You CAN be happier @ work

I surf the net over the weekend and came across different suggestions from around the world on how to be happier at work. Faced with everyday challenge, you can experience more joy at work; just follow these simple rules.
1.      If you cannot control it, don’t be preoccupied with it. Be focussed on your thoughts and actions that you can control.
2.      Know and keep your personal limits and boundaries. Never let work situations push you into places that violate your privacy and integrity.
3.      Don't compare yourself to others. There is no basis for comparison because you don’t know where others are headed.
4.      Don't over commit yourself or your team. Making promises that you (or your team) can't reasonably keep is simply a way to create failure and disappointment.
5.      You have your own fair share of 24hrs. Nobody got any more than you did, so stop complaining.
6.      Don't take yourself so seriously; nobody else does. If you can't laugh at yourself, everyone else will be laughing behind your back.
7.      It is allowed to daydream, more. It's when you let your thoughts wander that you're more likely to have the insights that will make you both unique and more competitive.
8.      Shun hatred, it’s a waste of energy and health. If you can't take action, you're better off to forgive and forget.
9.      Make peace with your past. Focusing on past mistakes or wrongs inflicted on you is exactly like driving a car while looking in the rear view mirror.
10.  Don't try to "win" every argument. Winning is not as important as action taken after argument.
11.  No one but you is in charge of your happiness. You owe it to yourself and your co-workers to either find a job that makes you happy or make the best of the job you have.
12.  Smile and laugh more frequently. They're part of a cycle that both creates and reinforces happiness. Find reasons to smile and never suppress a laugh.
13.  Don't waste precious energy on malice and gossip. Stop and ask yourself, “How would I feel if it’s about me?
14.  Don't worry what others think about you. It's none of your business and a total waste of time and energy to try.
15.  Change is inevitable. Whether you're celebrating or mourning or something in between, this, too, will pass.
16.  Believe that the best is yet to come, no matter what.

World's Mysterious Buildings

Skara Brae, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Renwick Hospital, Roosevelt Island, New York City

Kolmanskop Diamond Camp, Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Local Bushmen considered Namibia’s Skeleton Coast “The Land God Made in Anger,” while the Portuguese called it “The Gates of Hell.”

Courtesy of Travel + Leisure

World Oral Health Day: Lagos eyes World Record Toothbrushing Challenge (PHOTO)

Some of the pupils drawn from the Lagos State Educational District IV looking ahead for the flag off ceremony of the Lagos World Record Toothbrushing Challenge to mark the World Oral Health Day 2013.

Here, they brush their teeth for the Lagos World Record Toothbrushing Challenge to mark the World Oral Health Day 2013 organised by HEIT Solutions in partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser on Public Health, Close Up Unilever, Core Media and others at the Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Wednesday March 20, 2013.

Lagos warms up for World Record Toothbrushing Challenge

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina (middle) with the Brand Manager, Close-Up Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Dexta Adeola (right) and the Project Head of the World Record Toothbrushing Challenge, Dr Bakare Lawal (left) at the press conference on the Lagos World Record Toothbrushing Challenge held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa Secretariat, Lagos on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Lagos has announced the flag-off of the Lagos World Record Toothbrushing Challenge to mark the World Oral Health Day on Wednesday, March 20. The Challenge plans to break the Guinness Book of Records earlier set by India by assembling 300,000 students to perform the act of brushing their teeth at the same time.

Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Public Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Yewande Adesina, made this revelation recently at Alausa, Ikeja.

The latest Guinness Book of Records on the event currently held by India is the bringing together of 176,000 people to brush their teeth at the same time. 

The Special Adviser enjoined all corporate bodies in the State and other stakeholders in dental health and general health to support the programme, adding, “We will be taking on the actual challenge in a few weeks time when we will have 300,000 students brushing their teeth at the same time in an attempt to break the record set in India of about 176,000 people brushing their teeth at the same time”.

The World Oral Health Day is celebrated on the 20th of March every year and the aim was to remind the public of the important role healthy mouth gum and teeth play in the overall health of an individual.

The theme for this year’s World Oral  Health Day is, Healthy Teeth for Healthy Life.

THE NEW PINK EPAD JUST FOR WOMEN!

Now there's a tablet computer just for women and it is preloaded with lady-friendly apps displayed on a fancy, pink background!

Features:

-          Preloaded with applications so you can just turn it on and log in to cooking recipes or yoga.

-          Two yoga apps, two grocery list apps, pregnancy apps, a clothing-size converter, several cooking apps, and a "Women's Assistant" represented by a scale with a measuring tape wrapped around its middle.

 

pics of traditional wedding of 2face and Annie macaulay in Akwa Ibom State

The day finally came for 2face and Annie macaulay to be joined together as husband and wife in the traditional way and guests to the event were not disappointed. The event took place on Friday March 8, 2013.

Here are some pictures from the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 More pics on www.scriptorialnaija.blogspot.com

 

Pictures from the traditional wedding of 2face and Annie

Welcome to scriptorialnaija blogspot: PHOTOS: 2FACE PARENTS, SENATOR ITA GIWA AND TOP CE...: v

WWE’s resident mortician ‘Paul Bearer’ dead at 58

Like him or hate him, wrestling fans can never ignore The Undertaker and his manager, Paul Bearer. The duo adds more excitement and some mystery to the game.

Bearer's face was usually painted a pasty white and he would carry an urn with him to ringside. He was known for a demonic laugh and the catch phrase, "Oh, yes!"

Unfortunately, Paul, whose real names are William Moody, died on Tuesday at the age of 58.

Moody's wife, Diana, predeceased him in 2009. He is survived by sons Michael and Daniel.

Female rapper, BUTAFLY (TBB), breaks her silence with "started from the bottom" (A Drake cover)

 

Nigerian upcoming Hip-hop artiste, Butafly aka TBB whose smashing mixtape single “Gidi Gurl” has been referred to as one of the best materials from a female rapper in recent times has broken her silence with a breathtaking cover version of the new hit single “Started From The Bottom” by Canadian born rapper, Drake.

According to the Lagos based rapper, “The Original version by Drake is totally inspiring, I decided to record a cover version after my first listen and this will certainly whet the appetite of my fans who are eagerly anticipating a new release from me after 'Gidi Gurl' ".

Butafly is currently recording new materials which will soon be premiered online and subsequently on radio stations across the country, the first on the list is “Sploofic”, an urban rap tune produced by Prolishey and scheduled for a March 11^th, 2013 release.

The music industry is no doubt ready for the versatile female rapper set to storm the scene soon.

TRY THESE NATURAL REMEDIES

Coconut and bulge

Studies have showed that coconut oil is packed with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that prod the liver to burn body fat 50% faster than normal. When women eat two tablespoons of coconut oil, fresh coconut meat or coconut milk daily, they can effortlessly shed up to three pounds every month.

Ginger and Triglycerides

According to researchers, a daily dose of ginger can cut your production of artery-clogging fats called triglycerides by 27%. Plus, it’s twice as effective as aspirin at preventing dangerous blood clots -- ginger dampens inflammation, which is a key step in stopping the formation of clots.

The more reason Indonesia grows and consumes, more ginger than almost any other country in the world. Aside cooking it, they use it to make ginger tea, candy, bread and a host of other tasty treats.

Garlic and viral invasions

Researchers suggested that just jazzing up your diet with a daily clove of garlic could cut your risk of viral infections as much as 43% , even if you’re surrounded by sniffling, sneezing loved ones. Garlic is packed with allicin, an immunity-boosting sulfur compound that sabotages the growth and spread of invading germs.

Honey and sinus/throat infections

The natural antibiotics and enzymes in unpasteurized honey (but not the heat-treated kind) destroy almost 100% of bacteria and viruses on contact -- and that includes the bugs that cause painful sinus and throat infections.

Just mix two tablespoons of unpasteurized honey into your daily coffee or tea to prevent (and help fight) these painful infections. For best results, choose a dark-coloured honey as they contain up to 20 times more antioxidants than light-coloured clover honey.

Aloe Vera and skin rashes

Aloe can reduce redness, speed healing, increase your skin’s moisture level and strengthen its resistance to irritants like chemicals and soaps. Not only does this reduce itching and dryness, it prevents future rashy flare-ups.

If you are having skin issues, look for aloe vera cream or gel in your health food store and apply three times daily to rash-prone areas.

Could this be a coincidence?

On Monday, February 25, officials of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement),  Bayo Sulaiman, stormed Ladipo auto spare parts market in Mushin as early as 4a.m and shut it down.

The same Monday, members of the Igbo Council in Lagos State, led by its president general and leader, Professor Anya O Anya paid a courtesy visit cum new council members’ introduction to the Governor Babatunde Fashola at State House, Ikeja.

I am pretty sure that the Igbo leaders had an interesting discussion with the governor thus intelligence would have met with intelligence/smartness, if you know what I mean.

President General and Leader of the Igbo Council in Lagos State, Professor Anya O Anya discussing with Gov. Fashola during a meeting to present the new Council members to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, February 25, 2013.



Gov. Fashola in a group photograph with the leader and and members of Igbo Council.

The night Crystals got ELEVATED @ Industry Nite

An amazing album launch party produced by Now Muzik for the 2012 Star Quest Winners, Crystals which held on Feb., 20 at Industry Nite has no doubt convinced a good number of music lovers and critics that the band is gradually carving a niche for themselves in the Nigerian music scene.

The well attended event, powered by Spinlet and The Beat 99.9 FM, kicked off with performances by some upcoming artistes. Astounding performances by rappers; Efa and Butafly and a live performance by D’Beat (2011 Star Quest winners) further spiced up the occasion, while fast rising pop sensation, Seyi Shay thrilled the crowd with her latest  single, ‘No Lele’ .
The most interesting part of the night was when Crystals band was called to the stage, the loud ovation indicated that the audience already knew what to expect and Crystals did not fall short of expectation. Their live performance was mesmerizing and hitch-free as they sailed smoothly from song to song with second to none vocal dexterity and control. The crowd was thoroughly entertained and some were seen on their feet in an effort to get a glimpse of the youngsters’ energetic performance.
When asked what he thought about the show, an attendee readily said; “This is one of the best Industry Nite performances I have witnessed, it easily would have passed for a mini-concert, I had so much fun and my respect for Crystals just doubled”.
Among those that partied with Crystals were some producers on the Elevated project; Spyke, Samklef, Nathaniel, OJB Jezreel and Phat E. Lynxx and Rock steady were also among the celebrities sighted having a good time.
According to Tjina Ajayi of Now Muzik Management, “The Elevated album launch was way beyond our expectation, the turnout was massive and encouraging. Fans, family and friends came in from different states to support Crystals. The work has only just begun as Crystals will be working tirelessly to promote the Elevated album and will also be touring with 2face on his campus connect tour which is scheduled to kick off in March”.

DJ HUMILTY, ILL BLISS, BLAISE, PHYNO TO REP STR8 UP, HIP-HOP LOVE JONES EDITION

The definitive purpose-built vehicle for the true blue Hip-hop head; Str8 Up, Hip-hop is back with the February edition tagged ‘Love Jones’.

Although the January re-launch ‘State Of the Union Forum’ edition was devoid of the regular features of a typical Str8 Up, Hip-hop event, this month’s ‘Love Jones’ edition will bring all the exciting features back and better.

The event is scheduled to hold at 5pm prompt on Saturday, 23rd Feb, 2012 at Koga Studios, Oregun Road, Ikeja and will feature the whole nine: magnificent graffiti art display, breath-taking Bboy and emcee battle sessions, moving spoken word performances by Efe Paul Azino and Toni Payne with superb DJs; Humility and OZ holding it down on the wheels of steel. There will also be special guest performances by the ruthless vet, Ill Bliss AKA Dat Ibo Boy and fast rising rapper, Phyno.

The "Love Jones Edition" which will be hosted by veteran femcee, Blaise, is a production of Now Muzik En.Core in partnership with Beat 99.9.

Str8 Up, Hip-hop! Celebrate the art form, live the culture!

What's going on here? Beyonce & Boss @ ThisDaay

Lagos to host maiden India textile exhibition in Nigeria

Not less than 22 Indian companies would be participating at the Indian Textile Exhibition (INTEXPO) to be held at the Office of the Indian High Commission located at 8A Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1pm and 5pm on February 26 & 27.

Aimed at forging a win-win partnership among the Indian and Nigerian companies for effective forward and backward linkages, INTEXPO is organised for the first time in Nigeria by the Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) of India in association with the High Commission of India in Nigeria.

The exhibition is expected to draw a large number of trade visitors for productive business discussion with the participating Indian exhibitors showcasing, for the first time in Nigeria, their complete range of products.

Textile products ranging from fabrics, yarn & fibre to suiting, shirting, dress-materials, embroidered fabrics & high fashion fabrics, furnishings, home textiles, scarves, stoles, shawls and yarns of man- made fibres and their blends would be on display.

The objective of the exhibition, according to the Office of the Indian High Commission in Nigeria, is to strengthen trade between the two countries, particularly in the fast growing area of man made textiles.

Indian textiles and clothing industry output is around $ 80 billion of which around $35 billion is exported. India is world’s second largest producer of each of cotton, silk, cellulosic fibre and cotton yarn and also ranks as world’s third largest producer of synthetic fibre and synthetic yarn.

India exported over 138 million dollars worth of textile products to Nigeria during last Indian financial year ending on March 31 2012. Of these over $ 80 million were man made products.

Nigeria imported US$ 1.8 billion worth of textiles & clothing products during 2010-11. Out of this, its import of textiles was to the tune of US$1.4 billion. The share of import of man-made fibre textiles by Nigeria in its overall import of textiles was nearly 52%.

India offers the entire range of polyester, rayon, acrylic and blended textile items including fibre, yarn, fabrics, made-ups and home-textiles to discerning international buyers. The Indian textile products are renowned quality, competitive prices and on time delivery. Additionally, India is able to supply both high and low-end textile items either in small or large quantities.

 

 

TIMI DAKOLO, SEYI SHAY AND MANY OTHERS TO GRACE CRYSTALS 'ELEVATED' ALBUM LAUCH

It will indeed be a memorable Industry Nite event for good music lovers, artistes and industry heavy weights who will gather at Get Arena , Lekki, Lagos on the 20th of February, 2013 to launch the much anticipated 10 track ‘Elevated’ album by Crystals band .

Crystals band is an exciting Nigerian Boy/Girl band consisting of six members; rapper (Romeo), two female lead vocalists (Slimberry, Apholyzty), drummer (Emma Blow), keyboardist (Dammy Keys) and bass guitarist (G Base).

After winning the 2012 edition of the Nigerian Breweries Plc organized talent hunt competition, Star Quest, they got signed to Now Muzik recordings and subsequently released two singles off the Elevated album; 'Gbe Sun Mo Mi' and the melodious afro pop, 'Ringtone’.

Since signing up with Now Muzik, the band with a ‘crystal effect’ has performed at various shows to the admiration of good music lovers, thus gradually becoming a prominent figure in mainstream music and youth culture with an increasing number of fans.

Celebrities to grace the occasion include Timi Dakolo and Seyi Shay among others. There will also be performances by Harry Song, Samklef, Efa, Presh (from the former group – KC Presh) and Butafly who was also featured on the album.

Production credits on ‘Elevated’ goes to top notch producers; Samklef, Del B, Shizzy, Harrysong, George Nathaniel, J. Sleek, Spyke, Phat E and the renowned OJB Jezreel.

The launch is supported by Star, el Canaral, Beat fm, Trace Urban, Spinlet, My streetz and NM En.core and will mark the band’s second live headline performance at the popular Industry Nite event.

Ibinabo Fiberesima, AGN President, calls for prayers.

Following the death of Justus Esiri, the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima, has called for fervent prayers for the entertainment industry.
In a press statement made available to us, the former beauty queen called on everyone to join in the prayers to reject death in the industry that lost about four people in the last one week.
Below is an excerpt of the statement.
With the incessant deaths occurring in the entertainment industry this year, it’s high time we put a stop to it. We must surrender our lives to Almighty God irrespective of our religious believes. Let’s come together and embark on prayers and commit our industry and practitioners to God. We need serious Prayers. We must reject death in the entertainment industry.

Join us irrespective of your status, age, believes,profession, etc, Let’s pray.Let’s Save Nigeria, let’s Save the Entertainment Industry. Only God saves.

Ibinabo Fiberesima, President Actors Guild of
Nigeria.

PANDA RECORDS AFRICA UNVEILS NEW ARTISTES, GINGERBREAD AND PROLISHEY IN SPANKING NEW MIXTAPE SINGLE 'GBAGBE OSHI' FEATURING BUTAFLY

Panda Records Africa (P.R.A) unveils upcoming rapper Emmanuel Adeyemi aka Gingerbread and prolific artiste/producer , Longe Ulishemi Prescious aka Prolishey on a hot new Hip-hop track titled – ‘Gbagbe Oshi’.

The track which was produced by Prolishey, features upcoming female rapper Butafly (TBB), and is the first single off the forthcoming "Sick Lines Big Money" Mixtape (SLBM) scheduled to drop in few months from now.According to Gingerbread, the track is a motivational song targeted at stimulating the listener's desire to achieve more through hard work, while for Prolishey, Gbagbe Oshi is a spanking Hip-hop track that is sure to win the hearts of real Hip-hop lovers.

Other tracks off the SLBM Mixtape will be released shortly. Meanwhile, Enjoy #GbagbeOshi.

Gbagbe Oshi Hulkshare download link : http://t.co/ONB4XF1z

Oscar Pistorius Nike ad takes on new, chilling resonance after tragedy

By Jay Busbee | Fourth-Place Medal

Early Thursday morning, South African police arrested Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend. Initial reports indicated that the death was an accident, but police have refrained from a definitive statement on the crime.
Regardless, this Nike ad takes on new and chilling meaning. And, as SB Nation notes, it's not the first time Nike has used athleticism-as-weaponry as a casual analogy.
Pistorius' website pulled the ad because of its obvious bad taste given the situation. Question: is it in bad taste regardless of the new revelations? Is weaponry and violence too serious of a metaphor to employ so casually in marketing?
Pistorius remains in police custody. He was a competitor at the London Olympics and a two-time gold medalist at the 2012 Paralympics.

Distraught Oscar Pistorius could face charge of 'premeditated murder'

Oscar Pistorius "sobbed uncontrollably" at a South African court hearing on Friday morning as prosecutors made clear their intention to claim the track superstar killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in a premeditated murder.
Pistorius wept and shook visibly for much of his appearance in a Pretoria magistrates court, where chief magistrate Desmond Nair postponed until Tuesday the process that will decide what charges the 26-year-old will face.

That means Pistorius will spend the weekend behind bars, although he will be kept – at his own request – at a Brooklyn police station in Pretoria rather than a local prison as would be the norm in murder cases.
On Tuesday, arguments will be heard as to the severity of the murder charge he will face, as well as submissions regarding his application for bail.
The Associated Press reported that Pistorius' family and management released a statement Friday from London that said, "The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms." The statement went on to say that Pistorius "would like to send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva."
Numerous eyewitnesses at the court told how Pistorius was unable to control his emotions even before the proceedings began and he had to be consoled by his father Henke and brother Carl while deliberations took place.
"He broke down several times," South African journalist Barry Bateman said in a report to a Cape Town radio station. "He couldn't control his emotions. Most of the time had his head down. You could see him clench his jaw. He would collapse into his hands sobbing and it was audible, he was gasping. When he fell down his father would lean forward and put his hand on his back."
The shooting of Steenkamp in the early hours of Thursday morning has caused a media frenzy in South Africa, with Friday morning's Beeld newspaper claiming that the aspiring television personality and model had been shot through the bathroom door of Pistorius' luxury home in the Silver Lakes gated complex, and that police and security had been called to the property earlier in the evening following a disturbance.
In the hours immediately following the shooting it was originally reported that a police captain had insisted the shooting was an accident and that Pistorius had mistakenly believed Steenkamp was an intruder.
The runner kept a 9mm pistol, a machine gun, a baseball bat and a cricket bat in his bedroom as a means of personal protection due to South Africa's high crime and violence rates, according to an eyewitness account from British writer Jonathan McEvoy.
Pistorius, known as the Blade Runner and the first double amputee to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympics, enjoyed a popularity in his homeland that bordered on cult status and the story of his career – winning a legal battle against international athletics authorities to be allowed to run against able-bodied opponents – ensured Courtroom C was packed with spectators and media representatives.
Pistorius left Boschkop police station Friday morning in a 10-strong police convoy accompanied by his sister Aimee and his lawyer. Wearing a gray suit, he used a dark charcoal jacket to cover his head as he arrived at the court at 9 a.m. local time but had to wait nearly two hours for his case to be called.
Several companies pulled commercials and advertisements featuring Pistorius. Billboards with his likeness were taken down as this case totally overshadowed coverage of the previous evening's state of the union address by President Jacob Zuma.
Before the case was heard Friday morning, a court official asked members of Pistorius' family to provide money so that the runner could purchase a toasted sandwich.
Once inside the court, though, Pistorius was "clearly traumatized," according to his legal counsel and almost collapsed to his knees when prosecutor Gerrie Nel uttered the phrase "premeditated murder."
Pistorius appeared to take some comfort from the presence of his family, but when they rushed toward him at the conclusion of the hearing he was led away by an official, off to an immediate future that involves a cell and his own thoughts, while speculation on a tragedy that has become a national media circus rages on.

STR8 UP, HIP-HOP delivers 'The love Jones edition' for February

 Love is in the air this February and for the Hip-hop aficionado, all the other stuff going down would at best, be like an Olympic silver medal for Usain Bolt – not quite good enough! But not to worry, the definitive purpose-built vehicle for the true blue Hip-hop head provides succor in the mould of Str8 Up, Hip-hop: The Love Jones Edition.

The Love Jones edition is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 23^rd Feb, 2013 at Koga Studios, Oregun Road, Ikeja and will feature the whole nine: magnificent graffiti art display, breath-taking B-boy and emcee battle sessions, moving spoken word performances by Efe Paul Azino and Toni Payne with superb DJs Humility and OZ on the wheels. There will also be special guest performances by the ruthless vet, Ill Bliss AKA Dat Ibo Boy and Phyno.

Everyone present had a blast at the just concluded re-launch edition of the niche urban monthly networking event for Hip-hop heads and intellectuals which was executive with the theme ‘State of the Union Forum’ and focused critically on the matters arising from the controversial ‘There Was A Country’ by Chinua Achebe.

The "Love Jones Edition" which will be hosted by veteran femcee, Blaise, is a production of Now Muzik En.Core in partnership with Beat 99.9 fm.

Str8 Up Hip-hop! Celebrate the art form, live the culture!

World Consumer Day: Report consumer abuse NOW!

It may be like a month to go but I think it will be advisable to be ready for it. It is World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2013 which will take place on 15 March.
This year’s theme is ‘Consumer Justice Now!, giving Consumers International members a unique opportunity to raise the profile of consumer protection and highlight consumer rights abuses in their country.
According to Helen McCallum, DG, Consumers International, "We also want to share your experiences of poor consumer laws and their impact."
This mean a lot to us in Nigeria where consumers are exploited everyday with no one to fight their cause thereby allowing the perpetrators go scot free or a slap on the wrist.
The exploitation in Nigeria is higher in the mobile phone operators corridor. Virtually every one has had one bad experience or the other with these operators and it ranges from jammed networks to illegal deductions.
In the midst of all these, neither the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) nor the lawmakers are doing anything about it.
Now, you can share your experience with the whole world by sending your stories of consumer abuse by email to vviyer@consint.org or sending a tweet with the hashtag #wcrd2013.
Your stories would be featured on their WCRD map.

Twelve schools make shortlist for 2face's Campus Connect Tour

After weeks of impressive voting expected of a 2face project, 12 higher institutions of learning have emerged top to vie for the four definite slots available for the much talked about Campus Connect : 2face & friends Tour 2013.

Campus Connect, a production of Now Muzik En. Core/Hypertek in partnership with Sound City, was launched at the maiden edition of Playa’s Ball on December 9, 2012 at Auto Lounge to announce the re-connection between 2face and his fan base on campus.

According to Efe Omorogbe of Now Muzik, “The overall objective is to ensure that we bridge the gap, find a solution to all the inherent problems that made it impossible for 2face to tour campus circuits in the last eight years.”

According to 2faceonline.com, the official website of 2face Idibia, the 12 campuses are University of Lagos (Unilag), University of Benin (Uniben), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Calabar (Unical), University of Ilorin (Unilorin), University of Jos (Unijos), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Abuja (Uniabuja), University of Port Harcourt (Uniport), Lagos State University (LASU), Benue State University (BSU) and Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT).

Voting for the definite four slots, which is on www.2faceonline.com, will close on February 20 by 10pm. There is however, the likelihood of additional dates.

Star acts expected to hop on the ride with Africa's Finest include, but not limited to, Olamide, Dammy Krane, Rocksteady, Sheyi Shay, Durella, Capital FEMI, Harrysong, Sound Sultan, Crystals, Basket Mouth and Timi Dakolo. A few others and will be confirmed in due course. After the close of voting on February 20, the tour time table complete with venues, dates, artiste line up and after-party venues will be released.

The 2face & friends Tour 2013 promises to be a super exciting experience  for fans and the stars on parade.

Grammy, indeed!

Adele didn't exactly rock the red carpet in this frumpy floral-printed frock by Giorgio Armani, which she paired with matching heels.

Now Muzik set to unveil ‘Elevated’ by Crystals at Industry Nite

The much awaited album of the teen pop sensations from Now Muzik management outfit, Crystals, is set for launch at the prestigious Industry Nite on February 20 at Get Arena, Lekki, Lagos.

Aptly titled 'Elevated', the 11 track album is the first from the fun band with the ‘crystal effect’ after formation and winning the 2012 edition of the Nigerian Brewerries Plc organized singing competition, Star Quest.

The young exciting band had whet the appetite of good music lovers with the release of two singles from off the album; 'Gbe Sun Mo Mi' and the melodious afro pop 'Ringtone' which had being receiving massive airplay since last year.

Crystals is a Nigerian boy and girl band, consisting of 6 members; rapper (Romeo), two female lead vocalists (Slimberry, Apholyzty), drummer (Emma Blow), keyboardist (Dammy Keys) and bass guitarist (G Base).

The launch has the support of Star, el Canaral, Beat fm, Trace Urban, Spinlet, My streetz and NM En.Core.

Elevated had the input of seasoned and A-list producers. They worked with Samklef, Del B, Shizzy, Harrysong, George Nathaniel, J. Sleek, Spyke, Phat E and the renowned OJB Jezreel. The album also features upcoming female rapper, Butafly.

Showcasing their creativity, the cool band’s television commercial was way off the usual voice over as the lead rapper, Romeo, rapped to the humming of the female vocalists.

Celebrating with referee!

Postal Worker Retires After 44 Years Without Sick Day

By Susanna Kim | ABC News Blogs
On Jan. 31, Deborah Ford will retire from the U.S. Postal Service after 44 years without using any of her sick days.
Though her colleagues and the local media, including the Detroit Free Press, applaud her level of commitment, Ford, 64, doesn't see what the big deal is.
Born and raised in Detroit, Ford will be retiring from her job in payroll and timekeeping management for the city's main post office.
"I was trying to do the best I could, and that just evolved into working all my scheduled days," Ford said.
Ford said when she was sick, she would simply "shake it off." For appointments, say, with the doctor, she would use vacation days.
"It's going to be tough to replace her - not only her attendance but her knowledge of the years she has done timekeeping," said Tony Carnagie, a financial programs compliance manager, who has worked with Ford for more than 15 years.
Most of Ford's co-workers knew about her track record, when the USPS awarded her for 30 years of service.
Ford said her father, who is 86 years old and never took a sick days in 30 years, also doesn't see what the fuss is about.
"It's just part of our work ethic," she said.
Ford said she is looking forward to retirement but doesn't have any specific plans, besides spending more time with her father.
"I'll rest up and see where life takes me. Do some volunteer work, take some enrichment classes - the usual stuff," she said.
For now, she is training someone to do her job, which she says, she won't particularly miss.
"You don't miss the brick and mortar," she said. "I'll miss the people, the lives you touched and the lives that touched your life."
Not taking a sick day won't be for naught.
Ford has a sick-leave balance of 4,508 hours, which will allow her a 5 percent increase in her pension.

FASHOLA SIGNS MOU ON COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT WITH LBS

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Dean of Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr Enase Okonedo and Commerce and Industry counterpart, Mrs. Olusola Oworu at the signing of MOU  between Lagos State Government and the Lagos Business School on the Competitiveness Project at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Monday, January 28, 2013.

...and Hip hop took a stand!

The re-launched edition of Str8 Up Hip-hop, a monthly urban networking event for Hip-hop heads and intellectuals, held last week was a success as stakeholders in the industry took a stand.
It focused on a critical breakdown of matters arising from 'There Was A Country' by renowned author, Chinua Achebe.

The panelists, MI Abaga, Obi Asika, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Elajoe and Pamela Braide, discussed, among other things, the challenges of distribution, scarcity and piracy of books, decline in reading culture, importance of ethnic identity to the Nigerian youth and the role of the Hip-hop community in nation building. 

EDI LAWANI: A GUSH OF GREATNESS

It was a long wait. And it wasn’t my first call. I had made repeated attempts to have a face-to-face chat with the “witch doctor” but it was instantly obvious it wasn’t going to come easy. Too many people, too many far more important people made these daily visits to the Mecca and the chances of a small time writer/ producer and minor league talent manager/ label exec were always going to be paper thin.

Eventually I got my chance to meet Edi Lawani – the Edi Lawani. It was a brief meeting. It had to be brief. Industry heavyweights too numerous to mention were waiting to see the go-to guy for all kinds of reasons and I felt a mix grill of relief, excitement and anxiety when the receptionist muttered “Oga will see you next”. Then the process began.

Edi Lawani apologized for the long wait and repeated fruitless visits I have had to endure. I was stunned by his humility. He was Edi Lawani, the industry guru and I was but a small fry with a big dream. This was in ’97 and I was fresh out of Unilag. Everyone I spoke to about my plan to grow a major league label and management outfit directed me to Edi Lawani, at Oremeji.

They all appeared 100% certain he was the one guy that can point me in the right direction. I had heard quite a bit about him and was convinced I was pursuing an aging guru who had come to cut the image of mythical Atlas in my head. It was the first shocker when I first saw him, a good number of visits before I got my 5-minute talk time. He looked way too young for his “showbiz age”. Now here he was, apologizing to me. OK! What’s next? He asked me a couple of random questions, busied himself with some other stuff like he wasn’t quite paying attention and asked me to pick up a form from the receptionist. I did. I was required to fill out the form and pay a registration fee for consultancy services. I filled out the form in a flash but struggled terribly to raise the balance payment for the fee. On one of my knowledge- tapping sessions, I tried to apologize for the delay in the payment. He simply smiled and said “Efe, I didn’t forget there was payment outstanding. I have left an instruction that no one should accept payment from you here. The fee was just something to scare away unserious time wasters because I am of the opinion that the value one places on anything is directly proportional with what one is willing to sacrifice for it”. Poignant, those words and they stuck. I have found a more succinct version and it has stayed a personal mantra – “pursuit is the proof of desire.”

Sixteen years down the road, Edi Lawani remains my ultimate go –to guide for all things showbiz. He is to a lot of us, a role model, mentor and the most dependable of friends. Edi Lawani has taught me so many amazing things by just sticking with ole fashioned principles of hard work, professionalism, integrity and selflessness.

Let me recount just one episode here. A few years ago, I got a production brief from an agency client. The money was good (for my level then) but the notice was short. Worse than that, the production was tricky. I did the natural, call Edi Lawani and he offered to guide me through the drill and gave me an appointment. A while later, I got wind of some pretty disturbing gist. The job was originally Edi’s. The guys at an agency seemed hell bent on pushing him a raw deal. He had offered them first class technical solutions on numerous productions for their major client for years and felt they were acting too greedy. He had insisted on being paid right for the job and their response was to call up another production consultant, me. Once I found out, I pulled out and asked my agency friends to negotiate with the boss.

Eventually he rejected the brief and “ordered” me to do it. Edi Lawani went ahead and gave me the prepping session. He was the last person I spoke before the production and the first once we wrapped. It was my first stage management brief of a nationally televised live show and Edi Lawani practically executed the brief in absentia for “the alternative” stage manager.

Over the years I have leaned on his priceless counsel. He has stayed in the background, guiding, steadying the ship through our pursuits at Now Muzik and my personal forays through Music Business Forum and AM.B-Pro activities unto the birth of COSON and more, never hesitant to lend a hand, to come out of pocket to finance a move, to tell us the TRUTH, however unpleasant in any situation and never demanding or jostling for praise or recognition.

My boss, my mentor Edi Lawani. I have navigated my biggest productions yet with you. I have listened to some of the best music and talked about the most fascinating back stories with you. I have encountered the most thought-provoking books in your library. My flyest pair of sneakers ever, I got from you. I’ve been so blessed to know you and I’m certain there are many like me out there who are in a better place today because they got a little nudge from you at some point. Our commitment to the greater good for industry and country has been inspired and significantly strengthened by you.

As we get ready to celebrate and party with you at Playa’s Ball on January 31, 2013 at Club Rumors, I take a second to reflect and all I can do is smile. It’s amazing how much value a 10K part payment for a quarterly consultancy service has delivered sixteen years down the road. It’s just it is difficult to measure but I have a sneaky feeling that if the Guinness Book of World Records guys can find an empirical way to ascertain it, that may well be the most rewarding 10k investment ever.

 May God bless you and yours abundantly!

This piece was written by Efe Omorogbe, CEO, Now Muzik, ahead of Playa's Ball to celebrate Edi Lawani.

 

Oluseyi drops Bamijo, resumes Art café with Oluseyi.

 

Oluseyi Solagbade

Oluseyi  Solagbade, known for his unique brand of futuristic music, has finally dropped his much awaited album, Bamijo (Dance With Me). The Afro Gospel album, released after his USA tour in December 2012, is a 12 tracker with heavy percussive idioms presented under free style wind and string instrumentation.

According to the leader of the Black Face band, “The new album is a result of God’s intervention in my life. It is simply an invitation for people to come rejoice with me because I was once blind and now can see.”

The inspirational Bamijo is the fourth album from the easy going artiste who believes in originality and creativity. It came after Matuwo, Black face and No King As God.

Oluseyi revealed that he is working diligently on the video for the title track, Bamijo even as had shot some of it in his just concluded USA tour and it would be produced by Seyi Amuwa.

The video of ‘Ire’ and ‘Orin’, produced by Gbenga Salu, is already enjoying airplay especially on cable stations.

Oluseyi on stage during his USA tour.

Oluseyi has, in the past 20 years; succeed in creating a brand of afro inspirational beat that is different from Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

He explains further: “My music is a fusion of different genre of music in Africa. I can conveniently say it is what we call pandiatonism, a combination of chords. So am just using that idea to create new kind of music style. To me, originality is a basic phenomenal; when your music is original your art will definitely be a futuristic one.”

In the same vein, his monthly gig, ‘Art Café with Oluseyi’, is billed to resume very soon in collaboration the French Cultural Centre.

The inspirational groove that will serve as ‘hypnotherapy’ to everyone is a platform to promote authentic music in all artistic forms.

“My fans should expect Afro Gospel instead of Afro Palongo that they are used to. I am stepping up with another trend of music so as to get across to everyone especially the youth,” Oluseyi explained.

 

Str8 Up, Hip-Hop to host State of the Union Forum

Str8 Up, Hip-Hop a niche urban monthly networking event for hip hop heads and intellectuals is back with a new edition tagged ‘State of the Union Forum: A critical Breakdown of Issues Arising from Chinua Achebe’s There Was a Country’.
The forum is scheduled to hold on January 23rd, 2013 at Pop on Saka Tinubu Street from 7 PM and boasts of industry big wigs such as Obi Asika, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kwame and MI as panelists. Other panelists are Elajoe and femcee Blaise. Andre Blaze will hold down the Mic as host.
Str8 Up, Hip-Hop is an event property of Now Muzik En.Core (an event affiliate of Now Muzik) in partnership with Beat 99.9 FM and Pop with Support from thenetng.com and Mrshustle.com.
According to Efe Omorogbe of Now Muzik, ” Attendees of the event are guaranteed an exciting and insightful time. He continues: The Hip-hop community cannot afford to stand aloof. These issues are real and the consequences of doing nothing to promote constructive and open dialogue can be dire. Our hustle, concerts, parties and bull all depend on the existence of a conducive social and economic backdrop so we have a responsibility to engage one another, take a stand and contribute our quota to nation building as a group – the Hip-hop community. And I can’t ask for a better way to relaunch Str& Up, Hip-hop.”
The first edition, Grand Hustle, was a celebration of the iconic Hip-hop entrepreneur Ayo Animashaun for his contribution to the growth of the Hip-hop movement  in Nigeria. There was a second edition- Love Lockdown: The Valentine edition and a third one tagged Vote or Vote: Election edition which was designed to support a campaign for youths to get involved, get registered,  go out and vote for the right candidate during the election. The fourth edition was Know-the-ledge – a Hip-hop revue for the promotion and celebration of conventional and street knowledge.

Your Ringtone

I don't want to believe you have not listened to the melodious afro pop song, Ringtone from the sensational Crystals group.  It is the second single after Gbe Sun Mo Mi and is off their forth coming debut album titled ‘Elevated’.
The group has been described as fun, cool and exciting.
This is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_AMFz_LyvQ

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has given a dramatic account of how his administration grew a paltry N4,451 it inherited from his predecessor in February 2012, to over N16 billion. The Governor also spoke of the challenge posed by the N50 billion Bond secured by his predecessor, which he said was set to hit N104 billion in 2017.

http://www.africanexaminer.com/bayelsa0109Bayelsa Shocker: I inherited just N4,451 from Sylva -Gov. Dickson

Can olive oil prevent skin aging? | Yahoo! Health

Can olive oil prevent skin aging? | Yahoo! Health