₦airaland Forum

This guy is beginning to understand being rich is different from being in the public eye. He changed from son of rich man to "celebrity" last week.

Paddy Adenuga is beginning to understand the challenges that come with being a celebrity in your own right. A feat he achieved with his recent story of his attempts to buy Chevron Netherlands.

One of the rumours flying around is that ‘Paddy’ is not his real name and that it is a corruption of the term ‘padi’ which means friend in pidgin English that his grandfather used to call him.

However, Paddy is not finding this funny answering the question on Twitter when asked thus:

whatever you read is totally false.. paddy is my real name. i was named after an irish businessman named Paddy Cook. #nowthatsfactsfromthesource

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/paddy-real-name-younger-adenuga-insists/

Screenshots below.

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

There are some clever air travel tips that are important to know. Knowing these tips can help to significantly enhance your air travel experience. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 surprisingly clever air travel tips.

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Do an Amenities Comparison When Booking Flights

Not all airlines have the same amenities. There are airlines that offer great services, seat sizes, swiftness and entertainment at really great prices. You should, therefore, try to do a little research or ask one or two people versed in this area about them. Avoid the erroneous belief that all airlines are the same, and do some research to get the best airline with the best deal for your air travel.

If You Want To Adjust or Recline Your Seat, Politely Ask The Person Likely To Be Affected By The Change

It’s funny that most people don’t realize that simply politely talking to the person beside or at the back of you about your need to recline or adjust your seat, can go a long way in giving you a potentially more comfortable and convenient flight experience. If you’re afraid to do it yourself, you can ask a flight attendant to help you out. The worst that can happen is that the person is unwilling to adjust, and in that case you can ask the flight attendant to help you ask around for those who won’t mind adjusting for you, and you can exchange seats as appropriate. There’s nothing herculean about it, you simply have to ask. Another alternative is that if you’re traveling with a family or friend, at the time of booking, you can request to sit directly in front of him/her. A friend or family will easily be able to accommodate your need to adjust your seat every once in a while. The airline can make provisions for this, if such a request can be accommodated.

Treat The Flight Attendants Well

A flight attendant will be more willing to go the extra mile to secure your comfort during the flight, if you are simply nice to them. Try not to argue with them or ignore their instructions, and just be polite to them. At the end of the day, they are flight attendants not slaves or servants.

Bring Ear Plugs Along With You

The importance of bringing earplugs along with you, especially on long flights or overnight flights, can really not be over-emphasized. With ear plugs, it doesn’t matter if or when the plane gets noisy, you can always plug in your earplugs and get much needed silence. Even in the hotel room, when you finally get to your destination, ear plugs can also be very valuable in helping you keep things quiet around you.

If You’re Traveling With Children, Bring Some Entertainment Along With You

Bringing along a portable DVD player, an iPad or tablet, or a game player can help keep your young children occupied during the flight and give you some needed downtime. You can bring some entertainment for yourself too, to also keep yourself occupied. In this case, you can invest in good quality noise canceling earphones or headphones, so regardless of how noisy the plane gets, your entertainment or even that of your children will not be interrupted.


Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-surprisingly-clever-air-travel-tips/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

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Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has hit out at some Nigerians who seem not to see anything good about Nigeria and are quick to make negative comments about the country. He took time to address some critics recently telling them among other things: “we are a great country, stop putting yourself down”.

Click link to watch video

http://www.opinions.ng/great-country-stop-putting-fashola/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

If you are currently on a work visa or you are thinking about applying for one, you need to be aware that there are certain conditions you need to maintain in order not to lose your pass to work in the country. In line with this, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, highlights possible ways your visa can be cancelled.

Don’t engage in work other than what is allowed by your visa

In most cases, work visas are obtained for a specific job. Your employer will complete the application with you, and your visa will allow you to work for this person or company. If you take another job during your stay, your work visa will be terminated.

Be careful of other intentions

Work visas are considered as temporary visas and are granted to individuals who have no intentions of settling or absconding. If there are any reasons to believe that you obtained a work visa for the purpose of settling or absconding, you could lose your visa.

Don’t lie about your qualifications to obtain the visa

Some work visas are only granted to workers who have a particular degree or experience in a recognised field. If you lied about your education background or qualifications to get a work visa and you are caught, your visa will probably be cancelled.

Be sure to keep your job

Most work visas are valid as long as you keep your job. You might be able to maintain a valid visa if you can find another job in the same field and get your new employer to sponsor you but your current work visa will not remain valid if you quit your job or get fired.

Don’t commit a crime

If you commit a crime and are charged for it, your work visa could be suspended. This usually depends on how serious the crime is. If you are convicted of a felony, you should just forget about your work visa.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/possible-ways-not-lose-work-visa/

cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

I thank you for your letter Reference NASS/8S/R/01 /33 dated 18th January, 2018 and I have carefully studied the resolutions and comments contained therein.

As I briefed you and the Rt. Hon. Speaker when we met on the 14th January, 2018, several courses of action had already been taken prior to the Senate Resolutions. You may recall that I told you of the following steps taken as soon as information came to me about the Benue killings.

On Thursday 4th January, I sent the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations for an on the spot assessment of the situation.

On Friday, 5th January, the Inspector General of Police briefed me verbally on the latest situation. Calm had by then been restored.

On Monday 8th the Minister of Interior met with the following:

Governors of Adamawa, Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa States together with
Director General of the State Security Services (DG SSS)
Inspector General of Police
Commandant General, Civil Defence
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Commissioners of Police from the six aforementioned states
Comptrollers of Civil Defence from the six aforementioned states.

After the meeting I instructed the Minister of lnterior to brief you on the information gathered so far and steps taken. On Tuesday 9th January, I had a long session with Governor Ortom of Benue State during which I informed him of police arrest of some suspects with Kalashnikovs. In addition, I told him that I had instructed the IGP to speed up trial and prosecution of the suspects and give wide publicity to the police efforts.

At the request of the Governor a meeting was held in the Presidential Villa on 15th January, with a wide – cross – section of Benue personages where frank and open discussions were held and everybody in the meeting appreciated the complexity and difficulties of this farmer/herder strife. I assured all and sundry of my commitment to ensure that justice is expeditiously done.

To infer, therefore that nothing has been done is incorrect. The police are strenuously working to apprehend the rest of the culprits of these heartless killings. Furthermore, I have instructed the Inspector General of Police to relocate to Benue State, redeploy forces to the most sensitive areas. The Federal Government is initiating additional measures to address these and other security challenges, alleviate the consequences of these attacks and forestall reoccurrence. The Senate Resolutions itemised in your letter will be taken into consideration and I am instructing all relevant MDAs to factor them in their work.

Earlier, on December 19th 2017 to be precise, while receiving the Report of the Committee which I had set up to review the operational, technical and administrative structure of the National intelligence Agency (NIA), I underscored the need to review the entire national security architecture – as I promised in my inaugural Address on 29th May, 2015. Action is being initiated and I expect to receive maximum cooperation from the Senate, in line with paragraph (iii) of the Senate Resolutions.

Please accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards.

Muhammadu Buhari

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/read-president-buharis-letter-senate-president-bukola-saraki-benue-killings/

The Full Story of How Paddy Adenuga missed Buying Chevron Netherlands with a Few Unsaid Words

http://www.opinions.ng/full-story-paddy-adenuga-missed-buying-chevron-netherlands-unsaid-words/

The political strife in Kenya is far from over as opposition leader, Raila Odinga has declared himself as the “people’s president” and changed his Twitter bio to read include “President of the Republic of Kenya”.

He took his ‘Oath of Office’ at Uhuru Park with police observing closely. Meanwhile, the Kenyan government of President Uhuru Kenyatta enforced a TV blackout of the event with stations going off-air at the time of the ‘swearing in’ of Odinga.

The BBC reports that many of the stations however streamed the event live on the Internet.

President Kenyatta was officially re-elected with 98% of the vote on October 26, 2017 with just under 39% of voters turning-up to vote, Odinga had instructed his supporters to boycott the election.

Kenyatta also won the initial election held on August 8, 2017 but that result was annulled by Kenya’s Supreme Court which described it as “neither transparent nor verifiable”.

It is left to be seen what this new event will lead to.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/trouble-looms-kenya-country-gets-2nd-president/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Cake reimagines the web browser for today’s smartphone user…

Today, Cake Technologies, Inc. announced it has received $5 million in pre-Series A funding led by Peak Ventures, with participation from Pelion Venture Partners and Kickstart Seed Fund. The funding has allowed Cake to take on legacy browsers like Safari and Chrome by building a faster, swipeable browser built specifically for mobile.

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“There’s a lot of room for innovation when it comes to the mobile browser, and Cake has found a sweet spot,” said Sid Krommenhoek, partner at Peak Ventures. “Since the smartphone was introduced in 2007, storage capacity alone has increased more than 60x, yet the mobile browser has hardly changed in a decade. We see a huge opportunity for Cake to disrupt industry heavyweights by providing quicker access to search results in a way that is much more user-friendly.”

Cake’s fresh take on the mobile browser allows users to find web content more quickly by swiping through search results as web pages, instead of tapping back and forth between a list of result links and resulting pages. The app does this by suppressing the search index and immediately preloading search results so users can quickly swipe through content.

“Mobile browsing in 2018 is still startlingly close to desktop browsing in the late 1990s, and it’s time for that to change,” said Kendall Hulet, Cake’s CEO. “At Cake, we reimagined the browser to take full advantage of high-speed connections and touch-enabled mobile devices – something no one has really done for the smartphone until now.”

“We didn’t realize mobile browsing was broken until we tried Cake,” said Ben Lambert, investor at Pelion. “Once we started using the app, we couldn’t go back to our default browsers. To us, that was an incredible indication of Cake’s market potential: it’s high.”

In addition to faster, swipeable search results, Cake’s mobile app includes the following:

● Broader search results: Cake allows users to search across categories and multiple services at once, which pulls more results in images, videos, news, and shopping.

● Personalized searches: In addition to allowing users to choose their preferred search engine (Google or Bing), Cake lets users choose and reorder their favorite sites within a category (like news, videos, images or online shopping) to get personalized search results.

● Slices: Cake helps users cut through the clutter of generic search results by curating collections of websites that are most relevant to their search term.


“Web browsers haven’t changed much in the last decade, and frankly, they’re kind of boring,” says Cake founder Jase Bosarge. “Younger smartphone users have grown up with user-friendly, mobile-native apps, and it’s time for the mobile browser to catch up.”

Starting today, Cake is available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for users worldwide. To learn more visit cakebrowser.com.

About Cake Technologies

Founded in 2016, Cake Technologies Inc. is an early-stage, venture-backed startup focused on making the web more accessible and delightful on mobile. Based in Utah, Cake’s leadership team comes from both technology and consumer-facing operations at Ancestry, Lendio, Nav, Studio, and Brandr. Drawing from a long history in consumer technology, the focus at Cake is to create not just innovative products, but delightful, valuable user experiences.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/cake-lands-5-million-launch-first-swipeable-mobile-browser/

cc: lalasticlalal mynd44

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday canvassed for the speedy establishment of a single, unified market in Africa to increase trade, create more jobs and reduce poverty.

The President made the call while presenting Nigeria’s position in favour of the Report on the establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and related issues presented by President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, during the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to President Buhari, “It is Nigeria’s position that as African leaders and principal architects of our Union, we must now speed up action to conclude the negotiations and establish the CFTA.”

Noting that the continent has missed the timeline set by the African Union (AU) in January 2012 to establish the CFTA in 2017, he said African leaders still had the opportunity to set it up by March 2018.

Justifying Nigeria’s vote for the CFTA, the President said:

“In a rapidly changing global economy, with much uncertainty, we believe that the establishment of a CFTA would provide Africa with tremendous opportunity to achieve significant growth driven by intra-African trade.”

According to him, while the stakes in setting up CFTA are no doubt very high, the benefits are wide-ranging and significant.

“The primary objective is economic namely, for trade in goods and services on the continent. A single, unified market would lead to a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement amongst African Union Member States. If we integrate Africa’s market for trade in goods and services, we will not only double intra-African trade, but also negotiate with other regions or continents on trade matters,” he said.

President Buhari argued further that, “If we increase our trade, we grow faster, create more jobs and reduce poverty. Thus, with CFTA, our continent will be more integrated, united and prosperous.”

He noted that the “CFTA will carry significant welfare gains associated with increased production, consumption and revenue. It will generate more economic growth, enhance efficiency and support enterprise and innovation.”

The Nigerian leader urged his African colleagues to also look beyond the economic benefits of the CFTA, stressing that it will “be another step in uniting Africa and consolidating the architecture of the African Union.”

In his words, “The establishment of the CFTA is also the first step for the African Union in the implementation of “Agenda 2063” for the socio-economic transformation of the continent as well as being a building block in the achievement of the goals of the 1991 Abuja Treaty on the African Economic Community.”

President Buhari, who commended President Issoufou on his role as the “AU Champion for the CFTA”, whose work “has significantly advanced our goal to conclude and launch the CFTA,” also lauded the technical support provided by the AU Commission, with Nigeria serving as the Chair of the Negotiating Forum and Chairperson of the AU Ministers of Trade.

Considering the huge benefits of the CFTA, the President said Nigeria welcomed the idea and called on AU Member States to lend their strategic support without delay.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/africa-must-speedily-establish-single-market-create-jobs-reduce-poverty-says-president-buhari/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

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Theme: “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”

It gives me great pleasure to address you on the occasion of the launch of the African Union theme: “Winning the fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”. I congratulate the African Union for dedicating the theme of the year to the noble cause of fighting corruption on our Continent.

​​I also take this opportunity to thank you, on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and on my own behalf, for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as the Champion of the theme of the year.

I pledge that I shall do my very best to ensure that the anti-corruption agenda will receive the attention it deserves and make the impact we all hope for, during 2018 and beyond.

Excellencies,

​​Corruption is indeed one of the greatest evils of our time. Corruption rewards those who do not play by the rules and also creates a system of distortion and diversion thereby destroying all efforts at constructive, just and fair governance.

In tackling corruption, the Continent has made significant strides, putting in place legal and policy frameworks, notably the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC). However, the adoption of the legal and policy frameworks have not had the desired success in tackling this evil.

Excellencies,

​Fifteen (15) years after the adoption of the African Union Convention, 2018 provides a good starting point to take stock of progress made so far, assess what still needs to be done and devise new strategies to address new corruption challenges.

​​It is true that our continent has witnessed sustained growth over the past two decades. Nonetheless, public confidence has been eroded by a focus on short-term priorities and payoffs, propelled by corruption, which too often leaves projects uncompleted and promises unfulfilled.

​Corruption and its effects have many sides. It poses real threat to national security, unity and survival of the African State and people. The African Union Agenda 2063, under Aspiration 3 recognizes that corruption erodes the development of a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of the law.

​The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under Goal 16, calls on all countries to promote and develop accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, notably, by reducing bribery and corruption.

In this connexion, I cannot over-emphasize the value of strong institutions. A Judiciary which stands firm against arbitrariness and injustice by the executive is a vital pillar in the anti-corruption fight.

As leaders, we must build synergy between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of government in order to entrench good governance, transparency and accountability.

Your Excellencies,

​Strong institutions are a necessary condition in any society which aims to fight corruption. In building strong national and regional institutions, we must adequately empower our national anti-corruption agencies and insulate them from political influence. We have to encourage increased institutional collaboration between Law Enforcement Agencies and anti-corruption Agencies in order to win this fight.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is evident that Corruption has a devastating impact on marginalized communities especially the youth, women and children. Corruption breeds unequal societies, renders vulnerable groups prone to human trafficking, as well as recruitment into armed groups and militia. In effect, corruption deprives our young citizens of opportunities to develop meaningful livelihoods.

​​We must therefore, work together to defeat this evil. With the endorsement of Your Excellencies, during the course of 2018, I wish to prioritize the following initiatives, to help us in the fight against corruption.

a) to organize African Youth Congresses against Corruption, in order to sensitize and engage our youth in the fight against corruption,

b) mobilizing all African Union Member States to implement the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and

c) advocating for the strengthening of the criminal justice system across Africa through exchange of information and sharing best practices in the enforcement of anti-corruption laws.

The African Union Advisory Board on Corruption should be strengthened in order to play a more proactive role in the anti-corruption fight.

We also propose to enlist as partners, important actors such as parliamentarians, women associations, the media, the business community, faith-based groups, the youth, educational institutions and traditional leaders, among others.

Excellencies,

We also need to redouble our efforts in addressing the causal relationship between corruption and illicit financial flows. The Report of the AU High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, chaired by H.E Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa, in partnership with United Nations Economic Commission (UNECA) revealed that Africa loses about 50 billion dollars annually.

The High Level Panel has also pointed out the corrosive role that tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions play in concealing ill-gotten assets.

The African Union must do more to stop the continuous assault on our economic and financial resources by multinationals in collusion with some of our citizens.

​​It is also important that one of the goals of this year’s theme should be the development of a Common African Position on Asset Recovery.

The manifestation of corruption in Africa is also a reflection of the need for stronger leadership and oversight institutions. Tackling corrupt acts and greed require a reorientation of our attitudes and perceptions.

To win the fight against corruption, we must have a CHANGE of mind set.

Changing the state of play requires retraining a greater awareness as a means to instill better and more transparent values in the political class and the citizenry, especially people in positions of trust.

In Nigeria we have gone far into the implementation of our CHANGE Agenda, which is primarily aimed at fighting corruption.

Excellencies,

​​As we set off on this honorable path, let us also bear in mind that fighting corruption is not going to be a straightforward task and that corruption does fight back. While we may face some setbacks, we should remain resolute. Our common goal is to eradicate corruption in the best interest of our societies.

Let me end my remarks by reiterating Nigeria’s abiding commitment to the fight against corruption today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
Excellencies, Chairperson of the African Union,

I am truly inspired in this task by the commitment, encouragement and support of my fellow African Heads of State to succeed in this noble cause.

On this note, I officially launch on the theme of the year.

I thank you for your kind attention.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/read-president-speech-30th-au-summit/

More pictures here http://www.opinions.ng/best-friends-forever-buhari-obasanjo-exchange-pleasantries-au-summit/

He had one more tweet after this though, he replied somebody http://www.opinions.ng/see-deji-tinubus-last-tweet-twitter-reply/

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The continent of Africa is home to hundreds of different cultural and ethnic groups and this diversity is reflected in its local cuisines, driving the popularity of these foods across the continent. Jumia Food, Nigeria’s No. 1 food ordering platform, shares 4 of the most popular foods in Africa.

Suya

This is a spicy shish kebab (skewered meat), especially popular in the West African region. It is traditionally prepared by the Hausa people of northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Ghana and some parts of Sudan (where it is called agashe). Suya is typically made with skewered beef, ram or chicken. The thinly sliced meat is marinated in various spices like salt, vegetable oil and other flavourings, and then barbecued. It is then served with further helpings of dried pepper mixed with spices and sliced onions.

Fufu

This is a stable food that’s common in many African countries especially Nigeria and Ghana. It is basically made by mixing and pounding separate equal portions of cassava and green plantain flour thoroughly with water, which is adjusted to either increase or decrease the viscosity of the Fufu depending on your preference. Other flours like semolina, maize flour or mashed plantains can be used in place of cassava flour. Fufu is a finger food (eaten with the fingers) and is usually served with light or draw soups like groundnut soup, okro soup etc.

Jollof Rice

This is a popular rice dish in many West African countries especially Nigeria and Ghana. It is consumed throughout the regions of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon and Mali. The dish is basically a mixture of rice, tomatoes and tomato paste cooked with onions, salt, spices (such as nutmeg, ginger, Scotch bonnet, curry, thyme etc) and chilli pepper. Other ingredients like vegetable, meats and/or fish can be added to the dish.

Nshima

This is a fufu-like staple food popular in Zambia and Malawi. Nshima is basically made from maize flour (white cornmeal) and water. It is widely eaten across Africa and is typically prepared by boiling maize flour with water into a porridge. It is then ‘paddled’ to create thick paste with the addition of more flour. Once cooked, the result (Nshima) is portioned and dipped in water or coated in oil called ‘Chipande’. The Nshima is usually eaten with two side dishes known as ‘relishes’; one of the side dishes is dubbed the ‘protein source’ and is called ‘Ndiyo’, and the other is dubbed the ‘vegetable side’ and is called ‘Masambaor’.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/popular-foods-africa/

By Yakubu Jimoh

This piece is a personal opinion of mine, and my intention is not to praise or criticise one party or another.

Recently, South East leaders visited President Muhammadu Buhari, endorsing him for a second term and promised to deliver the 5 states in their zone to him. APC is currently ruling one of the 5 states in the East. It is clearly known to many people that Anambra and Ebonyi Governor despite being in opposition parties have openly endorsed the President for a 2nd Term. APC will clearly and easily win Anambra, Imo and Ebonyi State by 2019. APC has already shown its strength in the gubernatorial election done there last year, claiming 2nd position in the election. APC is clearly promising them the presidential slot by 2023. Remember, if PDP or any other political party emerges today, the party will surely go for 8 Years. It is clearly known that any party that might want to stand against APC come 2019 will field a candidate from the North. Igbo will not a mistake by not supporting Buhari so as to give them the presidency they have longing for since 1999.

Another clear reason is that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande still support and clearly show they are still in the APC. Some people are claiming Chief Bola Tinubu might go to bring up Alliance for Democracy (AD). Baba Tinubu can’t be so foolish to weaken the party he has been supporting and bringing up since 1999, Jagaban will surely deliver 80% of South West since the Vice President is still coming from their side.

The vote from the Northern bloc will surely give Buhari an upper hand in the upcoming election, The Northerners have one culture and thing they do, which other tribes don’t take serious in Nigeria; when election is a week ahead most of Hausa-Fulanis will go back to the states where they have the voters cards to vote. Tell me, how many Igbo or Yoruba can leave his abode to go his homeland to vote because of election, many don’t. The Northerners will leave their business and farms to decide who will lead this nation for another 4 years, they have been doing it since 1999 and they will still be doing it.

APC should have up to 30% in the Niger Delta region due to Governor Obaseki and other prominent people from the region.

President Buhari has really tried in the agricultural sector and improved it and is working to diversify the nation’s economy and wean it off its reliance on petroleum. He has clearly shown he is a democrat and has integrity in terms of elections. Since he has been sworn in, various elections have been conducted where he didn’t do like other presidents who will impose their party in the election by rigging. I believe it will be difficult for any party to dethrone this present ruling party, the APC.

Don’t be deceived by those social media politicians whereby 80% of those voting on social media don’t have voters card, or won’t go out on election day. Meanwhile, those in the North will go out to defend their votes. Our market women, farmers, are not on social media, according to a recent survey. Majority of the voters are not on social media, so don’t be deceived by that.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/buhari-likely-win-2019/

Nigerians are very enterprising people and if you are in doubt, just check this out, former president Obasanjo’s letter to President Buhari is now for sale in traffic.

Whether or not you agree with the former president, he is already boosting the economy and we must thank him for it.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/nigerians-now-selling-obasanjos-letter-buhari-traffic/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

That there is a strong desire in many Nigerians to exit the country is not in doubt, this trend started in the 80s, remember the “Andrew, no check out O” line in the song “Nigeria go survive”? The song was released by Veno Marioghae in 1985.

So, we found this interesting question on the popular question and answer website, Quora: Why are Nigerians fleeing Nigeria?

A Nigerian living in Canada since 2012, Uche Metuh, gives a classic answer:

I can’t speak for others but I know why I left.

Apart from some personal reasons, I wanted to get my Masters degree.

I wasn’t going to go back to my undergraduate school. What else would they teach me?

I also wasn’t going to grovel to get other Nigerian universities to accept me.

So I up & left the country.

I didn’t plan to flee the country. I kept an open mind about either countries. I still do.

However, when I graduated, Canada gave me a 3-year work permit.

Before that was up, I had applied to become a permanent resident & it was approved.

I was like, “These people really want me here. Maybe I’ll stay…… for now”

I’m not ignorant about the country’s seemingly ceaseless misfortunes . I have a budding project which many Nigerians might benefit from.

About other fleeing Nigerians, I have 1 currently at my place . Here are some of their reasons:

“I want structure & order in my life. Nigeria doesn’t have that nor is she planning for that”
“Nigeria is the land of cunning people. I can’t cope because I have no cunning bone in me”
“The schools are crappy. I can afford better so, BYE!”
“I couldn’t get a job. Let me go hustle in another country”
“Healthcare, security, women’s rights, standard of living are nightmarish experiences. I’m out!”


Fleeing Nigeria isn’t wrong.

I just don’t want those of us who’ve fled to forget the plight of those we left behind.

Another respondent, Ngozi Stanley Obi, an ex-banker turn entrepreneur counters this view stating:

Nigerians are fleeing Nigeria, out of ignorance.

They mistakenly believe that life will be better for them outside Nigeria.

I once met a Chinese doing business in Nigeria, who told me about the numerous opportunities in Nigeria that Nigerians leave to go and risk their lives abroad.

The odd jobs these Nigerians are prepared to do while abroad, they will never consider doing in Nigeria .

While the hardship of recession is challenging, one can still survive with diligence, persistence and careful planning.

Most Nigerians that have travelled abroad before never fall prey to the desperate Atlantic crossings.

The traffickers are brain washing people to believe they can easily pick dollars outside the shores of Nigeria.

We need more awareness and strategies to combat poverty.

So, what do you think? Are you a Nigerian outside Nigeria, why did you leave? Are you planning to leave, why will you leave?

source: http://www.opinions.ng/nigerians-fleeing-nigeria/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The travel industry is expected to experience some interesting and significant changes this year (2018) following the trends seen in the previous year (2017). Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 4 travel trends to expect in 2018.

Business Travel Mixed with Leisure Travel

With business travel on the rise as more countries are becoming accessible, today’s travelers prefer to combine work and leisure to make the most of their experience and for increased convenience. In line with this, it is expected that travel agencies will see more of travel/vacation plans being dictated by business as well as proximity and availability of time.

More Solo Female Travelers

Solo female travelers are fast becoming a norm in the travel industry, as more women are becoming entrepreneurs or are in employed labour. Women are also venturing out of their comfort zones and becoming more adventurous, willing to experiment more with destinations, experiences and activities. Hence, this segment of the market actually has quite a major scope for growth this year.

Technological Advancements

The world-wide scope of technology is increasing quite significantly, and as a result of this it is expected to have an impact on the travel industry. The industry is believed to see an increase in technology being used for various applications like travel bookings, communicating locally, and ease of local travel. In addition to this, there are also airlines that are currently investing in AI tech to help communicate more effectively with travelers and help put together personalized travel plans for them.

Emerging Destinations Will Experience More Recognition

Anchored on the spread of social media, more people’s eyes are being opened to ‘lesser-known’ destinations as travelers are increasing in seeking remote places to travel for leisure and relaxation. Destinations in countries like Ethiopia, Bhutan, Paraguay and Kazakhstan are increasingly being considered, as their tourist numbers continue to increase (according to World Bank). Some of these destinations have also caught the attention of hoteliers as large hotel chains like the Hilton are opening up new properties in these areas.

source; http://www.opinions.ng/travel-trends-expect-2018/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

If you travel often, it’s expected that you develop habits that work for you. Unfortunately, due to the fact that you are used to these habits nurtured over time, you can also develop a few bad travel habits along the way. The good news is that you can break them with a little bit of effort. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, highlights bad travel habits you need to abdicate.

Not learning the basics of a language

If you regularly find yourself in a new country and realise you never learned how to say even hello or thank you, you are simply putting yourself at risk because it will difficult for you to effectively communicate. Learning new languages is difficult and might not seem worth it if you’re passing through many different countries or staying for a short time, but knowing the basics can make all the difference when it comes to how comfortable you feel.

Overloading your schedule

Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, you may be tempted to overload your schedule because you want to explore as many destinations as possible. You are just exposing yourself to fatigue. Smartly plan your itinerary and you will get the best out of your trip.

Not giving yourself enough time to pack

This is one of the most common travel habits that many travellers fall foul of and it can be tough to break especially when you have a busy routine. The reasonable solution here is to ensure you pack on time.

Not knowing the exchange rate

If this is one of your bad travel habits, you’ve probably found yourself wondering over and over again if you’re paying a fair price whenever you’re confronted with a new currency. Do not hesitate to do your research and find out the current exchange rate of the destination you are visiting.

Packing more than you need

You may not mind paying more to overpack because you’re addicted to packing more than you need. However, your luggage may disappear because you cannot keep your eyes on all of them. Hence, force yourself to pack only what you need.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-bad-travel-habits-need-stop/

Smartphones are very useful and we can barely do without it. They perform many functions and make our lives simpler. However, these devices or gadgets can cause a lot of pain and frustration when their batteries begin to decline. It is always a good idea to watch out for these signs of a bad battery if you really want to enjoy your smartphone. Here are some of these signs.

Phone restarts on its own

This is one of the common complaints of many smartphone users. You could be performing an important task when your smartphone suddenly decides to restart. If this is happening frequently, check your battery for damage.

Battery drains easily

Batteries perform at its best in the first 2 years. But once the first 2 years are up, they start declining. If your battery doesn’t seem to power your phone for long, it’s likely a sign that its time to replace it.

Phone does not charge after being plugged in

This is another common sign of a bad battery. If the phone doesn’t charge after being plugged in, there’s probably an issue with the battery. Here, the phone stays dead even after repeated attempts at charging it.

The phone doesn’t hold the charger

If the battery has started to deteriorate, the device won’t stay on for long. It will power up when you connect it to a power source but it won’t hold its charge. When this happens, you know it’s time to replace the battery.

Overheated battery

Excess heat generation often happens when you plug in your phone for charging. If you feel your device is getting too hot, it may be because of your battery.

The battery bulges

Sometimes, when a battery goes bad, the internal cells rupture and cause a bulge to appear in the battery. Batteries bulge when they undergo undesirable chemical reactions. If you do not want your battery bulging, make sure you prevent it from overheating.


source: http://www.opinions.ng/6-signs-bad-phone-battery/

Legendary South African Jazz Trumpeter, Hugh Masekela has died at the age of 78 after what his family has called “a protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer”.

South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma released a statement condoling the family and the country at large stating:

“The nation mourns one its most recognizable signature talent in the person of Bra Hugh Masekela.

“It is an immeasurable loss to the music industry and to the country at large. His contribution to the struggle for liberation will never be forgotten.

“We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to his family and peers in the arts and culture fraternity at large. May his soul rest in peace,” said President Zuma.

Tributes have poured in around the world including the Labour party leader in Britain, Jeremy Corbyn who tweeted:

Hugh Masekela was a titan of jazz and of the anti-apartheid struggle. His courage, words and music inspired me, were heard across the world and strengthened the resolve of those fighting for justice in South Africa.

Hugh-Maekea-Jumps-for-Joy-as-he-receives-his-first-Trumpet See this Amazing Picture of a Young Hugh Masekela who has passed on at 78

Young Hugh Masekela jumping for joy after receiving a Trumpet from Louis Armstrong, shot by Alf Kumalo

Among the highlights of Masekela’s career was performing with Nigeria’s Femi Kuti at opening ceremony of Africa’s first football World Cup, South Africa, 2010.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/see-amazing-picture-young-hugh-masekela-passed-78/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Many people were bemused last night as Cristiano Ronaldo borrowed the doctor’s phone to check damage done to his face after Deportivo La Coruna’s Fabian Schar, caught him with his boot in a game Real Madrid’s 7-1 victory.

Pictures of the injury after cleaning show a deep gash that will require stitching and treatment to avoid scaring that might become a permanent blemish on the self-conscious superstar’s face.

How this will affect Ronaldo psychologically and his performance on the field will be closely followed in the coming weeks.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/see-cristiano-ronaldos-face-badly-cut-last-night/

By Adediran Adedayo Abdullahi

Recently there have been outcries about the need for youths to take over the mantle of power in the country. While I belive the time is ripe for such to happen as the older generation has seemingly failed us, I believe there’s a need for us to not just support the rhetoric for the sake of just doing so. What we have currently is a failed country and for every movement started now, we need to ensure that we do not deviate from the obvious goal – to save Nigeria from this state of quagmire and unending history.

While there’s a dying need for power to change hands from the clueless bunch of oldies we have in power currently, we need to define and specify who the power to be taken is to given to. One of our major problems in this country is that we love to move with the tide without minding where the water is taking us to. We make choices based on sentiments rather than reasons.

In essence, what I am saying is that we need to be cautious and tread softly as we move to redirect the future of our dear nation. We must tackle our problems head on and not just do it because we want to remove the “oldies” from power. We must avoid riding just anyone to power because such person flies the “youth flag.” We need to make sure we select only the best among us and avoid repeating the same costly mistakes the ‘old generation’ made and have continued making with our support.

I have listened to a lot of young people speak and found out that most had little or no understanding of what the nation’s problems are not to talk of the solutions needed. More worrisome is the fact that a lot of our “youths currently partaking in politics” seem to be more concerned about getting “sentimental support” and riding to power rather than really solving the leadership crises the nation has been battling with. In fact, it could be said that many of the so-called youth leaders are not morally, psychological and intellectually worthy to lead the much anticipated youth revolution in the country. A worthwhile example is the case of Gov. Yahya Bello of State many thought represented a break from the norm but has been a disappointment ever since he got into power.

There’s no denying that Nigeria is blessed with multitude of exceptionally brilliant young minds, however we need to take caution in ensuring that we do not mix the “wheat with the chaff”. Nigeria badly needs us to stand up for her but more importantly she needs us to be highly cautious about the set of individuals we select to deliver her.

God Bless Nigeria!

source: http://www.opinions.ng/note-caution-nigerian-youths-seek-take-power/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Deep frying basically involves immersing food in very hot oil, however there is indeed a right way to deep fry foods to get the best results. Jumia Food, Nigeria’s No. 1 online food ordering app, shares 6 common deep frying mistakes people make.

Using the Wrong Oil

The best and most appropriate oil to use for deep frying is one that has a high smoke point. The smoke point of oil is the temperature at which smoke starts to form and oil starts to break down. When oil breaks down, its quality and favour changes, this can then cause your food to have an unpleasant taste. Refined groundnut oil has a neutral flavour (which makes it unlikely to impart any unwanted flavour into your fried food) and it also has a high smoke point, which makes it one of the best oils to use for deep frying. Vegetable and sesame oils also have high smoke points that make them suitable for deep frying.

Reusing Old Oil Without Filtering

Old oil can be used for deep frying but it is important that you first filter it. ‘Dirty’ oil typically results in food with a darker and ‘dirtier’ look, more greasy taste and might even end up making your fried food taste burnt, even though it might not actually be burnt. Additionally, it is also important to note that it is more appropriate to reuse oil that has been used to fry fish to fry seafood because the oil will be heavily laden with the fishy flavour.

Avoid Frying at Too Low or Too High Temperatures

For the best deep frying results, you will need to maintain a relatively steady high temperature between 325 – 390 degree Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too low, then the food will end up being soggy as too much oil would have seeped into the food making it practically impossible for the food to crisp properly. If the temperature is too high, you might end up with a food with burnt crust and an undercooked interior. So, you can clearly see that the oil temperature plays an important role in deep frying.

Overcrowding the Oil

Putting too much food in the fryer at the same time will end up interfering with the perfection and crispiness of your fried food. Overcrowding the oil causes the oil temperature to drop, causing it to take a while before it is able to rise up again. In that time, oil would have seeped into the food and you might eventually end up with a soggy food. It is best to deep fry in small batches and stir the food from time to time to prevent them from sticking together. The food would also be able to crisp properly.

Deep Frying Large Chunks of Food

It is better to deep fry smaller cuts of food as that will provide the best results with a faster frying time, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior. When the food is in smaller cuts, it will be easier for the food to cook more uniformly.

Never Leave Your Pot of Oil Unattended

As much as possible try to remain where you are deep frying your food, please don’t walk away to answer a phone call or to attend to other house chores leaving the pot of oil unattended. This is because a grease fire can start in split seconds when the oil is over-heated, or the boiling hot oil can spill over and start a fire. This is why it is extremely important to be attentive and present when you are deep frying food.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/6-common-deep-frying-mistakes-avoid/

cc: Lalasticlala. Mynd44

Seun, your website might lose credibility when reports defy facts on the ground. Do you know how dirty Lagos is right now?

See for yourself https://www.nairaland.com/4300034/cleaner-lagos-cleaner-nonsense-new#64344001

This is not politics but about the health of the state residents including the governor himself.

Lagos prides itself as being the “Centre of Excellence” and it can be said to be setting the standards in many regards for Nigeria.

However, there is an ugly trend that has emerged in the last year and is yet to be properly tackled by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government. This is the amount to filth in the state, there is refuse almost at every turn and corner and the bad habit of dumping refuse indiscriminately has returned. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) seems to have lost its efficiency but this might not be the fault of this institution.

http://www.opinions.ng/lagos-groans-increasing-uncleared-garbage/

seunmsg:
This is a very welcome development. Royalty is inherited by the circumstances of birth or won through military conquest as the case is in Ibadan and not created by government fiat. The 21 Ibadan kingship created by Ajimobi were absolutely unnecessary and a clear distortion of the proud history and tradition of Ibadan people. Thanks to the court for restoring sanity back to Ibadan traditional council.

Who made the first king "royal"?

Terra Kulture is a prestigious and internationally acclaimed art house owned by Nigerian lawyer Bolanle Austen-Peters, who founded it in 2003. The establishment has been in existence for almost 12 years and, in that time, has organized over 200 art exhibitions, 135 plays and 65 book readings, with over 10,000 adults and children having attended their language classes. In addition to the establishment’s impressive achievements, it also boasts of interesting features that are simply a ‘must-see’. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 4 interesting things to see at Terra Kulture.

Art Exhibitions

This is a prime destination for art enthusiasts as Terra Kulture houses numerous pieces showcasing some of the finest works of Nigerian artists. Its art gallery features an impressive collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures, alongside the works of some very talented and revered Nigerians in the art and creative industry.

Stage Plays

Terra Kulture has, over the years, been able to build a reputation as ‘the nerve center for Nigerian theatre because it hosts frequent stage productions (mostly every Sunday) throughout the year, giving both established and upcoming names a chance to showcase their talent. If you are a lover of art and theatre, then Terra Kulture is indeed the place for you to get immersed in the beauty and excitement of art and theatre.

Terra Kulture Restaurant

Since Terra Kulture is known for celebrating all things relating to the Nigerian culture, it is no surprise that their restaurants offer an impressive variety of some of the best Nigerian food. Aside offering delicious local food, the restaurant is also an aesthetic delight as it is decorated with authentic art pieces that you can appreciate while munching on their mouth-watering meals.

Terra Kulture Bookshop

Writers and Bibliophiles (people who have great love for books) are not left out. Terra Kulture indeed caters to all tastes (art, theatre and even literary works). Terra Kulture’s bookstore is equipped with a wide range of African literature for your reading pleasure.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/interesting-things-see-terra-kulture/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Your digestive system affects the well-being of every cell in your bodies. A healthy digestion will contribute to boosted energy levels, beautiful skin and rejuvenating sleep. So, it is key to boost your digestive health or systems. One of the ways to do or achieve is via food. Jumia Food, Nigeria’s no 1 food ordering platform, identify some foods that can help promote your digestive health.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is very good for your digestion as it provides the gut with good bacteria that help in digesting food. Yoghurt consumption can inhibit diarrhoea, improves bowel movement, and reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Pawpaw

Pawpaws are rich in enzymes that have antimicrobial properties and aid digestion by breaking down food. Pawpaws are also a rich source of vitamins A, B. and C, which helps to flush out toxins. You can have pawpaw after 1 hour of having lunch.

Banana

Bananas are rich in fibre, which helps to improve bowel movement and aid carbohydrate digestion. You can also have a banana with frozen yoghurt.

Fish

Fishes are an excellent source of fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation in the stomach. As a result, this can contribute to improving your digestion and bowel movement.

Beans

Beans contain lots of soluble fibre. The fibre is not digested but turned into a kind of gel which makes passing through your intestines easier. Although some people react to eating beans with bloating, so start by slowly adding small amounts to your diet and see what it does for you.

Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes have a copious amount of dietary fibre that aid proper bowel movement and nutrient absorption. It is perfect for digestion.

Apple

Apples are packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. They also have an antioxidant property that helps reduce damage and inflammation in the digestive organs. So, eat apples as a snack, with breakfast cereal.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/7-foods-will-boost-digestive-health/