Thursday 29 March 2018

Timaya completes and moves into his multi million naira mansion



Popular Nigerian musician, Timaya a.k.a Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa has moved into his magnificent mansion after completing it.
According to stelladimokokorkus, the house is so breathtakingly beautiful, you would think, you walked into a dream.
The musician great taste for exotic decor couldn't be hidden as the house is fully and well-furnished emitting a gracious look. His home has a pent house that looks like a fairytale, a walk-in closet bigger than normal and a massive bedroom according to the interior decorator, bringing the house to life.
Timaya's home can be described as deeper comfort, a kind of home many will wish for.









By Mercy Kukah

Wednesday 28 March 2018

#WomancrushWednesday


It’s another wonderful Wednesday and our woman crush for today is the beautiful and hard working Laylah Ali Othman.  Laylah Ali Othman is an interior decorator and CEO of L&N (Laylah and Nahaar) Creations; she has a degree in English Language and also holds a diploma in Interior Design and Interior Decoration.  



Laylah is one lady that reaches out to the masses who need help the most through her reality television show ‘’Laylah’s Way” which shows people how to live their lives a little more sensibly. She so much believes that with a little amount of money, you can live comfortably. To her, putting smiles on peoples face is more than enough fulfillment. Laylah has sacrificed her business for the good of others and she is bringing so much joy and sunshine into the lives of her recipients. She is the type of lady that knows how to get things done; Laylah is one of the most selfless people you will come across. 

Having studied the philanthropic work of John D. Rockefeller, titan of the American industrial revolution; she turned a philanthropist after becoming successful in the business of interior designs.

Miss Laylah Othman never stops talking when it comes to social justice and equality debates; she advocates that women should know their role in reforming the society. 

Laylah has also received numerous awards from different universities both Local and international for her philanthropic work in the areas of health and education.

By Maimuna Bagudu



Tuesday 27 March 2018

Okagbare breaks African record in the 200m in Texas



Nigeria sprint queen Blessing Okagbare broke the African record in the 200m with a time of 22.04secs at the Wes Kittley Invitational Track and Field Meet at the Abilene Christian University. The Common Wealth Champion erased the 22-year-old previous African record of 22.07secs set by former African champion Mary Onyali at a Meet in Switzerland in 1996. Cierra White placed second behind Okagbare with a time of 22.26secs while Natasha McDonald settled for third in 24.23secs. Okagbare's time also becomes the new national record in the 200m breaking her previous personal best of 22.23 set at the 2014 Eugene Diamond League. With her latest exploit, Okagbare now holds the Nigerian records in the women’s 100m (10.79secs) and 200m. The United States based athlete did not compete in the indoor season which started in January, but was victorious in the Wes Kittley Invitational which was her first competition in the 2018 season. The 26-year-old is one of the 37 athletes listed by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to participate at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, which begins on April 4.

Real Madrid desperate to sign Brazilian star Neymar
Spanish champions Real Madrid are now said to be ready to do all their best so as for them to sign Brazilian football star Neymar at the end of the season. Neymar made a world record transfer move to Paris-Saint-Germain from Barcelona last year August, and he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid since January 2018. There are even reports that the Spanish club have met his father for him to help them convince his son to leave France for a return to Spain. The report also stated that Real Madrid president Perez is ready to pay a world record €400m to convince PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to allow Neymar to join Los Blancos. Spanish media outlet Don Balon are now saying that Real Madrid are ready to offer PSG cash plus Isco for the possibility of them signing Neymar. PSG president is said to be a fan of Isco and there is a belief in Madrid that this proposal could convince PSG to part with Neymar this summer. But the 42-year-old retired football star wants his fellow countryman to make a move to Spanish champions Real Madrid. Neymar left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain last year after his £200m release clause was activated.

By Mercy Kukah

Monday 26 March 2018

Etebo doubtful for Super Eagles match against Serbia



Las Palmas midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo is doubtful for the Super Eagles match against Serbia in London on Tuesday, March 27, after sitting out the team’s first training session on Sunday, March, 25. The former U-23 international was missing in midfield when Nigeria took on Poland as Joel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu and Wilfried Ndidi all made appearances in the 1-0 win on Friday, March, 23.
 The Super Eagles Twitter handle revealed that Etebo missed the game against Poland because of injury as a result of which he did not join the rest of his teammates as he may not have recovered from the injury. However, the trio of Junior Ajayi, Gabriel Okechukwu and Mikel Agu who also missed the win at Wrocaw, were part of the practice session on Sunday.
“Our first training session at the Barnet FC Stadium in London went smoothly. New arrivals Junior Ajayi, Gabriel Okechukwu, Mikel Agu were actively involved but Oghenekaro Etebo was on the sidelines,” the Super Eagles handle explained. The Super Eagles will be hoping to replicate the win against Poland when they face another eastern European side, Serbia, at The Hive. Victor Moses' stroke of brilliance won a penalty for the Gernot Rohr's side, and the Chelsea man converted the spot-kick with the easiest of finishes. The men in Green will also have friendlies in the coming months against DR Congo in Uyo in May as a senthforth match before playing England and the Czech Republic in June.

Tosin Kehinde makes bold step in playing for Nigeria
Manchester United Tosin Kehinde is set to pledge his allegiance for Nigeria as he was photographed shaking hands with Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr ahead of their London friendly with Serbia. Rohr recently extended open invitations to players abroad who had Nigerian traits, and the United U-23 player has made a bold step in determining his future. Kehinde expressed his gratitude to his Nigerian supporters last month, and felt confident he was close to making his United senior debut.
"It feels good to have that kind of support back home. “I’ve come close on occasion. All I need to do is continue to work hard. "Of course I’d be elated to play at the World Cup. It’s every footballers dream. Playing at any level for Nigeria would bring me pride. But I believe in myself enough to know I can bring something great to the Super Eagles first team," he said.
Kehinde trained with the United first-team earlier this season and has played 15 times for the Under-23 in the Premier League 2. His strike at Chelsea in September was nominated for the club's goal of the month competition. Victor Moses converted a penalty kick that handed the Super Eagles a morale boosting 1-0 victory over Poland. Gabriel Okechukwu, Mikel Agu and Junior Ajayi are all expected to make an appearance at The Hive where the Super Eagles will square up against the Serbian national team.

By Mercy Kukah

Shut up and don’t criticize my music if you do not have $10M to offer me – Paul Okoye



Paul Okoye, one half of now defunct music group PSquare recently shared his thoughts on those who criticize his music. He made his thoughts known via a recent interview. He spoke about how he has moved on from the public debacle that happened between himself and his brother Peter and how his haters need to shut up and listen to his music. “I thought of releasing an album this year, I changed my mind because if I do, most people would think it is from the 2017 group. I do not want to do that; instead I would rather continue the Rudeboy movement. Why would I release an album and when people listen to it, they begin to have different thoughts?
I struggle with the fact that I want to talk about myself alone but people want me to talk about both of us. As time goes on, it will fade off unless people start reminding me of that. Trust me, I have granted so many interviews and once somebody asks a direct question about the past, I tell them that I cannot answer that. I just don’t want to live in the past anymore, however, I’m sorry but the music would still be what it was like in the past.
Right now, I want to push out my brand and my music which comes out about once every two months. If I release an album, some people would have heartbreak; so there is no need for that. Everything has changed for me even my circle. I am sorry but my brother Jude is still with me. I cannot change my music except you have $10m to offer me. But if you cannot do so, then shut up and listen to the music,”.


By Mercy Kukah

Friday 23 March 2018

5 business goals you need to set


Just as you set goals for your personal life, you also need to set goals for your business.  Setting business goals help you have more focus on your business which helps with your business growth.  It does not matter how well your business is doing, you need to always set business goals you want to achieve. 

Here are five business goals you need to set to help with your business growth.

1. Reduce your business expenses

This is one business goal you need to set. Of course, you need to spend money to run your business but you should find smart ways to cut down on business expenses.  You should focus more on making more profit instead of spending all of it on business expenses. You also need to improve your business finances, so you can make more profit

2. Boost your productivity level

The level of your productivity in your business matters a lot with the growth of your business. If your productivity level is low, you should find ways to boost it by focusing more on finding ways to eliminate distraction. If your productivity level is good, you still need to improve on it for greater results.


3. Maximize the power of online and social media

You need to go digital with your business to get noticed. Online and social media has helped various businesses to grow in past years. Boost sale and profit by marketing your business on websites, blogs and other social media platforms. Your business will take a positive turn if you tap into the online world.
This should be an important goal you set for your business.

4. Network

Another business goal you should set is to network. You need to grow your business network, meet more business oriented people, and attend business conference and seminars. Meeting business oriented people would sharpen your business skills making you a better entrepreneur.

5. Review your business plan

You should always review your business plan frequently.  Check your business plan, see where you need to improve and find ways you can amend your business plan to make it better so you can have steady growth in your business. 

By Maimuna Bagudu 

Thursday 22 March 2018

Good Verses Bad Cholesterol



Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Our bodies need cholesterol to thrive, but when we eat high cholesterol foods, the levels can become too high. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins, which are made up of fat on the inside and protein on the outside. Because fat are not water soluble, this binding with proteins help move them through the bloodstream. It is important to have healthy levels of two lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout the body. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Both LDLS and HDLS transport cholesterol in and out of cells and are involved in the damage control of cells and tissues.
LDLS carry 75 percent of the cholesterol in our bodies and are the cholesterol compounds most involved in cell damage and tissue repair and protection. HDLs do only 25 percent of the work: they transport cholesterol to and from the liver and serve as the body’s cholesterol-recycling system.
LDLs is called “bad” cholesterol because when your levels of LDL are high, it can lead to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. And when you have high levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood, you have a greater chance of developing heart disease. LDL cholesterol also raises your risk for a condition called peripheral artery disease, which can develop when plaque buildup narrows the artery supplying blood to the legs. LDL cholesterol has the reputation of being the bad form of cholesterol because some LDLs are very small and can pass through the artery wall, becoming oxidized by free radicals. LDLs are very small and can pass through the artery wall, becoming oxidized by free radicals. LDLs can also be oxidized or damaged by a diet of processed, refined and fried foods. It’s oxidized cholesterol that is linked to the formation of plague in the arteries.
Conversely, HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because it can carry cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver, where it’s properly broken down and removed from your body. When you have higher levels of HDL cholesterol, your chances of developing heart disease are lower. It’s helpful to raise HDL levels because low HDL cholesterol can be more dangerous than high LDL cholesterol. Because cholesterol does not dissolve into the blood, HDL cholesterol is needed to get rid of the excess cholesterol in your body that may be oxidized and lead to inflammation, thereby putting you at risk of coronary heart disease and other health conditions.
Always make sure you keep your HDLs and LDLs level on check at all time.

By Mercy Kukah

Tuesday 20 March 2018

Nollywood actor Okon dedicates his second child






The actor shared beautiful photo shoot of him and his family in honour of his daughter's church dedication. Ime Bishop a.k.a Okon and wife Idara welcomed their second daughter on 16th November 2017. The couple loved up together with their daughters in a lovely photo-shoot.

He shared a photo of the baby and wrote;
“God has seen through the successful addition to #okonrepublic a baby girl. Proud to Father this cutie?? #Juanita now has a tag teammate for giving me “sweet trouble”. Thank you to my lovely wife @idarabishop Love u boo. I’m happy. I’m very happy. I’m very, very happy? #happyfather #okonlagos #okonrepublic #iyammi #okonrepublic”



By Mercy Kukah

Fatima & Jamil Vs Damilola & Oluseun


The much talked about wedding ceremonies of Fatima Dangote the Daughter of Aliko Dangote and Damilola Osinbajo the Daughter of Nigeria’s vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo which was held over the weekend were ceremonies lots of people will not forget in a hurry. As expected, both ceremonies were beautiful as both brides looked beautiful especially with their glamorous looks and heartwarming smiles.

Fatima Dangote and Jamil Abubakar

Fatima Dangote got married to the love of her life MD Jamil Abubakar. The wedding Fatiha was held on the March 16th 2018 at the Emirs palace in Kano, followed by a glamorous dinner at ICC in Abuja. As expected Fatima came out literally looking like a million bucks especially with her beautiful dress styled by Deola Sagoe and her stunning face beat by BM PRO; it was not difficult to know who the bride is among other gorgeous friends and family members who came through to celebrate with the couple. The groom was not left out too as he looked dope in his Agbada . Tozali Magazine is saying a mighty Congratulations to the billionaire’s Daughter and her man. Let the pictures do the talking…..









Damilola Osinbajo and Oluseun Bakare


A lot of people anticipated that the vice Presidents Daughter’s wedding will be classy and flashy following the previous weddings of the high and mighty. But the Vice President’s Daughter Damilola Osinbajo came out on her happy day looking simple, elegant and classy in her wedding dress which was designed by Deola Sagoe. The Church wedding took place at the National Christian Center in Abuja followed by a quiet and simple reception at the Presidential Villa. The two ceremonies were on low-key as the Vice President insisted that he did not want an elaborate wedding for his Daughter given the grieving mood of the nation. To crown it all; the wedding cake was baked and designed by the mother of the Bride; wife of the Vice President Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo. You would say amazing right….? But I would say a priceless gift from a mother to her daughter on her special day. The cake board was trimmed with crochet and the design was simple and all white…… below are pictures of Damiloa’s wedding enjoy!!!


                                              


                                           
                                               
                                             
                                                   
                                     
By Maimuna Bagudu

Monday 19 March 2018

Halima and Baba Bello


The private dinner party of Halima and Baba Bello is one in a million as the couples went low-key with families and friends at the celebration of their wedding. The Bride looked all so simple, classy and pretty while the Groom also looked handsome in his appearance too. Pictures speak more, so enjoy…..





By Maimuna Bagudu

Crash diets can pose a threat to heart health



A crash diet is a weight-loss diet undertaken on an urgent, short-term basis with the aim of achieving very rapid results. Crash diet helps you lose tons of weight in no time. But new research has found out that crash diet can be very harmful to the heart while the National Institute of Health (NIH) warn that crash diet could be dangerous as a crash diet deprives the body of the essential nutrients it need to function properly.
Other adverse health effects that scientists have warned about crash diets include slowing down of metabolism, weakening of the immune system, and the increasing chances of dehydration and arrhythmia.
Dr. Rayner explains that crash diets have a very low-calorie content of 600 to 800 calories per day and can be effective for losing weight, reducing blood pressure and reversing diabetes.
A Research conducted by Dr. Rayner and her colleagues shows that after just a week, body fat levels decreases. Specifically; the amount of total body fat fell by an average of 6 percentage points while  visceral fat; the fat around our internal organs, fell by 11 percent and liver fat decreased by 42 percent.
Even though crash diet revealed some important health benefits after just 1 week: better insulin resistance and healthier levels of total cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. But heart fat levels rose by 44 percent. And this change correlates with dysfunctions in the heart's ability to pump blood.
Crash dieting causes sudden drop in calories and this sudden drops causes fat to be released from different parts of the body into the blood and be taken up by the heart muscle.

The heart muscle prefers to choose between fat or sugar as fuel and being swamped by fat worsens its function. After the acute period in which the body is adjusting to dramatic calorie restriction, the fat content and function of the heart improved.
As a consequence, Dr. Rayner warns about the extra caution that those with a heart condition need to take before starting a crash diet. She advise that those with heart problems should check with their doctor before embarking on a very low-calorie diet or fast. People with a cardiac issues could well experience more symptoms at an early point in time; and therefore advised that the diet should be supervised.
She also adds that very low-calorie diets need not be avoided altogether, as they do not have any benefits. Healthy people may not notice the change in heart function in the early stages," she says. "But caution is needed in people with heart diseases.
Consult your doctor before going on a crash diet.



By Mercy Kukah

Ways to sneak a mini workout into your everyday routine.




No time to exercise? Read on………..
Many people complain of not having enough time to do some work out at home due to their busy schedule. So, if time is what stands between you and working out regularly, you will be surprised to find out that many of your daily activities can actually count as exercise. With just a slight tweak, you will be well on your way to burning calories without losing too much time.
Here are seven daily habits that can help you burn calories without even realizing it.
Walking to your destination: Many people will prefer to take a bike for a 1km distance. Instead of taking a bike, why not walk to your destination. And if the weather is not ideal for walking, you can always do it in the evenings; like on your way back from work when it is breezy and you are not pressed for time. Walking helps you to burn about 40 calories.
Taking the stairs: Don’t always use the elevator, instead go for the stairs. The effects your body gets from stair climbing will work your quads, glutes, calves and hamstrings. According to Harvard Medical School, climbing stairs will help you burn calories two to three times faster than brisk walking on flat surfaces. This applies to even if you are climbing at a slow pace.
Cleaning: You will be killing two birds with one stone by cleaning your house. Turn the much-dreaded chore into a good workout by putting on some fast-paced music. Try to engage your different groups of muscles while doing things like mopping and scrubbing and you will notice your arms getting more toned over time.
Join the kids at the playground: Instead of watching over your children at playtime, why not join them in their fun and games? Playing games like catch with your little ones will bring you lots of joy and seriously burn some calories while you are at it.
Grocery shopping: Grocery shopping helps you to burn calories. Pushing your heavy shopping cart up and down through narrow aisles and weaving it in and out of the crowds are no easy feats. Carrying a basket to shop will burn even more calories and it’s a bonus when you walk home with your groceries.
Bike Riding: If it is too far to walk, opt for a bike instead. It is a fun and low-impact form of exercise suitable for many.
Cooking: Spending hours in the kitchen and whipping up a meal will definitely help you sweat it out. Increase the pace by putting on some upbeat music and you can burn more than 80 calories in an hour. Imagine the number of calories you will burn if you are the one who cooks every day.
Give this a try and thank me later.


By Mercy Kukah

Friday 16 March 2018

Alhaji Mahmood Halilu Ahmed Conferred with a Doctorate Degree at Crescent University's 9th Convocation


Alhaji Mahmood Halilu Ahmed was conferred with a well deserved Doctor of Science (D.Sc Honouris Causa) in Business Administration by Cresent University Abeokuta on the occasion of its 9th Convocation Ceremony. Dr Mahmood Halilu has worked in different capacities in various business where he has injected the knowledge he acquired both within and outside Nigeria. A seasoned politician; Dr Mahmood Halilu Ahmed is the Chairman Board Of Directors, Hinterland Group (Financiers, Real Estate Investment, Hospitality, Forex Trading and Corporate Support Services) as well as Bedmod Farms Nigeria Limited.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Mahmood who is the brother to H.E Aisha Muhammadu Buhari (Wife of the President) after being decorated by the proprietor of the university, Prince Bola Ajibola, assisted by the vice chancellor, Professor Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, pledged his endowment and financial support for the university as well as in order areas needed while expressing his appreciation to Judge Ajibola for founding "a unique institution laced with academic and moral excellence". Tozali was there to capture the colourful event, flip through the pages and enjoy.





                                                









By Maimuna Bagudu