest list to smaller details like your menu. Ensure that you get the look, price and extras you want by scouring local listings, shopping around, scheduling visits and booking early. Bonus: By signing your venue contract, you will officially have your wedding date.

Hire Priority Vendors
If you just can’t imagine getting married without a certain local band playing at the reception or a photographer whose work you love, act fast. Many top wedding photographers and other in-demand vendors are hired more than a year in advance and once they’re booked, they’re gone.

Shop Dresses!
Begin your search by browsing dress photos online and saving your favorites, you’ll want to take them with you to your appointments. Then, learn the basics before setting foot in a dress salon. Read up on silhouettes, necklines, trains and hues that might flatter you.

Share Your Love Story
Palmfront wedding catalogue can help you share your unique love story with all your friends and family. Create your online wedding catalogue to get started.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/top-10-wedding-planning-to-dos-if-you-just-got-engaged/

Mynd44, lalasticla

What is this ring thing all about anyway, have you ever wondered about the why and how of engagement and wedding rings came about, how did it become a marriage symbol and why is the fourth finger of your left hand the lucky recipient?

Here are the history, traditions and the claim to be powers of engagement and wedding rings.

Wedding
It's believed the pharaohs of Egypt first used the circle, a shape with no beginning or end, as a symbol of eternity, but wearing a ring as a public pledge to honor the marriage contract did not become customary until Roman times. The earliest rings were made of simple iron, but gold rings set with gems were fashionable by medieval days. The most popular gems were symbolic a red ruby was the color of the heart, a blue sapphire reflected the heavens but the most coveted and powerful gem was the indestructible diamond.

Diamond Rings
The word "diamond" is derived from the Greek word adamas, which means "the unconquerable." As Mother Nature's hardest substance, diamonds represented invincible strength, a fitting gem for the marriage covenant. But the real pull of these sparkly stones, which ancient Greeks believed were delicate splinters of fallen stars, came from the powers and protection they offered the wearer. In India, where diamonds were first discovered, they were thought to be a shield from the combined forces of evil (which at that time included snakes, poison and theft). Ancient astrologers believed diamonds promoted lasting love and warded off witchcraft and nightmares. Associated with everything from innocence to sexual power and all-encompassing protection, you can see why the diamond became the betrothal gift of choice for guys and girls.

Engagement Rings
Blame it on Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who started the diamond ring trend in 1477 when he presented one to his beloved, Mary of Burgundy. The tradition of wearing the engagement ring and wedding band on the fourth finger of the left hand can be traced to the Egyptians, who believed the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of this finger.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/history-behind-wedding-ring-wedding-band-and-diamond-rings/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Here are sight and scene from five fantastic honeymoon destination in #AFRICA: The Mother Land.

KWANDWE GREAT FISH RIVER LODGE “SOUTH AFRICA”
This intimately scaled lodge is all about romance and grand vistas. Nine thatched guest suites, each with a private deck and plunge pool, perch high above the Great Fish River, where the silence is punctuated by the cry of African fish eagles. Tranquillity and privacy are prized, and suites include touches like candles and soft throws for chilly evenings.

THE RIVER CLUB ” ZAMBIA”
This is an intimate boutique lodge based in a 1948 farmhouse, the River Club is just the ticket for privacy-seeking newlyweds. There are a mere 11 colonially inspired, newly refurbished suites on the 50-acre property, which borders the Zambezi River.

KICHWA TEMBO TENTED CAMP “KENYA”
This all-new camp combines modern comfort with a timeless, classic ambience. Laid out along the Sabaringo River, 40 spacious, secluded tents overlook the fabled Masai Mara plains.

TANDA TULA SAFARI CAMP “SOUTH AFRICA”
An elegantly refurbished camp with 12 gorgeous and comfy tents, this ultraluxurious retreat shares an unfenced boundary with the famous Kruger National Park—which translates to exceptional game-viewing year-round.

CAMP KALAHARI “BOTSWANA”
The casual yet comfy 11-tent Camp Kalahari sits on the edge of the remarkable Makgadikgadi Salt Pans National Park, a surreal, lunar-like landscape that is a remnant of a huge ancient lake. The tents’ simple décor—a mix of original African pieces and textiles (Moroccan kilims) with colonial antiques (four-poster beds)—has the ambience of a traditional Victorian-era explorers’ camp.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/5-fantastic-safari-honeymoon-destination-in-africa/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Just engaged? Congrats!!! You have been waiting for this day to come all your life. Now's the time to celebrate as a couple and with your friends and family.

Below is a list of four ways you can celebrate the moment with friends and family or with just that special someone.

Pose for a Just-Engaged Photo Shoot
Take your engagement photos while you still have your just-engaged glow and that pretty smile on your face. All you have to do is look good and have fun! Even if you're not doing a professional engagement shoot, or want to hold off until a few months later, snap a few couple-selfies in the moment. Not only will you have tons of memories of the day you got engaged, but you'll also have photos you can use on your wedding website, save-the-dates or engagement announcements.

Pop Some Bottles
No engagement is truly complete without a celebratory drink, whether it's with just the two of you or surrounded by friends and family. Grab a bottle of your favorite wine or drink and toast to your new engagement. If you're looking to switch it up a bit, nothing says you can't take some "whisky"shots to celebrate your engagement.

Revisit Your First Date
Whether you go to the same spot where it all started or reenact it elsewhere by ordering the same meal, this is a great time to get sentimental and reminisce about the beginning of your relationship, even if it wasn't perfect, it's still a part of your love story.

Get Pampered
For the next few weeks all eyes are going to be on you and that ring, so you'll want to look and feel your best before all the chaos of wedding planning. Go for a couple's massage.

Wedding Website + Gift Registry = Wedding Catalogue

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/4-ways-to-celebrate-your-engagement/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Get tips on creating the perfect hashtag that works for you, your fiancé and your guests.

What began five or so years ago as a tool that only the tech-savvy of couples used has quickly become one of the hallmarks of marrying in this digital age. We’re talking, of course, about wedding hashtags, those cute, clever strings of words that turn your celebration into a clickable event #SMILE.

To give you some guidance, we picked the brain of social media pros and wedding bloggers so has to give you the following tips:

• Put your brains together: Even a spouse-to-be without strong opinions about the centerpieces or wedding planning would probably jump at the chance to lend his quick with crafting a catchy hashtag. This is one of the few planning activities both partners can have a blast working on together.

• Don’t use just your first names: Why? Unless you have incredibly unique names, it’s a good bet another couple or many other couples are relying on the same three words. Which means if you’re #VivianAndDimeji, you can count on spending the day after your wedding sifting through the photos on the social media of five other Vivian and Dimeji that recently got married.

• Make sure it represents both of you: You don’t have to include both of your names, or any names at all if your tag still makes sense, such as #Wearelovebirds, for instance. But be wary of making it all about you by using a tag like #ViviansBigDay. Trust us, you don’t want to be that bride.

• Don’t include symbols, punctuation or spaces: This may be a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. Besides looking unwieldy, special characters aren’t accepted in hashtags on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and pretty much every other social media network site out there. Numbers tacked on the end, such as #Vividi2017, are fine.

• Do make sure it’s easy to remember: The goal isn’t to make your guest laugh, but a little humor and creativity can go a long way in setting your hashtag apart and, more importantly, getting people to actually use it.

• Don’t use one that already exists: This one is simple. The best way to make sure your hashtag is unique is by searching for it on various sites, Facebook and Instagram are the most popular for wedding sharing. If you get a lot of hits, go with something else.
But note: If you find out just before your wedding that someone else is using your hashtag, don’t change it. It’s too late in the game at that point, especially if you’ve your hashtag is already flying on your invitation card and other printed materials.

• Get a head start: You should be using your hashtag throughout the entire planning process and on your wedding catalogue as soon as possible, we recommend creating one early enough to include on save-the-date cards. Then use it on all related posts on Instagram and Facebook, which might include snaps of your engagement party or the bridal shop where you brought your dress.

• Don’t forget about your vendors: Go ahead and ask your vendors to use your hashtag too. A lot of them are more than happy to support you while also promoting their own work.

• Turned hashtagged photos into printed grid photos: The pictures your guests take might not be clear enough for professional album, but you know they’ll be so much fun to look through in the future. All you need to do is print and arranging all pics for social media into neat little albums more like a grid view print. After all, social media trends come and go, but the pictures that are printed wouldn’t.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/tips-on-creating-the-perfect-wedding-hashtag/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Things You Must do before You Propose to your Spouse[b][/b]

Thinking of the perfect proposal? Consult our list, just to be sure you have it covered.
If you’re thinking about getting down on bended knee soon, first of all congratulations! Second, we’ve put together a foolproof marriage proposal to-do list for anyone who wants to pop the question. Follow along with our tried-and-true engagement tips, and an unforgettable marriage proposal is sure to follow.

Find the Perfect Engagement Ring
It’s hard to pull off a dream proposal without a beautiful engagement ring. You may have to chat up her friends, dig around her jewelry boxes or even ask her opinion about friends’ engagement rings to get a sense of what she really love. This is a piece of jewelry that’ll be worn for years and years to come, so you do your homework well!

Get Parent’s Blessing
If you’re planning on asking a parent’s permission for your spouse-to-be’s hand, before the proposal is the time to do it. Sit down with her parents (or speak with them over the phone if they live out of town and you won’t get the chance to ask them in person), and let them in on the exciting news. Share as many (or as few) details as you’d like about your plans for popping the question, but ask them to kindly keep it all a secret!

Time It Right
With all of the planning that goes into pulling off the perfect proposal, you want to make sure that your timing is perfect. Is your partner in the midst of a big, deadline-driven project at work that might require a few late nights? Do you have any other major events planned for the same week? Take a good, hard look at the calendar and make sure to pick a day that doesn’t conflict with any other ongoing responsibilities that either of you may have.

Read more: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/things-you-must-do-before-you-propose-to-your-spouse/

Thinking of the perfect proposal? Consult our list, just to be sure you have it covered.
If you’re thinking about getting down on bended knee soon, first of all congratulations! Second, we’ve put together a foolproof marriage proposal to-do list for anyone who wants to pop the question. Follow along with our tried-and-true engagement tips, and an unforgettable marriage proposal is sure to follow.

Find the Perfect Engagement Ring
It’s hard to pull off a dream proposal without a beautiful engagement ring. You may have to chat up her friends, dig around her jewelry boxes or even ask her opinion about friends’ engagement rings to get a sense of what she really love. This is a piece of jewelry that’ll be worn for years and years to come, so you do your homework well!

Get Parent’s Blessing
If you’re planning on asking a parent’s permission for your spouse-to-be’s hand, before the proposal is the time to do it. Sit down with her parents (or speak with them over the phone if they live out of town and you won’t get the chance to ask them in person), and let them in on the exciting news. Share as many (or as few) details as you’d like about your plans for popping the question, but ask them to kindly keep it all a secret!

Time It Right
With all of the planning that goes into pulling off the perfect proposal, you want to make sure that your timing is perfect. Is your partner in the midst of a big, deadline-driven project at work that might require a few late nights? Do you have any other major events planned for the same week? Take a good, hard look at the calendar and make sure to pick a day that doesn’t conflict with any other ongoing responsibilities that either of you may have.

Come Up With a Master Plan
This is where you can get creative. Try to think about what sort of proposal will work best for you both. Would your significant other like something more casual, cozy and romantic, like a dinner for two at the restaurant where you went on your first date? Or perhaps you want to pull off an elaborate scavenger hunt that ends at your favorite spot, followed by a night of dancing with friends and family? The way you pop the question is entirely up to you, but just make sure you’ve got a solid plan in place and have thought ahead about every detail and nuance of your day.

Expect the Unexpected
Sometimes things just don’t go as planned, so make sure you’ve got a backup plan for each and every element of your proposal. Did you arrange for a limo at 6 p.m.? What if it doesn’t arrive until 6:15 p.m.? Come up with a plan B for everything, and you’ll leave no room for error.

Tell It Like It Is
Your spouse-to-be is going to love hearing about all of the reasons you want to spend your life with him or her, so think about the special things you want to say. Try not to let your nerves get the best of you in the excitement of the moment, lots of people forget to ask the all important “Will you marry me?” question. Some get so caught up in trying not to forget to ask those three words that they don’t remember anything else. You might want to practice beforehand to make sure you remember all of the important details when the big moment arrives.

Gather Your Supplies
What sort of things will you need for the big proposal day? Are you planning on giving her flowers? Or having a favorite dessert on hand? Do you need the restaurant to set up anything ahead of time? Make sure to write out a to-do list for yourself and get everything ready well in advance. Come up with a timeline to ensure you don’t leave anything out, and plan ahead for mishaps by always having some extras on hand.

Keep It a Secret
The more people you tell, the harder it will be to keep your surprise a secret. Make sure that if you are enlisting the help of friends or family, they’re committed to sticking with your game plan and keeping everything under wraps. After all your hard work, you don’t want a chatty friend or an overly talkative aunt ruining the excitement of your special day.

Spread the News
You’ll likely want to share the excitement with all of your friends and family after your new fiance(e) gives you a yes, you want to make them feel like they were actually there? Consider hiring a hidden photographer so you’ll be able to show everyone exactly what the reaction was.

Celebrate
Congratulations—you’re getting married! Make sure to take some time with your bride-to-be to really reflect and enjoy this new phase of your lives together before you get swept up in the excitement of wedding planning.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/things-you-must-do-before-you-propose-to-your-spouse/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Naturally, all of your pals are thrilled with the news of your engagement. They’re calling you up with congratulations and popping the corks. Unfortunately, friends can get pretty kooky around engagement time.

The truth is, not everyone will be happy about your new relationship status nor will they all keep their feelings to themselves. Fact is, getting married doesn’t just affect the relationship you have with each other and it also changes the relationships you’ve created as single people. So if the behavior of friends seems kooky or even hurtful, here’s a little insight that may help you deal with it.

Fear of Status Change
Listen, your good news might feel just a bit negative for some of your friends. When you change from a barhopping, all-night-partying bachelor into a happily married, it’s a loss of lifestyle and possibly bar companion for your buddies. Be sensitive to their feelings and don’t pretend everything is the same. It won’t be and that’s not a bad thing. True, you’re not going to go out for all-night dance parties or bar crawls anymore “at least not every weekend” and you probably will hang more with couple friends, but that doesn’t mean you’ll ditch your single friends. Being up front and getting all those fears out in the open yours and theirs can actually bring you closer.

Ring Envy
No, we’re not talking about jealousy over the size of your rock but that could also be a factor —LOL—though we’ve seen pettier fights than that around weddings. But seriously, maybe your best friend has been trying to find Mr. Right for years, or has been dating Mr. Right for years and waiting for him to propose. You, on the other hand, were busy focusing on your career when Mr. Perfect just fell into your lap. Or maybe your Mr. Right knew you were Mrs. Right after just only three months. Be sensitive to your friend’s insecurity and feelings of frustration/unfairness. Whenever you feel yourself mentioning the F-word (fiancé), stop and ask about her life instead. We’re not saying you should never talk about your wedding again just be aware that it may feel like salt in the “Why hasn’t he proposed yet?” wound right now, and she may need some time to come around.


Fiance Doubts
Do certain silly persons have reservations about your fiancé? Stop and consider if deep down any of their concerns might be valid. Go with your instincts. If nothing feels more right to you than marrying your guy/babe, you should do it. When people protest, tell them you appreciate their thoughts and concerns smile sweetly you can do it and say “am very happy with the decision you’ve made, and you hope that you’ll support it” End of story.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-jealous-friends-after-you-announce-your-engagement/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Your proposal is the 1st official public declaration of love to your spouse, getting it right is an added star. Below is a list of four key ingredients that can help you nail the perfect proposal.


1. It has to be thoughtful and personal. We recommend that when you first start brainstorming ideas. Write down a list of anything your partner loves from music to food, travel locations to fashion designers and using that as a jumping off point for inspiration.

2. There should be an element of surprise. If it’s too predictable, it ruins the excitement. We are sure women agree that the ‘surprise factor’ is important in a marriage proposal.

3. Document the moment. You should document the proposal, either with a hidden photographer or by jotting down notes in a journal immediately afterwards. No matter what you think, it will happen in a flash, so having photos or a note will help when you when you want to re-live the moment.

4. Prepare for changes. When it comes to planning something so special, you should always prepare for the worst. “What if there’s bad traffic? What if it rains? What if she has to work late? Etc. When it comes to proposals, every great story requires some preparation and some challenges.

source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/4-key-ingredients-for-the-perfect-proposal/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Hiring your wedding vendors is definitely one of the most exciting steps in your wedding planning process. It’s a point when your planning will really feel as though it’s in motion, and you’ll be

checking things off your list!

Here are the five of our best tips to help you hire your vendors and work well together…

1. Find the right fit: First and foremost, there’s a difference between finding a vendor and finding a vendor you can’t live without. You want to hire the latter. Make sure you’re both on the same page in terms of style. Further, make sure your personalities mesh well together. Your working relationship with your vendors is key, and liking who they are as people will make everything better. Finally, realize that sometimes vendors will voice that they don’t feel as though they’re the right fit for you or your wedding. Respect their choice just as you hope they will respect yours if you find yourself wanting to say the same words.

2. How to inquire: Most wedding vendors have contact forms or emails on their websites, so never be afraid to send a note. When you are first inquiring, it’s important to note your wedding date, city, a few details about you and your fiancé, and why you love the vendor’s work. Details always make a difference! Also, although their work schedule might be untraditional, wedding professionals do have hours similar to traditional businesses. It’s important not to expect a response when their office is closed, and it’s also important to know that inquiring over the weekend might mean waiting until the following week for a response because the pro is working a wedding.

3. Comfort is key: When you hire a professional for your wedding, you should feel as though you are completely comfortable sharing all of your details about your day with them. That includes your plans, your dreams, and any issues you feel may occur before or on your wedding day (think: family relationships, being comfortable in front of a camera, etc). Your pros are on your side, and they want to be able to help.

4. Sign a contract: Once you and your chosen vendor decide you’re both the right fit for each other, your wedding professional will want to send over a contract. In fact, you should expect it! A contract serves to protect both you and the wedding professional because it details the dates, times, services, and prices you’ve both agreed on (among many other things; every contract is different). You will want to read your contracts and discuss anything that doesn’t seem quite right. Once you sign your contract, make sure to save it for your reference and to forward on to your wedding planner if you opt to hire one.

5. Stay Organized and communicate: Have a dedicated email address for all of your communication with your vendors, and make sure to keep all of your contracts together. Also, just as you expect your wedding professionals to reply in a timely manner, they expect the same from you. Lastly, if you feel as though one wedding vendor (or family member!) should consult with another, loop both in on the same email to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Staying organized and communicating will make planning your wedding that much more enjoyable.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/top-5-most-important-tips-for-hiring-your-wedding-vendor/

Mynd44, lalasticla

The internet was on fire globally on Wednesday, the 3rd of May, 2017 when the news of the engagement of two A list Nigerian celebrities, Banky W & Adesua Etomi broke out. The love birds recently featured in the award winning movie “The Wedding Party” as couples but nobody saw it coming, we all thought it was an act not knowing things such as “Movie turn reality” exists in nollywood.

Although according to the information getting to us, the engagement took place earlier in the year sometimes in February according to Banky’s right hand man Lynxxs. He said “This has been the biggest secret I have had to keep my entire life”.

Once again we a say a big congrats to Adesua & Banky, as we wait for the big today.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/special-feature-engagement-of-banky-w-and-adesua-etomi/

okunfemm:
nice write-up. kudos

Thanks

After all the planning and preparation, you’re down to the day you’ll say “I do.” But here’s a list of a few things you should say “I don’t,” I can’t” and “I won’t” to.

1. Don’t be a Part of any Planning Activities

Time to delegate the task to a relative who’s willing to help. If you don’t have anyone to ask, skip it. Your guests won’t notice or care about the tiny little detail you don’t have covered but they will notice if you look tired and stressed out!

2. Don’t Be a Contact Option

Without a doubt, there will be out-of-towners or distant friends that need info on the d-day. Don’t let that be your job. Delegate that task to one of your bridesmaids or even your favorite aunt, who may have offered to help out.

3. Don’t Stress on the Weather

The number one wedding day detail you can’t control is RAIN. So if it rains, embrace it, take photos outside under an umbrella and focus on your friends and family. Just have sure you have FUN even in the rain.

4. Don’t Drive Yourself Around

We know you’re perfectly capable of driving, but you might be a little distracted. Have a friend or family member to drive you to and from salon appointments (or anywhere you need to go) starting a day or two to the wedding.

5. Don’t Drink Too Much Wine

It’s totally normal to have a glass of wine with your bridesmaids before the ceremony, but don’t overdo it. You want to remember every single moment of the ceremony, not to mention look your best.

6. Don’t Get a Massage or Exercise

While it is a great idea to get regular massages in the months leading up to the wedding to reduce stress and help you relax, it’s not a good idea to get a massage the day of your wedding. If you do, you risk sore muscles which can cost you lose some dance moves.

7. Don’t Pack for Your Honeymoon

Ideally, you’d have packed for your honeymoon several days before the wedding. If you’re not quite finished and you’re leaving that night, delegate the task to a close friend. If you’re not leaving until the next day, put it out of your mind for the day and do it after the wedding.

8. Don’t Underestimate Your Schedule

Make sure you’ve allowed for some extra time in between having your hair and makeup done and getting to your ceremony, especially if you’re having it done somewhere else. Traffic could be bad or your hair and makeup could take longer than expected.

9. Don’t Skip a Meal

Eat! Seriously, you have to have something in your stomach the morning of the wedding — trust us, one meal won’t affect how your dress fits but it would sure affect you looks if you faint at the altar!

10. Don’t Wear Your Shoes for the First Time

Take the time to shop and test your shoes several weeks before the wedding day. Even if you’re not planning to wear 5-inch heels, you’ll want to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for blisters. Test them in by putting them on and walking around your house for an hour or two several times until they feel good. And always bring a backup pair of sandals or ballet flats just in case.

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/top-10-things-not-to-do-on-your-wedding-day/

Mynd44, lalasticla

Mynd44, lalasticla

Whether it’s just your parents, you guys alone, or a combination, you’ll want to know all the pros and cons who pays for the wedding. These days, the cost of a wedding makes your tuition fees back in your university look affordable, I mean your university expenses all together. How are you going to make it happen so you can have the bash you want?

Here’s a rundown of some of ways you can generate funds, plus their pros and cons. Keep in mind that a combination of two or more may be how you end up getting your wedding paid for.

The Parent Pay

Traditionally, the principal fund bearer of a wedding is the bride’s parents but most times because of the enormous expense both parent most times come together.

The Pros:
As far as the parents are ready and able to pay for the wedding, this means you’ll probably be driving a better car, buying a better house and taking better vacations after your wedding than others who are paying in full or partially for their own wedding.

The Cons:
“The person who pays ultimately gets what he or she wants,” LOL. Which means that if you want 250 guests but your parents want 500, you’ll probably end up with way over 500 people at your wedding. Having your parents pay for the wedding doesn’t hurt your wallet, but you have to be willing to compromise on what the wedding will be like. This is a very good deal if you ask me.
Everyone Pays

An effective way of taking care of wedding expenses is for the two of you, the bride’s family, and the groom’s family to split the expenses. It works best, if you simply take the whole cost of the wedding and divide it three ways, For example, the bride’s parents pay for the wedding venue and part of the food expense, then the groom’s parents takes care of the drinks plus extra food and you can take care of other thing like entertainment, photography e.t.c. The key to making this work is all parts willingness to play their assigned roles.

The Pros:
By pooling your resources, you may be able to afford the kind of wedding you want. You also may not have to empty your savings account to get it. What’s more, since everyone is contributing which means everyone gets a say you’re not likely to make one side or the other feel left out.

The Cons:
By accepting money from other people, you do give up some control. But there are always solutions. If you want a DJ but the parents want a band, look for a band that also works with a DJ, who can play during the band’s break or if you want a buffet reception and your parents want a seated dinner, perhaps have food stations but arrange for waiters to serve your parents and their friends at assigned tables.
You Two Pay for Everything

This option isn’t really popular. As most brides and grooms are always in the building stage of their life when getting married but for those that have gone past this stage, I mean those with fat bank accounts, outstanding Christmas bonuses, big company dividend checks, you know those am talking about. These couples are in a good position to foot the entire wedding bill themselves.

The Pros:
Money talks, and as such, you will have total control over all aspects of the wedding. If you want to get married in a bikini on the beach and dance to a reggae band at the reception, you do it. Your mom may think it’s an outrage, but in the end, she-who-does-not-open-her-wallet can’t dictate to you. We see this happen most of the time at celebrity weddings.

The Cons:
You might deplete your savings (and rack up some debt if you take out a loan). You also run the risk of offending your parents if you refuse their financial help. To remedy the situation? You might accept a nominal sum from them, or let them pay for something you don’t have strong opinions about. In any event, don’t shut your parents out of the wedding planning process. Encourage their input, they may even have a good idea or two compromise where you can, and stick to your guns on the things that are really important.

If anything creates problems in planning a wedding, it’s money. To overcome problems, you need to do a lot of communicating with your partner and both families. If you don’t, there will be trouble!!

Source: https://www.palmfront.com/blog/the-pros-cons-of-wedding-funding/

Couples are incorporating traditional outfits into their engagement session and Ankara print is topping the list of trad look at the moment.

Are you thinking of bringing some African look into your pre-wedding moment with your soulmate? This one-of-a-kind and classy Ankara fashion statements can make you fall in love with your pre-wedding photos at a glance.

Be Inspired!

View More
http://www.blog.palmfront.com/2017/03/16/photos-amazing-ways-you-can-rock-ankara-print-for-pre-wedding-photo-session/

Delta State Government has apologised to the over 3,000 corps-members of 2014 Batch ‘C’ chapter of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who served in the state for failure to offset allowances due to them till the completion of their service year.

The governor, however, promised to pay them all the outstanding allowances through their individual bank accounts soon.

In an address at the passing out ceremony for the outgoing NYSC-members in Asaba at the weekend, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa advised the young men and women to brace up to confront the challenges they would encounter in the labour market, saying they had gained some experience in their service year to draw from.

Okowa, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, promised to sustain the state’s NYSC health scheme for rural dwellers, noting that any scheme that bore directly on the lives of the citizens was always dear to his administration.

He charged the outgoing corps-members to embrace the new change mantra in the country and contribute to Nigeria’s greatness in any capacity they might find themselves in future.

Five members of the batch bagged the state government’s merit award for the outstanding contribution in their place of primary assignment, with Njoku Ogoechi-Chiawolam receiving the State Governor’s Award for the best corps-member of the year, ‘Batch C’ 2014.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/delta-apologises-to-nysc-members-over-unpaid-stipends/

The Federal Government has not taken any decision on whether to remove or leave fuel subsidy as it is, rather, it is on the front burners of debate by officials of the government, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Ana Daniel-Nwaobia, has said.

She said a lot of factors would be taken into consideration before such a decision could be taken. “There are various considerations that will come into play before a decision would be reached. You have to take into consideration various issues before you remove subsidy. It’s a political issue, and you know we have a new government that is studying it, with time, we will know the position of government on that,” she said during the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Peru.

She said it is important to know that Nigeria is not the only country experiencing the effects of the financial crunch, saying it is a global phenomenon. “We noted that in our discussions with other ministers of finance, that everybody is struggling, and everyone is coming up with solutions and strategies on how to weather the storm for now,” she explained, adding that there’s a consensus that one way of addressing this, “is by mobilising domestic resources.”

Reforming the tax system which she said the Federal Government has started, is the right thing to do, stating that the engagement of McKinsey, (a firm of tax consultants), working with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), would contribute to shoring up tax revenues.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/fed-govt-undecided-over-fuel-subsidy-removal-says-perm-sec/

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his gratitude to Nigerians for his victory at the general election, saying he emerged winner against all odds.

Speaking at The Red Media Summit in Lagos, on Thursday, Buhari said he won the election despite the deployment of state forces against him.

“Muhammadu Buhari’s goodwill greetings to you is on account of the fact that he won an election that many people think he was not going to win,” said Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, who represented the president.

“Americans say that elections are won on the dollar. It’s very improbable that anybody can win an election without money. We didn’t have advertising money on our campaign. Even when we had little money to spend on advertising, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was not making available to us slots, neither was AIT.

“I remember on a particular night I called NTA, they had 16 slots of one minute adverts and I said I wanted to buy one minute for the Buhari campaign, they said all 16 had been sold.

“Some other instances that exposed the partisan nature of the NTA. Money was returned to us, from AIT money was returned to us. They simply won’t advertise for us.”

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/buhari-how-nta-ait-maltreated-us-during-presidential-campaigns/

As the nation awaits the commencement of the screening of ministerial nominees next Tuesday, the Senate has begun to receive petitions seeking to halt the appointments of some nominees.

At the plenary on Wednesday, Senator George Sekibo (Rivers East), presented a petition by a group known as The Integrity Group, demanding the rejection and withdrawal of the name of the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, as a ministerial nominee in view of allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him when he was the governor of Rivers State. The petitioners attached a number of documents to back their allegations.

The petition was entitled: ‘Petition Against Ministerial Nominee: Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi: Demand to Withdraw and Reject His Nomination and Appointment on Corruption, Criminal Breach of Trust, Unlawful Enrichment and Conversion of over N70 billion Rivers Peoples Monies by the former Governor of Rivers State.’

The group, which described itself as a non-governmental organisation operating in Rivers State, said its goal was to fight corruption and ensure that corrupt persons are brought to justice and stolen monies recovered.

Breaking down the figures, the petitioners alleged the fraudulent sale of state power projects secretly without advertising it in accordance with the policy of public procurement as well as the conversion of $302 million proceeds of the sales to N60.480 billion without remitting it to the state coffers.

According to them, Amaechi secretly sold the four power plants belonging to the state – Onne, Afam, Eleme and Trans-Amadi – to his choice buyer whom they said made the payment in dollars into the state assets sales account.

They added that Amaechi later ordered the payment made in dollars to be diverted to some of his choice bureau de change companies’ accounts.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/rivers-senators-reject-amaechis-ministerial-nomination/

The military yesterday said no amount of distractions would deter it from ending terrorism by December.

The Theatre Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, gave this assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Abubakar was reacting to the recent spate of suicide bombings by suspected insurgents in some parts of the country.

He pointed out that the bombings were aimed at diverting the attention of the military from achieving its target in the anti-terrorism war.

“I want to assure all that for every second that passes, we get more committed to fighting the insurgents; we cannot be deterred.

“We are doing as much as we could to ensure that we completely eradicate the insurgents as quickly as possible because we are aware of the timeline within which to complete the task,” he said.

He said the military had already gotten clues about those involved in the recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/military-no-amount-of-distractions-will-stop-us-from-ending-terrorism-by-december/

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has paid N2.1 billion to 525 retirees, the Director-General, Lagos State Pension (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, has said.

Speaking during the 19th batch Retirement Benefit Bond Certificates presentation in Lagos, she said the governor had okayed free health care for retirees.

According to her, the payment of N2.1 billion to the retirees brings the total amount paid by the governor from August to last month to N4.5 billion.

She said: “The governor has once again fulfilled his promise of paying retirees monthly till the backlog is cleared, by paying another set of 525 retirees. This brings the total number of retirees paid from August to September to 1,201. The amount expended for the two months is N4.5 billion.

“The tradition that retirees receive their Bond Certificates monthly in Lagos State without stress, has now come to stay. The governor desires to see retirees enjoy their life out-of- office without stress.

“He also promised that retirees will enjoy free health care delivery in Lagos State hospitals as arrangements are on to provide them with Retirees identification cards.

She reiterated that the pensioners would be well treated by the Pension Fund Administrators and Annuity Service providers as the money paid to them is their rights and not privileges.

Mrs Onanuga advised the retirees to invest their money wisely.

She urged retirees to tell their colleagues that were yet to collect their bond certificates that all outstanding backlog would be paid soon, adding that the payments were being structured based on the date of exit and also grade level.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/lagos-pays-525-retirees-n2-1b/

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said Nigeria cannot change its foreign-exchange rules to satisfy portfolio investors, giving support to the central bank’s currency controls.

The government wasn’t “unduly worried” by a decision from JPMorgan Chase & Co to remove the nation’s bonds from its emerging-market bond indexes, Osinbajo said in an interview with a church organisation, which was broadcast on Channels TV on Thursday. Nigeria’s inclusion in the indexes in 2012 had attracted “hot money” into the economy, which has now reversed, he said.

The naira’s plunge to a record low in February following a slump in oil prices prompted Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to extend restrictions on trading and introduce bans on purchases of dollars by certain importers.

According to Bloomberg, while the controls have helped to stabilise the currency of Africa’s largest oil producer, it put Emefiele at odds with investors and even fellow central bankers, who say the naira is overvalued.

“We need short-term foreign exchange controls even at the risk of delisting at JPMorgan,” Osinbajo said. The restrictions “have really been successful. They have led to a situation where our foreign-exchange reserves have stabilised and our current-account deficit has narrowed, which is good in the short term, but it can only be short term.”

Osinbajo’s comments echo those of President Muhammadu Buhari, who said on September 16 that he opposes a further devaluation of the naira.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/osinbajo-nigeria-cant-change-forex-rules-to-satisfy-investors/

There is liquidity in the banking system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said yesterday.

But the apex bank is concerned that Africa’s biggest economy is slowing.

Monetary Policy Director Moses Tule, said yesterday that the bank’s decision last week to cut the cash reserve ratio to 25 per cent from 31 per cent had injected 300 billion naira ($1.51 billion) into the financial system.

Prior to the move, liquidity on the interbank market had dried up after commercial banks were ordered to move government revenue to a single account at the central bank, as part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption drive.

That exacerbated problems felt by Africa’s top oil exporter, which has been hit by a drop in crude revenues, the main source of funds for the state budget and imports of basic food items.

JP Morgan’s decision to remove Nigeria from its influential emerging markets bond index (GBI-EM), which means investment funds tracking the index will sell Nigerian bonds, added to upward pressure on national borrowing costs.

“There’s sufficient liquidity in the Nigerian banking system to take up whatever foreign investors may dump, so we are not disturbed,” said Tule,

“By cutting the cash reserve ratio we introduced back more than 300 billion naira,” he said adding, however, that the bank was “concerned that the economy is slowing”.

Growth halved in the second quarter compared with the same period last year, prompting Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele to say at last week’s monetary policy committee meeting that the economy was at risk of slipping into recession in 2016.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/cbn-nigerian-banks-have-sufficient-liquidity/

Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have got N139,265,641,362 for the execution of capital projects in the first quarter.

The letter “1st Quarter Development Fund General Warrant No. 01/2015” from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia, authorised the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) to release the money to the MDAs.

The AGF was “authorized and required to pay from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government of Nigeria such monies as are necessary for carrying on the services of Government of the Federation at a level not exceeding the amount showing against, the expenditure items indicated in the schedule in the subsequent pages of this Development Fund General Warrant for a grand total sum of N139,265,641,362 (One hundred and thirty nine billion, two hundred and sixty-five million, six hundred and forty – one thousand, three hundred and sixty-two naira) only for the period of the first quarter ending March, 2015.”

Mrs Daniel-Nwaobia also instructed the AGF that “this total amount being released from consolidated Revenue Fund is inclusive of the sum of N12,500,000,000 (Twelve billion, five hundred million naira only) released to 2015 Zonal/Constituency Projects and N12,500,000,000 (Twelve billion, five hundred million) only released to 2014 constituency/intervention projects.”

In addition, the Development Fund General Warrant also authorised Officers controlling expenditure votes to “incur expenditure under the Heads and Sub-heads under their control up to the limit against the expenditure item shown on the subsequent pages to this Development Fund General Warrant for the period of the First Quarter ending March, 2015.”

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/fg-releases-n139b-1st-quarter-capital-allocation-to-mdas/

The federal government has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the appointment of the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Managing Director of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The plaintiff, a lawyer, Mr. Maduakolam Igwe, in the suit monday, argued that the appointments of the two chief executive officers (CEOs) of both government agencies did not pass through the screening and confirmation by the Senate and therefore are unlawful.
Igwe listed the defendants in the matter to include the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Others are the Chairman of FIRS; Mr. Babtunde William Fowler, Managing Director of AMCON, Mr. Ahmed Lawan Kuru, and three other executive director’s, namely: Lola Ayeye, Eberechukwu Uneze and Aminu Ismaila.

The plaintiff, in his writ of summons, is asking the court to declare that the appointments made by Buhari, without the confirmation by the Senate pursuant to Section 3(2)(a) and 11(a) of the FIRS Act 2007, as illegal and null and void.

He also asked the court to declare that the newly appointed CEOs cannot exercise the functions and duties of their respective offices without the confirmation of his appointment by the Senate.

Igwe asked the court to set aside their appointments made by the president because they are illegal.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/fg-dragged-to-court-over-firs-amcon-appointments/

President Muhammadu Buhari is free to pick his ministers, his party said yesterday.

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the party trusts the President’s judgment.

Buhari is expected to send the names of his ministers to the Senate for confirmation latest tomorrow. Speaking after a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, Odigie-Oyegun said: ”We know that the President will do what he needs to do. What happened or did not happen between us and the President is a matter for the party as a family. It is a family affair, but he will do what he needs to do, when he needs to do it. You can trust him on that.”

He also promised that the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) would soon be inaugurated. “You know that we have been pretty busy, but I want to assure you that it will soon be inaugurated.”

Odigie-Oyegun announced the decision to fix another Bayelsa State governorship primary for today in Yenagoa.

He spoke to reporters after the meeting which was briefed by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the chair of the panel that organised last week’s primary, which was cancelled.

With Odigie-Oyegun at the briefing were Deputy Chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu, Deputy Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Primce Hillaard Etta, National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed and National Women Leader Hajia Ramatu Tijanni Ali

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/apc-we-trust-buharis-judgement-on-picking-the-right-ministers/

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sent a notice to corrupt Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) officials – get set for trial.

Buhari, who spoke in the United States; stressed the need to sanitise the oil industry and free it from shady deals.

He said those responsible for the corruption in the oil giant firm will soon be prosecuted.

The President spoke in New York during a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China on the sidelines of the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).

He said the first step in this direction had already been taken, with the appointment of a new management for the NNPC and its subsequent reorganisation.

The President did not indicate how soon the prosecution would start but many contracts entered into by the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration have been cancelled for being shady.

Buhari praised President Xi for China’s assistance to Nigeria to curb the theft of crude oil.

He applauded China’s interception of a shipload of crude oil stolen from Nigeria, which was to be sold and the proceeds paid into private accounts.

“We know your stand on corruption and we are grateful. Your continued cooperation in curbing oil theft from Nigeria will be appreciated, ” he said.

Buhari told his Chinese counterpart that under his leadership, the military had been re-trained and re-equipped and was making steady gains in the fight against Boko Haram.

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Member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday in Abuja said they would today dispatch a delegation of Heads of State to Burkina Faso to reinstate the deposed interim president of the transition process, Michel Kafando, in his function as president of the transition government.

The delegation comprises the presidents of Nigeria, Niger, Togo, Ghana, Benin and Senegal.

The ECOWAS heads of states who rose from an extra ordinary session held in Abuja, also agreed to send military and humanitarian observers to Burkina Faso in liaison with the African Union and the United Nations to monitor respect for human rights.

This was contained in a communiqué read to journalists by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Desire Ouedraogo.

The communiqué further read: “They have decided to dispatch tomorrow a delegation of heads of state to go to Burkina Faso to re-establish Michel Kafando in his function as president of the transition in Burkina Faso.

“They have decided that the chairman of the authority in liaison with the Federal Republic of Nigeria will initiate a political dialogue among all stakeholders with a view to finding concessional solutions to the items contained in the peace accord proposal presented by President Mackey Sall and President Boni Yayi of Senegal and Benin Republic respectively.

“They called on the presidential guards to disarm, and demanded the other unit of the army not to use force to avoid loss of human lives. They have also called on all the stakeholders to exercise patience and refrain from anything that can derail the national consensus.

“Finally, they have requested the AU and the international community, in the view of the fact they have proposed the re-installment of the transitional government, to lift the sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso or not to impose sanctions because we have come back to normal transitional position.

“So, we have decided also to send the military and humanitarian observers to Burkina Faso in liaison with AU and UN to monitor respect for human rights.

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