₦airaland Forum

I did not exactly know where to place this topic but felt it would be most appropriate if it's placed under the politics section since it borders on world politics with Nigeria as a player.

The happiest people in the world may live in Scandinavia, a new study suggests.
The United Nations General Assembly's second World Happiness Report ranks countries based on several measures of well-being and analyzes the factors that contribute to that well-being. Denmark was the happiest country, followed by Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Canada.

Happiness counts

For years, the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan has tried to measure "gross national happiness" to counter measures such as gross domestic product (GDP), arguing that such simple metrics don't capture what is really meaningful to people.
Taking your life as a whole, how happy are you?
Very happy
Quite happy
Not very happy
Not happy at all

Last year's study showed that whereas rich people are happier on average than poor people, increasing GDP in a country doesn't necessarily boost well-being. For instance, GDP tripled in the United States since the 1960s, yet well-being has stagnated.
To assess world happiness in the new study, the researchers analyzed happiness data starting from 2005. Most of the data came from the Gallup World Poll, which surveyed more than 150 countries around the world.

Worldwide trends:

Scandinavian countries topped the list of happiest countries, with the United States ranking 17th, bested by Mexico, Panama and the United Arab Emirates.

On average, people in more than 150 countries rate their happiness as a 5.1 on a scale of 0 to 10. But happiness hasn't stayed constant over time: 61 countries saw their happiness improve over the years, while 41 countries have become unhappier. Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are becoming happier overall, while industrial nations report less well-being.
More than three-quarters of the differences in happiness scores were attributable to six key metrics: real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption and generosity.

The new data could help public policy-makers tweak their policies to impact those factors, such as cracking down on corruption, to boost people's happiness. In addition, mental health problems such as clinical depression and anxiety have a huge impact on people's well-being. Yet mental health issues are often ignored b policy-makers, the study found.

"There is now a rising worldwide demand that policy be more closely aligned with what really matters to people as they themselves characterize their well-being," said study co-author Jeffery Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, in a statement. "More and more world leaders are talking about the importance of well-being as a guide for their nations and the world. The World Happiness Report 2013 offers rich evidence that the systematic measurement and analysis of happiness can teach us a lot about ways to improve the world's well-being and sustainable development."

Happy citizens also make for better countries: The report found that happiness makes people to live longer, become more productive, have higher earnings and makes them better citizens.

Here are the countries rankings, based on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most satisfied with life. The scores are an average of results between 2010 and 2012.

1. Denmark (7.693)
2. Norway (7.655)
3. Switzerland (7.650)
4. Netherlands (7.512)
5. Sweden (7.480)
6. Canada (7.477)
7. Finland (7.389)
8. Austria (7.369)
9. Iceland (7.355)
10. Australia (7.350)
11. Israel (7.301)
12. Costa Rica (7.257)
13. New Zealand (7.221)
14. United Arab Emirates (7.144)
15. Panama (7.143)
16. Mexico (7.088)
17. United States (7.082)
18. Ireland (7.076)
19. Luxembourg (7.054)
20. Venezuela (7.039)
21. Belgium (6.967)
22. United Kingdom (6.883)
23. Oman (6.853)
24. Brazil (6.849)
25. France (6.764)
26. Germany (6.672)
27. Qatar (6.666)
28. Chile (6.587)
29. Argentina (6.562)
30. Singapore (6.546)
31. Trinidad and Tobago (6.519)
32. Kuwait (6.515)
33. Saudi Arabia (6.480)
34. Cyprus (6.466)
35. Colombia (6.416)
36. Thailand (6.371)
37. Uruguay (6.355)
38. Spain (6.322)
39. Czech Republic (6.290)
40. Suriname (6.269)
41. South Korea (6.267)
42. Taiwan (6.221)
43. Japan (6.064)
44. Slovenia (6.060)
45. Italy (6.021)
46. Slovakia (5.969)
47. Guatemala (5.965)
Malta (5.964)
49
Ecuador (5.865)
50. Bolivia (5.857)

51. Poland (5.822)

52. El Salvador (5.809)
53. Moldova (5.791)
54. Paraguay (5.779)
55. Peru (5.776)

56. Malaysia (5.760)
57. Kazakhstan (5.671)
58. Croatia (5.661)
59. Turkmenistan (5.628)
60. Uzbekistan (5.623)
61. Angola (5.589)

62. Albania (5.550)
63. Vietnam (5.533)

64. Hong Kong (5.523)

65. Nicaragua (5.507)

66. Belarus (5.504)

67. Mauritius (5.477)

68. Russia (5.464)

69. North Cyprus (5.463)

70. Greece (5.435)

71. Lithuania (5.426)

72. Estonia (5.426)

73. Algeria (5.422)

74. Jordan (5.414)

75. Jamaica (5.374)

76. Indonesia (5.348)

77. Turkey (5.345)

78. Libya (5.340)

79. Bahrain (5.312)

80. Montenegro (5.299)

81. Pakistan (5.292)

82. Nigeria (5.248)

83. Kosovo (5.222)

84. Honduras (5.142)

85. Portugal (5.101)

86. Ghana (5.091)

87. Ukraine (5.057)

88. Latvia (5.046)

89. Kyrgyzstan (5.042)

90. Romania (5.033)

91. Zambia (5.006)

92. Philippines (4.985)

93. China (4.978)

94. Mozambique (4.971)

95. Dominican Republic (4.963)
96. South Africa (4.963)

97. Lebanon (4.931)

98. Lesotho (4.898)

99. Morocco (4.885)

100. Swaziland (4.867)

101. Somaliland region (4.847)
102. Mongolia (4.834)

103. Zimbabwe (4.827)

104. Tunisia (4.826)
105. Iraq (4.817)
106. Serbia (4.813)
107. Bosnia and Herzegovina (4.813)
108. Bangladesh (4.804)
109. Laos (4.787)
110. Hungary (4.775)
111. India (4.772)
112. Mauritania (4.758)
113. Palestinian Territories (4.700)
114. Djibouti (4.690)
115. Iran (4.643)
116. Azerbaijan (4.604)
117. Congo (Kinshasa) (4.578)
118. Macedonia (4.574)
119. Ethiopia (4.561)
120. Uganda (4.443)
121. Myanmar (4.439)
122. Cameroon (4.420)
123. Kenya (4.403)
124. Sudan (4.401)
125. Tajikistan (4.380)
126. Haiti (4.341)
127. Sierra Leone (4.318)
128. Armenia (4.316)
129. Congo (Brazzaville) (4.297)
130. Egypt (4.273)
131. Burkina Faso (4.259)
132. Mali (4.247)
133. Liberia (4.196)
134. Georgia (4.187)
135. Nepal (4.156)
136. Niger (4.152)
137. Sri Lanka (4.151)
138. Gabon (4.114)
139. Malawi (4.113)
140. Cambodia (4.067)
141. Chad (4.056)
142. Yemen (4.054)
143. Afghanistan (4.040)
144. Bulgaria (3.981)
145. Botswana (3.970)
146. Madagascar (3.966)
147. Senegal (3.959)
148. Syria (3.892)
149. Comoros (3.851)
150. Guinea (3.847)
151. Tanzania (3.770)
152. Rwand2a4 (3.715)
153. Burundi (3.706)
154. Central African Republic (3.623)
155. Benin (3.528)
156. Togo (2.936)

Fellow nairalander, is this report anything to go by considering the popular notion that Nigerians are the happiest people in the world. Let's discuss.

scipher: [img]http://2.bp..com/-hced7sW9eak/Ufb6xQ7cijI/AAAAAAAB4zU/qeiq0LsjO7I/s1600/352f1_news_article-2287275-1868BA00000005DC-943_306x423.jpg[/img]

[img]http://1.bp..com/-QCU7lfV8lEs/Ufb6zGT8ytI/AAAAAAAB4zc/F-K48L_a4NY/s1600/THE+ALAKIJA+BOYS.jpg[/img]

One of the world's richest women, billionaire oil tycoon Mrs Folorunsho Alakija recently acquired four brand new 2013 G-Wagons for her four sons, according to a report by Society Now.

 The luxury SUVs, which were specially made for the Alakija boys, were quietly brought into the country a few weeks back. Each is said to have cost at least N22mllion, minus shipping.

.Mrs Alakija is said to be worth about $600m (as of 2012) and makes about $1m daily from her oil business. She also has a real estate portfolio worth over $100 million. 

http://lindaikeji..com/2013/07/billionaire-folorunsho-alakija-acquires.html?m=1

Extremely privileged boyz.

Almighty God i need your blessings too. Madam, i make you as a point of contact to receive my own mouth-watering wealth too from God. Amen and Amen.

This s*x savvy may not last after all. Am just getting sick and irritated by her saucy behaviour and attitude. Let's recall her back to her mummy.

Cynluv: I'm using shea butter 4 the spots on M̶̲̥̅♈ legs,ȋ̝̊̅§ really really trying removing them bt I'm getting lighter.I'm dark skin should I countinue using it or should stop...plsssss

Did you mix it with any other substance or it's just pure shea butter?.

Pretty nice OP...The Tonto Dike one is quite revealing and real. Nice work there!!!

@ amdman.... I know exactly how it feels to be in this state of despair and want. I've gone through the same ordeal and came out un-scathed. Your story brought back to me those moments of frustration, despair, want, desperation, cries and negative stigma i encountered while in trial. But all these are gone forever. I'm now blessed with the fruit of the womb and a proud expectant father for that matter. My wife is now at the end of her 2nd trimester and everything is naturally well. We give thanks to God. I use my joy, victory and happiness as a point of contact to you for God's blessings upon your marriage. That Almighty God you know has not changed and will never change. HE will give your marriage that gracious fruit you desire and you will testify to HIS greatness and mercy. Just trust and believe in HIM. I'll encourage you to continue to be strong and steadfast for your wife as you are the only symbol of her perseverance. May the Lord Almighty shower HIS blessings upon your marriage richly and in no distant time. Be blessed!

gboss4sure: The truth is that Fashola is going against the Constitution of this country. Section 41, Sub section 1 of the constitution Reads: "Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom"

Fashola is contravening our constitution for records sake ooo.

I'm sure you're ignorant of the fact that to every general rule, there is an exception. S.41(1) of the Constitution generally provides for freedom of movement of every citizen of Nigeria in any part of the country in the ordinary course of legitimate movement devoid of commission of any known crime in any part of the country. In other words, your freedom can be impeded if in such circumstance you have constituted a nuisance or public threat to the detriment of all others. The law is no respecter of anybody or class of persons, to say the least destitutes. If these group of persons are constituting nuisance in any part of the country they found themselves, then the law will take its course. This is regardless of the constitutional provisions. Similarly, you may wish to be informed that your right to life as enshrined in the constitution can be extinguished by an order of competent court of law. This is also regardless of the constitutional provisions. On the other leg of argument regarding expulsion of the beggars from Lagos, the constitution merely envisaged expelling Nigeria citizens out of the country or restricting them from coming and NOT moving or transferring them from one end of the country to the other as in the present case. By and large, what the Lagos State government has done is in order, moreso that adequate provisions for rehabilitation have been made in favour of this class of persons in the state. BUT it's unfortunate that rather than embracing this gesture, these beggars have constituted themselves as threat and nuisance to all well-meaning Lagosians. EKO ONI BAJE OO.

I think this is a right step in the right direction. Kudos to the Lagos State Government. The rate at which these destitutes are flocking around Lagos is quite alarming. Major roads and pedestrian bridges have become their places of abode not minding their safety and that of other Lagosians. Typical hotspots are Ketu and Mile 12 environs. These persons of Northern origin have practically turned these place to eyesore and even engage in show of dominance in the area against the natural inhabitants. It is high time drastic measures are put in place to check their excesses or better still rid them totally from Lagos if rehabilitation is not an option.

The stage is set for the big show. Hope Tonto Dikeh, the Nigerian representative will not go there and mess up. But why are GOtv subscribers only going to enjoy highlights?. Multichoice, this is not ideal. Hope it's going to be shown live across board. Can't wait!!!

The singer Beyoncé is reportedly pregnant, claims a U.S. newspaper.
Pictures of the singer on stage in London appear to show the 31-year-old with an uncharacteristically rounded tummy.
And another report claims the singer's much derided Met Gala look was designed to conceal her growing pregnancy figure.
The 'Grown Woman' singer - who welcomed her first child, daughter Blue Ivy Carter, into the world in January 2012 - is said to be expecting again with her rapper husband Jay-Z.

The New York Post newspaper claims 'multiple sources' told them Beyoncé, 31, is pregnant following her attendance at the star-studded Met Ball last week, where the star's rumoured pregnancy was the talk of the night.
The pop superstar is said to have 'carefully' hidden her baby bump in a high-waisted Givenchy gown, but according to the report, multiple photos have surfaced of Beyoncé sporting a growing stomach on her 65-date 'Mrs. Carter Show' world tour, which touched down in Dublin, Ireland, on Sunday.

The 'Girls (Run the World)' hitmaker's spokesperson couldn't be reached for comment by the newspaper, but Beyoncé and Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - remained tight-lipped about her first pregnancy until sensationally announcing it live at the MTV Video Music Awards in August 2011.
Beyoncé recently admitted she would love to give her 18-month-old daughter a sibling, because she enjoyed such a close relationship with her younger sister Solange Knowles, 26, when they were growing up.
She said: 'I would like more children. I think my daughter needs some company. I definitely love being a big sister.'

When pressed on when she may have another child, she added: 'At some point, when it's supposed to happen.'

Celebrities are normal beings and nothing out of this world. Beyonce is free to have babies at any convenient stage of her matrimonial life. If this is confirmed eventually, the world would be eager to welcome, may be this time, 'BABY CUBA, PINK IVY OR GREEN SOWETO' lol.. Guys what do you think?

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2323758/Is-broody-Beyonc-pregnant-baby-No-2.html#ixzz2TGhEU1LS
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook.

daakins: persistent usage will fade dark scar..mixing coconut oil with Shea butter is good.and its always best to use it when you want to sleep at night.u can try dis combination..Sheabutter mixed with egg,coconut oil and honey which is den whipped by using a blender...it makes a good cream and moreover dey are all natural products with no chemicals .

Egg??.. how would one solve issues of preservation?.

pofolo: wow now live on tv congo nig 2:0 tun on fta via sirius4 on 4.8 east
Nigeria vs Tunisia U17 live on Gabon Television on fta w3c i6east.

Congo and Gabon Tvs showing the match?.. this is shameful to Nigeria..smh

fujirice: NTA dn do us as usual o! Make una dey update sharperly abeg!

Go to NTA 24

Mod, Pls put this on the front page for people to learn and contribute. Thanks in advance.

Very many of us one way or the other have been victims of office politics whether consciously or otherwise. Understanding the strict dynamics of workplace politics and happenings has been accepted as the panacea for healthy career growth in any sphere of our work endeavour. It is therefore pertinent to bring to fore some of these dynamics to drive home the need to be tactical at workplace to avoid being a victim of office politics. Fortunately, i stumbled on this write up on the topic and i felt it would do fellow Nairalander some good if we are constantly aware of all the dynamics and ways to deal with workplace politics. Enjoy and contribute... Please moderator oblige this topic a frontpage privilege so that people can be learn and be better of.

How to Survive Office Politics

We human beings have advanced beyond our years. We put a man on the moon, found new methodologies to enhance fertility, and today we can replace faulty organs through transplant procedures. We are indeed the dominant species of the universe! Unfortunately, while we have undoubtedly been able to subdue most hindrances to our existence, it is in our personal relationships with one another that we have failed to advance.

Really, human relationships have not advanced beyond the normal nursery school play ground issues, the only difference is our ego’s are now much bigger and even more fragile. “Gossip”, “slander”, “false accusations”, “mistreatment”, “group seclusions”, are just some of the issues we have taken with us from primary school right to the office. The problem with having these issues in the office environment is many fold. Most of us spend at least 2/3 of our lives at work, and the income we receive is usually all we have to support ourselves and our family. So working within unpleasant circumstances can easily translate to a poor quality of life for many. Plus, in our increasingly unstable economic climate, where once thought solid multinational companies have crumbled with less than a weeks notice, it becomes even more necessary to hold on to our current means of employment.

In order to survive in any jungle, you must adopt key survival tactics. Here are a few tactics to survive the jungle of work politics.

1.Mind your work and your manners:

It’s no use trying to avoid office politics if you aren’t putting in the effort at work. Think about it, if management has decided to lay of 50 staff members, who do you, think will get the first cut? You guessed right, those that are always the last to get into work and the first to leave. If you spend all day in the office chatting away on Facebook, without meeting any of your Key Performance Indicators, it is very unlikely that you will have a leg to stand on when those kinds of decisions are being made.

Make sure you are always punctual, meet your deadlines and put in the extra effort wherever possible. Achieving this will ensure that your work speaks volumes anytime management decisions are being made.Also try to exclude yourself from office gossip or putting down company policy and your boss. Even in cases where you happen to hear quite juicy information, keep it to yourself. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person can get you into unnecessary trouble. The same goes for sharing unnecessary personal information about yourself. Maintaining a healthy work, personal life separation is always beneficial.

Finally always remember that work social functions, are still cooperate events and should be treated as such. This is not the time to get tipsy or behave like you would normally do when you are around family and friends.

2.Be Indispensable:

This follows from the first point. If you put in the necessary effort chances, are you will excel at your chosen field of employment, and trust me, everyone will know about it. This means anytime anyone has a question, you will be the first one they’ll ask, and this goes for both your co-workers and clients. Being the go-to person in any establishment makes you indispensable. If your boss knows they can rely on you to get the job done, they will most likely want to keep you around.

Being indispensable also means taking out time to train yourself. Go for courses that enhance your CV and your general career goals. Make sure you are knowledgeable in your chosen profession, this will also go along way in enhancing your self confidence and career advancement.

3. Learn to play the game:

As with any thing in life, you must learn the rules, before you can play effectively. The same is true of the work place. That doesn’t mean you have to do the same thing everyone else does, it just means you must be aware of the dynamics and devise your own strategies for success. For example, if you know your boss is passionate about a particular project, it wouldn’t hurt to ensure that your priorities reflect that. Also, if you know your supervisor, likes being called by his title “Engineer” Ladipo, it wouldn’t do you any harm to address him as he wishes. You’d be surprised how little things like this make a world of difference.

However, always remember that there is a thin line between learning how the game is played and just paying lip service. The trick here is to be aware of the game not be part of it.

4. Manage your emotions:

Personally, this is something I struggle with. I like to speak my mind when and how it pleases me, but the disadvantages to this trait, especially in a work environment, far outweigh its benefits.
Yes, there are times you will want to scream at your co-worker who is taking all the praise for the hard work you both put into a project. There will also be a time when you want to tell your boss just how wicked and evil she is and how she is a miserable witch. There might also be a time when you feel like just screaming out of sheer frustration and desperation. But you must keep it together. Go to the bathroom and scream if you must, go into your car and punch the dash board or wait till you get home and cry on the shoulder of your loved one instead. But NEVER show those emotions at work.

However, there might be situations were it might be necessary for you to speak up for yourself. In cases like this, I would advice that you wait until you are completely calm, that way you will speak from a rational, sensible point of view and not form your emotions.

5.Keep your eyes on the prize:

In life, you should have goals. Things you hope to achieve that keep you focused, motivated and grounded. The same should go for your career. You must have an ultimate career goal in focus and plot a trajectory for getting there. That way, you will see your job as a means to an end, not necessarily an end in itself. When you have your career destination in focus, it makes it easier to tolerate various work related issues that may arise, because you know they are essentially temporary.

The problem with most employees is that they settle very quickly into a role and allow it to define them. They forget that they are only employees being employed by someone else who has the overall final say on that particular employment position. But when you have an ultimate career goal in focus, you are continually striving for something better instead of allowing your current position to delude you into a false sense of self satisfaction.

6. Remember the little people:

People like drivers, messengers, clerks and assistants e.t.c. are vital to the running of any organization. By virtue of their position, Directors, Managers, CEO’s tend to drop salient pieces of information when ever they are around them (for example, an MD receiving an important business call while in the car or an assistant who has access to her bosses diary). This makes them very useful friends to have on your side.Depending on your position, you might find it quite easy to dismiss people in such roles. However, it may one day prove valuable to keep them on your side, as you never know when they might have information that could save you a whole load of stress.

obi2012: Guy no dey vex now. U saw the title of the thread, u posted a Hyundai inside a thread tired 2014 Mercedes.. If you wanted to showcase hyundai's technological advancement, you could have easily opened a new tread titled 2014 Hyundai

Demdem: ^^^

I tire oooo

Demdem: ^
Ok, "hyuntoy" lover, where is ur thread? Let's help u promote it.
No one is saying other cars aren't innovative, the issue is such innovations aren't meant for this ultimate thread. This thread is strictly for their king.
Let subjects show some respect, that surely isn't too much to ask.

Promoters, haters, marketers, owner(s) etc.....having different name profiles on Nairaland to promote/market their 'machine'. No offense though. Good strategy!!

obi2012: How can someone be mentioning Hyundai next to Mercedes?

Some people have eyes yet they cannot read nor comprehend simple grammar or comments from others. There is no where in this thread was any attempt made at comparing Hyundai with Mercedes Benz. The fact that Hyundai HCD Genesis was mentioned in this thread was not to venture into a voyage of determining which is which or which is classy or 'machine' as some people have claimed but to simply bring classy technology and innovation to the automobile table of Nairaland as an internet domain where poeple can appreciate it. But some haters, sorry 'marketers' believe the thread is theirs to open and comment only. They forget that for 2014 Mercedes Benz S Class and any other good product and innovation for that matter, it is RES IPSA LOQUITOR for the public and there is no need to carry the campaign on their head.

Demdem: It remains a toy.

Mr Marketer marketing on Nairaland. I hope you are overwhelmed with calls for orders for your 'machine' already?.... wait let me inform my oga at the top if he's interested.

Hyundai have come a long way to be a contender . . . . [/quote]It has really come a long way, buddy.

Now i know, this is purely marketing stunt...no wonder the 'Toy' concept. They have even removed the Hyundai Genesis pictures i earlier posted. Bad belle people. Now the cozy interior of the All-New hyundai GENESIS. If you don't like it, simply go hug a transformer!.

damas11111: I don't mind this one o! A beauty to behold.

#ONPOINT

Demdem: Not too bad.

Just my tot... cool for the price.

Demdem: Manmi, I don't think we need to fight on this trivial issue. It's called preference. U love toys, I love machines. Why should I fight u for that? Create ur toy thread and let's celebrate it also. Don't diminish the value of this thread because of that biko.

Lolzz...Yu got me cracking. Fight innovation cynic like you.

dandollaz: Bros this Hyundai no go pass my street so make u forget it.

Dude, the 'bitch' is not designed to ply your street.So don't worry yourself. It is going to be for those who can afford the luxury of owning a top class ride like the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class .

Demdem: Of cos we have beautiful toys. Feel free to create ur thread for these. This thread is about a machine. Gat my drift

Thank God, this thread is about a 'machine' and the fact that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class is a top shot is not in doubt, but i guess it all started and came to what it is today, when the Germans borrowed your 'TOY CONCEPT'. Are you not going to sue for Toy concept copyright?. Grow up and appreciate innovation

Demdem: Toy.

Eventually when i acquire this beauty, you can bring your 'TOY' concept on. Hater of innovations!!!!

Jellitah: Once a month with the HUSBAND. . .THEN ONCE IN TWO MONTHS WITH THE BOYFRIEND. . . I PREFER 'MAS-TUR-BATION'!

My brother Masturbation is dangerous to your sex life and it's satanic.

@ Qualms & KissAso, you guys are quite lucky. I think this situation is like 5% success story. The hype is not just commensurate with the success story.

Just wondering the state of publicity and dimension the campaign about the popular job placement site Jobberman has taken and yet nobody whether through this website or any other forum has never talked about securing a job through the jobs placed by Jobberman. This has left me perpelexed to wonder what is the deuces about Jobberman website when no jobseeker or graduate has never praised them for having secured a good job or placement through the medium. Are the jobs found or placed on this jobsite a mirage? Fellow nairalander, what is your take on this? Please share with the house if you have ever secured a job or you know someone who has ever gotten a job through the site in question. Thank you.