Power of WORDS: good lesson

This story was shared by the Ex-Indian President Dr. Abdul Kalam. He said: "When I was a kid, my mom cooked food for us. One night in particular when she had made dinner after a long hard day's work, Mom placed a plate of 'subzi' and extremely burn roti in front of my Dad. I was waiting to see if anyone noticed the burnt roti. But dad just ate his roti asked me how was my day at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember mom apologizing to Dad for the burnt roti. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burnt roti."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy, good night and I asked him if he really liked his roti burnt. He wrapped me in his arms and said:  “Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she was really tired. And besides? A burnt roti never hurts anyone but HARSH WORDS DO...!"

Words are powerful. They have the power to heal or wound. Words have the power to build or destroy. Words can bring hope and words can bring defeat. So, think about the words that you will utter in the course of the week. Are they words that will empower others or are they words that will discourage and de-motivate people?

Before you speak: THINK
T: is it TRUE?
H: is it HELPFUL?
I: Is it INSPIRING?
N: is it NECESSARY?
K: is it KIND?

By Adebanjo Ajayi

Power of WORDS: good lesson

Adewale Thursday, 31 March 2016

Between Apple Company and the FBI ... in 2 minutes

After a month-long public debate about whether or not Apple should help the FBI break into a terrorist's iPhone, the courtroom showdown between the Department of Justice and the tech company has been postponed.

Judge Sheri Pym agreed to delay the meeting shortly after the government requested a postponement.

The DOJ said it may have found an alternative way into the iPhone Syed Farook, the gunman in the San Bernardino shooting, was using.

If you're confused about what Apple's fight with the FBI is all about, here's what you need to know.

1) The FBI is trying to get into an iPhone 5C used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook.

2) It can't get in because Farook's iPhone is permanently locked. If its self-destruct feature is turned on, it will erase its key after 10 incorrect passcode guesses.

It also has a time-delay feature that prevents people from quickly entering more than a few wrong passcodes before locking them out.

3) The FBI wanted Apple to create special software for Farook's iPhone that will help bypass the phone's security protocols.

The FBI can then try endless password combinations until it gets the right one. In effect, the FBI is doing the hacking, not Apple. But without Apple changing the locks, the FBI can't proceed.

4) A judge in February ruled Apple must comply with the government's request.

5) Apple has been fighting that order.

Its central argument: Removing the security protection in this case would create a "backdoor" that could potentially allow the government or hackers break into similar iPhones.

It has legal arguments as well: It says there is no specific law supporting the government's request; the government should not be able to compel a private company to alter its product; writing code is like speech, and so the request is a violation of Apple's First Amendment rights.

6) The Department of Justice is fighting too.

Its argument: This is a single request for a single phone, and doesn't not create a back door for bad actors, but rather a front door for law enforcement only when it has a warrant.

7) The fight has gotten increasingly nasty

Apple's high-powered attorneys have called the FBI's arguments "disturbing," and the FBI has called Apple's attempt to combat the judge's order a "desperate" marketing ploy.

8) Most technology companies and the ACLU have sided with Apple.

Facebook, Google and Microsoft are among the companies that have filed briefs with the court showing support for Apple.

9) If it continues, the case could go to the Supreme Court

The same judge that ruled against Apple was set to issue another ruling on Tuesday, March 22, before the DOJ requested the postponement. But any ruling wouldn't have been final. Appeals can go to a district court judge, then a court of appeals, and finally the Supreme Court.

Between Apple Company and the FBI ... in 2 minutes

Adewale Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Peace Breaker or Preaching "Lagos Public Bus Palaba"

By Otunba Olufemi Fadairo

Earlier this week, on Wednesday morning, I got into my car to go to work. Ta-yun-yun-yun,..... my car refused to start. It was already 6.30 am and I was not going to start checking anything.  So I just opted for going to take a "danfo" (public) bus. Yes, I know, I can't afford taxi abeg.

So I got into this danfo bus and thought to make use of the opportunity that I'm not driving to read a report which I was supposed to give an opinion on to my boss by 9am on same day. As I was the 2nd to last passenger, I had not even finished reading the 2nd page of the 32 paged document when the bus proceeded on the journey to CMS in lagos island.

As soon as the bus pulled out, I heard the piercing shout "Prai, prai, praiissee the Lord"....  one or 2 people in the 22 seater bus murmured "Hallelujah". I quickly searched my pockets for an earpiece and plugged the airpiece into my ears while I tried to continue reading. But the decibel level of this pastor was something else. It was like I was sitting right next to an "Ahuja" woover loud speaker. There was just one guy between me and the pastor on my seat row.

After trying to read for about 10 minutes without success as the noise was piercing through the earpiece, I decided to call the attention of the pastor to my suffering at his preaching. So as not to be labelled a "demon", I leaned towards him and whispered,  "excuse me sir". He didnt hear, so I thought.  So I tapped on him lighthly and whispered again, "Excuse me man of God". He completely ignored me. I then realized he was actually reading from the bible at that time. I said to myself,  "Olufemi, respect the Bible, approach him again when he finishes reading from the Bible". So I waited. All the while the guy between me and the pastor was looking at me incredulously.

When he finished reading the bible, I approached again, tapping him lightly,"Excuse me pastor". I was surprised when he again ignored me and then said "the kingdom of darkness is trying to interfere with the preaching of the gospel".  That was when I lost it. I mean completely!

Those who know me know that God has granted me a very loud boom of a voice. When I shouted "what is the meaning of this rubbish?", the whole bus was forced to pay attention. I was really vexed. "Is this what Jesus teaches us to do? Did he ask us to inconvenience others because we want to preach? Are we supposed to ignore people who try to call our attention to a sufferring we are inflicting on others?" This were the sentences I barked back at his own rantings which he had picked up again after his momentary shock. He tried to just continue preaching. I told him, "no one in this bus would hear that your preaching if you dont stop.".

Growing up in Mushin has its own advantages as we learnt a lot of yoruba poems. So I started singing (yes, in mushin, we dont recite poems, we sing them) the poems one after the other in my very loud voice while the preacher was also preaching in a very loud voice. I started with "Omo pupa o.... Omo Pupa le mi n fe" (I want a fair skinned damsel). Then went into "Ja itana to n tan, to tutu to si dara..." (the yoruba version of "Tick says the clock, tick-tick"). By the time I entered "Ise loogun ise, mura si'se ore mi, ise la fi n d'eni giga" (Hard work is the antidote for poverty, hard work makes a lowly person into a celebrity), someone in the bus shouted, "would the two of you just shutup?"

Then the reactions started coming in. Someone said "what Is even wrong with this man? Can't he just respect the word of God?" Another faced me and said "are you not aware that there is freedom of worship in Nigeria?". I retorted that "there is also freedom of speech in Nigeria so I am also exercising that freedom". Then I went into another song we used to sing on assembly, "l'ayo l'ayo la n lo'le, la n lo'le....." ( in peace, in peace we proceed home...). Another person told me, "but mr, why are you angry na, preaching in the bus is a normal thing na". I told him, No its not normal to disturb others in a bus. I moved on to the next poem "Ede time ede, remi ko ni'ya, o dabo, o dabo kayode, elere boolu... ( its a warped way of spelling 'exercise book' in yoruba back in the days. Who even invented this crazy spelling sef?)

By now, my voice had completely overshadowed the pastor's but he was still also raising his voice. we had been on this for about 40 minutes, not one person told the pastor that he did anything wrong. He was ranting, I was barking, other passengers were blabbing. It was a cacophony of sounds. The madness was total.

A pregnant woman behind me tapped me and I could see agony in her face. She couldn't even talk, she just rubbed her palms at me in a begging gesture and she touched her head signifying a great headache. I was touched by her helplessness, so I stopped my poems and allowed the pastor to continue with his own rantings.  We were already around Apongbon by this time.

Ambode should pass a religious bill in lagos to curb the menace of these pastors disturbing our peace in the buses before these insensitive pastors would cause a problem some day that may result into breakdown of law and order.

Please, comment your view about this experienced.

Peace Breaker or Preaching "Lagos Public Bus Palaba"

Adewale Saturday, 19 March 2016

One Nigeria is better "Lamido Sanusi"

Sanusi Lamido's response to Sir Olaniwun Ajayi's book titled "Nigeria , Africa 's failed asset?"

"Let me start by saying that I am Fulani (laughter). My grandfather was an Emir and
therefore I represent all that has been talked about this afternoon. Sir Ajayi has written a book. And like all Nigerians of his generation, he has written in the language of his generation.

"My grandfather was a Northerner, I am a Nigerian. The problem with this country is that in 2009, we speak in the language of 1953. Sir Olaniwun can be forgiven for the way he spoke, but I cannot forgive people of my generation speaking in that language.

"Let us go into this issue because there are so many myths that are being bandied around. Before colonialism, there was nothing like Northern Nigeria, Before the Sokoto Jihad, there was nothing like the Sokoto caliphate. The man from Kano regard himself as bakane. The man from Zaria was bazazzage. The man from
Katsina was bakatsine. The kingdoms were at war with each other. They were Hausas, they were Muslims, they were killing each other.

"The Yoruba were Ijebu, Owo, Ijesha, Akoko, Egba. When did they become one? When did the North become one? You have the Sokoto Caliphate that brought every person from Adamawa to Sokoto and said it is one kingdom. They now said it was a Muslim North.

"The Colonialists came, put that together and said it is now called the Northern Nigeria. Do you know what happened? Our grand fathers were able to transform to being Northerners. We have not been able to transform to being Nigerians. The fault is ours. Tell me, how many governors has South West produced after Awolowo that are role models of leadership? How many governors has the East produced like Nnamdi Azikiwe that can be role models of leadership? How Many governors in
the Niger Delta are role models of leadership? Tell me. There is no evidence statistically that any part of this country has produced good leaders. You talk about Babangida and the economy. Who were the people in charge of the economy during Babangida era? Olu Falae, Kalu Idika Kalu. What state are they from in the North?
"We started the banking reform; the first thing I heard was that in Urobo land, that there will be a curse of the ancestors. I said they (ancestors) would not answer. They said why? I said how many factories did Ibru build in Urobo land? So, why will the ancestors of the Urobo people support her?

"We talk ethnicity when it pleases us. It is hypocrisy. You said elections were rigged in 1959, Obasanjo and Maurice Iwu rigged election in 2007. Was it a Southern thing? It was not.

"The problem is: everywhere in this country, there is one Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba and Itshekiri man whose concern is how to get his hands on the pile and how much he can steal. Whether it is in the military or in the civilian government, they sit down, they eat together. In fact, the constitution says there must be a minister from every state.

"So, anybody that is still preaching that the problem of Nigeria is Yoruba or Hausa or Fulani, he does not love Nigeria . The problem with Nigeria is that a group of people from each and every ethnic tribe is very selfish. The poverty that is found in Maiduguri is even worse than any poverty that you find in any part of the South.
The British came for 60 years and Sir Ajayi talked about few numbers of graduates in the North (two at independence) . What he did not say was that there was a documented policy of the British when they came that the Northerner should not be educated. It was documented. It was British colonial policy. I have the document. I have published articles on it. That if you educate the Northerner you will produce
progressive Muslim intellectuals of the type we have in Egypt and India. So, do not educate them. It was documented. And you say they love us (North)."I have spent the better part of my life to fight and Dr. (Reuben) Abati knows me. Yes, my
grandfather was an Emir. Why was I in the pro-democracy movement fighting for June 12? Is (Moshood) Abiola from Kano ? Why am I a founding director of the Kudirat Initiative for Nigerian Development (KIND)?

"There are good Yoruba people, good Igbo people, good Fulani people, good Nigerians and there are bad people everywhere. That is the truth. "Stop talking about dividing Nigeria because we are not the most populous country in the world. We have all the resources that make it easy to make one united great Nigeria . It is better if we are united than to divide it.

"Every time you talk about division, when you restructure, do you know what will happen? In Delta Area, the people in Warri will say Agbor, you don't have oil. When was the Niger Delta constructed as a political entity? Ten years ago, the Itshekiris were fighting the Urobos. Isn't that what was happening? Now they have become Niger Delta because they have found oil. After, it will be, if you do not have oil in
your village then you cannot share our resources.

"There is no country in the world where resources are found in everybody's hamlet. But people have leaders and they said if you have this geography and if we are one state, then we have a responsibility for making sure that the people who belong to this country have a good nature.

"So, why don't you talk about; we don't have infrastructure,we don't have education, we don't have health. We are still talking about Fulani. Is it the Fulani cattle rearer or is anybody saying there is no poverty among the Fulani?"

One Nigeria is better "Lamido Sanusi"

Adewale Friday, 18 March 2016

10 Signs You Aren’t Taking Care of Yourself

“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.” – Mahatma Gandhi

As one reflects on this quote from perhaps the greatest Peacekeeper in history, the latter part of Gandhi’s statement catches our eye: “must be unaffected by outside circumstances.” Unaffected by the stressors we encounter every day. Unaffected by forces that attempt to derail us from living life with a sense of inner peace.  This is a challenge for most of us, as it was a challenge for Gandhi. The man encountered injustices that would make even the most resolute among us tremble. Yet, he was able to overcome these circumstances in a peaceful and loving way.

Perhaps the biggest reason for Gandhi’s victorious life was his exceptional devotion to cultivating his inner strength. He once said “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” He used his will to defeat both internal and external forces that attempted to defeat him. We too can recognize these internal forces and defeat them. There are ways that inner turmoil manifests itself and, once identified, can be overcome.

HERE ARE 10 SIGNS YOU MAY NOT BE TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF:

1. NOT EMBRACING SELF-ACCEPTANCE

This is one that many of us struggle with – the ability to simply embrace who we are. For whatever reason, we instead make fruitless attempts to think, act, and appear different than what we truly are. A predominant reason is that we attempt to mold ourselves to society’s expectations of who we should be and how we should live.

Self-acceptance is elusive, but it’s certainly possible. It’s not only a healthy and peaceful way to live; it should be the only way to live. Self-acceptance is simply embracing our inner selves without reservation or judgement. We should all seek to connect with our emotional, mental, physical and spiritual selves.

2. NOT LIVING WITH SELF-COMPASSION

When we incessantly berate ourselves, self-compassion becomes impossible. Continuously punishing our self-image and refusing to accept mistakes is a sure path to an unhappy destination.

The solution is to treat ourselves with compassionate care. We accomplish this by admitting our shortcomings while resisting the urge to hand out needless self-punishment.  Nobody is without faults and flaws, and the willingness to accept this universal truth determines our capability to render self-compassion.

3. NOT CONNECTING WITH YOUR NEEDS

Selfless people are the lifeblood of any noteworthy society. That said, self-denial can be taken to an unhealthy and unnecessary extreme. As human beings, it is paramount that we are attentive to our needs. We all require love, acceptance and purpose in our lives. Self-deprivation is not an altruistic trait, nor is it needed.

Instead, all of us should be cognizant of the fact that our needs are of the utmost importance. Taken a step further, our needs should provide the foundation that lends meaning to our lives. Let us all connect with our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs.

4. NOT CONNECTING WITH YOUR THOUGHTS

There’s no way around it: our thoughts will default to auto-pilot if we allow it. The human mind is a magnificent gift, but only if we’re nurturing towards it. One aspect of our mind that is often subconsciously overlooked is that it is habitual. In other words, it’ll often repeat thoughts that have surfaced – both positive and negative.

10 Signs You Aren’t Taking Care of Yourself

Adewale Thursday, 17 March 2016

The Artist Otherwise Known as an Entrepreneur by Amy Cosper

We’re all artists. That doesn’t mean we’re all Picassos with paintbrushes, mind you. But we all have the capacity to create something unique: music, paintings, buildings, sculpture, books, logos, iPhones, businesses.

I know this creative spark is a cornerstone to entrepreneurship (along with drive, talent and balls of steel). But not everyone agrees. Every once in a while, I find myself arguing with someone from some corporation or educational institution about what entrepreneurship is and what it means to our culture. This is their recurring response: “Entrepreneurship means you are the sole proprietor of a business, or you are a business owner assuming risk -- nothing more.”

No, actually, sir or madam, that’s wrong. Entrepreneurship means creating something never imagined before, born from a passion that wouldn’t be stopped. It’s in our DNA to figure out how to solve problems. And thank God for that because it’s how we’re going to survive as a species.

Entrepreneurship requires people who recognize blank canvases as opportunity. What sets them apart is the innate curiosity and boldness to throw paint on that white space and see what happens. Even if it sucks, having the guts to do it is what matters.

Of course it’s hard. Failure is expected. But man, it is a hell of lot more fun than simply owning and running a business. And when it works, the rewards are magnificent. This month we profile two very different versions of entrepreneurial creativity. Our cover story on the Hanson brothers -- yes, the boy band from the 1990s -- and their evolution from pop-culture phenoms to savvy entrepreneurs who dabble in music, festivals and craft beer, says it all.

But we also wanted to show another side of this ingenuity. As we are all painfully aware, we are in the midst of the bloviating, flatulent season that is a tenet of American society: the election year. Politics is a tough racket, which is why we decided to take a look at people brave enough to turn it into a business plan. Brigade (“Politics Pays. But Does Civics?” pg. 24) is a mobile app that aims to build a social network for the politically inclined and to drive citizens from talking about political issues to doing something about them.

We hope reading this issue inspires you to look for your next blank canvas and start throwing paint. And along the way, understand that you’ll pick up some rules of the game. But don’t worry; you’re learning them so you can then break them and make something wholly new, per Pablo Picasso.

The Artist Otherwise Known as an Entrepreneur by Amy Cosper

Adewale

Another Milestone Technology by Facebook Team "Oculus Game"

Facebook Founder announced 30 virtual reality games that will be available on Oculus when it ships later in March. This is the best content lineup I've ever seen for the launch of a new gaming platform. Check out this video to see what's coming.
https://youtu.be/pN6YCFlS8nU

Another Milestone Technology by Facebook Team "Oculus Game"

Adewale Wednesday, 16 March 2016

15 AMAZING USES OF CUCUMBER YOU DON'T KNOW!

Spice up your 8 glasses per day of water with a slice or two of cucumber. It's wonderfully refreshing, but there are amazing benefits to cucumber as well. Cucumbers are cooler than you think ...

WHAT AN AWESOME INFORMATION

1. Fat busting: Do you ever wonder why women put cucumbers on their eyes to relieve puffiness? The photochemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, thus the lack of puffiness. Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to lessen the visibility of it? Did you also know that it has the same effect on wrinkles? Wow, it makes purchasing those fifty dollar creams seem a little silly, doesn’t it? You can also rub a little bit under your kiddo’s eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that puffy ‘I cried for an hour straight’ look.

2. Defogger: Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Who has time for that when the kids will be awake at any moment? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a nice smell that will boost your mood.

3. Headaches: If you suffer from headaches from chasing your babies all day (or pets or your husband), or had a little too much wine with dinner and want to avoid a hangover, eat half of a cucumber before bed. Cucumbers are high in B vitamins, sugar, and electrolytes, and they replenish the nutrients missing in your body to help you avoid a hang over or to beat that headache that’s been threatening to take over.

4. WD-40 replacement: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Wow, now you don’t have to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red straw, and the baby won’t wake up when you slowly open the nursery door to check on him.

5. Crayon on the walls: Take an unpeeled cucumber and rub the crayon off of the walls in the event that your kiddo left you some art. You can also use this technique to erase a pen mistake.

6. Halitosis killer: Take a slice of cucumber and put it on the roof of your mouth. Hold it there with your tongue for 30 seconds. The photochemical that you love for cellulite and puff reduction will also kill the bacteria that is causing your bad breath.

7. Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances? Rub it off with a cucumber slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.

8. Energy booster: If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t give Starbucks your five bucks. Instead, grab a cucumber. There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health hazard energy drinks.

9. Munchy madness: Did you know that European trappers ate cucumbers for energy and to keep from starving to death? If those big burly manly men can eat a cucumber to keep from starving, you can eat one as a healthy choice when the munchies hit. Slice some up and take them in a small plastic container to the movies if your theater doesn’t offer healthy alternatives to munching on butter soaked popcorn.

10. Frugal facial: Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of water. The chemicals inside of the cucumber will mix with the steam. Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the steam hit you. Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

11. Shoe polish: Cut a slice off of your cucumber and rub it on your shoe. It will not only shine it up, but it will repel water.

12. Pest control: Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the cucumber have a reaction that pests hate. You won’t smell it, but it will drive them from your garden all year long. Replace them periodically.

13. Sunburn: Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect your little ones from sunburn. If you have burnt little kiddos you don’t have any aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.

14. Blood pressure: Cucumber has been long used to treat high blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet. There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for lowering cholesterol.

15. Constipation remedy: The seeds of a cucumber are a diuretic. If you’re constipated, try eating a cucumber. If you suffer from chronic constipation, add cucumber to your daily diet

*if this article is useful leave a comment and SHARE it.

15 AMAZING USES OF CUCUMBER YOU DON'T KNOW!

Adewale

LIFE OF VANITY, True Lesson about LIFE

I vividly recall the story of a man who became popular for engaging in money rituals just to buy the 80's edition of the Honda Prelude; you wouldn't buy that car for 50k today.
A guy brutally murdered his brother, just because he wanted to acquire the rave of the moment - Pathfinder Jeep. That same vehicle is now better described as a coffin.... Vanity
I remember as a kid, my whole street gathered at a neighbour's house to watch a"drama" shown on a "double-door black & white television". Today there is plasma television and its almost found in every student's room..... Vanity
Some ladies left their true loves because some rich guy then persuaded them with a Benz 190, which turned out to be the only car they ever owned till date. They found out too late that true love is invaluable..... Vanity
What about Santana, Mercedes Benz V boot, 505 Evolution, Toyota Crown?... All overtaken by latest models of Camry, Honda, Bugatti, Bentley, X6, Acura and Infinity.... Vanity!
A guy declared drinks because he launched the Nokia-3310 phone in 2002. Today that phone would embarrass the owner and is a joke compared to the low cost and everyday phones..... Vanity
What about the MTN SIM card that many people went extra miles before they bought for over 30k, today you will not buy it anywhere because all networks are begging people to even take it for free.... Vanity
People are still making the most horrific sacrifices over 'vanity' and make enemies over worthless material things. What can I say? Look back at that one thing you want to kill or die for today, and see what becomes of it tomorrow. There is absolutely nothing you can't achieve. ... Take it easy!
All you need is a little time and PATIENCE and you would thank God without regrets. There is actually nothing in this world that is worth going to Hell for, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
TAKE IT EASY!

LIFE OF VANITY, True Lesson about LIFE

Adewale

Donald Trump, Islam and the US Presidential Election

By Femi Fani-Kayode 

American politics and politicians fascinate me in the same way that their history does. From the days of their great men of faith and vision like the Pilgrim Fathers, the Founding Fathers and the Patriots right through to the times of deeply courageous men who were blessed with a powerful intellect and huge moral suasion like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin, this is indeed a blessed land with an extraordinary and rich heritage and history. From the heady days of their struggle for independence from the British, right up to the tumultuous times of Abraham Lincoln and John Brown and their bitter struggle against slavery, the civil war and so much more, the American story is littered with heroes and heroic acts and presents us with compelling evidence of the fact that ultimately good always triumphs over evil. Trump From the beginning right up until modern times and indeed today, their history and their story, with all its twists and turns, is not only inspiring but also a great testimony to the power of the Living God. Yet today, America is at a crossroads and in the next few weeks and months she will decide who President Barack Obama will pass the baton of leadership to. That choice is critical because it will determine whether the self-styled “land of the free and home of the brave” will, once again, be transformed into a great and major power with the strength and immense moral authority that she once enjoyed on the world stage or whether she will gradually lose her mystique and prestige and recede into a divided, conflicted, pitiful, isolated, intellectually weak, economically crippled, greatly diminished and morally bankrupt spent force. All this in a world that is witnessing and experiencing the growing power and strength of an increasingly assertive Russia and China. There is no gainsaying that the race for the White House this year is probably the most important in recent times because the consequences of the choice that the American people will eventually make will affect the entire world for either good or bad. Needless to say the stakes are high. Given this, I am delighted that my preferred candidate and fellow evangelical christian, the brilliant African American neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, finally saw the writing on the wall and dropped out of the race for the Presidential nomination of the Republican Party. I am also thrilled that he has thrown his support behind Mr. Donald Trump who I believe is a simply remarkable man that is blessed with immense potential and promise. Dr. Carson is the second Presidential candidate in the Republican party that has dropped out of the race and endorsed Mr. Trump, the first being Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey. These are indeed good times for the colorful billionaire. He has done exceptionally well regardless of the numerous conspiracies within the leadership of his own party to stop him and regardless of the controversies that appear to trail him. Yet Mr. Trump has had his own fair share of challenges, trials and tribulations. The ugly affair at his Chicago rally on March 11 being one of them. The disruption of that rally and the suppression of freedom of speech by a large crowd of violent and threatening anti-Trump protesters at the event was appalling and unacceptable and it shows us the level to which those that wish to oppose him are prepared to go. This was an organised and premeditated effort to disrupt the rally and as Mr. Marco Rubio , another contender for the GOP presidential nomination told CNN, it was ”a clear violation of Mr. Trump’s first amendment rights”. The suppression of free speech for any reason is unacceptable and the protesters that shut down Mr. Trumps rally were an utter disgrace. The truth is that that sort of behaviour will not deter Mr. Trump or his supporters and such lawlessness will only swell the ranks of those who believe in him and his cause. It will also embolden and enlarge his support base. I hope and believe that he will win the GOP presidential nomination comfortably and after that, despite his numerous eccentricities and idiosyncrasies, I believe that he will go on to give Secretary Hilary Clinton a damn good fight in the November presidential election. The truth is that if any of the American Presidential candidates energizes and excites me it is Mr. Trump. This is because he is tough, fearless, strong, quick off the mark, sharp, charming, witty and refreshing. He also offers a genuine hope of restoration and a safe return to traditional American conservative, and I daresay, Christian values. For example he is against same-sex marriage and he is strongly pro-life. He also believes passionately in building up the American Armed Forces and renewing their strength and glory and in the implementation of a strong and virile foreign policy. He is the only American presidential candidate that has publicly admitted that removing Sadam Hussein and Muammar Ghadaffi from power in Iraq and Libya respectively was a grave error which has led to nothing but chaos. Unlike President Obama and Secretary Hilary Clinton and instead rather like President Putin and the Russians, he recognises evil for what it is and he is committed to fighting islamic fundamentalism and islamist terror with everything that he has got. Consequently he has pledged to send 30,000 ground troops into Iraq and Syria to take on ISIL. That is like music to my ears. He is pro-Israel and he seems to understand the dangers that the anti-secularist forces in the Middle East and the ethos and philosophiy of the salifists and wahhabists of Saudi Arabia pose to world peace far better than any other American politician. Most important of all he is prepared to speak his mind and say what he believes about any issue no matter whose ox is gored. With Trump what you see is what you get. That is a rare quality among politicians from anywhere in the world and it ought to be encouraged. By nature politicians have to compromise on everything otherwise they cannot get elected and they very rarely say what they mean or mean what they say. They must always be seen to be politically correct. It is for this very reason that I do not regard myself as being a politician in the true sense of the word. Unlike most I will never compromise with what or who I consider to be incompetent, questionable, insincere, malicious. ill-motivated, bloodthirsty, bigoted or evil. Like Mr. Trump, I will always call a spade a spade. Like Mr. Trump, I will never see darkness and call it light or see light and call it darkness. And like U.S. President Harry Truman said many years ago, “I never give them hell: I just speak the truth and they think that they are in hell”. Yet, despite my fondness and respect for Mr. Trump there is one area in which I believe that he is getting it badly wrong and that is in his expression of thoughts about members of the Muslim faith. He fired the first salvo a couple of weeks ago when he said that all Muslims should be banned from coming to the United States of America. This created a major storm all over the world coupled with a deep sense of fear, trepidation and outrage from millions of Muslims. Yet sadly, he did not stop there. During the course of the GOP Presidential candidates debate which was aired live by CNN on 10th of March, he said “Islam hates us”, meaning that ALL Muslims hate America and the rest of the non-Muslim world. This assertion is divisive and deeply offensive. It is also blatantly false and I don’t have to be a Muslim to say or know it. It is true that radical Islam ”hates us”. It is true that the Islamic fundamentalists ”hate us”. It is true that the Islamists ”hate us”. It is true that the Jihadists ”hate us” but it is NOT true that “Islam hates us”. ISIL, Al Qaeda, Al Shabab, Hamas, Boko Haram, the Taliban, Islamic Jihad, the Fulani militants/herdsmen, the Al Nusra Front and all the other terrorists and terror groups in the world ”hate us” but the overwhelming majority of Muslims do not and neither do they indulge in acts of terror. As pained and concerned as we are about what is going on in the world today and about the barbarous atrocities that the terrorists are committing on a daily basis, we must learn to separate the wheat from the chaff. Simple logic alone does not allow Mr. Trump’s absurd assertion to withstand proper scrutiny. For example, it is clear that Chancellor Adolf Hitler did not represent Christianity when he murdered 6 million Jews and caused a global war in which 50 million people were killed. Again, it is clear that another great monster of human history, King Leopold 11 of Belgium, did not represent Christianity when he ordered the slaughter of no less than 10 million Africans in the Belgian Congo. Again, Mr. Pol Pot of Cambodia and Mr. Josef Stalin of the old Soviet Union, both leaders of ruthless communist totalitarian states that did not recognize or believe in the existence of God, did not represent their fellow atheists when they murdered no less than 25 million and 30 million of their own people respectively. It is in the same way that Osama Bin Ladin and Ayman Al Zawahiri of Al Qaeda, Abu Bakr Al- Baghdadi of the Islamic State hIn The Levant, (ISIL), Mohammed Yusuf and Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram, Mullah Mohammed Omar and Aktar Mansoor of the Taliban, Ahmed Abdi Godan of Al Shabab, Ismael Haniye of Hamas, Abu Mohammed Al Julani of the Al Nusra Front and all the other salifist and Islamist leaders that are filled with hate, that have shed oceans of innocent blood and that have unleashed terror on defenseless citizens all over the world do not represent Islam or Muslims. That is the point that people like Mr. Trump fail to appreciate and are unable to grasp. If we do not make this distinction very clear and emphasize the fact that not all Muslims are filled with hate and are terrorists, we run the risk of alienating millions of decent God-fearing Muslims from all over the world who hate the jihadists and terrorists just as much as we do and who also deplore their actions. Let me bring this closer to home. There are millions of Muslims in the south-western part of Nigeria where I come from but, as far as I am aware, not one of them is a terrorist and very few of them are filled with hate. My late mother of blessed memory, Chief Mrs. Adia Adunni Fani-Kayode, was a devout and practicing Christian though both her paternal and maternal family, the Sa’id family of Ilesa and the Isa-Williams family of Isale Eko, Lagos, are Muslims. Not one of them is hate-filled, is a terrorist or is an extremist. Yoruba Muslims are not violent and they have never been Jihadists. This is because, unlike in the north, Islam was introduced to the South-West by the Turkish sea traders who were very tolerant and liberal in the practice of their faith and not by Jihad. Generally speaking, we in the south-west preach and practice love, tolerance and unity among our people and this is particularly so between the adherents of the two great faiths of Christianity and Islam. Even the pagans among us are tolerated and honored. This is a testimony to our high level of enlightenment and civilization as a people. It is evidence of our deep sense of fair play, justice, compassion and humanity and our liberal and accommodating disposition. I am very proud of that part of my heritage and it is confirmed by the fact that we often marry across religious lines. For example my father’s family have been not just Christians but also pastors and priests for four generations and my mother’s family are Muslims. My Muslim name, which was given to me by my mother’s side of the family, is Abdul Latif. As a matter of fact I doubt that there is one family in South-Western Nigeria today that does not have both Christians and Muslims within its ranks. The Muslims in Yoruba land often celebrate Christmas with those of us that are Christians just as we often celebrate Ileya and other Muslim festivals with them. This has been the case for centuries and in my view it is a beautiful thing. Our unity, love, tolerance and respect for each others faith in the south-west is our strength and the end-product of that harmonious relationship is peace. In the light of this how can anyone in their right mind suggest that the Muslims of south-western Nigeria, or indeed any other true Muslim from anywhere else in the world, hates the rest of us or hates America? How can anyone describe Yoruba Muslim groups like the Ahmaddiyas, Ansar Ud Deen, the Sufis, NASFAT, just to mention a few, as bloodthirsty murderers and terrorists that are filled with hate for those that do not share their faith? Such an assertion is not only baseless but it is also, at best, intellectually dishonest and, at worst, blatant and premeditated misinformation and falsehood. Such a statement is utterly perfidious: it is nothing but a specious lie from the pit of hell and it can best be described as utter and complete garbage. We must appreciate the fact that the only way we can win the war against terror and resist the revival and practice of the most evil, virulent and extreme form of Islamic fundamentalism that the world has ever witnessed is if we all stand together as one against it. We must resist the urge and temptation of lumping all Muslims together and tarring them with the same brush. The bottom line is as follows: not all Muslims are bad and not all terrorists are Muslims. In the same way not all Christians are good and not all peacemakers and righteous men are Christians. This is a crucial lesson that Mr. Trump and all those that think like him need to learn before he is elected President of the United States of America and before it is too late.

Donald Trump, Islam and the US Presidential Election

Adewale Tuesday, 15 March 2016

BEFORE YORUBA HISTORY IS DISTORTED

Adejare Ibrahim writes:

BEFORE YORUBA HISTORY IS DISTORTED

All human beings are equal before God; the Almighty. He is our Sustainer. The Creator of the worlds. However, God in His infinite wisdom has created man and placed some above others. It is a providential design to achieve universal order, harmony and peace. He has placed the kings over their subjects to ensure coordination. I love history, and I loathe history being distorted. I am neither an ethnic chauvinist nor jingoist. But I have special affinity for history. It is worrisome when people concoct genres of myth in the face of impeccable facts. I wish to delve a bit into in the history of Obaship in Yorubaland ,with a special focus on His Imperial Majesty, The Alaafin of Oyo and His Royal Highness, The Ooni of Ile-Ife.

History has been so kind and friendly to the Alaafin that he does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe. No other Oba had combined humility with royalty to meet the demands of modernity like the incumbent Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Kabiyesi Iku Baba Yeye,Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III .

According to impregnable sources of Yoruba history, Oduduwa is the ancestor of the Yorubas. Oduduwa gave birth to a son, Okanbi. Okanbi gave birth to seven male children (Oranmiyan, Olowu, Alaketu, Onisabe, Orangun, Olupopo, Oba Benin). Nowhere in history is Ooni mentioned as one of the Yoruba Royal Families. The Ooni is no blood relation of the seven sons of Okanbi. Historically, Ooni has no traditional or political authority in the Yoruba hierarchy. Riches and political fame of the Ooni from 1954_when Ooni Adesoji Aderemi was made the Governor of Western Region by the Awolowo Administration cannot undo the pristine history or invalidate the truth about the Yoruba race.

History has acquainted us with copious facts that Ooni is known to have been appointed by the Alaafin as the custodian and keeper of the rituals and oratory of the gods in Ile-Ife. The stool of Ooni was never known to be big on hereditary kingship. Oonis have been the descendants of Adimu the Olorisa, instead of being the direct descendants of Oduduwa. The Alaafins of Oyo have been the paramount kings and rulers of the Yorubas. Alaafin, in recognition of his leadership,had intervened in numerous boundary disputes involving the territories of the Ooni and Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland

Some years back, when Oba of Benin visited Ile-Ife, the comments made by Ooni Sijuade (I am happy to welcome back my son and brother to the land of our ancestor, Oduduwa) was quickly refuted by the Oba , through his response:”who is the son of who?”

Moreover, The British as it was in their tradition recognized lineage as meaning supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Head of the Yoruba Nation.

Also, on August 8th,1960, when Sir Adesoji Aderemi held sway as the Ooni of Ife, Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II was appointed the Chairman of the Council of Obas for two years, Oba Adesoji never batted an eyelid. In 1962, when Ooni had ceased to be Governor, he reverted to his traditional stool and was attending the meetings of Obas which had The Alaafin as the Chairman. When the first term of Alaafin Gbadegesin expired, he was reappointed for another two-year term. The Alaafin was reappointed for the third time in 1965 until the military struck.

In 1966, Lt Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo made the Ooni Chairman and the Alaafin his Deputy. Only the Alaafin,among other Obas, protested the awkward appointment and sought redress, as Alaafin does not play a second fiddle to any Oba in Yorubaland. In 1976, the military government had to reinstate the Alaafin as the Chairman of the Council.

It is also a distortion to address the Ooni as “His Imperial Majesty”. This is another gaffe! Only the Alaafin is addressed as His/Your Imperial Majesty. You cannot assume the title when you have no empire you rule over. Alaafin ruled over a vast empire (From Ilorin to Dahomey and to some parts of Ghana; Ashanti) while Ooni did not have that royal privilege.The Ooni is better addressed as His/Your Royal Highness. This is history,my people!

The preeminence and supremacy of the Alaafin is obvious from the above assertions and as deeply espoused in many Yoruba books of history. We should not distort the history by pitching the Alaafin against the Ooni. Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi made an unequivocal statement on his coronation day that he was not into any supremacy contest with the Alaafin. Therefore, Alaafin remains the undisputed leader of all Yoruba monarchs.

BEFORE YORUBA HISTORY IS DISTORTED

Adewale Sunday, 13 March 2016

Here’s Why Women Should Stop Wearing High Heels

High heels have been making quite a fashion statement for many decades now, but at what cost? Millions of women put them on each day for work or to go out without even giving it a second thought, because let’s face it, high heels make us feel sexy, attractive, and desirable. They can also add a nice touch to an outfit, accentuate long legs, and even give us added confidence. However, high heels have a dark side to them as well, unfortunately. I mean, who can really say that they have ever owned a comfortable pair of heels? They add a lot of added strain to your feet and legs, put pressure on your joints, and cause blisters. People go to great lengths to get noticed, but here’s why women should stop wearing high heels in their pursuit….

You may not feel like cutting them out of your life completely, but after you read what high heels can do to your health, you might consider wearing them a lot less, at least.

HERE’S WHY WOMEN SHOULD STOP WEARING HIGH HEELS:

1. HIGH HEELS CAN CAUSE ARTHRITIS IN THE KNEES

Most people only consider the bunions and callouses that can develop as a result of wearing heels, but they can also do considerable damage to your knees. AHarvard study found that wearing two-inch heels puts 23% more pressure on the inner knee than wearing flats does. Due to the added strain from the heels, your knee must automatically push forward when you walk or stand in order to keep you upright. Did you also know that women have double the chance of developing osteoarthritis in their knees than men? We can’t totally blame the heels, but they probably have a little something to do with it. As women, society pushes all sorts of products and messages on us in order to make us believe we need something outside ourselves to feel beautiful. Heels might look sexy, but when you develop knee problems because of them, you might want to stop wearing high heels once and for all.

2. HIGH HEELS CAN DAMAGE YOUR FOOT AND LEG MUSCLES

When you wear high heels, the shoe naturally points your heel upward, which make the Achilles tendon —a group of muscles at the base of the calf – shorter. Since this tendon, as well as other calf muscles, become shortened due to the heels, it puts added pressure on your muscles and can cause extreme pain and soreness. According to osteopathic physician Dr. Natalie A. Nevins, the shortening of these muscles can result in plantar fasciitis, or inflammation in a group of muscles located on the bottom of your feet called the plantar fascia.

3. HIGH HEELS PUT ADDED STRAIN ON YOUR NECK

You might think that high heels only put pressure on your lower body, but they actually affect your upper body as well. The strange posture you have to stand in while wearing heels can put added pressure on your back and neck, since you must arch your back and walk with your head in an unnatural forward position. If you do wear heels to work or school, try to change into flats at some point in the day to give your feet – and body – a much-needed rest.

4. HIGH HEELS CAN RESULT IN SCIATICA

Not surprisingly, wearing high heels can put a lot of added strain on your lower back as well, since you must shift your weight and entire posture in order to accommodate them. According to Dr. Carrie Bowler, wearing high heels often can cause sciatica—chronic leg pain or numbness that makes any activity involving walking or sitting very painful and sometimes impossible. “As muscles in the groin and hip flexors tighten,” says Bowler, “lower back and gluteal muscles compensate and can go into chronic spasm, creating pressure on the sciatic nerve.”

5. HIGH HEELS CAN RESULT IN BONE DAMAGE

You might be thinking about twisting your ankle or falling down a flight of stairs due to wearing heels, but we’re actually talking about damage that can occur just by walking in them on a regular basis. According to a report in the Washington Post, podiatrists explain that walking for an extended period of time in heels can cause stress fractures or cracks in the bones of the feet.

So, to recap, wearing heels can cause back and neck damage, lower back pain, bone fractures, and possibly arthritis. Like we said, heels certainly can add to an outfit and make you feel sexier and confident, but are permanent health problems.

Here’s Why Women Should Stop Wearing High Heels

Adewale Saturday, 12 March 2016

The Concept ALLAH in Islam

1. 
   

Belief in Islam means

Belief in One God, Allah in Arabic.

Belief in all of God's messengers. Belief in Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) as His last messenger.

Belief in all the books sent down to His prophets. These books include Torah, Zabur, Injeel (Gospel) and Quran. The Holy Quran is the only divine book in extant today in the original revealed form.

Belief in the existence of angels.

Belief in the Day of Judgment, Life after Death, Heaven and Hell.

Belief in the Divine Decree or Predestination, its good and its bad.

It is a known fact that every language has one or more terms that are used in reference to God and sometimes to lesser deities. This is not the case with Allah. Allah is the personal name of the One true God. Nothing else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or gender. This shows its uniqueness when compared with the word god which can be made plural, gods, or feminine, goddess. It is interesting to notice that Allah is the personal name of God in Aramaic, the language of Jesus and a sister language of Arabic. The One true God is a reflection of the unique concept that Islam associates with God. To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to Him. The Prophet Muhammad was asked by his contemporaries about Allah; the answer came directly from God Himself in the form of a short chapter of the Quran, which is considered the essence of the unity or the motto of monotheism. This is chapter 112 which reads:

"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Say (O Muhammad) He is God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone."

The Concept ALLAH in Islam

Adewale

Reason why Naira keep depreciating CBN Governor

Mr. Godwin Emefiele’s Report: Quote
“It is either I do not understand economics and how exchange rates work or a vast majority of
us Nigerians still don’t get how we have wrecked our country with our own curious choices.
Just this morning, I was listening to the radio and the lady on air went on and on about how she
thought CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele was incompetent and should be sacked because the
Naira was now exchanging at 309 or so to the USD.
“That view pretty much echoes the sentiments expressed by many people I know and it amazes me that there are Nigerians who actually think there is some magic POLICY that can make the Naira strong in the near term. If my economics and my understanding of the way the world works are right, then that is as far from the truth as Jesus Christ is black.
“The simple fact of the matter is that apart from oil that accounts for over 90% of our revenues, we really don’t have much of an economy. We hardly produce anything, we import even toothpicks, so exactly what policy is going to be implemented that will turn Nigeria into a to pexporting economy in the near term? Where are our Apples, IBMs, Disneys, GMs, General
Electrics, Coca Colas, Empire State buildings, Statues of Liberties, Lockheeds, Citibanks,
JP Morgans, ExxonMobils, NBAs, Super Bowls etc? Let me bring that closer home.
“There was a time long ago when Nigeria had a truly strong economy and the naira was one to the dollar – even exchanged for higher than the USD, but that Nigeria is not this Nigeria. Sadly that Nigeria was laid by the British, and this Nigeria (if you don’t believe in the nonsensical imperialist conspiracies like me) – fueled by the DAMAGING Indigenization Decree, has been the creation of us Nigerians. Back then we had a booming economy. We were either the top, or among the top exporters, of timbre, cocoa, groundnuts, rubber, palm oil, etc, in the world. Nigerians
not only holidayed at home in their villages, at Yankari Games Reserve, at Obudu Cattle Ranch,
at Oguta Lake, at Ikogosi springs, at Gurara Falls, at Mambilla Platueau, etc, we attracted international tourists who brought in loads of foreign exchange. Even Nigerian schools were foreign exchange earners because they attracted foreign students.
“We had different car assembly plants – Peugeot, Volkswagen, Anamco etc. Nigerian
government officials only bought vehicles assembled in Nigeria for official cars. We had a thriving
sports industry. We were not Man United or Chelsea fans, we were Rangers or IICC fans. We had the Nduka Odizors, people made money from sports. We also had companies like Lennards and
Bata producing school shoes in their thousands, we had the thriving Nigerian Airways and the
Aviation School in the north that produced some of the best pilots in the world.
In those days if you were brilliant you were respected much more than the crass money-miss-road
contractors of today. Most of the Aje Butters I knew had fathers who were university dons. Back
then it meant something to ‘know book’. Our textile industry was alive and well. Just recently I
watched a news report on the textile industry in Nigeria on CCTV News. Though the main
focus was on the comatose status of the industry, I was stunned by the gigantic Kaduna
Textile Mill built in 1957. I could go on and on. “Today however, no thanks to our
parents (and we must call them out the way Wole Soyinka did his generation) and many of us (and
we should be remembered for failing our children if we continue like this), we have destroyed
everything. Today for instance Nigerian football (which comes easy to me obviously) doesn’t
appeal to us, we have to fly across thousands of miles to watch ‘our’ clubs play. Every year
we collectively burn billions of Naira being fans of clubs that give us nothing back, but some
‘entertainment value’ – simple pleasures for which we are ready to destroy the future of our
children. “Well people, payback time is here. Even with our ta-she-re money we all want to wear
designer clothes and carry designer bags, Armani, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton etc. We all want to
drive jeeps with American specs,our children must now school overseas and acquire the necessary accents to come back home and bamboozle their ‘bush and crass’ contemporaries that
they left behind. Who holidays in Nigeria anymore, is there Disneyland here? No one buys
made-in-Nigeria school bags for their children, after all no Superman or Incredible Hulk or Cinderella on them. “We are no longer top exporters of anything and the demise of oil
means we have zilch… zero. A country of 170M fashion- conscious people has no textile
industry. We take delight in showing how our made-in- Switzerland Aso Ebi is different class to everyone else’s. When we help our musicians grow and pay them millions, they repay us by immediately shipping the monies overseas to produce their “i-don-dey-different-level” music
videos. It makes no difference that distinctly Zulu dancers are dancing to a Nigerian highlife
song. “As stars concerned they also wed and holiday overseas to impress us all. All the musicians
who acknowledge their Ajegunle roots now speak in a cocktail of strange accents to symbolise
how much they have blown their monies overseas. Were we a more serious people, the highly
popular Kingsway Stores of the past would probably have a thousand outlets pan Nigeria
today supporting a massive agriculture industry among others, but today we have the
likes of SPAR, Shoprite, dominating the retail industry while Kingsway is dead.
“And we Nigerians make it a special point to shop from the Oyinbos who have ‘cleaner
shops’, ‘better this and better that’. For our personal pleasure we don’t mind them dominating us in our own backyard and shipping proceeds overseas. I could go on and on, but I don tire. Even as you are reading this, stop for a moment and look around you. What you see will probably explain why we are lucky it is not N1000 to the USD yet. And don’t think for a moment that it cannot get there. “Just continue to wear your Armani gear and Swiss-made lace, continue to spend your
money on Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barca and encourage your children to do same. (My article tomorrow in my Saturday column in This Day is on the Nigerian champions Enyimba FC – Nigeria’s most successful club – not having a sponsor, yet Nigerian brands pay over N600m to Man United and Arsenal for sponsorship to impress us.) Ehhh, no problem,
continue to tell me the NPFL is rubbish or the clubs should clean up their act if they want
sponsorship, mo gbo . “Don’t curtail your interest in choice wines ( we were the
number one champagne consumers in the world in 2015), continue to love your American
specs, cheer the education ministry for letting schools sink to pitiable levels, don’t fight them
to improve our schools, don’t chide them for letting schools drop Nigerian history and
embrace British, America and whatever else curricular. “Carry on with your love of
French wines and Chinese silk, don’t bother about Jamiu Alli when there is Roger Federer.
Stock up on your Italian, American, British products which you cannot live without, including
the ‘baby soft’ toilet rolls produced only in that small unique village in England – the
days are long gone since you were a broke student who used wet newspapers to wipe your
butt. “Don’t even consider holidaying in Nigeria, it’s too dangerous –
you have to fulfill your dream of being Nigeria’s Henry Ford. Don’t listen to people like me who have a wardrobe full of only cheap adire that is actually cheaper than just one of your Tom Ford
blazers. Please keep dressing in fine silk made in some exotic place so you can be addressed
accordingly. “Finally keep letting corrupt leaders who have looted your
commonwealth and shipped all the monies overseas get away because to attack them does not
fit your political narrative. Let us continue with the fine life, let us all continue to work for Oyinbo. But don’t forget that there is payback time and Emefiele is not your problem. Time for us all to look in the mirror and take Action

Reason why Naira keep depreciating CBN Governor

Adewale

10 Ways to Create the Life of Your Dreams

Imagine working where you want to work, driving what you want to drive and living where you want to live? Wouldn't that be the life of your dreams?
In this world, we have an abundance of opportunities that can give you the wealth, joy and satisfaction that you've been looking for. If you're looking to create the life of your dreams, you must be willing to do what most people aren't willing to do.
After hearing hundreds of personal stories this year, I've realized that there are many people who haven't been able to create lifestyle of their choice. Many of them have the potential to make it happen, but they protect themselves with useless alibis. They want a glamorous lifestyle, but they live a life of denial.
Is it money that we all want? Yes! And much more than that. We want love, romance and adventure. Many of us want peace and quiet. Some of us want a healthy life of longevity. Others want to contribute to certain parts of the world to engrave in their minds the smiles of eternal happiness from those they help. Some just want to be recognized for who they are.
Whatever your ideal lifestyle is, you can make it happen. Many have agreed that a life of happiness is all we want. It's true. Here are the 10 ways to create the life of your dreams:

1. Find your passion.

No matter who you are, the work you love is out there for you. If you're still looking for your passion, ask yourself "What would I be willing to do without payment for 6 months?" Your answer will astound you. If you know what it is, then do it well and find a way to make it your career.
A friend of mine was tired of working dead-end jobs, so she decided to buy a sketchbook. She didn't realize that art was her passion, especially since her 3rd grade teacher told her that she didn't know how to 'draw people.' Nowadays, she's painting oil portraits and makes a fine living in the process.

2. Develop your vision.

Your ideal lifestyle is in direct proportion to the vision that you have of yourself in the future. Do you want a better lifestyle? You have to view it before you do it! What kind of vision do you have of your future? What are you willing to do today to make tomorrow a better day?
Many lifestyles have been built because of frustrations of the past. When Donald Trump was growing up, he was agonized by the way his father's style of business. His father was a fastidious man, but he was letting big real estate deals slip through the cracks (no pun intended). Because of this, Donald saw that he would not make his father's mistakes.
If you can see it, you can be it!

3. Be patient.

Life is a test of patience. Everything we do requires patience. Some of our deepest desires will come as a result of our patience. Moreover, it's not always easy to wait. Oftentimes, we see others who seem to be getting results faster than we are. However, we should never compare our results to others.
What's been created for you will eventually come to you. Never worry about tomorrow or next year, but do what must be done today. If you have a clear vision of what will happen, stay encouraged and keep your faith. Without faith, nothing is possible. With faith, all things are possible. Believe in your dream and be patient.

4. Love others.

Love is the greatest motivational force on Earth. Nothing can happen without the power of love. Everyone is connected by love and no one can live without it. Think about the people you love in your life. Do you realize how much they impact you? Do you realize how much you impact them?
The only way to know is to think about how your funeral would look. Imagine hearing your eulogy and seeing all the people that would attend your ceremony. It's more than you would think! If you take this perspective and live every day as if it mattered, you'd live your life as if you'd have everything to gain and nothing to lose!

5. Stay humble.

Being humble is one of the greatest virtues of creating an ideal lifestyle. A life of humility means that you're connected to who you are, what you're about, and where you're going. By doing this, you'll always be able to show others that you care about their feelings.
However, humility is NOT modesty. Many people reject generous favors because they think that they are too undeserving. Humble people know how to receive just as much as they know how to give. In fact, the only way you can give is by receiving. Those who are humble know how to both give and receive.
Those who honor themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be honored.

6. Speak up.

There are many times where we need to speak up. Many of us are belittled when we know we should speak out on our feelings. We need to articulate our thoughts and make sure our voice is heard. Without speaking up, we can resort to anger and pain, which deteriorates our peace of mind.
The next time you find yourself in a dilemma with another person, speak up. Without being rude, tactfully let this person know that you deserve respect. Sharing your thoughts and feelings will allow them to change their behaviors. Say what you believe and believe in what you say. Let your words make an impact.

7. Trust others.

There's nothing better than an environment of trust. Culture is everything and everything is culture. If you're in a place where you find others betraying each other and gossiping, even in the smallest ways, it's time to walk away. There's no time to compromise on trust.
Those who have trustworthy relationships can get to the next level in their lives. When you look at those around you, they must be able to energize you by supporting you on your goals and dreams. No matter what you do, you must surround yourself with people who are willing to help you. Moreover, if you can trust yourself, you can trust others.Trust is a must.

8. Ask for help.

Your life would be so much easier if you asked people for help. A while ago, I helped a corporate executive become the CEO of his company within a span of a year. His problem wasn't his competency, but it was in his ability to ask his team for help. Asking his people for help changed his life.
What are you doing today that could be done by others? If you're missing the mark in any area of your life, it's probably because you haven't been asking for any help. It's time to face the truth and ask those around you for some favors. You'll find that they'll be willing to help you more than you were willing to ask.

9. Contribute.

How much have you given to your community? All of your material wealth is the reflection of your entire contribution to society. If you want to increase your lifestyle, find a way to increase your impact. Basically, your impact equals your income. The easier you make it for people, the better off we'll all be.
Contributing is a selfless endeavor. Moreover, your rewards may not always be immediate, which is why many people are hesitant to giving it their all. However, if you decide that you want to dedicate your life to helping others, you'll find unlimited rewards and satisfaction in doing so.
When you take care of others, others will take care of you.

10. Finish strong.

It's easy to get promoted in life if we only finished what we started. In fact, the only reason shoddiness, disorganization, and chaos exists is because people haven't finished strong enough. A strong finisher is a champion who always wins because their foundation is built on integrity.
Integrity is doing what needs to be done, even if the consequences isn't in your favor. In the long run, you'll be stronger and others will know that you are reliable. In everything that you do, go the extra mile and you'll go further than you could ever imagine (pun intended). True winners always finish strong!

Creating the life of your dreams is an enduring process. Along the way, you'll find that many people will help you. If you're willing to create a vision and work towards your goals, you'll find that your dream will become a reality!!

10 Ways to Create the Life of Your Dreams

Adewale

Helpful info: BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level.
This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

Share This Helpful Information With Your Beloved Ones.

Health

Helpful info: BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

Adewale Friday, 11 March 2016

“Fear Almighty Allah Wherever You Are”

“Fear Allah Wherever You Are” 

Abû Dharr al-Ghifârî and Mu`âdh b, Jabal relate that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner.” [ Sunan al-Tirmidhî ] 

The importance of this hadith: 

Ibn Rajab says: “This is powerful advice, bringing together the rights of Allah and the rights of His servants.” 

The fear of Allah 

The Arabic word for the “fear of Allah” is taqwâ . It comes from the root word meaning “to protect from something, to prevent”. Indeed, a person exhibits the fear of Allah by seeking to prevent Allah's punishment by carrying out what Allah has commanded of him and abstaining from what Allah has prohibited him. 

Allah had called upon all people in every era to fear Him. Allah says: “And We had enjoined upon those who were given the Scripture before – as well as yourselves – to fear Allah.” [ Sûrah al-Nisâ' : 131]

It is Allah's right over His servants that they fear Him as He ought to be feared. Allah says: “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He ought to be feared and do not die except as believers.” [ Sûrah Al `Imrân : 102] 

Ibn Mas`ûd explained what it means to fear Allah as He ought to be feared by saying: “It means that He is to be obeyed not disobeyed, remembered not forgotten, and shown gratitude not ingratitude.” 

The fear of Allah is the path to forgiveness, salvation, and the attainment of Allah's mercy. Allah says: 

“Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good.” [ Sûrah al-Nahl : 128] 

“And My mercy encompasses all things, and I shall decree it for those who fear Me.” [ Sûrah al-A`râf : 156] 

“He is worthy of being feared and worthy of granting forgiveness.” [ Sûrah al-Muddaththir : 56] 

“And whoever fears Allah – He will pardon him his sins and grant him a great reward.” [ Sûrah al-Talâq : 5] 

“Indeed, those who fear Allah will be among gardens and rivers, in a seat of truth near an All-Powerful Sovereign.” [ Sûrah al-Qamar : 54-55] 

Allah promises those who fear Him that He will provide for their needs and grant them a way out of their worldly difficulties. Allah says:“And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out, and provide for him from whence he could never imagine.” [ Sûrah al-Talâq : 2-3] 

This is Allah's promise. We should draw strength from it when we are tried in life with difficulties that tempt us to resort to what Allah has forbidden. 

The relationship between knowledge and the fear of Allah 

Allah says: “It is only those who have knowledge among Allah's servants who fear Him.” [ Sûrah Fâtir : 28] 

There are two ways in which knowledge and the fear of Allah are related. The first is that true fear of Allah comes about as the result of having proper knowledge of Allah and His perfect attributes. 

Ibn `Abbâs said about this verse: “They are those who know that Allah is capable of all things.” 

He also said: “The verse means: The only people who fear me are those who know my power, my might, and my dominion.” 

Ibn Kathîr says in his commentary of this verse: “The only people who fear Allah in the true sense are those who are knowledgeable about Allah. This is because the more knowledge a person has about the Almighty, the All-Powerful and All-Knowing, who possesses the attributes of perfection and the best of names – the more perfect and complete this knowledge is – the greater and more total his fear of Allah will be.” [ Tafsîr Ibn Kathîr ] 

The second way that the fear of Allah and knowledge are related stems from the fact that the fear of Allah is to seek to prevent Allah's punishment by carrying out Allah's commands and abstaining from His prohibitions. Consequently, a Muslim needs to have knowledge of these matters in order to fear Allah properly. An ignorant Muslim may have a sense of fear, but he will not be able to fully carry out what that fear requires of him. 

Ibn `Abbâs said: “To have knowledge of the Most Merciful is to be someone who associates nothing as a partner with Him, who deems lawful what He has made lawful, who prohibits what He has prohibited, who preserves what He has enjoined upon him, and who has certainty that he shall meet Him and that his actions will be accounted for.” 

Follow up a bad deed with a good deed 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) tells us that the performing a good deed wipes away the sin incurred from perpetrating an evil one. Scholars have disagreed whether the “good deed” being referred to here refers specifically to the context of repentance or whether it is general for all good works. 

The strongest view is that all good deeds can wipe away evil deeds. Allah says: “And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good works do away with evil deeds. That is a reminder for those who take heed.” [ Sûrah Hûd : 114] 

A man once came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and informed him that he had contact with a woman like a husband has with his wife, except that he did not go so far as to fornicate with her. This man had just prayed the Fajr prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Have you prayed with us the Fajr prayer?” When he replied that he had, the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited: “Indeed, good works do away with evil deeds.” [ Sahîh al-Bukhârî (526) and Sahîh Muslim (2763)] 

However, a believer should always repent for his sins. Allah says: “And those, who when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who forgives sins except Allah – and then do not knowingly persist in what they have done, for them is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall abide forever. How great is the reward for those who work righteousness.” [ Sûrah Al `Imrân : 135] 

A believer should follow up his sincere repentance with the performance of good works. This is what Allah wants from us. He says:“Indeed, I am Most Forgiving to whomever repents, believes, and works righteous deeds and then continues upon guidance.” [ Sûrah TâHâ : 82] 

Allah also tells us: “Except for those who repent, believe, and work righteous deeds. For those, Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [ Sûrah al-Furqân : 70] This is especially true for major sins. A Muslim must never leave a major sin to go without repentance, for Allah's promise of forgiveness is for those who turn to Him in sincere repentance. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A servant, if he acknowledges his sin and then repents, Allah will forgive him.” [ Sahîh al-Bukhârî(4141) and Sahîh Muslim (2770)] 

And deal with people in a good manner 

Allah tells us repeatedly in the Qur'ân to observe good manners in our dealings with others. He says: “Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin kindness, and turn away from those who are ignorant.” [ Sûrah al-A`râf : 199] 

Allah says: “Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better. Then he between whom and you there had been hatred will become as though he were your dear friend.” [ Sûrah Fussilat : 34] 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is the perfect example of what it means to possess good manners. Allah says, describing him: “Indeed you are of a great moral character.” [ Sûrah al-Qalam : 4] 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized how good manners are of paramount importance in Islam when he said: “I was sent only to perfect good manners.” [ Musnad Ahmad (8952)] 

Indeed, he tells us that good manners are part of faith. He said: “The believers with the most complete faith are those who have the best manners.” [ Sunan al-Tirmidhî (1162) and Sunan Abî Dâwûd (4682)] 

Among the good manners that we should cultivate is to be sensible in our dealings with others and not to react hastily when they do that which displeases us. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Ashajj `Abd Qays: “You possess within yourself two qualities that Allah loves: discernment and forbearance.” [ Sahîh Muslim (17)] 

“Fear Almighty Allah Wherever You Are” 

Adewale Wednesday, 9 March 2016