₦airaland Forum

Nigerians are generally hospitable people and as such, they feel excited when they find they have to host guests in their homes. Unfortunately, not all Nigerians make a big deal of setting up their homes. As such, while some guests may extend their stay in a home they find alluring and comfortable, others also leave earlier than planned and never return for another visit if they consider the home unappealing.

Basically, an inviting home not only makes visitors’ stay enjoyable and memorable, it helps them feel at home them and lingers in their minds long after they have gone. Jumia Travel shares 6 ways you can make your home more appealing to visitors.

Have an inviting fragrance

The way a house smells says a lot about the people that live in it and goes a long way to determine how comfortable a guest will be while visiting. Inviting smell or neutral smell is quite preferable to bad smell which is quite discouraging. To keep your homes appealing, ensure you remove dirty laundry, and always discard sour food, and the likes. Never try to mask odors, remove them and then replace them with something like a scented candle, e.t.c.

Keep a tidy bathroom

The bathroom/toilet is a very important part of any home as most visitors tend to visit the bathroom to ease them or wash their hands while visiting, especially if they are visiting for a long time. Ensure the bathroom is clean, and smells good with a subtle air freshener. Also make sure there is plenty of toilet paper and a hand towel for guests to dry their hands. There should also be a garbage where those who use the bathroom can discard such items as sanitary pad or soiled sheets.

Give your home a personal touch

Most people will not visit if they feel the house is too formal and gives off a hotel vibe rather than a homey feel. Adding a few personal touches such as flowers, picture frames or a pot plant here and there help add a bit of warmth to the home, making it very inviting and appealing.

Declutter

No one wants to visit a home that is cramped or choked with so much furniture or items. Oversized or too much furniture, large bench top appliances, and personal items like photographs, CDs, books and magazines should be avoided, and all items no longer needed should be put in storage. A spacious home makes the visitor feel less claustrophobic while visiting.

Use adequate lighting

A well-lit home is far more inviting than a poorly lit one. Ensure you have light at the important areas of your home, especially your house front as the front door is always the main attraction. Also, remove heavy window treatments, shades or blinds that keep the home’s interior dark and dreary and prevent air flow.

Use vibrant Colors

The first thing visitors will notice about any home is the colour of the house or color theme used. To pull your guests in, use vibrant colours, adding fun lighting or a piece of art, or really anything else that will catch attention. Doing this creates a sort of happy feeling and most visitors would love to stay for a while and get to know your space.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/make-home-appealing-visitors/

By Oyebamiji Okiki

Started from the church now we’here! This should be the mantra of some of the biggest artistes Nigeria has ever produced. From Terry G to Timaya, Wizkid to Wande Coal, even Don Jazzy! The list is endless. They all started from the church, but didn’t stay in the church. Some started out as drummers, keyboardist or praise and worship leaders. But what happened to them? Why did they leave the church to seek for greener pastures?


Coming from a faith based perspective, it will be painful and disheartening, to see the young chap that used to lead praise and worship in your local assembly, spraying dollar bills and dancing with almost nude ladies, in music videos. How did he turn out to become this? Well, our brothers in the “secular” music industry will never agree to the aforementioned opinion, as they feel justified with their actions. Why won’t they; these guys can buy the whole church and pay the pastor’s salary, for God’s sake! At this juncture, I will like to assert that this piece is not meant to spur a holy crusade (or a jihad) against secular music artistes, but to ask some pertinent questions on why the church has failed to keep its best musical talent(s).

I now understand better what clubs like Atletico Madrid and Tottenham face every season. They produce bright players; bring them to limelight only for them to be sold to richer clubs (not necessarily better though), and this cycle continues season after season. It is not too far-fetched to say that the church has become an academy (or a breeding ground) where the secular world comes to pick budding talents as they so desire. And the church looks on……helplessly?! To make matters worse, the church (not generalizing) invites these entertainers to come perform on its hallowed and ecclesiastical alter. The moral laxity of the church seems to have reached an all-time low. My unreserved apologies if I sound irate.

A popular Nigerian music star who hails from the South-East Nigeria, once decided to show his philanthropic side, by donating high-end musical instruments to the church he started out from. There is nothing wrong in his magnanimity, even the holy book says the clergy shall eat from the riches of the gentiles. What I find appalling is the hypocrisy behind such acts. While such artistes are welcomed with open arms to the church (no problem about that, the church is a hospital for the sinners), clergy men preach against their music and actions (especially the baby mama syndrome). But while they are on the altar, their sons and daughters are miming and dancing to the latest secular music in town. Not to forget the ones with lewd and polluted lyrics. This is the irony of the century!

When asked: what was the transition like from the church to the secular music? A popular artiste (name withheld) said “if you listen to my songs, you will see that I am always thankful to God. My relationship with God is private…”. This is the same artiste that has songs with lyrics that says the exact opposite to his statement. I do not want to be judgmental, but shouldn’t your relationship with God reflect in your song? I again reiterate my earlier stated assertion that I have no qualms with secular music and the entertainment industry at large; in fact these songs have put Nigeria on the international scene, with billboard charting and award winning songs. This industry deserves accolades as facts have shown that it is one of the highest revenue generating sectors in Nigeria.

So as not to present myself as infallible, I am somewhat of an admirer of some secular artistes and their songs, as I am occasionally caught in the web of indecision between secular music I shouldn’t listen to and my moral cum spiritual background. Most youths will surely empathize with me on this. Even though I do not have these songs on my gadget, the radio is a necessary evil that dishes out hit tracks upon hit tracks. Even as I write, the television is currently playing the song of one the artistes I talked about, and I am unconsciously dancing to the tune! Well, like the apostle rightly said, things I don’t want to do, I usually find myself doing it and vice versa.

If these secular musicians have stayed in the church would they have made it? Would they have stuck to the style of music they are doing if it were in the gospel genre? These are questions lingering in the air, waiting to be answered.

So as not to sound critical without proffering solutions, I will opine that the church provides the platform and incentives needed to make the ever-growing talents want to give their all. Rick Warren said “the church has to be contemporary without comprising”, a statement I totally concur with. It is time the church start to organize programs that will rub shoulders with the likes of Glo Music Fest, the Headies and Grammys. I know there is the yearly Experience music concert, but that is not enough. Also youths in the church should not be in a hurry to blow, all in the name of hustle, as a lot shenanigans goes on in the music industry, but it is well hidden because they hide under the facade of entertainment. They (youths in the church) should draw inspiration from the success stories of people like Frank Edward, Eben, Nathaniel Bassey and others.

Stick to the game and at the end, it will surely speak. (In Professor Johnbull’s voice), over and out!

source: http://www.opinions.ng/artistes-leave-church-stardom/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Procrastination is the action or habit of delaying or postponing something. We are all guilty of this. Quite a number of things may result in the reluctance to perform a task. One of which is a lack of motivation. Regardless, you should know that whether you postpone it or not, no one will do your job for you. This is a reason why you should not procrastinate. But if you are among those who are chronic procrastinators, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares ways you can defeat procrastination.

Do one thing at a time

Large tasks usually appear inundating. You should break down the task into smaller and more manageable pieces. Doing this will make it easier for you to start and conclude your responsibilities.

It does not have to be perfect

You should know that nothing is perfect. With this at the back of your mind, you should simply focus on giving your best and when you are sure you have done so, you can send it to your boss or manager. However, if you wait for it to be perfect, you may never want to do it because your mind will be focused on it being 100%.

Improve confidence and self-belief

You should get rid of your fear about starting a task by being confident that you can do it and you will definitely get the desired result. If the opposite is the case, you will never start because you lack self-belief.

Deadlines

It does not matter if your job requires you to submit your assignment at the deadline. The deadline you set for yourself will inspire you to start. Do not forget to reward yourself when you are done.

Do the difficult and important tasks first

You should always start with the difficult and important jobs first. The harder the tasks are, the more energy and concentration you invest in completing them. You do not want to start them when you are tired. It is, therefore, better to do the hardest and most important tasks first.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/defeat-procrastination/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

By Oyebamiji Okiki

Started from the church now we’here! This should be the mantra of some of the biggest artistes Nigeria has ever produced. From Terry G to Timaya, Wizkid to Wande Coal, even Don Jazzy! The list is endless. They all started from the church, but didn’t stay in the church. Some started out as drummers, keyboardist or praise and worship leaders. But what happened to them? Why did they leave the church to seek for greener pastures?

Coming from a faith based perspective, it will be painful and disheartening, to see the young chap that used to lead praise and worship in your local assembly, spraying dollar bills and dancing with almost nude ladies, in music videos. How did he turn out to become this? Well, our brothers in the “secular” music industry will never agree to the aforementioned opinion, as they feel justified with their actions. Why won’t they; these guys can buy the whole church and pay the pastor’s salary, for God’s sake! At this juncture, I will like to assert that this piece is not meant to spur a holy crusade (or a jihad) against secular music artistes, but to ask some pertinent questions on why the church has failed to keep its best musical talent(s).

I now understand better what clubs like Atletico Madrid and Tottenham face every season. They produce bright players; bring them to limelight only for them to be sold to richer clubs (not necessarily better though), and this cycle continues season after season. It is not too far-fetched to say that the church has become an academy (or a breeding ground) where the secular world comes to pick budding talents as they so desire. And the church looks on……helplessly?! To make matters worse, the church (not generalizing) invites these entertainers to come perform on its hallowed and ecclesiastical alter. The moral laxity of the church seems to have reached an all-time low. My unreserved apologies if I sound irate.

A popular Nigerian music star who hails from the South-East Nigeria, once decided to show his philanthropic side, by donating high-end musical instruments to the church he started out from. There is nothing wrong in his magnanimity, even the holy book says the clergy shall eat from the riches of the gentiles. What I find appalling is the hypocrisy behind such acts. While such artistes are welcomed with open arms to the church (no problem about that, the church is a hospital for the sinners), clergy men preach against their music and actions (especially the baby mama syndrome). But while they are on the altar, their sons and daughters are miming and dancing to the latest secular music in town. Not to forget the ones with lewd and polluted lyrics. This is the irony of the century!

When asked: what was the transition like from the church to the secular music? A popular artiste (name withheld) said “if you listen to my songs, you will see that I am always thankful to God. My relationship with God is private…”. This is the same artiste that has songs with lyrics that says the exact opposite to his statement. I do not want to be judgmental, but shouldn’t your relationship with God reflect in your song? I again reiterate my earlier stated assertion that I have no qualms with secular music and the entertainment industry at large; in fact these songs have put Nigeria on the international scene, with billboard charting and award winning songs. This industry deserves accolades as facts have shown that it is one of the highest revenue generating sectors in Nigeria.

So as not to present myself as infallible, I am somewhat of an admirer of some secular artistes and their songs, as I am occasionally caught in the web of indecision between secular music I shouldn’t listen to and my moral cum spiritual background. Most youths will surely empathize with me on this. Even though I do not have these songs on my gadget, the radio is a necessary evil that dishes out hit tracks upon hit tracks. Even as I write, the television is currently playing the song of one the artistes I talked about, and I am unconsciously dancing to the tune! Well, like the apostle rightly said, things I don’t want to do, I usually find myself doing it and vice versa.

If these secular musicians have stayed in the church would they have made it? Would they have stuck to the style of music they are doing if it were in the gospel genre? These are questions lingering in the air, waiting to be answered.

So as not to sound critical without proffering solutions, I will opine that the church provides the platform and incentives needed to make the ever-growing talents want to give their all. Rick Warren said “the church has to be contemporary without comprising”, a statement I totally concur with. It is time the church start to organize programs that will rub shoulders with the likes of Glo Music Fest, the Headies and Grammys. I know there is the yearly Experience music concert, but that is not enough. Also youths in the church should not be in a hurry to blow, all in the name of hustle, as a lot shenanigans goes on in the music industry, but it is well hidden because they hide under the facade of entertainment. They (youths in the church) should draw inspiration from the success stories of people like Frank Edward, Eben, Nathaniel Bassey and others.

Stick to the game and at the end, it will surely speak. (In Professor Johnbull’s voice), over and out!

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/artistes-leave-church-stardom/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Travelling doesn’t have to be such an expensive and somewhat inconvenient endeavor. It doesn’t have to be an endeavor that’s hard on your finances and lifestyle. There are ways to make the most of your travelling experience and reduce its pressure on your finances and lifestyle. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 4 ways to travel smartly in Nigeria.

Choose Your Means of Transport Wisely

Constantly check for the fares of different legitimate airlines and transport companies; check for their specific discount periods and discount schemes that will be of benefit to you in budgeting and planning for your travel with your decided mode of transportation. This can help maximize your travel experience. Registering on travel and hotel booking portals like Jumia Travel can help with this. You can take advantage of special travel smart deals to save yourself some more money.

Organize Your Travel Documents Well

Ensure all your travel documents are in place and are easily accessible, so you don’t have to waste time trying to find them at crucial times. This sort of oversight can end up either delaying your journey or making it entirely impossible. Besides, you’ll save yourself the stress of having to deal with officials that might get hostile or even embarrassing when this happens.

Pack Lightly

This can help you avoid excess luggage charges and save you from spending extra money on your travel. Just pack necessary items that can make your travel more convenient and leave behind the rest. Packing with purpose can go a long way in helping you achieve this. Pack with your location in mind and avoid packing things that aren’t versatile.

Plan Your Trips

Regardless of it’s a business trip or vacation, you should always endeavor to plan for your travel. From budgeting your travel expenses before and during the trip to the exact kind of hotel or accommodation you intend to stay in, and the means of transport you intent to use at your travel destination. If it’s an Uber you intend to use, plan for it; if taking the bus will be cheaper, plan for it. Plan every little detail of your trip to the best of your ability. Yes things happen, and you might ultimately not be able to execute your entire plan but it will at least keep you relatively in control of your travel experience and help you reduce and very possibly avoid excess and unexpected costs.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/4-ways-travel-smartly-nigeria/

I fear for the lady.

During Ramadan, followers of Islam have no choice than to change their eating habits. They have to abstain from food from dawn to dusk. It can take time for the body to adjust to this new routine. The body begins to react to these changes and it can lead to a number of health issues if you ignored. Although fasting is good for the body, it is important for you to stay on top of health game so that you do not suddenly fall ill. Falling ill may prevent you from travelling to Mecca if you plan to go for the lesser hajj whose package you can buy on Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency or celebrating the end of fasting. In line with this, we share ways you can avoid any health issues during the Ramadan.

Eat fibre and protein in the morning

What you eat during fasting is important, as it is your last meal before starting your day. Hence, ensure that your pre-dawn meal contains protein and fibre. This will help keep hunger at bay.

Avoid the sun to stay hydrated

To stay healthy, it is better to avoid the sun, and spend all your day in warm places and avoid stressful exercises. You can eat fruits in the morning as the water it contains helps to hydrate the body through the day. Also, do not to drink water excessively. Meanwhile, Coffee lovers should quit coffee and tea they can increase thirst and dehydration

Don’t overeat after breaking your fast

You may be tempted to overeat after breaking your fast to make up for what you missed. In addition, avoid food without calories and junk food. This will help you recover lost energy.

Blend fasting to your health condition

For persons who are suffering from an ailment, adapt your fast to this condition. If you decide to fast, you should consult your doctor to develop a fasting plan adapted to your condition. If feel any discomfort, you should break your fast.

Get plenty of rest

Abstaining from food will drain your energy, and more so if you exercise. Try and get as much rest as possible.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-ways-stay-healthy-ramadan/

Abeokuta offers the ultimate getaway from the craze of Lagos which is a mega city. It’s replete with rocks and hills that give picturesque views of the ancient city. Abeokuta’s history is rich and it’s culturally vibrant. There is so much to do in this city which makes it a perfect destination for tourists. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, identifies some of the spots to experience in the rock city.

Olumo Rock

Olumo Rock is the signature tourist attraction in Abeokuta and your visit is incomplete if you do not go there. It was a safe haven for the Egba people escaping from wars. It is an experience you will never forget that is if you climb the rock.

Visit the palace of the Alake of Egbaland

The current Alake of Egbaland is HRH Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo. He is responsible for keeping the peace in Egbaland. You can pay the palace of his Majesty a visit to know more about Abeokuta and Egbaland. If you are lucky, you may meet the Alake.

Surulere Restaurant

This is one of the restaurants that almost everyone in Abeokuta eats. So, if you are a foodie, Surulere is highly recommended. Interestingly, their foods are very affordable and inexpensive. Local foods are readily available.

June 12 Cultural Centre

The June Cultural Center has so many things to offer tourists. From watching movies to learning about notable Nigerians especially of Yoruba extraction and much more. It is located between the MKO Abiola International Stadium and Kuto Market.

Adire shopping at Itoku market

The Adire attire is the pride of the people of Abeokuta. Do not hesitate to buy one as a souvenir for your friends. It is quite affordable.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-spots-must-experience-abeokuta/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

A cracked screen or broken phone doesn’t necessarily signal the end of that phone, there are ways to make the best of the circumstance enough to get it to favour you. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 6 useful things to do when you’ve broken your phone.

Get a Screen Protector

This is especially useful when your phone screen is cracked. Using a screen protector can help stop the spread of the cracking, and help maintain the phone long enough for you to change the screen or get a new phone.

Leave in Raw Rice

If your phone accidentally falls in a body water and you are unable to get it out quickly, immediately turn it off, remove all removable parts, dry them off and stick the phone in some rice or a bunch of silica packets and let it sit there for three days. Chances are you’ll be able to save the phone and continue using it to meet your gadgetry and telecommunication needs. For newer phones, you probably have nothing to worry about if the phone accidentally gets into water for a couple of seconds. But if the phone has been in there longer than its IP rating, then you can apply the above steps and pray it works.

Ask a Friend for an Old Phone

If your phone is broken and there is nothing you can do to fix it, you can try asking for a friend’s old phone. Sure it might be a much older and somewhat outdated model, but it’ll be able to meet your basic telecommunication needs until you’re able to get a new phone. You can get a new battery for the phone so that battery wise, the phone can function like brand new (that could offer some solace to you in the meantime). You can also consider using parts of the old phone to fix your broken phone, if it can be done of course.

Attempt a Repair

If you have the money and consider it worth it, you can give the phone to a technician to help repair it. It might not be so cheap, but it might be cheaper than buying a new phone all together. Do your research well and find a good technician that can help with the phone, not a charlatan that will attempt to use the outlet to milk you dry. In addition, if you’re industrious, have the expertise and feel up to challenge, you can attempt to repair the phone yourself. You can use some Youtube DIY videos to guide you. You can save yourself a ton of money in the process.

Sell the Phone

You can always sell your broken phone. You definitely would not be able to get much from it, but you might be able to get a reasonable enough amount to recoup some of the money you’ve already lost. Do your homework, do the maths and try to figure out the actual worth of your broken phone before trying to sell it (so you aren’t cheated and are able to get your money’s worth out of it). Besides, in doing so you might realize it’s better to just fix the phone if you can. Also, if it makes financial sense, you can fix the phone and then sell it to maximize your gain from selling the phone.

Buy a New One

If you can afford it, and your phone is broken, you can buy a new one. You can gather some money together, and if you sold the broken phone, add the proceeds to this money you’ve gathered and get a new and probably better phone. It depends on you.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/6-useful-things-youve-broken-phone/

We’re all familiar with the saying, “it’s the little things that count”. In the same vein, to be successful you have to pay attention and consistently do seemingly little things to achieve that goal. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 7 small things to do if you want to successful.

Focus More on Being Productive

It’s not enough to just be busy doing one thing or the other. To be successful, you must find ways to be productive in all you do. Nothing you commit your time, skills or knowledge to should be a waste. Find ways to always get things done efficiently and get tangible results from it.

Focus on Always Being At Your Best

To be successful, you should live by this mantra, “If it’s worth my time, it’s worth my best.” Try to create a track record of diligence and commitment for yourself in whatever you do. Ultimately, this will culminate in consistent excellence for you, which is bound to eventually single you out for good in your endeavours and lead you to success. If you’re in doubt, just give it a shot. Also, find, relate with and hang around people who complement your strengths and help bring out the best in you.

Focus on Making Continuous Improvement

Your best last year should not be your best this year. Focus on continually improving and expanding your capabilities. Consistent improvement secures your relevance in the scheme of things, especially in the workplace. Take a step at a time, with little improvements and advancements here and there, and before you know it you’ll surprise even yourself.

Take Care of Your Body

You can hardly function at your best and be successful, if your body and mind is weak. Success is largely mental and your body plays a vital role in helping you achieve success, so you should never for any reason neglect the two. It’s going to be quite difficult for a sick or terminally ill man or woman to be successful. Besides, the point of striving for success in the first place, is to actually enjoy it. Pay attention to your mental and physical health.

Live a Balanced Life

Success isn’t only measured by monetary wealth. To be truly successful, you’ll have to agree that vital aspects of your life have to be at least be okay (if not perfect). You should learn to balance making money with living a healthy life and paying attention to your family and friends. You must put your life and personal goals in perspective, and at every point learn to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.

Be Positive and Responsible

Every time you want to be negative about certain aspects of your life, sit down and think of what it will cost you to just be positive. Optimism and positivity enhances your drive, which is very essential for success in the first place. One can hardly succeed without drive. You should also be responsible enough to take responsibility for your success. No one can stop you from succeeding if you are truly determined to. Well, no one but yourself.

Be Focused and Consistent

Remember the saying, ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’. Focus and consistency are extremely vital ingredients for success. Assess the five most successful people in the world, there is one thing they all have in common – a ‘niche’. They’re all known for something. Being focused and consistent helps you remain patient and persistent when you need to be. It also helps to enhance your strengths and helps you overcome your weaknesses. It saves you from procrastination and helps you see through your plans. Be focused and consistent. It will go a long way for you.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/7-small-things-successful/

Some of us cannot do without chewing gum daily. This is because the flavour or mint of the gum help masks or prevent mouth odour. While there are positive benefits of chewing gum, there are also downsides you should never ignore. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares some of these downsides.

It makes you hungry

Chewing gum can activate your hunger pangs. Thus increasing your cravings for food. So, if you do not want to get hungry, do not eat gum immediately after consuming mama put. This can also help put your weight in check.

Tooth damage

If the gum you chew contains sugar, you are exposing yourself to tooth decay. It makes no difference if it is a sugar-free gum, there are still risks to your teeth. This is because sugar-free gum has acidic flavours and preservatives that may lead to tooth damage.

Excess strain on your jaw

Chewing gum can cause jaw muscle imbalance especially if you chew on one side more than the other. To prevent this jaw strain or pain, you should chew on both sides.

Causes headaches

Young individuals who chew gum are more susceptible to headaches and severe migraines. This is due to the fact that you suffer from jaw strain and this can cause headaches.

Artificial sweeteners are linked to cancer

Like earlier said, it makes no difference whether your gum contains sugar or not. This is because sugar-free gum has artificial sweeteners which are usually used to replace sugar. The most common one is aspartame which is a harmful ingredient that has been linked to cancers, brain tumours, weight gain and birth defects.

It can result in farting

Chewing gum allows too much air into your body. This can result in bloating which is why you fart very often.

It doesn’t prevent bad breath

Bad breath is a symptom of digestive problems or excessive tooth decay. You should deal with the root cause of the problem rather than using chewing gum to hide it. You will realise that even if you stop chewing it, the halitosis still remains.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/7-reasons-stop-chewing-gum/

Ivorian international midfielder and former Newcastle United star, Cheikh Tiote passed on yesterday after slumping in training with his Chinese club, Beijing Enterprises, efforts to revive him failed.

A lot of people around the world including his former manager at Newcastle United, Alan Pardew, Steve McLaren who coached him at FC Twente in the Netherlands and Newcastle United, Gareth Bale and Jonas Gutierrez have paid tributes.

However, a tweet by one of Tiote’s friends, Yusuf Abubakar Tumi reveals what might have been his last phone chat before his death:





Source http://www.opinions.ng/cheikh-tiotes-last-whatsapp-chat-friend-revealed-tragic-death/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Ivorian international midfielder and former Newcastle United star, Cheikh Tiote passed on yesterday after slumping in training with his Chinese club, Beijing Enterprises, efforts to revive him failed.

A lot of people around the world including his former manager at Newcastle United, Alan Pardew, Steve McLaren who coached him at FC Twente in the Netherlands and Newcastle United, Gareth Bale and Jonas Gutierrez have paid tributes.

However, a tweet by one of Tiote’s friends, Yusuf Abubakar Tumi reveals what might have been his last phone chat before his death:





Source http://www.opinions.ng/cheikh-tiotes-last-whatsapp-chat-friend-revealed-tragic-death/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

You have stayed with your parents for years. Whether you like it or not, you have to leave their home someday to start your own life. This is a prospect that quite a number of people do not look forward to. This is probably because they are leaving their comfort zone where they get everything to start a whole new life adventure which is to live on their own. This can be very daunting. Regardless, you have to know that you have no choice than to move out. Not to worry, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares helpful tips for living on your own for the first time.

Budget before you move

Money is essential in everything you do. This is why a budget is essential. Hence, before you move into your new apartment, prepare a budget showing your current income and your possible expenses. For expenses, don’t forget to put a price to them even if it is estimated. After you have moved, make budgeting a habit.

You don’t need to recreate the comfort of your parent’s home

A mistake a lot of young people make when they first move out on their own is to attempt to reconstruct every part of how they used to live. This is risky because you will go broke. You have to gradually furnish your home to your own taste. The mantra should be slow and steady.

Buy quality and durable items

In a bid to be very comfortable in your new home, you buy second hand, cheap and substandard products. Of course, you know that these products are not likely to last. This is because it will be a waste of resources if you are buying the same product 6 months after. So, be patient and save up to buy quality.

Imbibe the maintenance culture

The truth is that many of us lack maintenance culture. It is not until something crashes before we take action. So, try to maintain your gadgets by cleaning and preventing them from dropping. This will prevent you from racking up repair expenses and you know these artisans can rip you off.

Evolve a system for paying bills

Living on your own usually means you will have quite a number of bills to pay on top of whatever bills you already had. If you don’t have a payment system in place, you will be unable to keep track of your bills and you will fail to make a required payment as at when due. Find a bill-paying method that works for you. If you can completely get rid of the recurring bill, it is better.

Create a borrowing network

This may be difficult because everyone seems to be minding their business. However, if you are in the midst of young people it can work. This is because you cannot buy every piece of equipment you might ever need. So, you should know who has these items you might occasionally need and are willing to borrow you.

Learn how to cook

You must eat because you cannot starve yourself. So learn how to cook if you do not want to finish all your money on mamaput. Also, try as much as possible to buy in bulk.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/7-helpful-tips-living-first-time/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Hashtags are very important because it makes it easier to find information about a particular theme, campaign or content. It can also be used to get the attention of your audience especially if it is catchy. So if you are doing a social media campaign and thinking of choosing a Hashtag, you are in luck as Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency discusses tips for selecting one. #Enjoy

Keep it as short as possible

This is very difficult but you don’t need a lengthy hashtag for your campaign. A very good idea is to use the same amount of characters for your Twitter handle which is 9 for your hashtag. If you can’t do this, just ensure it is not too long. An example is #JumiaHospitalityReport.

Ensure that it’s unique

Using a hashtag someone else has used will only make it hard for you to sort the information related to your campaign. So, do a bit of research to confirm if it has been used or not.

Make your hashtag relevant

If your social media campaign is focused on football, you don’t select a hashtag that is completely dissimilar. There must be a correlation. The hashtag should be able to showcase your brand.

Make it conversational

It’s good to make your hashtag conversational. Doing this will make it easier for the hashtag to fit into any sentences or engagements.

Use limited numbers of hashtags

For any social media campaign, you should use a limited number of hashtags. Two or three is enough. When it gets to five or six, it will minimise the chances of your campaign of going viral.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-tips-choosing-catchy-hashtag-social-media-campaign/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The fact is we all waste money at some point. But as adults, it is necessary to identify some of these ways we virtually throw money away and be responsible enough to learn to avoid it. It is better this way as it will help to avoid stressful money problems in the future. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 4 ways you’re throwing money away.

Unused Memberships

This is very popular particularly with Nigerians. We pay for club memberships here and there, especially gym memberships, and end up having little or no time (mainly because of work demands) to get our money’s worth out of these memberships. The funny thing is these fees are still renewed periodically. This money can be better used for investment and legitimate business ventures that can secure your financial future.

Taking the ‘Upsell’

Marketers know fully well what they’re doing with this. Many times, they attempt to entice consumers with the word ‘free’ and cause them to make more purchases (and thus spend more money) than was intended. There’s always some promo or some giveaway to entice consumers to spend just a little more (the puzzling part is that most times consumers don’t even really need these extra things they spend money on). Avoid falling into that trap and throwing money away thinking you’re making a good deal.

Wasted Food

This is very popular and to be honest one can’t really take the blame for this. Mainly because of the erratic power supply in the country, foods tend to spoil much sooner than they should. One way to manage this is to do some meal planning that takes into consideration the erratic power supply. Then, if you want to buy foodstuffs in bulk be sure you have a plan B to help preserve it in the event of lack of or inadequate power supply. You should also avoid grocery shopping when hungry; you tend to buy way more than you need when you do.

Failing to Negotiate

You have to learn how to negotiate to get the best prices for yourself. This speaks for itself and hardly needs more explanation. Another thing you can also try to do, especially in cases where you can’t negotiate, is to be patient and make your purchases at periods you know you would be able to get good discounts and generally be able to take advantage of existing promotions.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/4-ways-youre-throwing-money-away/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Long queues and delays are not new to commuters at the Nigerian airports. From the ticket stalls to the check-in counters and even canteens at the waiting area, travelers find themselves caught up in very long and slow queues which become not only intensely boring and monotonous as time rolls by but brings on aching feet.

The stress that comes with queuing has a tremendous impact on not just the travelers but on customer service as well. Usually, these unsatisfied travelers complain bitterly and even haul curses at the attendant at the counter with hope that it would spur them into working faster. Some even just leave the line all together for faster alternative moves.

If you are travelling via any of the Nigerian airports and you are dreading the seemingly inevitable long queues, relax! Jumia Travel has pulled together 5 tricks to help you deal with long queues and even possibly cut your way through to getting the service you desire in little or no time.

Take advantage of your unique situation

Nigeria as a nation has very high moral values and certain situations are duly regarded even in public places where such rule does not necessarily apply. If you are pregnant, old, sick, disabled or have a small child, you definitely have a unique situation that exempts you from queuing up for long hours like the others. Take advantage of your situation. Walk to the front of the line and let whoever is in charge in on your unique predicament and ask them politely to attend to you. It works all the time and the good thing is that others who have been waiting on the line will not complain for fear of looking disrespectful or lacking moral standards.

Make friends

The only thing worse than being trapped in a long stagnant queue, is standing alone in it. Even if you do not know the person in front of you or behind you, talk to them anyway. Strike up a conversation and mix up with the new people around you. You can start by sharing your grief over the long queue. Keep it light and infuse a sense of appropriate humor when you can. This comes in handy when you need to leave the line shortly to use the bathroom or just grad a snack. You are rest assured that your space in the line will be secured by your new friend.

Check-in online

Not all airlines in Nigeria have this option yet, however the giants, including Arik and Aero, have the option on their websites. Checking in online allows you to complete the entire pre-travelling transaction online. It saves you the stress of purchasing ticket over the counter and eventually having to queue for check-in afterwards.

Be vigilant

When you are standing in the queue, you need to be vigilant to know if anyone is cutting the line or someone is trying to bring a friend in without forfeiting his own space. Being on the lookout for these king of things ensure the line is not delayed any more than is necessary. Again, sometimes the line may move or some announcement concerning you might be made and with the loud noise in the airports, you might not be able to hear them, unless you are sharp.

Be patient

Sometimes, there really is nothing you can do about the long queues, there no alternatives, no hustling airport staff to help you speed up the process for a token, and you are just stuck. At times like this, it is important to stay patient and positive. Accept the situation, do not complain, just wait it out, keeping in mind that it will surely be a memory someday. Good thing is, you can distract yourself with food, drink, music or phone games.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/top-5-ways-conquer-long-queues-nigerian-airports/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The frustrating thing about flight turbulence is how suddenly they occur, completely without warning. Thankfully, there are ways to overcome the anxiety that comes when these sudden flight turbulence hits. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 ways to overcome the anxiety that comes with flight turbulence.

Increase Your Pool of Knowledge

Fear is intensified when the object of your fear remains a mystery. Therefore, it’s important you avoid ‘what if?’ thoughts by reading up on flight turbulence, its causes, potential dangers and the likely risks associated with it. Know all you can about planes and how they are designed to handle turbulence. When you understand the phenomenon, it’ll be much easier to manage and overcome.

Remind Yourself That Fear is Separate From Danger

The fact that you’re afraid doesn’t actually mean you’re in danger, you need to be able to separate the two to successfully overcome anxiety. Remind yourself that feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re in danger, it just means you’re feeling anxious. You’re safe even if you’re feeling intense anxiety. Besides, why remain negative when you can be positive. Stop fueling your fears and anxieties.

Try To Outsmart Anxiety

Anxiety tricks your mind into thinking you’re in danger when you’re perfectly safe. Following your emotions at that point will only reinforce your anxiety and very likely make you hysterical. As a rule, you should learn to do the opposite of what those anxious feelings are telling you to do (even when you’re still feeling anxious). You’ll be surprised at how effective this will be in helping to overcoming anxiety.

Figure Out What Soothes You When Anxious

Is it talking to someone? Is it reading a book? Is it listening to music? Is it praying? Is it meditating? Figure it out. Once you know what soothes you when you’re anxious, you can do that thing to help calm you in those times.

Be Patient

Over time, you’ll actually get used to flight turbulence and remain unfazed when they occur. Besides, after a while you’ll eventually get tired of jumping in fear at every flight turbulence; you’ll get tired of being fearful. Be patient with yourself because every flight provides you with an opportunity to make the next one easier (if it helps and you’re the religious type, you can pray as often as you can for a safe flight and commit it to the hands of the One you trust). Your brain will eventually become less sensitized to the triggers that set you off and flight turbulence will cease to become an anxiety trigger for you.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/overcome-flight-turbulence-anxiety/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Fresh from their victory over Chelsea FC, Arsenal brought the Emirates FA Cup once again to Dubai after the team’s record 13th victory of the historic trophy.

The Emirates FA Cup made its way to Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai at the Sevens so that it’s lucky students could join in to take special individual and group photos with the trophy, and over 120 kids had their photo taken with the iconic trophy.

Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai is a joint venture between Emirates and Arsenal, open to boys and girls of all abilities, aging from five to 20. Each year, more than 400 children are taught to “Play the Arsenal Way’, based on the same principles taught to the first team. The training programme is also designed to help aspiring young footballers develop their skills on the pitch, ensuring they have a platform to reach their potential.

Emirates has been a proud sponsor of Arsenal Football Club since 2004, and the partnership includes the club’s jersey sponsorship and naming rights to Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium.

In 2015 Emirates became Title Sponsor of the FA Cup, the world’s oldest and largest domestic football tournament, which is now globally known as The Emirates FA Cup.

The Emirates FA Cup also made a special visit to Emirates Group Headquarters, and employees were given the chance to take pictures with the trophy.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/arsenal-emirates-fa-cup-dubai/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Imo is one of the states in the South East of Nigeria, located in the heart of Igboland. Its capital city is Owerri, the state’s largest city, and the state’s main economic stay is agriculture and commerce. It’s a bustling state with a lot to offer in culture, history and even business and investment opportunities. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 things about Owerri you probably didn’t know.

It has a Zoological Garden

Owerri, the capital Imo State, is the home of the Nekede Botanical Garden, a well-tended area for displaying varieties of plants labelled with their botanical names. It’s a spectacular garden on a large landscape with ever-changing beauty. It’s one of the major tourist attractions of Imo state. Some hotels to lodge in while visiting include Rockview Hotels, Santiago Suite etc.

It’s the Location of the Amadioha Shrine

Well, this is not exactly a place the majority might want to visit, but some might find it interesting to know Imo state is the location of the shrine of the famous deity, Amadioha. Amadioha is the Igbo traditional god of lightning and thunder. The Amadioha shrine is particularly situated in Ngo Okpala Local Government area of Imo State.

It has Its Very Own Signature Hill (Peculiar to the State Alone)

The rolling hills of Okigwe is located in the north-eastern part of Imo State. It possesses very attractive and appealing qualities that lists it as one of the major tourist attractions in Imo State and in Nigeria. The hill consists of a series of expanding hills with varying heights and ruggedness. It’s indeed a fascinating attraction and one of nature’s finest works. The hills provide a suitable site for camping and picnicking with friends and family, and it’s a great site to enjoy the endowments of nature.

The State Was Named After the Imo River

Imo State came into existence in 1976, after the Nigerian Civil War. It was originally part of the now defunct East Central State created in 1967 by General Yakubu Gowon. The state was created at Ngwoma named after the Imo River. After the state creation, part of it was later split off in 1991 as Abia State and another part became Ebonyi State.

It has One of the Biggest and Most Viable Oil Palm Plantations in West Africa

The Ada Palm Plantation Complex situated in Imo State, is believed to be the biggest and most viable oil palm plantations in West Africa. The palm plantation was established in 1974, occupies about 4,310 hectares of land, with a housing estate and was one of the nation’s major sources of foreign exchange before the discovery of Petroleum.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-things-probably-didnt-know-imo/

Elders are very much vulnerable to financial and internet fraud because of their advanced age. As a result, some rogues take advantage of this to defraud them. They may not even be aware of this. You will simply notice that your aged mum or dad keep asking for money every week. Hence, it is very important for you to shield or protect them from fraud. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares ways to do this.

Limit marketing calls

Since elders are always at home, they are more susceptible to scammers who might target their phones. You can block spam calls and messages by using Truecaller.

Know their online profile

The internet is a minefield of information. You will know everything about an individual with the click of a button. So, take time out to check out their online profile so that you can remove any information hackers and scammers can use to defraud your parents.

Scrutinise their bank statement

Since they aged, you should have access to their bank statement. Hence, from time to time, request for their financial statement and scrutinise it. If you notice any irregularities, you should find out why.

Observe changes in them

It is easier to know when something is wrong with an elderly person. Do not ignore these changes or sign. It may be that someone is defrauding them. Talk to them and find out the reason why they are depressed.

Get a trustworthy person to help

You may not have enough time to do all of the above because you do not have enough time. Get someone (it may be a sibling or cousin) you can trust to assist your parents in performing their financial transactions. However, still take time out to check what the person is doing.

Take action

Immediately you notice any kind of financial scam, you should not overlook it. Take action to block the loophole notwithstanding if it is online or offline.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/protect-elders-scams/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Since almost half of the body is made up of water, drinking several cups every day is one of the simplest ways to better your health and lifestyle. Notwithstanding, what you may not be aware of is that there is an easier way to enjoy the amazing benefits of water and improve your general wellbeing. All you have to do is to drink water after you wake up in the morning. It may sound so easy but many people do not do it. Perhaps after reading these benefits of drinking water in the morning shared by Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, you would imbibe the habit.

Deal with a headache

The human brain is made up of 85% water. So, if there is the absence of enough water in the brain, it can lead to serious headaches. You can drink water in the morning to stop these aches.

It rehydrates your body

When you wake up after a sleep marathon, your body will be dehydrated. No matter the amount of water you drank the previous day, your body will still lack water in the morning.

Ease menstrual pain

Every month, women suffer from cramps which can sometimes be unbearable. Drinking water helps to reduce the water retention in the vagina which causes cramps thus easing the pain.

Reduce arthritis

Your joints are filled out with fluid that can increase or decrease depending on your water intake. This fluid also reduces due to tough activities and ageing. Drinking water in the morning helps your body to restore fluid so that your joints can move freely.

Boost your kidney health

A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and often severe pain in the abdomen. You can tackle kidney stone by downing lots of water, especially in the morning.

It’s absolutely refreshing

Gulping water after you wake up in the morning is absolutely refreshing and makes you feel good.

Get rid of unusable toxins

Water can assist in flushing toxins (a toxin is anything that damages the body) out of your body. This is because while you are asleep your body cleans itself, restores lost energy and balances hormones. After the cleanup, toxins and other waste materials will be released and wait to be flushed out. So, to clear these toxins, you should drink water in the morning.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/7-amazing-benefits-drinking-water-first-thing-morning/

Paulpaulpaul:
@Op, please include: model, pictures and price.

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Your social media posts might win over friends and get you few hundred or thousand likes, shares or retweets, however they can also cost you a job. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 social media mistakes most likely to cost you a job.

You Complain About Work

When hiring managers sometimes browse through social media profiles of candidates, imagine what their impression of you will be when they see ‘job complaint posts’ on your wall. They are very likely going to be turned off and conclude that you are a potential danger to their brand (mainly because there is nothing to stop you from bad mouthing their firm too). The question then would be, ‘Would I want to hire a person that can be a potential danger to the brand of my firm?’ and the answer to that question is quite clear.

You’re Vulgar or Offensive

If you (with a personal account that you can be identified with) are offensive or vulgar enough on social media to warrant mentions or retweets, it’s out there for everyone to see and it’s especially visible to headhunters or hiring managers. For hiring managers or headhunters, it speaks volumes about your maturity and professionalism level (or lack thereof). God help you if the firm you applied to is in anyway affiliated to anyone or any organization you have insulted on social media (Sergi Guardiola comes to mind here).

Sharing Your Latest Job Offer

Some job offers are sometimes confidential and unintended to be shared in a space as public as social media. As a result, some firms react negatively to this, may see you as having broken confidentiality and may revoke their job offer. In the event, you can share the good news about the job offer with everyone and anyone, be sure you don’t say anything negative about it which can be seen by an employee or anyone affiliated with the firm or company.

Mocking or Complaining About Your Customers

Especially if you are working in the service industry, this is another social media activity to avoid. Like complaining about your boss or work, mocking or complaining about customers can also have equally negative effects. Complaining about your customers shows your company in a bad light, and if any of your customers see this complaint, they are most likely to report to your employer who is very likely to not tolerate such behavior from an employee.

Contradictory Posts

A candidate once narrated a heart-wrenching story of how she had to quit her previous job because she was injured in a car accident and was unable to return from a leave of absence. The hiring manager then decided to look through her social media profile and found pictures of her lounging and waterskiing on vacation around the same period. That was all that was needed to knock her out of the running for the position. Be careful with social media.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-social-media-mistakes-likely-cost-job/

cc; Lalasticlala, Mynd44

An Audi is a fashionable and beautiful German car with one of the biggest and most varied model line-ups of any car brand, with almost anything you can ask for or dream of in car. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 6 things you’ll learn after driving an Audi for a week.

It’s Attractive (but not outrageously so)

Especially for those who want to be classy without being too ostentatious, an Audi is one of the best choices. An Audi has a relatively modest outlook and conservative design that has over time garnered a broad appeal. It has what can best be described as an appealing ‘style-by-stealth’ approach to its design that is certainly working for consumers.

It’s Like Sitting in Your Living Room

Audi has, over the years, acquired a reputation for designing some of the best car interiors in the world. The interior is always well laid out with intuitive controls, and is filled with the best materials that have a functional and user-friendly design to maximize comfort. With the amount of time we spend in cars (especially because of the heavy traffic in the country), riding in an Audi prepares you for a comfortable experience indeed.

Cutting Edge Technology

Audi is one of the car brands that is always at the cutting edge of in-car technology, with an MMI infotainment system that’s among the best available. Its tech is also easy to understand and use, and it’s packed full of interesting features to explore.

Variety

This car brand boasts of one of the biggest and most varied model line-ups of any car brand, with virtually everything from any type of consumer. It’s a car brand that has built a car for almost any type of consumer. From supermini cars to SUVs to supercars, there’s something for everyone. Just decide on which of their line-ups you prefer, and after driving it for a week, you’ll very likely find it’ll suit you just right.

Brilliant Engine

Audi cars generally have a strong engine and transmission, that’s not too noisy with a very good throttle response. The car is able to tune out a significant amount of mechanical ‘music’ and has a great (even addictive) acceleration. However, be sure to stay within legal speed limits because careless speeding kills and can really wreck your sweet ride.

You’ll Fall in Love

If you’re not already in love with Audi cars, you’ll definitely fall head over heels for it after driving it for a week. Aside its strong body-shell that gives impressive protection from the occasional careless driver that collides with your car, the car is classy and elegant enough to draw quite a number of admirable looks (and/or stares) here and there. It’s also what can be called a solid car and you’re very likely to enjoy driving it, as long as you drive it responsibly, take care of it well and have a good mechanic to service and maintain it for you.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/6-things-youll-learn-driving-audi-week/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

If you have a child, are responsible for a child, or have children around you in any way and at any time, you must erase these words from your vocabulary and refrain from saying them to a child. This is because a child’s mind and perception of the world is very fragile in their formative years, so you have to be careful not to impact them negatively with your words. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 things you should never say to a child.

“Practice Makes Perfect”

This popular phrase is what most children have grown up hearing and most parents erroneously believe that this phrase encourages a child to work harder and attain great things. However, most of the time, this is not so. This adage sends a message that if a child doesn’t win or excel, it means the child didn’t work hard enough. This weakens the child’s confidence as he/she grows up believing every failure is caused by his/her incompetence or inability to put in enough effort. It’s better to say instead that ‘practice makes better’ rather than ‘practice makes perfect’.

“You’re Okay”

This is another popular phrase with Nigerian parents. It might seem like the best thing to reassure a child that he/she is okay when he/she has been hurt physically or emotionally, but it isn’t right to force this reality on a child who just isn’t okay. For a child to be sad about something or to come crying to you, it means the child is not okay. You should learn to help the child acknowledge his/her emotions to help him/her understand and deal with them, rather than dismiss them. It’s not like you should never say this to a child, but there are some scenarios you shouldn’t say this.

“I’m on a Diet”

If you struggle with your weight, shape or size, try to keep this struggle as far away from a child as possible. If a child sees you stepping on a scale every day and hears you complaining all the time about being fat and ugly, he/she (especially girls) can develop body image issues. Rather than telling a child you’re on diet, it’s better to say ‘I’m eating healthy and I exercise because it’s great for the body and my heart’. This can inspire the child to join you and live a healthy life.

“We Can’t Afford That”

Most people will think that being bold enough to tell a child this, is teaching the child to be responsible, but this is more counter-productive than productive. Keep money issues as far away as you can from children; they are too young to bear that burden. Choose alternative light-hearted ways to tell your child you can’t afford something. You can try saying you’re saving for something special for the family or that you’ll get it for them later. If the child insists, then it’s a perfect opportunity to teach the child in simple terms about budgeting, saving and managing money.

“Let Me Help”

Again, it’s not like you should never say this to a child, but you should refrain from doing so often. It’s better to let the child ask or give some kind of signal asking for help or even come to you for help, than you jumping in to offer unsolicited help to a child. This can undermine the child’s independence and cause him/her to start looking to others all the time for answers and assistance. When your child asks for help, try asking guiding questions or guiding the child first, to see if the child gets it on his/her own. If he/she doesn’t, then you can help.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-things-never-say-child/

cc; Mynd44, Lalasticlala

I am sure many Nairalanders suffer from Nomophobia.

Many people now sleep with their phones in bed at night. This is an obvious sign of phone addiction that they dream about their devices. Unbelievable but true. This is not really good. So, before you get into your bed tonight, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, urges you to check out these reasons not to use your smartphone in bed at night.

You will be unable to sleep

This is the most obvious reason why you should never use your phone in bed. You will never be able to sleep because of all the notifications that are disrupting and disturbing your sleep. Of course, you know that doctors recommend at least 8 hours of sleep daily. Your phone should be on silent if you really want to get a smooth and uninterrupted nap.

You can be depressed

Persons who use their phone more frequently are prone to moodiness and depression. Also, since you are unable to get proper sleep just because you cannot control your phone usage, you are simply making you vulnerable to depression.

You are damaging your eyes

Exposure to blue light at night, emitted by your phone can affect the eyes. And today, there are many smartphones that emit this light. To prevent dry eyes and blurred vision, allow your eyes to rest instead of surfing your phone.

You may experience nomophobia

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and you are searching desperately for your phone which is just right beside you. And because you cannot find it, you begin to feel anxious and you become agitated. The only time you recover is when you eventually find your phone. It’s better to switch it off (if you want) and keep it as far away from you as possible.

Reduce exposure to radiation

Smartphones usually release a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation that can be absorbed if it is too near your body. The risk is limited when the phone is disconnected from either WiFi or turned off.

You pay more attention to your loved one

There is no gainsaying that you will concentrate and listen more if you do away with your phone in bed. So, make that decision to limit phone usage in bed at night.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/6-reasons-not-use-phone-bed-night/

Mental toughness takes many forms, some of which include resilience against attack, calmness in the face of uncertainty, persistence through pain, or focus amidst chaos. To live effectively in this world, it is important to learn to develop mental toughness. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 ways to build mental toughness

Make a Decision

If you want to be tougher, be tougher. Don’t meditate on it, don’t think too much about it, just do it. Being strong mentally is, more than anything, a decision to do so no matter the circumstance. You can start small with the little things and work your way to the big ones, but by all means start.

Learn to be Persistent

As long as you keep letting every small or big thing bring you down, as long as you continue to give reasons and excuses for giving up or being unable to put in more effort to achieve your goal, you will remain weak. You have to learn to push yourself a little bit more than your limit. Remember, learn to always push a little bit more. When you do this, you will find a new depth within yourself.

Tackle Your Fears

Never let fear rule or control any of your actions and inactions. Never. You’ll end up regretting it in the not too distant future. Learn to put your fears in line and don’t give fear too much priority. Avoid running away from your fears, and if you must run away from them, do so to gather more knowledge and skills to come back and do what it takes to confront and overcome those fears.

Share

People for some strange reason tend to underestimate the power of talking to a trusted someone and sharing your fears, difficulties and discomforts. No one can live this life alone, and many times you will need someone who can help you see things from a different perspective. There is so much strength in unity, two heads are better than one, and remember that a problem shared with the right person is already half-solved.

To Dream or Not to Dream

Dreams are great. They’re a great motivational force and help keep you focused, but dreams are also largely things you fantasize about. We all know fantasies don’t always become reality. You therefore have to learn to convert your dreams to goals. Set SMART goals and work to achieve them. When you successfully achieve these goals, it helps to build a sense of confidence and accomplishment in you that’s great for strengthening your mental toughness.

Commitment

You need to learn to be committed to whatever you decide to do. Make a single decision and stick to it. The decision should be clear, simple and straightforward so it can be easy and realistic to maintain and achieve. Refuse to compromise and don’t beat yourself up or give up because of some failures along the way. Be resilient, be persistent and do not give up until the end. Once you learn commitment, you will be surprised at just how powerful this tool is.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-ways-build-mental-toughness/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Lagos Taxi cab drivers are huge lifesavers for commuters in the city ,especially when the commuters are first-time visitors, who do not have the muscle required to navigate Lagos city via public transport systems. With the constant traffic and bustling around the city, however, the job of the taxi driver can be quite arduous and back-breaking. Considering the nature of their jobs, there are certain things they have learned to overlook…however, there are also something that they cannot just condone from passengers.
Looking to patronize a Lagos taxi driver and curious to know these things they don’t condone? Read on to discover Jumia Travel’s tips on 5 things not to do to a Lagos taxi driver.
Criticize the appearance of his vehicle

No matter what you do, refrain from making negative comments as regards the appearance or functionality of the driver’s vehicle while you are in it. Most of the Lagos taxis are driven by men who pride themselves in being experts when it comes to handling vehicles, and so, criticizing their cabs is usually seen as a personal insult. Also, pointing to a lack in the hygiene of its interiors is a no-no. Some of the drivers can go as far throwing a dramatic feat or even ask you to get down from their vehicles. To avoid this, keep your opinions to yourself unless you are quite certain your life is in danger. Also, if you cannot stand it, to not get in the cab get down while you can.

Ignore their instructions regarding the display of PDA in the back of the cab

Sometimes emotions can be overwhelming and passengers impatiently express them. This is very common in Lagos, especially at night when most passengers have a bit alcohol in the mix from night outs and parties. While some taxi drivers in other parts of the country, hearing and seeing everything, stay mute. Lagos taxi drivers rarely condone it. The nice ones will nag you with advice until you get your destination, killing the mood anyways, while others could ask you to get off, publicly shaming you if possible. It is very easy to avoid this, all you need to do is: keep your hands to yourselves and exercise some control.

Give the wrong or incomplete address

This is a huge trap most people fall into. If you are going to enter a Lagos taxi driver’s vehicle, be very particular when listing the address of your destination. Give all the details. Most Lagos drivers are not lenient, especially when your destination turns out to be a bit further than what was listed on them at the initial stance. These drivers will kick up a fuss and insist that you increase the fare. Worse is if you do not agree on a fare before you enter the cab, chances are you will be milked dry. Lagos taxis do not run on meters and fares are entirely subject to the driver’s discretion. If you must get a taxi, ensure you give the exact details, if possible, including the exact route you want the driver to take. Also, conclude on a fare before getting on.

Treat the driver like your servant

Most taxi cab drivers in modern times are not very particular about your attitude to them, they tend to detach themselves from your situation, as long as you pay whatever fare is charged and you do not actively cause him or his car harm. However, most taxi drivers in Lagos tend to take an exception to passengers with a bad attitude. They tend to have certain expectations such as; expecting salutation, respectful gestures and voice tone and more. Performing actions that suggest that you disregard or disrespect them creates a charged atmosphere, making it hard to communicate with the driver. Bottomline: while you are in the cab, your life is literally in the hand of the driver, it shouldn’t hurt to stay polite.

You ask them to break the law

Thanks to the traffic situation in Lagos, most people are always looking for ways to avert the congestion, and in doing so, they tend to break certain traffic rules. They drive on one-ways, disregard traffic light and drive on wrong ways. These soft traffic rules are frequently broken in Lagos, especially during rush hours or at night when most of the LASMA officials have close for the day. While most cab drivers on the island even take the initiative to commit these soft felonies, cab drivers on the mainland hardly engage in such dalliance. They take pride in understanding the traffic rules and they also understand the penalties attached. They, therefore, get really aggravated when passengers ask them to break any these rules, no matter how negligible.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/5-things-not-lagos-taxi-driver/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Owning a car is one of the most expensive aspects of many Nigerians’ yearly spending. A car is the 2nd largest purchase that most consumers in Nigeria make, after a home. But, it’s a fact that costs never stop when you own a vehicle. Aside from insurance and fuel costs which are certainly a big part of the total cost of owning a car each year, car repairs can be extremely costly for car owners. No matter where you live, you can expect to pay some money on necessary car repairs. Preventative maintenance is very important, but it can still be pricey.

Generally, car repairs can be particularly detrimental to a budget when they are unexpected; it can help to budget ahead of time and plan for common repairs. Jumia Travel lists some smart moves to save serious money on car repairs.

If your car is still under warranty, take it back to the dealer for free repairs

Most new vehicles and even some Tokunbo cars sold in Nigeria come with 1-3 years warranty that covers most almost everything. Ensure you know the specifics of your warranty and take advantage of it as most time, they cover free repairs at your dealership.

Fix it yourself if you can

Car repairs may seem complicated but many of the maintenance and auto repair jobs are still simple enough that you can do them yourself. Almost anyone should be able to change their own wiper blades, replace their air filter, change their oil, replace a headlight, change a battery, or even replace belts as long as they have the required tools. Even more, YouTube is a great resource for finding videos that explain how to repair many car issues. In a case where the problem is beyond your capabilities, though, take it to a shop as fixing it blindingly can cause more damage and eventually incur more costs.

Have a mechanic you trust

A major reason why many Nigerians spend a lot of money on repairs is because they patronize a mechanic who is either fraudulent or does not know the intricacies of the job. Ensure you do not patronize random mechanics at different times, entrust your vehicle to a mechanic or repair shop you can trust and try to go to the particular garage or mechanic each time you need something fixed that you can’t fix yourself. Becoming a regular customer endears you to them and they would even do some free jobs for you at times. If you don’t know of a good mechanic, try asking friends or family for a recommendation.

Skip maintenance that you don’t actually need

When you buy a car, the vendor (especially if he has given you warranty) will inform you that there are basic car maintenance procedures you have to complete at intervals, but the truth is, while regular preventative maintenance on your car will actually save you money, not all maintenance needs to be done as often as the service centers suggest. For instance, spark plugs also don’t need to be changed very often and the car oil doesn’t need to be changed every 3,000 miles.

Use local shops instead of brand chains

Most people believe that going to the car brand’s repair would ensure they get their car properly repaired. But while these places might be ok, they can be quite expensive when it comes to the small mechanical jobs and services. Also, they tend to not provide the level of service that many local shops will provide. Local shops tend to provide a better service, get the job done right in shorter time, and are economical on price.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/ways-nigerians-save-money-car-repairs/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

All sort of things happens in danfo buses (Lagos commercial buses). Some will simply make you laugh while others can be so annoying. One of the ultimate annoying ones is what some people do with their phones in these buses. Well, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency identifies these things.

Playing music

Someone will just enter into a bus and start playing music with their phones. The music will be so loud that everyone in the bus will hear. Please, who told you that they need a Disc Jockey in the bus? In other cases, it may not be music. It could be a religious preaching.

Taking selfies

This is a real confirm selfie addict. They take out their phone and click, they are snapping. They are not even bothered if they are taking the pictures of fellow commuters.

Showing off their chats

For those who are curious, you can read the chat of the person beside you. That is if she is chatting on Whatsapp, BBM or messenger. Everything is laid bear. Certain individuals are not conscious of what they do with their phones in public buses.

Talking at the top of their voice

Oh my God! You must have heard someone shouting at the top of his or her voice because he/she is talking on the phone. Why can you just speak like a gentleman or lady? Keep your conversation to yourself!

Plugging your ears

There is nothing wrong with plugging your ears in commercial buses. However, when you have change or something you do with the conductor, you should at least leave one of your ears unplugged. It can be annoying if you do not respond when someone is speaking with you in a Lagos Danfo.

Sources: http://www.opinions.ng/annoying-things-people-phone-danfo/