Blog: NELOC News

Opinion: A Discussion on Grants and Entrepreneurship

The world is flourishing with ideas by entrepreneurs, as beautiful as these ideas may seem, inaccessibility to funding makes the execution of the idea a mirage- Funds nurture ideas.

The implementation of innovations and progression of already existing business depends largely on the availability of finance. Hence, there is a need to spell out appropriate strategies for its acquisition. The growth of businesses especially in developing nations where people have less access to grants is dependent on finance.

There is a common misconception that entrepreneurs have to own a large capital before starting their business. It is true that grants can actually help scale up the business, but the entrepreneurial skill lies in the ability to convert a small amount of the capital to yield a higher return.

Depending on the type of business, most starters often start small, especially if it is a service based business. Entrepreneurs, particularly small scale entrepreneurs are sometimes advised to cut down cost at the start of the business as much as possible. Instead of going for that expensive outlet, why not begin from a more affordable one that would provide the same service as the expensive one. As the business begins to grow, then you may start thinking of expanding your market. Trying to start out rightly big may tend to cloud your sight from seeing other possibilities to make it happen without external funding. The key is to find the lowest cost method to start when there is absence of external funding.

Of all means of financing, the most reliable and potent is the personal source of funding, that is, the personal savings. This is often the initial capital, a prerequisite at the early birth of the business, although it may not bring about adequate expansion of the business. The interest of investors in the business would be quenched if little or nothing is contributed by the business owner. Hence, depositing your own capital to cover the cost of launching will prompt prospective investors to invest in your business. Starting with your own capital will also help prevent huge loss when mistakes happen.

When sourcing for funds, it is important for entrepreneurs to identify the best source that would suit or is most ideal for the present need. Long term funds should not serve short term goals, that is, if fund is needed to cater for a need that would yield within two months, then entrepreneurs may want to source for funds through overdrafts, family and friends. Family and friends can help with the little they can provide coupled with your personal saving. It is not until you receive a big grant before you can take a small step which will accumulate to a big difference in the business.

Some entrepreneurs tend to overlook the importance of having a sound business plan. The business plan speaks for the business. It gives an overview about the business by projecting the entrepreneur’s vision, the mission of the business. Your business plan may be the important tool that would link you to potential investors, it serves as a proposal tool for application for loan or facility. Business plan gives the investor an in-depth knowledge about the business and may also help you to establish confidence in the investor. Hence, it is important for entrepreneurs to design a sound business plan which may be what you need for that big success.

Entrepreneurs may also want to consider the idea of strategic partnership, partnership does not mean selling your idea to someone, and it is simply collaborating, pulling resources together. This helps a great way than sole funding.

Furthermore, finding the right client and working on the client helps to expand the market. It involves the selling skills to convince the client that your service or product is worth paying for. The right client may be from your network, which is why it is important for upcoming entrepreneurs to expand their network and pitch their ideas to the network. In practice, entrepreneurs raise funds from multitude of sources, the idea is finding the right source that is tailored for your type of business without running into debts.

Nigeria- We Can Make It Happen

Far from a trial to rub our wounds, Nigeria will pick up soon as indicators show. The best way to support these indicators is to become motivation to ourselves.

For me, each time, I carry a belief that it is what I give in that I get back. It simply implies that when I give all the necessary zeal, strength and dexterity into a thing, I get "all the desired results." Then I took to history, reading to find stories of persons whom this principle have worked for and I'm here with the "I can do it attitude."

History has the tales of experts who were convinced that the ideas, plans, and projects of others could never be achieved. However, the accomplishment of those same rejected projects, came to those who said, "I can make it happen."

I sometime ago, read the story of The Italian sculptor- Agostino d'Antonio who worked diligently on a large piece of marble. Unable to produce his desired masterpiece, he lamented, "I can do nothing with it." Other sculptors also worked on this difficult piece of marble, but to no avail.
After sometime, Michelangelo discovered the stone and visualized the possibilities in it. His "I-can-make-it-happen" attitude resulted in one of the world's wonderful masterpieces.

As you read this account under the magnificent lighting of your environment, from your mail, social media or blog as the case may be, consider that what you call an absurdity and waste of time could become an asset. You would find out that you can make it happen!

Yours in Inspiration

Scientia: Why Your Bottle Sweats

If you ever visit the refrigerator lay and pick out a very chilled bottle of drink, leave it for a while and then return, you would notice that the bottle begins to shed drops around it.

Sweating Bottle- Image Source: Google

In another case, if after a warm bath, you glance at the mirror to behold your beautiful face., leave the dressing room to look more exotic and return to a second glance at the mirror, its surface becomes
unclear and while trying to clean, the hands get wet, then you have met condensation.

Condensation is the the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water. In other words the warm air in the air were cooled by cold soft drink also the warm water vapor
from my body were cooled by the cold mirror surface.

This same phenomenon is the reason behind cloud formation.

Nigeria’s Oil Reserves will Run Dry In 49 Years – DPR

Nigeria's crude oil reserves of 37 billion barrels, two per cent of which is being produced annually, will be depleted in 49 years, according to the Department of Petroleum Resources .

The reserves, which stood at 37. 45 billion barrels in 2014 , fell to 37. 06 billion barrels in 2015 and 36. 74 billion barrels in 2016. It, however, rose to 36.97 billion barrels in 2017 and 37 billion barrels in 2018, the DPR data showed .

“ The nation’ s depletion rate and life index are 2. 04 per cent and 49. 03 years respectively, ” the regulator said .

The reserves depletion rate is a measure of 2018 total oil and condensate production divided by the reserves as of January 1, 2019, according to the DPR .

“This indicator gives a bird ’s eye on an annual basis , what percentage proportion of the quoted reserves was produced. The life index , on the other hand , is a measure of the reserves as of January 1, 2019, divided by the total production in 2018 . This parameter highlights how long ( in years) quoted reserves volumes will be available for production .”

According to the DPR, to achieve the government’s aspiration of four million barrels per day production and reserves of 40 billion barrel, "there is a need for corresponding increase in reserves as production increases”

The nation ’s oil and gas production structure is majorly split between Joint Ventures onshore and in shallow water with foreign and local companies, and the Production Sharing Contracts in deepwater offshore, to which most of the international oil companies have shifted their focus in recent years.

The JV operators, despite having the highest production (about 41. 64 per cent) among all the contract types, recorded a low depletion rate of about 1. 8 per cent and high life index of 56 .34 years, according to the DPR.

It said the PSC companies had the highest depletion rate of 3.10 per cent and the lowest life index of 32.15 years, while accounting for about 36. 08 per cent of the nation’ s total production .

“Perhaps , the companies may have taken advantage of the poor government take in the deep offshore terrain to deplete the reserves therein with little regard for long- term sustainable production as amplified by the life index ,” the regulator said in a report.

It said the sole risk companies had the lowest depletion rate of 1. 5 per cent and the highest life index of 65. 49 years.

The regulator said these companies accounted for about 20. 14 per cent of the nation’ s total production in 2018, adding, “ This depletion rate does not reflect the fact these companies hold the second largest reserves of about 26.90 per cent. ”

The marginal field operators produced about 2 .14 per cent of the nation’ s total production in 2018, with a depletion rate of about 2. 7 per cent, life index of 36 .83 years and a national reserves portfolio of 1. 61 per cent.

The DPR said about nine operating companies , which it described as “ unhealthy ” , “ have oil and condensate life index of less than 15 years.”

“The statistics paint a very gloomy picture for these companies and urgent steps will be taken to address this observed trend. The department is engaging the companies to review their strategic plan to guarantee future reserves growth in order for them to remain in business, ” it said .

According to the regulator, as of January 1, 2019, the reserves replacement ratio, which measures the addition to reserves relative to the total production , for Nigeria’s oil and condensate reserves stood at four per cent.

It said “ Though this shows a positive RRR , it is not an impressive performance as just four per cent of the 2018 annual production was replaced via net addition to reserves.

nigeria's oil reserves, energy, pipeline

“The ideal scenario is when we have a 100 per cent RRR , i . e replace reserves at the same production rate. The RRR is used to judge the operating performance of the exploration and production industry. An RRR that is consistently over 100 per cent is ideal as it indicates that more reserve is being replaced than is produced. ”

Last week, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said the nation’s oil sector had worsened as the uncertain fiscal environment put a damper on the investments badly needed to ramp up oil production and increase reserves.

He warned that most of the resources might have to be left in the ground if not explored and produced before the world moves away from oil .

He said, “If there is a lot of exploration , we believe that a lot of oil still remains to be found in Nigeria. And that is the beauty about Nigeria. Nigeria is not yet a mature territory; it is still very prolific.”

“There has been no targeted exploration for gas and yet we have 200 Tcf reserves. So, we believe that if we really go out looking for gas, we can find a lot more that will put us in the league of the most prolific in the world .

“Let us allow the investment to come into Nigeria, because there is still a lot of oil and gas to be found . Unfortunately, the bad news is that the world ’s 2020 outlook tells you that by 2040, oil and gas will account for only 50 per cent of the energy of the world .”

At first, it seemed so hard, impossible- difficult to do that which I had to; that which would touch lives forever. It was a herculean task for me as it required a lot of courage, but, I had already determined in my heart to do it and I had already given my words to certain people. I am a woman of my word, and I wouldn’t want to disappoint them. So, I got up from my bed half-scared, half-confident and walk sluggishly to the bathroom to have my bath.

Just before I entered the bathroom, I heard my phone ringing; I smiled because I already knew who was calling. I checked the screen of my phone and my thoughts were quite correct. I picked the call and the first thing I heard was “Good morning, my love”. I don’t think I could ever get tired of hearing that every morning. My fiancé, Jide calls me every morning and we talk for ten to twenty minutes. After fifteen minutes, we end the call and I feel so happy to have someone like Jide, someone that loves me for who I am. He called to reassure me of his support, to encourage me and to inform me that he would come pick me in the next thirty minutes. On hearing these words, I felt better and I swiftly went to the bathroom.

After bathing, I hurriedly dressed up, and checked myself in the mirror for any adjustments. Just then, I heard the horn of Jide’s car, I carried my purse which contained my necessary items – powder, lip gloss, my stick-it notes which contained points for my speech, a black pen, a hand towel and some money. I locked the door and went outside to meet Jide who had already gotten down from the car. He was looking exceptionally handsome today as he rocked a blue and black checkered shirt, coupled with black jeans and a pair of sneakers. To top it all, he had dark shades on. He smiled as I walked towards him and I smiled back, he hugged me and opened the car door for me like the gentleman he was. As he entered the car, he turned to me and said “Sweetheart, you look even more beautiful today”. I blushed like a little school girl and I thanked him. He started the car, and off we went to Jade Majekodunmi Memorial Secondary School.

In the car, Jide helped me to rehearse for my speech and he calmed me once again with his words. At some point, I totally forgot about the speech because Jide took my mind off it with his dry jokes. At last, we got to our destination and we both alighted from the car. I scanned the surroundings- typical secondary school environment, students everywhere doing one thing or the other; I looked up and said to myself “Adunni, this is it, you can do this”. We were ushered into the school auditorium by a female student who was obviously a prefect due to the fact that she had a badge pinned to her school uniform. With smiles, she welcomed us and she led us to our seats. Soon enough, the vice principal of the school, a kind middle-aged man, came to welcome me and I introduced Jide to him. He thanked me for keeping my word, and he also added that the students were enthusiastic about the programme.

The programme kicked off after some minutes with the opening prayer taken by one of the teachers. Next, I was called to the high table alongside the principal, vice principal and the heads of departments of the school. With a quick glance at my fiancé, I stood up and confidently made my way to the table. After the welcome address, I already knew my time had come. With lots of applause, the moderator called me up to the podium to deliver my talk. I breathed deeply for a second then I stood up and made my way to the stage to do that which I had to. As I stood on the stage, I looked around and my eyes once again scanned my immediate environment. I saw expectations in the eyes of the students, I saw potentials, I saw the future and I saw bright stars that should shine forever and not be tampered with. I started off with a smile and a “Good morning, everyone”. My greeting was met with good responses and smiles; that boosted my confidence and I felt more at ease. My eyes also met that of Jide and I felt them encouraging me and urging me to tell my story.

I started narrating my story of how I was held in slavery with the chains of words. My speech went thus “I know when you hear the word slavery, your mind goes to being held in a place with iron chains and being tortured. I put it to you today that one can also be tortured with words and enslaved.” I explained to them that I was the only child of my mother, who got pregnant with me at a young age. I never knew my father and so it was me and my mother. She never really cared for me and was always blaming me for all her troubles. She would drop me with her mother, my grandmother. This continued until my grandmother died and she would leave me alone in the house; at this point, I was already seven.

No day passed without my mother telling me I was a failure, a mistake and that I couldn’t do anything right in life. From a young age, I didn’t really have any friends. I wasn’t really a bright student but I managed to enter secondary school. I always felt weak, because my mother’s words always echoed in my head. From being an average student, I dropped to being one of the last three in the class. I told them how I joined a gang because they told me they would make me feel strong, and how I used to drink or smoke anytime I remembered my mother’s words. To cut the long story short, I was pulled out of my mental slavery by my school counsellor who helped me to understand that I had potentials and I could be anything I wished to be. It was a tough process but I recovered with time and I broke free. I moved out of my mother’s house into a hostel which was gotten for me by my school counsellor.

I continued by saying “Words don’t define who you are or who you’ll be. You make your own destiny. Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior with their words because you’re special and you’re a success”. I concluded by dishing out advice on how to be emotionally strong and withstand destructive words, then I rounded off my speech “I am Alade Adunni, and this is my story”. Everyone stood up with applause and I went back to my seat with joy in my heart. Question and Answer section was next, and then the programme ended with the closing prayer. I shook hands with all the staff on the high table; I also thanked all of them for the opportunity to share my story.

I left the school with Jide who couldn’t stop praising me and telling me how marvellous I was. Looking at the beautiful clouds outside, I felt very glad that I was able to help the students in my own little way and to build them up for whatever the future held for them. At last, I had shared my story.

O-REY

I'm not a fan of football, but I think I do know a few things about it. I'm just one of those rare guys who do not like football.

Football is funny, it could be comedy at times; a game where players shake hands after play, and fans fight one another after play. That is the fun in it. I have noticed that to the players, it's a game and they've been paid(cool dough obviously) and; to the fans, they've paid and one must take the blame.

So players find no pain switching membership while supporters sense infidelity for cross-carpetting, thus the fans usually stick to one club while the players switch clubs often for the love of the game. If players are loyal to the game than their clubs, then supporters should be loyal to the game than their clubs; in that way, they will need not fight or kill one another for the game.

Another funny thing is that neither the players nor the game requires that they fight! Probably the fight comes up because most people are not just fans but fanatics. Be a fan not a fanatic.

That's football. I do not intend to derail from my sporty post with my socio- political analogy. But far from it is the political scene of Nigeria. My observation holds but sadly true in the polity and political game "Nigeria" that while our evil politicians and rulers who in this context are the players, short change the entire populace and people in the course of the game. leaving them high and dry; the populace who are the fans in the political arena rather than hold the politician i.e the players accountable, would rather turn against themselves whilst unleashing hell and sorrow and further impoverish themselves. All the while the politician players after every hot battle or game as put, after whipping the people into killer frenzy, vide the intoxicants' and toxins called religion and ethnicity and simply retire backstage to loot and dine together unbridled whilst the supporters or fans called Nigerians waste themselves.

Literally, soccer fans should hold players accountable when they play badly, rather than fight one another; concrete evidence suggests financial profligacy from most soccer stars, little wonder they feel sad when retirement calls. The major difference between this literal story and my allegory is that unlike the soccer fans who spend hard earned money to watch their favourite team, the electorates do not spend, rather they depend on the politicians who invest massively and brainwash the masses to stay in power.

People should see the light and realise that fellow citizens are not always the catalyst of their woes.

Kerux Academic Institute Set to Host Mentorship Programme for Young People

The Kerux Academic Institute (KAI) is set to host refined editions of its mentorship programme for young people. In an official press release signed by Godspower Oyubu, Director of Kerux Academic Institute, the mentorship will empower young people and help them redefine what leadership is really all about.

One of KAI Academic classes in March, 2021

The Kerux Academic Institute (KAI) is a non-profit community based organization, a leadership, coaching, training and mentorship program committed to mentoring teenagers/young people within and outside Mosogar Community on Academics, Leadership, Business/Finance, Management/Administration, Public Speaking and other Professional Development Courses that can equip young people and make them relevant beyond the scope of their Academic Disciplines.

First day of KAI Mentorship Class.. 11th January, 2021... 16 teenagers in attendance

Overtime, many graduates from within the Mosogar community and the nation in general seem to be bankrupt of knowledge in vital areas of life outside their field of expertise! This has practically resulted in producing intellectuals who are irrelevant to the society since they can't get jobs touching their field of expertise.

Pictures of KAI Staff members and 2 Uniben Affiliation Mosogar Lecturers at the middle and one Honourable at KAI Orientation Programme @ Ighoyota Primary School Mosogar, Delta State Nigeria.. 1st February, 2021

Pictures of KAI Staff members and 2 Uniben Affiliation Mosogar Lecturers at the middle and one Honourable at KAI Orientation Programme at Ighoyota Primary School Mosogar, Delta State Nigeria.. 1st February, 2021

KAI Mentorship Program also seeks to empower young people and help them redefine what leadership is really all about. Many had misunderstood leadership to be merely occupying a position of influence and this lopsided view has had catastrophic effect in the community and Nation at large.

KAI Orientation

Director at the middle with two KAI Staff members at Orientation Programme

KAI involves both classroom training and practical training which would include having one on one interview sessions with reputable personalities within and outside Mosogar Community, Seminars where KAI Mentorship Products (Teenagers) are expected to display their Wealth of Knowledge in Public Speaking, Conflict Resolutions, Business/Financial Intelligence, Problem Solving and Leadership.

With hopes that this programme will help build a better Nigeria, the training is completely free and opened to all teenagers and young people within and outside Mosogar Community. The designed curriculum of KAI Mentorship Programme helps to build teenagers and make them relevant beyond the scope of their Academic Discipline. The professional classes hold every Friday between 3pm and 5pm at the Ighoyota Primary School Mosogar, Delta State, Nigeria. You can also contact Keruz Academic Institute by phone call or and email here.

Pictures of KAI Students at First KAI Academic Seminar held 15th May, 2021

KAI Staff Members

Teenagers learning at KAI Orientation Programme

Picture of KAI Staff members and students with copies of book authored by the Director, given free of charge to all teenagers at the Orientation Programme

About the Teenage Girls Leadership Group (TGLG)

The TGLG is an arm of KAI Mentorship Program that focuses on the teenage girl child. The vision of the TGLG is to mentor the girl child intellectually and professionally for future leadership. Many have the myopic understanding that the man should always take the lead in any occasion and women should follow. The TGLG seeks to inculcate in these teenage girls the mentality and attributes of world class global leaders from a young age. Currently, over 50 female teenagers are part of the TGLG of KAI and 15 of them, from records are already taking leadership roles in their schools, churches and volunteer organizations they are part of, instigating positive changes in the different organizations.

May, 2021 Academic Seminar

Resource Personnel during KAI Seminar: From the left hand side: Mr Oki Ebeigbe (Youth Leader, Mosogar Community), Dr Mrs Bridget Kpomah (Director, Delsu Affiliation Mosogar), Mrs Patience Akpeninor (PDP Women Leader, Ethiope West LGA, Delta State), Hon. Kingsley Akpeninor (Former Councilor, Oghara, Delta State and the one addressing the Teenagers, Engr. Peter Avwojekpaye

KAI Director, Mr Godspower Oyubu, addressing and welcoming Teenagers to KAI 1st Academic Seminar in May, 2021

KAI Director with some members of KAI TGLG at May 2021 Academic Seminar

Group Picture with some Teenagers and other attendees after Seminar, May 2021

KAI TGLG Members who spoke on Leadership during the Seminar, May, 2021

Group Picture after Seminar

KAI TGLG Member, addressing the Teenagers on Leadership during 2021 May Academic Seminar

KAI 1st Academic Seminar, May, 2021

Another KAI TGLG Member, addressing the Teenagers on Leadership during 2021 May Academic Seminar

The Teenage Girls Leadership Group (TGLG) will help bring to limelight the inherent potentials resident in these girls and skillfully prepare them to take up higher leadership responsibilities at Community, National and International levels in the nearest future.

The Impact of KAI on Teenagers and Young People

The Director of Kerux Academic Institute (KAI), Godspower Oyubu, a Master's degree holder of Applied Biochemistry from the prestigious Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, has been mentoring teenagers/young people for 13years. He started a Mentorship Program during the Covid 19 Pandemic where he offered free Academic and Professional training classes to Teenagers who where home due to the nation wide lockdown instigated by the much dreaded Covid 19. This free training program metamorphosed into Kerux Academic Institute (KAI) on 11th January, 2021 with 15 teenagers and 5 staff members.

The overall vision of KAI is to train teenagers academically and professionally. The idea of professional training is to inculcate in these teenagers an ideology that places value on leadership qualities, management skills and business mindset as unbeatable requirements for transforming the local community and the nation at large. At the start of KAI, four (4) University Lecturers were coming occasionally to train and encourage these teenagers. Within 2021, KAI has trained 115 teenagers (85 girls and 30 boys) and 48 eventually got admission into different Universities while others got admission into various Polytechnics. The long term goal is to train at least 2000 teenagers in Mosogar community and the near-by communities on leadership, management and business in order to prepare them for local and global relevance beyond the scope of their academic discipline.

The issue of fraud is becoming rampant in virtually every community in Nigeria. The high level of corruption in the Nation and poor investment in the education system have contributed to this predominance of fraudulent activity. However, KAI Mentorship Program will help prepare teenagers who will be empowered via high level superior knowledge to combat this moral decadence ravaging our community and Nation in general.

Everything You Need to Know about Anxiety Disorders

So everyone’s been talking and focusing on “depression” and throwing all their weight into it, making it seems like the only mental health issue. Don’t get me wrong, it is a serious mental problem but we need to be aware of other mental issues around us that are pre-requisites to depression and not just see very other issue apart from depression as “CRAZY”.

Anxiety disorders are very common upsets that affect the mental health. Research shows that it affects 1 in 5 adults and also affects children and teens. It can be deduced that this illness is not a respecter of age or gender, although it is proven to occur more than twice as common in women as men.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?
Anxiety is actually a necessary, normal emotion portrayed by humans. It is that feeling that spurs you on, pushes you to put in more efforts. It’s that inner force that keeps you awake to study for that exam, pushes you to finish that paper and stay focused during a presentation or speech. It is a feeling of worry, nervousness or fear about an event or situation. Generally, it is a normal response to stress and it helps you cope with challenges. Obviously, this natural coping mechanism is very vital and much needed but as they say “Moderation in everything, including moderation”.

WHAT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS?
Anxiety disorders are extreme cases of surges of anxiety. They happen when excessive anxiety interferes with your day to day activities and programmes. They are episodes and bouts of attacks that occur and hinder progress in your daily schedule. They are really serious mental illnesses that need the very much needed attention and awareness.

MAJOR TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Studies have revealed that there are levels and different categories of this illness. The major types are:
*     Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD): People suffering from this disorder worry excessively about trivial and harmless things and situations in their daily activities. They usually jump into conclusions and their minds are programmed to think and imagine the worst case scenarios every time. They generally think and expect the worst of people and situations when there is really little or nothing to worry about. Therefore, the excessive worry stalls them from doing their every day tasks. They may even worry and be tensed about just accomplishing their activities for the day. Women with GAD have a higher risk of having depression and other anxiety disorders than men with GAD.

*     Panic disorders: These are unexpected, sudden bouts of horror when there is no harm or danger whatsoever. Panic attacks may cause a sense of unreality, fear of inexistent impending doom or losing control. People having panic attacks sometimes believe they are having heart attacks, losing their minds or dying.

*     Social phobia: This is also called SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER. The sufferers of this disorder are allergic to “meet”. It is diagnosed when people become very anxious and self-conscious in normal everyday interactions. They usually feel watched, monitored and judged by others every time. They usually feel like the butt of every joke they hear regardless of it being related to them or not. Therefore, they feel embarrassed easily.

*     Specific phobia: This is specific to just a particular thing or subject. It is the intense fear of something of little or no danger most times. Thereby, bringing about a severe panic or anxiety attack when faced the feared object or situation.

Other conditions similar to anxiety disorders include:
*     Obsessive compulsive disorders: People with OCD have obsessions and compulsions with really unnecessary things or actions that range from having to check the stove or gas cooker severally or performing a certain routine over and over again. Consequently, these incessant rituals end up controlling the person and they become obsessed with it.

*     Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD starts after the experience of a traumatic event of any sort. Sometimes, the sufferer might only be a witness to a horrible or shocking event and not directly involved.

CAUSES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Researchers think anxiety disorders are caused by a mixture of reasons or factors I should say, which include:
*     Hormonal changes: This is more often in women and most common during pre-menstrual syndromes, menstrual cycle and menopausal changes.
*     Genetics: These disorders may run in the family and therefore, can be inherited.
*     Traumatic Events: Experiencing situations ranging from a verbal to sexual abuse can result in anxiety upsets.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders usually have specific and particular symptoms, each unique to the type of disorder but the general and most commonly similar physical symptoms are:
*     Weakness
*     Shortness of breath
*     Stomach upsets
*     Dry mouth
*     Dehydration
*     Hot flashes
*     Nausea
*     Rapid heart rate
*     Dizziness
The physical symptoms of anxiety disorders usually go hand in hand with other mental illnesses.

Can Anxiety Disorders be Treated?

Yes, anxiety disorders can be treated and cured. This depends on the type of disorder and on the cause of the disorder. Treatments include:
*     Medicine: This includes the use of pills which range from relaxants to anti-depressants.
*     Counselling: Going to talk with trained therapists who use different healing methods and behavioural and relaxation therapies to help reduce and alleviate the fears.
*     The use of both counselling and medicine: this depends on the severity of the illness.

So dears, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by a certain thing, situation or past event, please do well to talk to someone. It might not be a professional but talk to someone you feel could understand and help you. Most importantly, when life changes the terra firma from a smooth, free one to a bumpy one filled with stumps, get a chilled glass of water and relax first!

Biography of Olubankole Wellington (Banky W)

Born in New York, United States on 27 March 1981, Olubankole Wellington, who is popularly known by his musical stage name - Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian-American singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician. The singer, uniquely known for his bald head and soothing voice, is also the proud founder and Chief Executive Officer of E.M.E Records.

Banky W is a renowned Nigerian businessman, talented manager, singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor, and politicia

Banky Wellington ishappily married to his heartthrob, Adesua Etomi

Education: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute His family moved to Nigeria when he was five (5) years old Net worth: $12.5 million State of Origin: Lagos Nationality: Nigerian Parents: George Bankole Wellington, Momma Wellington Height: N/A Children: Isaiah Wellington Siblings: 4 Awards and Nominations John Lennon Song Writing Award for the R&B Category (2006) Best R&B Artist during the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (2006) Best Male R&B Artist during the Urban Independent Music Awards, USA (2008) Best R&B Video during the Nigerian Music Video Awards (2008) Best Male Vocal Performance at the Hip hop World Awards (2009) R&B Single of the year during the Hip Hop World Awards (2010) Best R&B Singer (Male) and Best Music Video during the City People Entertainment Awards (2010).

Olubankole Wellington (Banky W) is active on social media. You can connect with him via his official handles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Practical Murder Called Abortion

BY ALUKO DEBORAH J.B (A.K.A Pensword ✍️)

Caroline turns a deaf ear to Henry's plea, begging her to calm down. Do I really want this baby? Can I afford to raise a child now? How will this impact my life? Am I ready to be a mother? She asks herself, hot tears rolling down her cheeks. A teenage girl of nineteen, she has been head over heels in love with Henry and she won't want to break his heart by turning down his incessant requests for sex. For her, a single 'doze' of sex was no big deal and will change nothing.

However, her hopes had been dashed when she received her pregnancy test report and here is Henry suggesting an abortion. 'Listen babe, I'll foot the abortion bills and you can go on with your life like nothing ever happened! You'll become as good as a virgin'

🎤Abortion is the cessation of pregnancy or fetal development. Many teens engage in abortion because of the lingering shame, harsh criticisms and fear of dropping out of school. Also, some married women practice abortion because of the financial incapacity of their family.

However, the many side effects of pregnancy abortion, whether by the use of pills or through surgery makes this practice totally unjustifiable!

🌡️For instance, the DILATION AND EXTRACTION method of abortion is such that the cervix is dilated and the doctor clamps the baby's feet with an instrument, pulling out the child, except the head. Then, scissors is used to make hole at the back of the baby's head, a tube inserted and the contents are sunctioned out. The baby collapses and the baby is born dead. What an act of sheer wickedness and heartlessness!

🌡️An abortion victim stands the high chance of the following:
⚡Damaged uterus, bowel, bladder or cervix.
⚡Heavy bleeding and the need for an additional surgery.
⚡Inability to get pregnant in future
⚡Infections leading to incessant cramp pains, fever, body swellings and vomiting.
⚡Lifetime guilt on having truncated a precious destiny.
⚡Breach of peaceful relationship with God and loss of eternal kingdom.
🛑Ladies should try their hardest to avoid teenage and unwanted pregnancy but if it occurs;
✨Seek for wise counsel and keep your baby, you may later explore other child care options (e.g adoption)
✨Stay physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy.
✨Desist from the belief that babies only become living things when they're born cuz science proves that the foetus at 2-8wks has body organs already.

Thus, you'll receive the grace to pull through.🌷

As 2023 edges closer, the fate of a country on who will become its face in various political positions becomes hotly debated. In few months' time, Nigeria will once again experience a mass activity and participation from its inhabitants as each and everyone will troop out in numbers to canvass for support and vote for their beloved candidates. Enmity will be sworn, love will also be spread. There has always been the case of bloodshed and destruction and the coming year is expected to be no different.

With the coming year expected to be full of hope and optimism severely overshadowed by pessimism, as to what the next leader brings to the table. Each of these ambitious candidates are already starting to reel out what they intend to achieve if elected. As at the time of publishing this article, more than 20 individuals have declared their interest in running for various political posts, with the presidential post being the one in the minds of most of these individuals.

While the primaries have not been done yet, many aspirants have made their ambitions known and have made it official, with some of these figures purchasing the nomination forms of their various political parties. The coming elections promises to be a tense affair as some of these aspirants aim to battle it out for the post without allowing the popularity and power some of their opponents wield, intimidate or rule out their interest. Each of these candidates who were once or are still leaders of a political post or the other rely on different concepts, ideology which gives them the assurance that they can boldly come out to declare their interest and win the elections.

Most of these leaders believe in their plans. While some of them have read out the plans they have for the country once elected, others are still drafting out their intentions. The plans of each of these candidates will go a long way to determine how people's opinion on who to vote for. Their plans are like their voices.

Just as their plans are important, their popularity is also quintessential in determining who will win the coming elections. Being a popular figure among the mass is also a great factor which each of these candidates are hoping to make use of, and this is where strategic campaign movements come into play.

Some of this candidates also believe they wield power. Having been former leaders of states and members of the National assembly, different opponents believe the power they wield from these posts will also have a great effect as to how they perform in the coming elections.

While bearing all these factors, let's have a look at some of these aspirants who publicly and formally declare their interests in running for the presidential post, while examining what they intend to achieve if elected:

Senator Ibikunle Amosun has officially declared his interest, and he promises to provide a leadership that will galvanize Nigeria to achieve her destiny as a leader in Africa.

Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade also made his intentions known as he hopes to concentrate on power, security and economic challenges if elected as president.

Yahaya Bello, also made his aspirations known and was one of the first candidates to purchase the presidential nomination form.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has also declared his interest.

Rabiu Kwankwanso, the former Governor of Kano state feels it is high time the problem of insecurity was looked into, among other things.

The Minister of Labour and employment, Chris Ngige is not left out. He has also declares his intention Nas he believes he has all it takes to steer the ship of Nigeria to a safe harbour.

Current Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo declared his intentions also ,while holding the belief that the time for business and entrepreneurs to grow has come.

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor also made his intention clear with the aim of returning the power in the hands of the ruling party to his own party - The People's Democratic Party.

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria's minister of Transportation and Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Imo State have also declared their interest, with the latter believing he has a compassionate heart to care for the poor and downtrodden and also the masses of the country.

The former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi is also not left out in this race.

Atiku Abubakar has also decided to rerun after failing to win in the last presidential election. He promises that his administration will focus on unity, security, economy, education and devolving more resources to federating units, which he believes are key areas affecting the country.

One of the major figures who has been tipped to win and is also viewed by many as being the favourite is former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is a big political figure.

2023 indeed promises to be pregnant with loads of expectations and all we can say is May the best man with the purest of intentions win!

Dellasdiary Foundation Unveils new Identity, Evolufy Africa

On Saturday, July 23rd, 2022, the Dellasdiary Foundation unveiled its new corporate and social identity, Evolufy Africa.

At the virtual unveiling ceremony, details of the new logo, identity, board of trustees, executive directors, vision and mission statement among others were made available to the public. In her opening speech, Abayomi Adeola Della, Lead Director at Evolufy Africa spoke about the reason for the event and how NGOs can contribute to the evolution of Africa. She also spoke about what the Dellasdiary was about and the reason for this new identity. According to her, the reason for this change is to expand the vision and mission. She explained that the organisation is looking beyond doing things for children alone but moving far as training and mentoring youths to have the right knowledge, build problem solving NGOs and contribute their quota to the society.

In the course of the event, the first speaker, Mr Kehinde Oyeleye (The Man Acalypha) spoke about the place of personal development in running an NGO. According to him you cannot rule out personal development in running a NG0

Miss Abayomi Adeola Della spoke about the importance and way of leadership in building and running an NGO. She talked about the requirements and skills for every NGO leader and wha

The third speaker, Mr Isaac Adeyemo talked about fundraising for NGOs

Also present at the unveiling ceremony were members of the Board of Trustees, Organisation Executives and well wishers of the organisation

Union Urges Senator Saraki to Revive Ajaokuta Mill

The Iron Rod and Steel Dealers Employers Union of Nigeria has urged the new Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Mill.

According to a statement issued in Lagos by the National President of the union, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, he applauded the redeployment of Senator Saraki to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.

Describing the move as a welcome development, the unionist, however, urged Senator Saraki to dedicate her focus on ways to rally financial and technical support, that would facilitate the resuscitation of Ajaokuta, Jos, Oshogbo, Delta and Katsina steel rolling mills.

He said that some of these mills had not been active for more than 20 years, in spite of the concession of some of them to managers.

According to him, government has to ensure that the concessioners get these mills working, or revoke and re-award the concession to other interested persons.

"The country is saturated with substandard iron rods now because our local mills are dysfunctional.

"The union is confident in the capability of the former Minister of State for Transportation – Sen. Saraki, to champion the resuscitation and development of the mines and steel industry in Nigeria," he said.

The president added that Sen. Saraki would ensure the availability of quality steel products and enhance economic development.

"It is with great pleasure that the Iron Rod and Steel Dealers Employers Union of Nigeria received the news of the redeployment of Sen. Gbemisola Ruqoyyah Saraki as the Minister of State for Mines and Steel.

"Considering her track record of excellent delivery as a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, the Nigerian Senate and lately, Minister of State for Transportation, we are confident, she would deploy her magic wand in tackling the seemingly insurmountable challenges of the Nigeria steel industry.

"As a leading advocate and partners in the war against substandard steel products in Nigeria, a menace that has led to several building collapse and loss of several lives, we want to assure you of our readiness to partner with your good office in the noble course," he said.

Awoyale implored Saraki to work assiduously with other stakeholders to ensure the Federal Government resuscitated all moribund steel rolling mills in the country.

He also tasked her on employment creation, tackling the rising inflation trend, enhancing Nigeria's economic growth and a drastic reduction in the menace of substandard steel products.

"We congratulate the Hon. Minister of State for Mines and Steel and wish her a fulfilling tenure in office," Awoyale said.

Scientia: The Slow Writer Syndrome

Ever met a slow writer who outshines everyone else in examinations and wondered his secret?

Writing is the use of written words to express opinions or ideas. Writings can therefore be done quickly or slowly. Dr. Marc Seifer, a graphologist and handwriting expert who wrote The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis in 2008, shared some of the top ways writing by hand can help our brains beyond just dotting our i's and crossing our t's.

More specifically, Writing a calming sentence is a form of Graphotherapy. As the act of writing is therapeutic because through writing “we exteriorize in words”, thoughts, wishes and emotions, which we “liberate”, Graphotherapy is a means of making conscious alterations in your handwriting in order to effect desired subconscious changes in your personality. Jotting down a sentence like, "I will be more peaceful" at least 20 times per day can actually have an impact, especially on individuals with attention deficit disorder. This actually calms the person down and retrains the brain.

In his preface to Daybreak (1887), German philosopher and philologist, Friedrich Nietzsche recommended the practice of slow reading. According to him, "it is not for nothing that I have been a philologist, that is, a teacher of slow reading; in the end I also write slowly. Nowadays it is not only my habit, it is also to my taste -a malicious taste, perhaps? - no longer to write anything which does not reduce to despair every sort of man who is "in a hurry." For philology is that venerable art which demands of its votaries one thing above all: to go aside, to take time, to become still, to become slow.

For this reason, it is more necessary than ever today (in the midst of an age of "work,") that is to say, of hurry, of indecent and perspiring haste, which wants to "get everything done" at once, including every old or new book: this art does not so easily get anything done, it teaches to read well, that is to say, to read slowly, deeply, looking cautiously before and aft, with reservations, with doors left open, with delicate eyes and fingers. (Daybreak: Thoughts on the Prejudices of Morality, translated by R.J. Hollingdale. Cambridge University Press, 1997)

The testimonials from practitioners suggest that Slow Writing allows learners to not only think about what they're writing, but also how they are writing – slowing down the writing process to ensure high
quality.

From National Pride to National Shame

National pride is the positive affect that the public feels towards their country as a renult of their national identity. It is both the pride or sense of esteem that a person has for one's nation and the pride or self- esteem that a person derives from one's national identity.While National Shame is a kind of en-masse guilt trip spread by newspapers and other media. Has its roots in archaic beliefs/notions of deference and paternalism that go a long way to fortifying nationalist sentiments and spreading xenaphobia. You only feel national shame if you swallow that sort of bullshit.

Take a look at today’s world culture. Most Countries are oblivious to global problems. Many are self centered. There’s little to no cooperation between nations. National pride needs to disappear if we are advance as a human race. National pride is present everywhere. National pride has its positive implications but it creates far more problems here, by the time children turn 18, they've been given three half-terms of intensive education in the crimes and moral wrongs of their country and people in the 20th century, and are taught to see their government and people as perpetually guilty. What happens to a people raised for three generations on limitless shame and apology? They have, at the moment, the strongest economy in the world and the most influential role in their continent's politics.

AMVCA 2022: See Full List of Award Winners

The grand finale of AMVCA 2022 (Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards) eighth edition which was held at the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos has ended in glamour and style. The award show kicked off on Sunday, May 8 with series of event consisting of fashion runaway show, content creators brunch, young film makers day, culture and food festival day.

The grand finale was hosted by IK Osakioduwa and South Africa’ Bonang Matheba. AMVCA is a yearly gathering of industry professionals and lovers of African movies and television.

In this 8th Edition, Nigerian actress, Osas Ighodaro won the Best Dressed Female at the event, while Best Dressed Male was Denola Grey, each going home with a cash price of N500,000. Also, Pascal Aka and Raquel from the movie ‘Gold Coast Lounge’ won the Best Soundtrack category walking away with one million Naira.

Nigerian actress, producer, Teniola Aladese won the Trailblazer award, going home with a cash price of One Million Naira, and also an extra gift of $2,000 dollars from the Hollywood star, Tasha Smith.

Here is a full list of winners of the 8th Edition:

1. Best Overall film - Amina – Izu Ojukwu & Okey Ogunjiofor

2. Best Actress In a Drama - Osas Ighodaro – Rattlesnake : The Ahanna Story

3. Best Actor in a Drama - Stan Nze – Rattlesnake : The Ahanna Story

4. Best Actress in a Comedy (Movie/TV Series) - Funke Akindele-Bello – Omo Ghetto the Saga

5. Best Actor in a Comedy (Movie/TV Series) - Broda Shaggi – Dwindle

6. Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series) - Omowummi Dada – Country Hard

7. Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series) - Odunlade Adekola – Jankariwo

8. AMVCA Trailblazer Award - Teniola Aladese

9. Best Director - Ramsey Nouah – Rattle Snake: The Ahanna Story

10. Best Art Director (Movie/TV series) - Tunji Afolayan – Amina

11. Best Picture Editor - Tunde Apalowo – For Maria Ebun Pataki

12. Best Sound Editor (Movie/TV series) - Jim Lively and James Nelson – Amina

13. Best Lighting Designer (Movie/TV Series) - Mathew Yusuf for Rattlesnake- The Ahanna Story

14. Best Writer (Movie/TV Series) - Manie Oiseomaye, Donald Tombia and Biodun Stephen – Introducing The Kujus

15. Best Cinematographer - Muhammed Atta Ahmed – Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story

16. Best Makeup - Balogun Abiodun – Omo Ghetto The Saga

17. Best Costume Designer - Millicent T. Jack – Amina

18. Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series (Swahili) - Freddy Feruzi – Obambo

19. Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series (Hausa) - Rogers Ofime for Voiceless

20. Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series (Yoruba) - David Akande, Demola Yusuf and Edgard Leroy – Alasie

21. Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series (Igbo) - Uche Nnanna Maduka – ‘Nne-Ka

22. Best Television Series (Drama/ Comedy) - Rogers Ofime -The Mystic River

23. Best Documentary - Saitabao Kaiyare, Mumo Liku, Elena Schilling, Daniella Fritz and Ann Katrina Boberg – If Objects Could Speak

24. Best Short Film Or Online Video - Taiwo Ogunnimo – I Am The Prostitute Mama Described

25. Best Online Social Content Creator - Oga Sabinus – Mr Funny

26. Best Movie (Southern Africa) - Hairareb- Dantagos Jimmy-Melani

27. Best Movie (East Africa) - The Girl In The Yellow Jumper- Morocco Omar

28. Best Movie (West Africa) - Collision Course – Bolanle Austen-Peters and Joseph Umoibom

29. Best Soundtrack (Movie/TV Series) - Gold Coast Lounge – Pascal Aka and Raquel