The officials of FC Barcelona have lunched FCBEscola Soccer Academy in Lagos state, Nigeria.

The academy officially opened in the presence of FC Barcelona Director, Pau Vilanova and the Project Director of the FCBEscola, Franc Carbó.

The school which has been active since September 2016, is expected to enroll boys and girls between the ages 6 and 18.

It is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa and would provide opportunities for potential footballers from all over the country as well as other parts of Africa, to receive first class training.


Read Full Article @ http://flexygists.com/2017/02/fc-barcelona-officially-lauches-soccer-academy-in-lagos/

On February 14th 2017, musician Seyi Shay was unveiled as the brand ambassador for Gionee Communication Equipment Co. Ltd on Nigeria.

The choice of Seyi Shay according to the Managing Director of Gionee, Mr Somoye Habeeb was a result of her success over the years and for being an inspiration to millions of Nigerians.


Read Full Story @ http://flexygists.com/2017/02/seyi-shay-emerges-brand-ambassador-of-gionee/

This morning Tonto Dikeh revealed that her hubby infected her with numerous STDs.

Fans who seem agitated by her continual display of her marital woes on social media attacked her for speaking ill of a man she eulogized few months ago.


Read Full Story @ http://flexygists.com/2017/02/fans-blast-tonto-dikeh-for-std-infection-allegations-and-she-replies/

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has sentenced a soldier, Private Suleiman Olamilekan, to 28 days’ imprisonment with hard labour for beating up one Miss Ebere Ohakwe.

The army said Suleiman was tried and found guilty of maltreating Ebere at Omagwa checkpoint along Port Harcourt-Onitsha Road on January 30, 2017.

A statement on Thursday by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, stated that the erring soldier’s misconduct was reported on the social media.

Suleiman’s salary, according to the statement, will be forfeited to the Federal Government for the same number of days that he will be in jail.


Read Full Story @ http://flexygists.com/2017/02/nigerian-army-jails-soldier-for-beating-up-nollywood-actress/

Nigerian Music Legend, Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2face has announced on his Instagram account that there will be a massive nationwide protest on the 5th of February against the Nigerian Government.

He’s calling for good governance, urgent explanation into why the economy is getting worse etc.

Read his post below;

FIRST MASSIVE NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ON THE 5TH OF FEBRUARY, 2017.

“A call for good governance.
A call for urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide.
A call for nationwide protests as we say No to the Executive, No to legislatures, No to judiciary… You have all failed us.


We the people are tired. We can no longer continue with all of you. All your excuses and mistakes are not funny. We do not wish to continue with a system and government that is not working but afflicting the people. We the people of this country not living under the privileges of government allowances and remuneration have now accepted to take the bull by the horn to come out and protest this obnoxious and baseless policies and excuses of the government of the day.

Where are the recovered looted funds?
Why do we still have the executive arms and legislatures still enjoying their salaries and allowances while we hear there’s no money to pay workers?
Why do we still see ceaseless power failures with no explanation and hope of getting out of it unlike before?
Why do we keep seeing peace talks in Niger Delta, fulani heardsmen and ipob without any solutions being reached, while the strategies keeps aggravating the people involved as political leaders stage forums to extort funds in the name of addressing their subjects?
Why did we have petrol price rise to 145 for the sake of global oil price crash and removal of subsidy but such price is still being maintained despite significant re-awakening of the oil price from $30/barrel to $56/barrel?

Who is to be held accountable for the sudden and continuous hike in price of commodities in the market, where for the first time in history, Nigeria is suddenly selling kerosene at 400 naira per litre as against 50 naira per litre, diesel at 300 naira per litre as against 100 naira per litre and petrol from 87 naira to 145 naira? Yet maintaining the same systems, environment and maybe a lesser money spending government.

There’s need for Nigerians to rise against what is happening in this country having waited patiently for the legislatures that were elected to represent the people all to no avail.”






More Updates @ www.247vibez.com

Getting a perfect CGPA is a big deal any day! Two graduating students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have recorded an impressive feat of having a perfect 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the 2015/2016 session.

Oyindamola Omotuyi emerged as the best graduating student from the department of Systems Engineering while Bankole Titilayo Taiwo graduated from the department of Cell Biology and Genetics.

Beautiful Omotuyi, a 22-year-old student, says she was encouraged by her school fellowship to do well academically and spiritually.

“The Redeemed Christian Fellowship had overcomers award and encouraged us to do well academically even spiritually so I was challenged by it.”

Asked how she managed to graduate with a perfect CGPA, she attributed her success to God, hard work, and her coursemates.

“Well, I must say it’s been God all through. He provided wisdom at every point. Also, He brought my coursemates and friends who helped me immensely.

“I worked a lot with people. It’s good to include that there were challenges but the beautiful thing is that they were for a short while. It was not easy but considering the fact that God provided strength all the way, I would say it was easy with God.”

Omotuyi gave tips on how she achieved the perfect CGPA, in the hope of helping others who seek to replicate her accomplishment.

“It’s good to read but yet read rightly. Ride on the wings of those that have gone ahead. Ask questions about the nitty gritty of the course and what the lecturer wants.

“During exams, write what your lecturer want to see not what you want to write. Work with your classmates.”

Taiwo, a 21-year-old, said a 5.00 CGPA was not her target but she wanted to have a first class degree and “an interesting lifestyle”.

“It’s possible to strike a balance with social and academic commitments if the individual is good with time management and self-study. It wasn’t easy to graduate with 5.00 GPA because there were a lot of challenges but God made it easy and I overcame.

“My advice to students is that they should be determined, have self-confidence, trust God in everything, set their goals in having a good result and work towards it, and they should be the best in whatever they do.

“There will be a lot of challenges though but they will overcome end don’t forget there’s always light after every dark tunnel, success don’t come easily.”

UNILAG graduate, Ayodele Dada, was celebrated for recording same feat in 2014/2015 session.




More Gists @ http://flexygists.com

Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox, a Ponzi scheme known simply as MMM, on Friday opened after one month of break, but investors have remained stranded as they cannot access their funds.

So, the question now is what is really going on?

In the message, the scheme’s founder, Sergey Mavrodi, said because of the likely deluge of requests from participants, payments would be gradual and have limits.

He also said it would prioritise payments to participants with small amounts, which were not specified, and that big investors would have to wait longer.

“Please, be prepared to wait for a couple of days. We are certain things will then calm down, and the system operation will return to normal.

“We’re the ones setting limits, so it’s completely under our control, and we are not expecting any emergencies in principle. Have no fear and go on about your business as usual.

“As the system is socially oriented, we will make paybacks to the poor and the economically disadvantaged in the first place; it means to the members with small PH (Provide Help) amounts. The richer can wait. Moreover, we’ve warned you repeatedly to only provide help with amounts that are not critical for you.”

With about three million Nigerians involved in the scheme and huge investments at stake, the freezing of the MMM’s accounts a month ago had sparked fears that the ponzi scheme had crashed.

Meanwhile, some investors have expressed their frustrations as they might have to wait much longer to recover their much needed money from the scheme.



To Read Full Article, Kindly Click the Link: http://flexygists.com/2017/01/mmm-people-panicking-no-money-businessmen-cring-out/

Nollywood actor Kanayo O Kanayo shared a photo of himself at the University of Abuja as he pursues a degree in Law.

The actor who is known for his blood money roles, wrote, ” “Hello People, For the love of you, I owe you the notice that I have resumed classes in school, the University of Abuja. Just finished with morning lecture, Law of Evidence, and on standby for Equity 2-4pm. #overandout.



http://flexygists.com/

*Where wives, husbands could be swapped

The church, which was founded by the late Jeremiah Achi, who passed on two years ago, had the culture of swapping spouses for the church members in the name of getting them hooked to their God-given partner and wrapping it up with a Mercedes Benz car.

Investigations by New Telegraph revealed that the criteria for getting a brand new Mercedes Benz car is when a male member of the church is picked for the husband swap…

Though the swap is neither compulsory nor forced on members, it is said that it comes in form of vision by the general overseer, who died two years ago. Through a vision, a dedicated male member of the church may be seen not to be marrying his God-given wife, hence, another wife is picked for the man from the church to marry as the real life partner whether both are married with children or not.

The practice, it was gathered, had been going on for years with men leaving their already established homes to remarry other women with children. But the spicy meal laced with a Mercedes Benz car gift became sour when a man in the church was asked to leave his wife, who a vision revealed was not his nature-ordained wife, to marry another woman with four children while the woman’s husband was swapped to marry the man’s wife.



Full Story @ http://flexygists.com/2017/01/story-of-a-church-in-anambra-where-things-are-happening/

The scheme posted a message alerting it’s members in Nigeria that the system is back. See notice:




Full News @ http://flexygists.com/2017/01/mmm-alert-we-are-now-open/

A former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Gombe State counterpart, Senator Danjuma Goje were among the 39 senators that signed the sack of Senator Ali Ndume as the leader of the Senate, according to official document.

Ndume was sacked on Tuesday following a letter by the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus, which was read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

It was gathered that 39 out of the 63 senators who are of the APC appended their signatures to the statement sacking Ndume.

The list of senators that signed was contained in the Votes and Proceedings…

The Votes and Proceedings tagged “Vote of no confidence/notice of change of leadership” showed that Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Ibrahim D. Abdullahi, Senator Francis Alimikhena, Senator Suleiman Nazif, Senator Donald Alasoadura, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, Senator Mustapha Bukar, Senator Rafiu Adebayo, Senator Jibrin Barau, Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, Senator Usman Nafada and Senator Kabiru Marafa signed that Ndume should go.

Others are Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Tijjani Kaura, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Ubali Shittu, Senator Shehu Sani, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Senator Umaru Kurfi, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, Senator Joshua Dariye, Senator Ibrahim Gobir and Senator Shaba Lafiagi.

Also on the list are Senator Isa Hamma Misau, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Senator Mallam Ali Wakili, Senator Ahmad Sani Yarima, Senator Sabo Mohammed, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senator Olarenwaju Tejuoso, Senator David Umaru, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Senator Binta Masi.

During the adoption of the Votes and proceedings, there was a mild drama as Senator Kabiru Marafa, who moved for the adoption reaffirmed his call on the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to decamp from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC.

Moving for the adoption, Marafa said, “I move for the adoption and appeal to the Deputy Senate President to heed to my call.”

Seconding, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa) also asked Ekweremadu to decamp to APC.

“I second the adoption and urge the Deputy Senate President to as a matter of urgency decamp to the APC.”



http://flexygists.com/2017/01/names-of-senators-who-signed-for-senator-ndumes-removal/

Headies next rated winner, Mr Eazi had his baptism of fire today especially on Twitter, where he was dragged recklessly for saying Ghanaian music influenced Nigerian music.

He has apologized but his apology turned very dramatic with some funny reactions…





His fans are saying Ghana must go and Mr Eazi must return to Nigeria. Lolz!


http://flexygists.com/2017/01/lol-mr-eazi-apologizes-for-equating-nigerian-music-with-ghanaian-music/

In the last few years, Google has been on a mission to make sure that only high quality and relevant content finds its way to the top of its search result pages. To achieve this, they have continuously tweaked their algorithm to weed out sites that try to game the system. If you have a WordPress site, there are no SEO shortcuts, you must take the straight and narrow.

8 WordPress SEO Tips for 2017

The following 8 tips will help you get your WordPress SEO right.

1. Only use SEO friendly themes and plugins

There are thousands of WordPress themes and plugins. Interestingly, most people rarely think about SEO when choosing a theme or plugin. A good theme and plugin has clean code. You may not know what clean code is if you are a beginner. So if unsure, ask around in WordPress forums or post in blog comments. Also, avoid using too many plugins because they tend to make your site sluggish which is bad for SEO.

2. Don’t use the default link structure

The default link structure that comes with WordPress is not good for SEO. It looks something like this www.yoursite.com/?p=123. You need to change this to www.yoursite.com/postname or www.yoursite.com/year/month/postname. This is possible in the Permalinks section of WordPress settings.

3. Create high quality content

The two decade old adage, content is king, remains true. High quality content is the single greatest SEO tactic you can implement on your website. Good content brings people to your site, great content keeps them coming back for more. Repeat visitors and a low bounce rate are good for SEO. To search engines, this is a clear indicator that your site is high quality and therefore deserves a higher ranking. High quality content must conform to three rules; it must be unique, be helpful and shareable.

4. Optimize your images

Images add eye candy to your site. You are encouraged to use relevant images to add value to your content. However, if the images are too large, they make your site bulky and slow. Page speed is now a ranking factor so you must ensure your images aren’t affecting your SEO. You need a compromise between image quality and size. There are several plugins that help you adjust your images to the most optimum size. Alternatively, optimize your images with a free tool such a Gimp before uploading.

5. Caching and content delivery networks (CDN)

Caching is also another way to speed up your site. Caching static pages and images ensures your site loads faster. WordPress has a number of free caching plugins. Big sites should also use content delivery networks. These distributed servers maintain a copy of the site’s static pages in strategic sites around the world. Thus, when a browser requests a page, the server that is nearest the user sends the page to the browser considerably cutting down on page loading time.

6. Avoid keyword stuffing

You should focus on a one keyword per post but avoid keyword stuffing. Write naturally for human beings without paying too much regard to the keyword. You can then edit the post at the end to ensure the keyword is contained in your title, first paragraph, URL and image alt tags. But, by all means do not try to force the keyword unnaturally into the article.

7. Interlink and outbound links

Add value to your posts by linking to related content on your site. Also, link to authoritative sites but avoid linking to sites that have dodgy reputations as this can hurt SEO.

8. Use an SEO Plugin

There are many other important things that you can do to improve WordPress SEO. Thankfully, most of the other issues can be accomplished by using a WordPress SEO plugin. There are many free plugins that allow you to quickly fix SEO on individual posts and pages before you publish. Try them out and see which one works best for you.

Conclusion

There are a bunch of other WordPress SEO tips and tactics but these are the most basic. Fix these and your site will leapfrog 95% of sites on the Internet. But, the main takeaway from this article is this, create content that’s unique, helpful and shareable. Write for humans not bots. And, remember, it’s a straight and narrow path. Don’t believe any snake oil salesmen promising to get you to the SEO promised land with some quick formula they have discovered. Also, keep yourself up-to-date with the latest SEO trends by subscribing to SEO blogs.



http://flexygists.com/2017/01/8-great-wordpress-seo-tips-for-a-better-blog-in-2017/

JJC in an interview over the weekend revealed how she met his wife Funke Akindele and how he fell in love with the superstar actress.

He also told Punch the qualities that attracted him to the Jenifa star. Read excerpts from the interview below

How did you meet your wife?

She had an idea called Jenifa’s Diary that she wanted to do, and she was looking for a good director and cameraman, so she called me to help her shoot the TV series, and that was how we met.

Was it love at first sight?

Absolutely, it was an instant connection. In fact, it was love at first sight. I saw her,she saw me and, we saw stars. From that point on, everything was aligned.

What were the qualities you saw in her that made you know she is the one?

Ask every single man that is married, they will tell you the same thing. It is the same qualities that everybody wants.

So what are those qualities?

To be honest, I do not want to talk about my personal life. My wife is my baby and I cherish her a lot. If I start giving you all the secrets, people may want to snatch her from me.

Even if you do not tell us all, just give us a sneak peek…

The truth is I work really hard all the time, and a lot of the people I dated in the past used to complain that I did not devote time to them. But now, I have found my better-half who works as hard as I do, so it is a perfect combination, and the world is in trouble because we are the perfect team. As I am playing music, she is making me laugh. We have the perfect synergy, and what we are working on right now will blow people’s minds away. And I want to advise people in the entertainment industry to go and look for their better-half within the same industry, because it will give you more focus and direction.



http://flexygists.com/2017/01/how-i-fell-in-love-with-funke-akindele-jjc/

The protracted ill health of former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday, forced Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to further adjourned his trial till today.

When the case came up yesterday, the court was told that Metuh was on admission at the National Hospital Abuja.

His counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) informed the court that Metuh was, on Sunday, rushed to the National Hospital, where he was admitted for complications arising from the spinal cord ailment for which he had earlier prayed the court to allow him leave for a scheduled surgery abroad. Ikpeazu narrated how doctors at the National Hospital were still running series of tests and examinations on Metuh and insisted they would only be able to issue a report later in the day after collating the results of the tests.

Accordingly, he prayed the court to adjourned the matter till today since the doctors had assured the report will be ready later yesterday. Ikpeazu also sought the court to direct the prosecution and an officer of the court to accompany him to see Metuh at the National Hospital if it was not satisfied with his explanations.

Making his contribution on the matter, counsel to Destra Investment Limited, Chief Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) told the court that Metuh took ill and, suddenly, could not stand while attending church service on Sunday after which it was realised that his lower limbs had gone numb.

According to him, Metuh had to undergo series of examinations including an MRI scan on his spine at an Indian Hospital in Karu, Abuja, on Monday, which results came in late last night, making it difficult for the team of doctors to arrive at a comprehensive deduction for a medical report the same day.

Onwugbufor urged the court to note that “the defendant is human and susceptible to the frailties of life, including falling sick”, and is only asking the court to grant him an adjournment to enable his doctors conclude on the tests and issue a report on him. He also argued that under the law, the defendant is entitled to adjournments under such circumstance.

However, in his argument, prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir said the explanations by the defence counsel did not substitute for a sick certificate or a medical report from the hospital and urged the court to adjourn the case to the following day after which it should invoke the relevant sections of the laws to continue the case in the absence of the accused, if he fails to appear in court or produce the necessary medical documents.

Justice Okon Abang, in a bench ruling, adjourned the case at the instance of the accused to tomorrow, on the ground that the same day had already been listed for continuation of trial on the case.

Metuh had been battling a spinal cord ailment for which he had severally been admitted earlier, and for which he had been referred for a delicate surgery in a London hospital since last year as facilities for the prescribed operation are not available in the country.

Metuh had, however, not been able to go for the surgery as Justice Abang refused his application for the release of his travel documents. Medical experts fear he could lose use of his lower limbs if the corrective surgery is not urgently carried out.



http://flexygists.com/2017/01/n400m-metuhs-ill-health-stalls-trial/

Rapper Olamide, ended 2016 and started 2017 with a bang.

His 6th studio album, ‘The Glory’ landed the number 6 spot on the 2017 Billboard World Album Chart in the first week of the year. It however, dropped to the 14th position in the second week.

‘The Glory’, was released on December 26, same day as his massively successful, OLIC 3 Concert.


http://flexygists.com/2017/01/olamides-the-glory-lands-number-6-spot-on-billboard-world-album-chart-2017/

No matter how much you give some women, she will still remember “that” N500 or N1,00 you are owing her. And for you to rest, you must give her that particular money o…*laughs*


http://flexygists.com/2017/01/lol-women-why-are-you-doing-this-to-us/

“The New Celebrity Apprentice” debuted on Monday, with Arnold Schwarzenegger taking over as boss.

In season 8’s premiere, the former governor of California nixed Donald Trump’s famous “You’re fired!” catchphrase and gave it his own twist.

“You’re terminated,” Schwarzenegger said to each of Monday night’s axed contestants.

After unleashing the catchphrase on YouTube personality Carrie Keagan, Schwarzenegger added “Get to the chopper,” a reference to his film “Predator.”

Following the termination of singer Carnie Wilson, he added, “Hasta la vista, baby,” a line from the movie “Terminator 2.”

Apparently, “Crom laughs at your four winds” didn’t make the cut. Not yet anyway.

While Trump’s signature line was fired, the president-elect’s presence was still felt on the show: He was listed as executive producer in the credits.





http://musikupdate.ml/2017/01/arnold-schwarzenegger-unveils-his-celebrity-apprentice-catchphrase/

A new documentary aims to sink a popular theory that the R.M.S. Titanic’s collision with an iceberg was the key factor in its historic demise.

In “Titanic: The New Evidence,” aired on the U.K.’s Channel 4 on New Year’s Day, author and Titanic expert Senan Molony claims newly uncovered photographs prove a fire in the ship’s hull played a much larger role in its sinking than previously believed.

Molony said black marks on the vessel’s side, which can be seen in pictures taken before the doomed voyage, indicate that the Titanic’s infrastructure had been weakened by flames in the weeks leading up to the iceberg crash.

Molony’s discovery further cements a theory floated by Ohio State University engineering professor Robert Essenhigh. In 2004, Essenhigh suggested that an uncontrollable fire may have prompted the crew to pick up speed ― even in the midst of an ice field.

“If there was a reason for the speed, it had to be something important – like a fire in the coal bunker that needed to be kept under control and then put out as soon as the ship reached port,” Science Daily reported on Essenhigh’s theory in November 2004.



Universal History Archive via Getty Images

A new documentary claims the RMS Titanic’s fate was sealed by a fire, not an iceberg.

Molony came upon the trove of images at a 2012 auction in England, CNN reports. “This isn’t a simple story of colliding with an iceberg and sinking,” Molony told British outlet The Times. “It’s a perfect storm of extraordinary factors coming together: fire, ice and criminal negligence.”

But not every Titanic expert is convinced that fire can be cited as the biggest factor in the ship’s sinking, as Molony theorizes.

“There certainly was a fire,” David Hill, former secretary of the British Titanic Society, told The Times. “Was it a life-changer? It’s my personal opinion that it didn’t make a difference.”

The cruise ship’s disastrous ending, famously recreated in an Academy Award-winning movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, claimed the lives of more than 1,500 passengers when it sunk on April 15, 1912, during its maiden voyage.


Krista Few via Getty Images

An emergency cutter lifeboat carrying a few survivors from the Titanic is seen floating near the rescue ship Carpathia on the morning of April 15, hours after the disaster.




http://flexygists.com/2017/01/new-evidence-suggests-massive-fire-helped-sink-the-titanic/

West African powerhouse Omawumi promised us album in 2016 but failed to deliver the LP, after the lukewarm acceptance of her brilliant duet with Angelique Kidjo christened “Play Na Play”.

Fast forward, to 2017 the “Megbele” singer takes off with a power ballad titled “Butterflies”, which serves as the first single for her new album titled “Timeless”. On this ballad we find Omawumi in rare vocal form on this beautiful song, the song was written by Omawumi and produced by Cobhams Asuquo and is the first offering from the brand new album which is being released worldwide in 2017 by Cabal Entertainment. On this new project Omawumi and Cobhams made a clear decision to record with live instrumentation and when you listen to this beautiful song you can hear all the elements clearly.

Watch, enjoy and share this timeless piece.




Click Here To Download...

No be small thing o… This guys said he heard the voice of the lady he was to pay on MMM and the encounter turned into a love episode. The lady had to travel all the way from her base in Ogun state to go visit him in Enugu. He has even proposed to her. Wedding to follow soon.

MMM is doing wonders. Lolz!


http://flexygists.com/2017/01/lady-falls-in-love-with-man-asked-to-pay-her-on-mmm

No one starts the week planning to be unhealthy, but after a long day at work or school it’s sometimes just easier to order food for delivery, maybe have a glass or two of wine, and perhaps a sweet treat while you veg out. Indulgences can definitely feel good in the moment, but if they turn into regular habits your health could definitely take a downturn. But you knew that.

The good news: The path back to healthy living doesn’t have to mean overwhelming yourself with a rigid plan. Some of the best ways to incorporate healthy choices into your life are super simple, and inherently flexible. To get you back on the right track, we partnered with AstraZeneca to offer some easy and actionable steps you can use to live well and feel great this week.

1. Ease In


One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to improve their health is jumping in too intensely all at once ― which can set them up to fail. Ease your way into a sensible plan that fits your lifestyle, and recognize that the less drastic the changes, especially when you’re just starting out, the more likely they are to become permanent.

Start out the week with a food and exercise journal so you can see where you have opportunities for improvement, and so you can stay accountable.


2. Be Goal-Oriented


Where do you want to be a week from now? A month? Next year? Setting reachable and measurable goals just for this week ― and they can be as simple as “go for a walk after dinner three times” ― will keep you on track and give you a feeling of accomplishment that helps you move forward. Set them too high, and your first slip-up will feel like a huge failure.

To start, it may help to incorporate the management strategy known as “SMART”; goals ought to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based. You can use tools like an app on your phone or chart to keep track of progress and help you stay motivated.


3. Take A Walk


The simple act of getting up and walking can do amazing things for your health. Engaging in regular physical activity improves one’s blood sugar control and has been linked to a positive effect on blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Barring an injury or impediment, anyone can get out and get moving, and it’s easy to add steps to your day without disrupting your duties ― taking the dog for a walk, using the stairs instead of the elevator, and making sure to get up from your desk every hour are all simple ways to clock more mileage and keep your body moving.

If you need help getting started, follow this guide for tips on how to incorporate more walking into your life.


4. Nurture Your Skin


Taking care of your skin is an important part of total body health, but for many of us, our largest organ has become easy to neglect. It’s as though we take our outer layer for granted. You may not have time for an all-out pampering session, but a basic commitment to skin care can go a long way toward delaying the aging process and preventing future skin problems.

Be sure you’re washing your face, moisturizing your body and wearing sunscreen every day. The results will show up in the mirror.


5. Unplug And Appreciate The Little Things


We live in a world of screens. While smartphones, computers and other technology are a key part of our existence, there’s something to be said for a digital detox now and then. Carve out time in your life, away from screens, to connect with yourself, your significant other, your children ― any of your loved ones. Your mind and body will thank you!


6. Buddy Up

Teaming up on a new health kick with a friend, family member or partner has a ton of benefits: You can share goals, enjoy time being active together, and keep each other accountable. It’s easy to skip a workout if it only affects you; it’s a lot harder to do if someone else is counting on you to show up.

Consider sharing your progress with friends and family through social media. Their encouragement can help keep you motivated!


7. Focus On Sleep

It’s no secret that sleep is vital for optimal health. The trouble for most of us is making sleep a priority when it already feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Here’s how: set a goal for your bedtime, and take the hour before that time to prepare, whether that means turning the lights down and your screens off, putting your kids to bed, reading a book, or anything else that helps ease the chaos of the day into a nighttime lull.


8. Take A Healthy Grocery Trip

Intention is everything. Plan your meals out for the week ahead so you know you’re getting a proper nutrient balance. What is the right balance? The USDA’s “Choose My Plate” site is a great resource for learning what types and portion sizes of fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy your body needs.

Most of us know to avoid the grocery store when we’re hungry. A recent study out of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University takes that advice a step further, finding that what you eat before hitting the supermarket is also important; having a healthy snack before shopping not only decreases hunger, but also can influence your shopping choices for the better.


9. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Yes, we know, this hydration mantra is hammered home frequently. But for good reason. Drinking plenty of water not only keeps your body running, it improves kidney and bowel function, hydrates your skin and can help to prevent illness.

Bonus: A 2016 study from the University of Illinois demonstrated that just drinking two to three extra glasses of water a day can prevent you from consuming more than 200 needless calories. So drink up!

Routine is an important part of life for anyone living with type 2 diabetes, whether that means planning meals, taking medications, or finding time to get up and move around. To learn more about how you can integrate a regular walking routine into your life, check out the Everyday Steps guide and take it one step at a time.




http://flexygists.com/2017/01/9-ways-to-get-healthy-habits-back-on-track-this-week/

Heritage Bank says it has no business relationship or association with Heritage Capital Market Limited, which was recently suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC had suspended Heritage Capital Markets Limited and its directors as well as sponsored individuals over an alleged unauthorised sale of shares belonging to an investor and the company’s refusal to comply with the commission’s directives over the matter.

In a statement on Wednesday, the management of Heritage Bank stated, “Our attention has been drawn to a certain recent publication in some of the national dailies regarding the suspension of a certain “Heritage Capital Market Limited” by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Our concern stems from the resemblance in its name to our organisation, and the impression that this might leave on the minds of our dear customers.

“We wish to hereby state that “Heritage Bank Plc has no business relationship or association with the affected company- “Heritage Capital Market Limited”.

“Heritage Bank remains resolute and committed to our customer’s upholding in trust the privilege to partner with them in fulfilling your financial objectives.”

SEC has warned the general public that the suspension of Heritage Bank Capital Limited remains was indefinite.

It said, “The general public is hereby informed that the suspension is indefinite and shall remain in force pending the resolution of the matter against the operator.”

The capital market regulator also said its attention had been drawn to a circular issued by a regulatory institution directing some persons to register as dealing members with the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, an Exchange registered by the commission.

Section 38 of the Investment and Securities Act 2007, according to the commission, provides that no person shall operate in the Nigerian capital market as an expert or professional or in any other capacity as may be determined by the commission; or carry on investments and securities business unless the person is registered in accordance with the Act and the rules and regulations made there under.

Furthermore, it added that Section 315 of the Investment and Securities Act, 2007 defines a dealing member as “a body corporate which is a member of a recognized Securities Exchange and is licensed to engage in dealing in securities on that Exchange”.

SEC insisted, “By the above provisions of the law, only dealing members registered by the commission are permitted to engage in capital market activities in the Nigerian capital market.

“Consequently, SEC as the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market wishes to state as follow: By virtue of Section 13 (g) of the ISA, the commission is responsible for the registration of all corporate and individual market operators;

“Only persons registered by the commission are permitted to operate in the Nigerian capital market and as such, on all platforms registered by it.

“The commission would not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against any person found to be in violation of the provisions of the ISA 2007 and the rules and regulations made pursuant thereto.

“While the commission remains supportive of initiatives geared towards advancing the Nigeria capital market, such initiatives must confine to the prevailing legislative regime.”




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The Nigerian Union of Pensioners has accused banks of refusing to pay pensions of its members after reportedly receiving allocation for the payment from the Federal Government, thus denying the retirees the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Vice-Chairman, NUP, Federal Branch, Lagos, Arashi Lawal, said the money was specifically meant to settle December 2016 pensions for the federal retirees.

He accused three major banks of holding back the funds and denying the pensioners under them the opportunity of celebrating the Yuletide and New Year festivities with their families.

He said, “This is unfair; some of the banks have paid a few pensioners but three big banks have not paid a larger number of the retirees. And we are aware that our money is with them because the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate told us that the money had been released to them.

“It is sad to see your colleagues getting paid while you are not paid. This means bleak Christmas and New Year for those not paid.”

The Head Corporate Communications, PTAD, Theodora Amechi, said the organisation was “engaging with the relevant authorities to ensure a quick resolution of the problem; I urge the pensioners to please bear with us. The 33 per cent arrears will also be paid as soon as funds are available.”

Some of the affected pensioners who spoke to our correspondent on the issue said they had not been paid for years and had no money to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

The affected retirees, who expressed worry that undue hardship was sending many of them to their early grave, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently respond to their plight and pay their pensions.

The Chairman, NUP, Lagos, Mr. Dele Joseph, said the rate at which the members were calling the secretariat to lodge pension complaints was becoming worrisome.

He said the union could only plead with the government to come to the aid of the retirees so that they could have money to take care of themselves and their dependants.



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This beautiful young lady, Miss Joyce Uzondu, is looking for husband seriously and she has declared that in this new year 2017 if she couldn’t find a man to marry her, she will “steal” another woman’s husband. Her boldness has got people talking. See what she wrote…



Na so good husband don scarce reach? *smiles*



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Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. (CFA)

Happy New Year! Today’s piece is designed to fit into the relaxed new year mood while helping our esteemed readers reflect on the previous year.

As you may already know, technology is an enabler and it is your responsibility to make it work for you. When I talk about technology, I do not mean some complex stuff left only to geeks who are very good at programming and it does not mean using social media to fight or argue a case alone. It is certainly more than that.

My desire is for more Nigerians to regard technology as a tool to create a future they really long for. As an example, I have gone from a blogger to being a highly sought-after personality in the industry because, long ago, I made a commitment that I would use technology to transform my life in ways that my peers or those around me would not believe were possible.

What’s my point? Make technology work for you in 2017. Dig deeper; carry out more researches. Make Google your partner and take the first step.

That said, may I encourage you to take some moment to review how the use of tech tools every day must have helped you achieve more in 2016. The following are basically my thoughts on how some select tools have been of great help:



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Forest around Inspiration Stump, Lily Dale © Chester Higgins Jr.

My aunt remembered the most about Lily Dale. In town, “there was that tree or stump which is supposed to have a lot of energy.” Mediums give members of the audience messages from dead relatives and friends in an amphitheater oriented toward the stump and surrounded by old-growth forest. “Your Mom and I went a few times,” my aunt said. “You were singled out twice” she reminded my Mom, who in turn, vaguely remembered being advised to do more yoga. According to the Lily Dale website, services have been held in this clearing, which is called Inspiration Stump, since 1898.

Eager to experience the town for myself, I set out on the eight-hour drive. As I approach the Buffalo area, I pass slate blue silhouetted mountains. Dark gray clouds line the sky over sparsely maintained wooden houses. On a weathered church hangs a white cross that almost covers its façade. American flags line the roadside, one painted on a rock with the word “best” over it. Eventually, I spot signs for Dale Drive, leading into town.

Arriving in Lily Dale

I pull up to a small shed where I buy my weekly ticket; it’s a gated community. In Lily Dale’s narrow streets, I begin to wrestle with how I imagined the town and the reality in front of me. True, the quiet streets are lined with ornate wooden houses with intricate trimming straight out of a fairy tale, but the houses seem so solid and the people strolling are in sneakers and shorts.

But after I check into a small guesthouse by the lake, I set out on foot and the more mystical details of the town become apparent. Nepalese prayer flags decorate one house. Several others have wooden plaques hanging out front with the occupant’s name in a sweeping script followed by the title “medium.”

I head to Inspiration Stump which is ringed by the forest my aunt described. Fenced off to prevent people from standing on it, the Stump faces rows of rough-hewn wooden benches. The clearing is ancient and bright and green. I feel awe, but not the groundswell of energy I was told to expect and which, in my defense, I have felt in churches in Europe and Africa. I find myself wondering if humans need more than a century of daily praying to create a space that makes you feel something. Can I compare the Stump to a church hewn out of rock in Ethiopia in the 13th century whose front door is kissed hundreds of times a day? Perhaps it isn’t fair.

Due to rain, the message service will be held in the auditorium, so I head out of the grove down a gravelly pathway into the center of town. In the auditorium, metal folding chairs line the main hall. On the high ceiling suspended fans are interspersed with glass lamps. Either side of the auditorium is lined with large windows in front of which are wooden trellises, the kind you might see roses growing on.




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Athletes flexed their muscles off the field on a wide range of social and political issues in 2016.

Star players from the NBA, the NFL and women’s soccer showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement and eliminating the pay gap between men and women, while the Olympics provided a stage for a marathon runner to highlight a persecuted ethnic group in Ethiopia. Other sports figures made their voices heard on issues like medical marijuana and the refugee crisis.

Here’s a look back at the year in athlete activism.
Black Lives Matter

This year, a black man who told a Minnesota police officer he had a concealed carry license was shot dead anyway. In South Carolina, an officer who’d been caught on video firing bullets into the back of a fleeing, unarmed black man was not convicted.

These events and others made it clear that black Americans still face an unacceptable level of violence and risk in their everyday lives. And more than a few athletes decided it was time to start talking about it.

In July, NBA stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade spoke at the ESPY Awards about gun violence and the use of force by police against people of color.

“The system is broken,” Anthony said then. “The problems are not new. The violence is not new. And the racial divide definitely is not new. But the urgency to create change is at an all-time high.”

The powerful remarks came after a week that saw the killings of black men Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police, as well as the deaths of five police officers in Dallas at the hands of a lone gunman.

“Let’s use this moment as a call to action for all professional athletes to educate ourselves, explore these issues, speak up, use our influence and renounce all violence,” James said. “And most importantly, go back to our communities. Invest our time, our resources, help rebuild them, help strengthen them, help change them. We all have to do better.”



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Angry traders attacked Ekiti State Ministry of Works on Thursday and destroyed anything in sight to protest alleged disturbance from taskforce team of the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency.

The protest started when news filtered into the town that a trader had been killed by the task team otherwise called “Dagreen” in Ado Ekiti.

Trouble started when the task team stormed the King’s Market in Ado Ekiti to control traffic and seized some goods belonging to errant traders that blocked the road with their wares.

It was gathered that a defiant trader who engaged in a scuffle to recover his goods from the officials, slumped in the process and people thought he had died.

Sensing trouble, the task team fled the scene while some removed their uniforms to avoid being identified by traders.

The enraged traders formed a group, made bonfires on Oja-Oba market road and mobilised to attack the ministry on Ajilosun axis of Ikere Road.

They allegedly vandalised everything in sight including the windows, doors among others in the EKSTMA offices near the office of the Commissioner for Works, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun.



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