4 Fast Tips To Prevent Catching A Cold In This Season

you feel constantly surrounded by a chorus of coughs and sneezes — at work, at the grocery store , or even at home — you ’re not alone . Here are five things you can do to avoid catching a cold especially in this weather.



1 . Wash your hands.
Do so often , especially after using the bathroom or touching inanimate objects , like bathroom faucets and door handles , in public places. Also , try to stop touching your face . It allows germs easily access into the body.


2 . Go to bed early .
You need plenty of sleep to keep your immune system in tip - top shape this time of year .


3 . Eat healthy food with plenty of vitamins .
This will also keep your immune system going strong . So make an effort to fill your plate with vegetables at lunch and dinner , and snack on fruit throughout the day .


4 . Exercise.
do your best to stay moving during the cooler months . Regular exercise is another immune- system booster , which can prevent cold bugs you do catch from making you sick .

How to Make People Like You in 4 Seconds or Less

Within seconds of meeting you, people are already making judgments about your personality.

Those assessments can influence whether they want to hire you, date you, or be your friend.

So you'll want to do everything you can to make the best impression possible — before it's too late.

To help you out on that front, we checked out "How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less " by speaker and author Nicholas Boothman.

The book highlights a key strategy for ingratiating yourself with your conversation partner while greeting them.
The best part? The whole process takes just four seconds.

Read on to find out how to become instantly likable.

Step 1: Be open
Boothman says you'll want to open both your body and your attitude.
In terms of your body language, Boothman says you should aim your heart directly at the person you're meeting. Don't cover your heart with your hands or your arms. And if you're wearing a jacket, unbutton it beforehand.
It's equally important to cultivate a positive attitude. While you're greeting the person, Boothman says you should feel and be aware of that positivity.

Step 2: Make eye contact
Boothman says you should be the one to initiate eye contact, and let your eyes reflect your positive attitude.
If you feel uncomfortable making eye contact, he suggests a strategy for getting used to it: When you're watching TV, note the eye color of the people on camera and say the name of the color in your head. The next day, do the same thing with every person you meet.
Just make sure to look away at some point — as Carol Kinsey Goman
writes on Forbes, too much eye contact can feel rude or intimidating for the other person.

Step 3: Beam
Boothman advises being the first one to smile. You'll send the message that you're sincere.
Research also suggests that smiling when you meet someone in a happy context is a useful way to get them to remember you.

Step 4: Say "hello"
Whether you say "hi," "hey," or "hello," or use another salutation, you should sound delighted to be making this person's acquaintance.
Next, you'll want to extend your hand. Make sure to give a firm handshake , which generally creates a more positive impression.
When the person you're meeting gives his or her name, try to repeat it a few times. For example, you might say, "Sara. Nice to meet you, Sara!"

If you're meeting multiple people and can't shake everyone's hand at once, Boothman says it's possible to conduct a "hands-free" handshake. Do everything you'd normally do while shaking someone's hand — point your heart in their direction, say hello, and smile — but don't extend your hand.

Step 5: Lean in
There's no need to fall over into the person you're meeting.
Boothman suggests an "almost imperceptible forward tilt" to show that you're open to and interested in what the person has to say.

5 Vital Tips For This Rainy Season

As the rainy kicks off in most parts of Nigeria,
We brings you 5 vital health tips to help you stay healthy this season


1 . Wash your hands ;
This is season is where bacteria and viruses breed the most. As such, you can come into contact with them just by crossing the road or holding on to an infected bus or pedestrian bridge railing . So , wash your hands as frequently as you can with soap and warm water.


2 . Keep your hands off your face ;
The flu virus commonly enters our body through the eyes, nose and mouth and a lot of us just subconsciously enjoy rubbing our eyes or wiping our foreheads but if you must , please use a clean napkin or handkerchief instead .

3 . Protect yourself from dirty water ;
An average Nigerian street or road in a typical rainy season experiences c logged gutters and dirty puddles and these are the easiest sources of malaria causing mosquitoes andwater - borne diseases like diarrhea , influenza , cholera and fungal skin infections . Therefore , cover up to protect yourself from these diseases . Get a jacket and a good pair of rain boots . Better to be safe than sorry .


4 . Stay off street food ;
We all love our roadside akara , fries and suya but during the rainy season , food cooked and sold in the open air are likely to come in contact with airborne and waterborne diseases and bacteria . Better to eat fresh , home -cooked meals.



5 . Equip yourself with Vitamin C –
Up your Vitamin C intake either in natural form or as food supplement . This will help you drive away the cold virus faster , as a healthy supply of this vitamin will activate your antibodies and reduce the severity of cold .

Face Care Tips: 6 Tips to Protect Your Face From Sun Damage

The skin on your face is most susceptible to sun damage. In fact, one study on the distribution of skin cancer found that the highest rate of skin cancer was on the face. Furthermore, exposure to UV radiation accounts for 80% of visible signs of skin aging according to a study carried out on 298 Caucasian women. This is why it is so important to protect the delicate skin on your face from the sun. To decrease your chances of skin cancer and premature aging, follow these seven tips:

1. Sunscreen
To decrease your chances of UV damage, it is important to wear sunscreen on a daily basis. There has been a recent scare regarding the chemical composition of sunscreens but realistically speaking, UV radiation is much more dangerous than any ingredient found in sunscreens. Darrell Rigel, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at New York University claims that sunscreens lower one’s risk of skin cancer and that the benefits of wearing sunscreen outweigh any possible risks. In short, any sunscreen is safe sunscreen.

2. Lip balm
Most of us tend to forget that we also need to protect our lips from UV rays. The skin on our lips is very thin and susceptible to sun damage. The lips, along with the surrounding eye area show the first signs of aging. There are plenty of lip balms on the market that offer UV protection. Next time you plan to spend a weekend outdoors, make sure to carry a lip balm with SPF with you.

3. Watch for UV radiation
There are times of the year and day when UV radiation is at its peak. The commonly held belief is to avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. However, one recent study found that for optimal synthesis of vitamin D and the least danger of melanoma was to spend time in the sun between 10 am and 1 pm. This, of course, contradicts our previously held beliefs about sun exposure. For this reason, Darrell Rigel, M.D recommends using your common sense when it comes to sun exposure. The winter months are when UV radiation is at its lowest, and if the day is cloudy and rainy, you’d naturally assume that the Sun’s rays are not as strong.

4. Don’t forget the ears, head, neck, and feet.
These happen to be the locations on our body commonly neglected when it comes to sun protection. A study on the distribution of melanoma found that men are at greater risk of developing melanoma in these areas because these areas are more often exposed to the sun in males than in females. If you are male, make sure to wear a hat and put sunscreen on your ears and the back of the neck. Also, don’t neglect your feet when applying sunscreen.

5. Sunglasses
Previously rare, ocular cancer has been rising at an alarming rate in recent years according to skincancer.org. Besides damaging your eyes and vision, the sun can also damage the delicate skin around your eyes which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and bags under the eyes. The skin around your eyes is the first to show the signs of aging because it is much thinner than the surrounding skin. You don’t have to worry about the price of sunglasses because even the inexpensive ones will offer you enough protection as observed in one study of 32 pairs of inexpensive sunglasses.

6. Reapply sunscreen
You shouldn’t rely solely on sunscreen to avoid sun damage. Sunscreens can significantly decrease the chances of sun damage, but they are imperfect. Sunscreens break down after some time or as in the case of physical sunblocks; they clump on the skin. For these reasons, sunscreens should be reapplied at least every 2 hours if you plan to spend the day in the sun.
The skin on your face is where the first signs of aging show. It is also the most common are where skin cancer occurs. While clothing offers a lot of protection to the skin on your body, you need to take other measures to protect your face from sun damage.

Video- Photoaging:
Prevention and Treatments You Need to Know Via-Youtube

Author Bio:
Ella James is an aspiring author who is pursuing Health Services Administration degree from St. Petersburg College. She is an active contributor to Consumer Health Digest, which is a leading Health News. In recent years, she had the opportunity to review Luminique.

5 Proven Tips To Prevent Your Lips From Darkening

All women dream of having beautiful lips, with a delicate pink hue and impressive softness. However, due to some factors, the lip tissue can become darker in color and even suffer from uneven pigmentation. Among these factors, there are chronic smoking, excessive exposure to the sun and drinking staining beverages, such as coffee or tea. In the paragraphs below, we will present no less than five proven tips, destined to help you prevent your lips from darkening. Enjoy yourself while reading this article and do not hesitate to actually put this advice to good use.



#1 Lemon & honey mixture
If you are interested in giving your lips their natural, beautiful color, all you have to do is mix some fresh lemon juice with honey (in equal quantities). Apply the resulting mixture on your lips, maintaining it for about an hour. Then, rinse it off with lukewarm water. You can repeat the application as often as you want, as there are no associated risks or harmful side-effects to worry about. Everyone knows that lemon juice acts as a natural brightener while honey nourishes and moisturizes the lips. However, keep in mind that the lemon juice will make your lips sensitive to the action of the sun, so avoid going out immediately afterward.



#2 Glycerin
One of the main factors that contribute to the darkening process of the lips is the lack of moisture. Dehydration can cause the lips to appear darker than they really are, making the signs of aging more visible as well (such as the fine lines around the lips). Because of that, it is recommended to apply glycerin on your lips, right before going to bed. This natural remedy will prevent the loss of moisture during sleep, allowing your lips to look fantastic in the morning. Then, all you will have to do is apply one of the best lip plumpers and the rest of your makeup, being prepared for a truly awesome day.




#3 Water
We have already mentioned above that dehydration can cause your lips to appear darker than they actually are. It is not sufficient to resort to various remedies, hoping that they will take care of the dehydration problem. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, in order to ensure that your body stays hydrated from within. In this way, your lips are going to return to their natural color, and you won’t have to worry about such problems anymore. Water is beneficial for the health of the skin in general; when you do not drink sufficient amounts, you run the risk of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging becoming more visible.


#4 Beetroot massage
If you want beautiful lips, all you have to do is cut a beetroot into slices and place them in the fridge for a couple of minutes. Then, take a piece and massage your lips with it, for as long as you feel like. This natural remedy will restore your lips’ color, plus it will give them a soft texture. Now, you will no longer have to worry about the causes of chapped lips. The beetroot massage can hydrate your lips as well, helping them look better than ever. The good news is that you can repeat this application as often as you want; given the fact that we are talking about natural remedies, you do not have to be anxious about side-effects or allergic reactions.


#5 Exfoliating Scrub
Often, your lips have a darker color than normal, as an excessive quantity of dead cells has accumulated on the surface. You can improve the overall aspect of the lips, restoring their natural color, by applying a simple, homemade scrub. All you have to do is mix a little bit of honey with brown sugar, applying the resulting mixture to your lips. Perform a gentle massage using the scrub, in order to eliminate dead skin cells and expose a healthy layer. After a couple of minutes, rinse the mixture with lukewarm water and apply a natural lip balm. Repeat the process at least two times per week for the best results.


These are only a couple of suggestions on how you can improve the appearance of your lips, restoring their natural color. At the same time, it is recommended to avoid excessive sun exposure, as this can cause the lips to become darker and even increases the risk of skin cancer. It is also important to drink plenty of water, in order to stay hydrated and enjoy a healthy aspect of your lips (and skin in general). Avoid smoking and exposure to polluting factors, as these can cause the lips to darken as well. And, remember, whenever you are going out, you should use a lip balm with high SPF for protection purposes.







Author Bio:
Ella James is an aspiring author who is pursuing Health Services Administration degree from St. Petersburg College. She is an active contributor to Consumer Health Digest, which is a leading Health News. In recent years, she had the opportunity to review Luminique.

5 signs that technology will soon ruin your love life

By any means, technology is having a huge impact on relationships especially when it has to do with communication. In the same vein, technology has abruptly ended pleasant and loving relationships. Unfortunately, very few people are aware of this and Jovago.com, Africa's No.1 hotel booking portal rolls out tips on obvious signs to look out for to protect their love from the dangers of technology.  

You cannot enjoy a dinner until you take a photo of the meal

A dinner is meant for two. However, there is always a third companion which is your phone. During your date, you cannot enjoy time out with your spouse without fiddling with your phone or taking photos of especially your meal. At the end of the day, you will realize that both of you don't really know much about each other aside from the food and other selfies you both took and post on each other's social media page.

You are always flirting online

It is easier to meet people online. Gone are the days when men only approach women in church or on the road. Today, there virtual relationships. It is not that these virtual relationship are important to you. You are just doing it for fun. Unknown to you, you spend more time flirting online than talking to your partner. Your relationship is heading into troubled to waters.

You share too many details about your relationship on social media

If you do not want to ruin your relationship, do not share anything about your relationship online. it is unethical as it is advisable keep all private matters private. Even your partner may not like the idea of publicizing your relationship on social media whether it is on twitter or Facebook.


Stalking each other  

In a transparent and trustworthy relationship, you do not need to stalk each other. But, due  to your own insecurity, you become a detective overnight. You go as far as checking the pictures and profile of their partners online to satisfy your unfounded suspicion, and even track the phones and text messages of their partner. What will you  

Rarely pay each other visits

Visiting or seeing each other often is another way to groom your relationship. However, due to instant messages and social media, you do not deem it necessary to check on your partner. Soon, the foundation on which you built your relationship will begin to crumble and the zeal to work for the relationship will begin to dissipate

What you need to do to get that beach body

Here some suggestions for a few applications of the lifestyle changes I am talking about:



High Intensity Interval Training
Ah, good old interval and high-intensity training. I’m sure you have heard all about the numerous benefits of HIIT and for a good reason: it works. If you’re looking for a surefire way to burn fat faster and lose some pounds in the process, HIIT is a solid way to go. HIIT is more time efficient in burning fat than a traditional cardio workout. Not only will your body burn more calories but you will also continue to burn more calories and fat in the 24 hours after your workout.


Burn More
If you think that hitting the weights is the only thing you have to do to lose fat faster, you’re wrong. You need a solid balance of weight training, cardio and diet. The body will burn primarily carbohydrates during the first twenty minutes of cardiovascular exercise. Right about minute twenty, the body shifts over and starts to burn stored body fat as the primary source of energy.
You need a combination of both weight training and cardio to get fat off your body. Cardio alone will only train one type of muscle fiber and you’ll only be building one part of your fat-burning furnace. Many people do tons of cardio every day and don’t lift weights. They never change the way they look. I know a lot of people that lift weights that realize their limitations once challenged in different ways.




Hit The Weights
If you’re not already hitting the gym and racking up the weights, now’s the time if fat loss is your goal. Even if you start small and work your way up to heavier weights, gaining muscle is going to put you on the fast track to hitting that goal. When it comes to exercise, you have to train with weights to increase lean mass. Fat is burned inside of your muscle cells.
The bigger and more plentiful your muscle cells, the bigger your fat-burning furnace. Adding muscle basically increases the size of the fat-burning furnace. Dieting incorrectly or exercising incorrectly decreases your fat-burning furnace. This is often why when a male-female couple embarks on a good exercise and nutrition plan, the male drops more weight more quickly than the female. He has more muscle tissue and a much bigger furnace. He can burn food at a much faster rate than the female who has less muscle and a much smaller furnace.


Pick Up A Sport
Picking up a sport is a great way to burn extra calories, trim fat and still have a lot of fun doing it. Playing a sport involves cardio and lots of non-linear movement (jumping, back pedaling, side stepping etc), making it healthier than straight jogging. Plus you are having fun without getting bored.


You don’t have to be the next Michael Jordan to go down to your fitness facility. Just hop on the basketball court, and look for a game. Most people are happy to have another player. Just make sure you know the rules (how to dribble). I only mention basketball because that’s my sport of choice. Maybe squash is your thing, maybe its soccer, maybe its even tennis!




Reduce Stress With Yoga
Breathe deep. Relax. Breathe deeper. Feel better? Feel healthier? Well, keep doing it because it’s helping you stay fit and lose fat. Stress has been known to contribute to abdominal fat and a whole host of other health issues. Grabbing your Yoga mat and heading out for a little relaxation will go a long way towards helping you reach your fitness goals. Besides, who couldn’t use a little less stress and a little more relaxation, right?


More Home Cooked Meals… Less Eating Outside
Unless you’ve been plugging away at a healthy lifestyle for a long time, going out to eat at restaurants can be a daunting task. Most menus don’t provide very good details and calorie counts on all their meals so knowing what to order can often be an exercise in futility. The more home-cooked meals you eat, the more likely you’re able to maintain that healthy lifestyle. It’s much easier to control portion, ingredients, and quality of the food when you’re cooking it yourself.
Look at for my next article where I’ll continue with these tips, till then, try to make little changes and turn them into habits.


Good luck

7 absurd things about being a man in Nigeria

If you are a Nigerian who lives in the country, then you would understand that the society places some sort of responsibility on the men. We get to hear people say things like it is not easy to be a man and the sort.

This is because there is an unrealistic expectation the society has as to the way a man should behave and the things he ought to have at a particular period in time. as a matter of face, a Nigerian man’s life is planned out long before he starts to hustle.

If he hustles for too long without having a major break, there is problem. If he does not hustle at all, he is not a man. If he resides to fate, then he is lazy and when a richer man snatches his wife from him, he is considered unfortunate. What then is expected of a man in Nigeria and how best is he supposed to live his life when the public is sentimental about his life style and what he chooses to do at a particular time.

Find below some of the things expected from a man in Nigeria:



1. He should never cry

When he is bereaved, he is expected to hold himself and comport himself. He is not allowed to give in to emotions because it would portray him as being weak. What exactly is he, a robot?

Many people believe it is an abomination for a man to cry and being a man in Nigeria means you have to be strong always even when you are dying within.

2. You are less of a man when you are jobless

If you are a man in Nigeria who is jobless, life could become frustrating. You lose the right to air your opinion because you are tagged a recluse as a result of your joblessness.

Hanging out with your friends will be impossible because you would no longer be considered a part of them. Your license as a man is being revoked until you have what it takes to measure up to the other men in the society.


3. You must provide for your family



It does not matter if your salary is a little above 50k, you are expected to take care of your family with it, your wife must look good in the society; your parents have done their best taking care of you, now it is your turn to take care of them.

And you had better save part of that money too because your friends expect you to chat over a couple of drinks once in a while. All these would happen to you because you are a man.

4. Attending a reunion while being broke is not allowed

As a man in Nigeria, you are not supposed to let your old friends see you as a struggling person in Nigeria, attending reunions mean you have to be on your best behavior and show everyone you have made something out of yourself.

As a man in Nigeria, you are expected to form up to the point where your helper thinks you should be the one helping him.

5. Your wife should never earn more than you

Being a man in Nigeria means you have to kill yourself in order for your family to live. You are a woman’s wrapper if you seek the counsel of your mother and you half of a man when your wife puts food on the table.

Being a man here means your wife’s salary must not be more than yours and you must turn her down any time she wants to help with a bill so you do not lose your title. How sickening!



6. You are not allowed to show signs of defeat

As a man, you are to give everyone the impression that you got things under control even if you do not know where you are. You are supposed to live a false life so as to keep up with the expectations they have of you being a man. You should never accept defeat, it is a sign of weakness on your part.

7. You are to be totally useless in the kitchen
Being a man in this part of the world means your duties do not extend to the kitchen. A woman is meant to look after your needs and do everything for you. You are not expected to know how to do simple chores in the house; if you are able to boil water to a hundred degrees, you have done something extraordinary.

Learning how to cook -Oha Soup

Hey guys or should I say ladies, because this is strictly for my ladies in the house. Oh well, let’s not be stingy, we do not mind sharing with our bachelors too.
So I know some of my ladies out there look all hot, dressed up in wonderful colors and clothing and have all that sugar and spice in the bedroom but know nothing about kitchen spices. You know all the 5star Chinese restaurants in town and can locate them faster than Google map but cannot turn meals from your 1star kitchen to a 10star one. I know I sound really mean but the old saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” still stands and I know it sounds so cliché but it stays valid.


Thankfully, we have social media to the rescue, to help us in various ways even in the kitchen too without having to air our dirty laundries in public.



Today’s first cooking lesson will be on the Igbo delicacy OHA SOUP, eaten by most people in the east and south east and loved by many from diverse cultures.


What you need

Meats (whatever kind)
Stock fish
Dried fish
Ogiri (Igbo iru)
Egusi
Achi(optional)
soup cocoyam
Black pepper
Oha leaves
Crayfish
Palm oil(3 cooking spoons)
Seasoning
Salt




How to prepare

Wash and boil your meat till it’s a bit tender, then add your stock fish and dried fish. Cook till a bit soft.


For those using the cooking cocoyam for thickening, when buying make sure it is cocoyam used specifically for soup cooking. Wash and boil the cocoyam till soft, while it Is still hot, drag out the back using your hands and pound immediately into a smooth consistency.


Take out the meat, stock fish and dried fish and place the stock (water of the meat) on the fire.


When it starts boiling, pour your palm oil into the stock and allow to cook for 5 minutes.


Pour your crayfish and black pepper and stir.
If you are using achi, take a little of the stock on the fire and add to the achi in a bowl; then stir till it is smooth and pour back into the pot and stir again.


Add your seasoning and please taste first before adding salt.

Wash your oha leaves clean (the oha leaves should be shreddedwith your fingers not sliced with a knife).

Add the oha leaves to the stock, and then add your stock fish, dried fish and meat.
Cover and leave to boil for about 5 minutes.
Your oha soup is ready to be served. Tastes better with fufu but can also go with eba, pounded yam, semovita and wheat.


So ladies, no more excuses on my man eats out a lot or he doesn’t eat my food at all or he complains about too much salt in my cooking and you sticking to one type of food always. Stop being his Google map to the restaurants; let eat outs be totally his idea, he’d be fine with his GPS.


Be diverse in your choice of cooking; go put this to test and work your way to his heart NOW!!

THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING COCONUT WATER

Coconut water might be a taste quencher but this nutritious drink is packed full of necessary vitamins that are good for the body. Over the years the coconut water has become increasingly popular not because it’s an alternative to water itself but because it serves so many benefits. Second to water, this pure liquid does wonders in your quest to maintain a younger physique because it’s a power house full of anti-aging properties.


Aside from being a very essential liquid because it contains anti-aging properties, the coconut water also makes an excellent sports drink for the simple fact that it contains a similar plasma that can be found in our body which helps in oral hydration.


The interesting works of the coconut water don’t just stop there, over time doctors have been known to use it as a substitute for intravenous fluid because of its compatibility with the human body.
Drinking fluid such as coconut water and pure water already means you on a weaning streak in the race of aging slowly.


Here are some of the other benefits of this powerful liquid aside from its anti-aging tendencies;


1. Drinking pure unadulterated coconut water on a regular basis would help to reduce sagging and wrinkles on the skin thereby making the skin more elastic.


2. It helps to boost your immune system thereby getting rid of toxins and promoting weight loss.


3. Medically confirmed, because it boost your immune system it helps to heel sores and injury faster.


4. Its helps if you have indigestion problem and it also helps to carry oxygen and nutrients to the cell.


5. Its gets rid of swollen feet and hands and hey it helps with hangovers too.

6 awesome things to do alone this long weekend

Ah! Bank holidays are the best…especially when they fall a day before or after the weekend. Labour Day for Nigerians fall on the 1st of May and luckily, while it is a Sunday this year, the government has ensured we do not get cheated out of the free day by declaring the next day -Monday – public holiday. Hurray!

While holidays are great and offer the best opportunities for many to spend time with loved ones and family, it can be an especially lonely and trying time for people, who for a wide variety of reasons, find that they have to spend the entire time alone. If you are a potential “lonely Londoner” this long week, no need to worry as there are many things you can do to make the weekend a little less lonely. Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site numbers them in them in the list below:



Travel somewhere new

You can never go wrong with travelling or visiting some place you have never been to before. It does not have to be to a faraway place like America, Middle East or even Europe, which will require a long journey, cutting out valuable hours from your holiday; you can chose to go to the next town or one of the myriad tourist attractions around Nigeria. Traveling alone will allow you the luxury of going at your own pace rather than always having to make compromises on what sights to see, where to eat, and what activities to do so as to please travel partners. You are able to soak up everything about the trip that you want to and have a marvelous time .



Get experimental in the kitchen

This will only be a distasteful idea to someone who completely hates the idea of handling raw food or cooking. However, a very exciting way to spend the long weekend will be to try out new recipes on your own and test your cooking skills. You could even try to create your own recipe and come up with a completely fresh menu unknown to the world. If it all works out, you can show off your skill of special menu next time you have someone visiting.



3. Take yourself out on a dinner date

There is no rule that says a date has to be with someone else. Take yourself out on a date, go somewhere fancy and spend money on yourself. Dress up, order fine wine and an exotic meal. Take your time as you enjoy ordering anything you want without anyone else asking for a bite. If you are worried it would bore, take a book along or your iPad so you could stream short funny clips while dinning – really, what could be better than showing yourself some good old love?



Binge on a TV show

In Nigeria, the hustle is real and so most time, most of us do not have time to see all the shows we would love to follow. The long holiday gives an opportunity to get your slice of movie heaven. Pick one of the trending TV shows you have been itching to see and watch all the seasons in a marathon. Game of thrones will be a perfect option, but if you are not up for anything new, you can decided to re-watch series of old shows.



Complete a project

If you are the nerdy type who finds joy working on projects or inventing new things, take the long weekend to expand on and work on that idea that has been nagging at the back of your head. Take some time and do your research, draw up the plan and try to carry it through. You could make it all more exciting by working outside your apartment. You could visit a local library or work from one of the various patisseries around town.  At the end of the long weekend, you are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment.



Try stargazing

The average Nigerian will not only consider this idea as weird but think of it as a stressful  endeavor. It is always good to try new things. Star gazing can be very soothing and gives you an opportunity to admire nature while clearing your mind. Lay on your back and marvel at your complete and utter smallness in comparison to the rest of the universe.


Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

3 experiences every thrill seeker in Nigeria must try

There is no scarcity of things to do in Nigeria. From visiting various landmarks and tourist sites to meeting the locals and trying the various street foods, everyone has enough activities to last them a lifetime. While these experiences are almost priceless, they are not always enough for thrill seekers who storm the country for ultimate heart-pounding moments.

Adventurous travelers want their adrenaline pumping and they want to feel a certain high. Luckily, there are several other places for these kinds of travellers to achieve their goal in Nigeria. As long as you have the finances to get away for a few days, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site has rounded up 5 incredible travel activities that will rock your world.



Gear up and climb Chappal Waddi

Also known as Gangirwal a.k.a Mountain of Death, the Chappal Waddi mountain is considered the highest peak in Nigeria at 2419 meters. It is located in the southern sector Gashaka Gumti National Park, on the border of Cameroon in Taraba State. Featuring a waterfall and the thickly forested slopes, it is surrounded by flowing riverswith mischievous monkeys and chimps lurking around. A climb will leave you breathless and ecstatically thrilled.



Walk the Ancient Kano City Walls

Although this great tourist attraction in the northern part of Nigeria was built between 1095 AD through 1134 AD and completed in the middle of the 14th century, it is still described as ‘the most impressive monument in West Africa’. Talk a walk along the ancient beauty and appreciate Kano’s rugged topography while you are at it. There is no better way to explore the city’s landscape.



Tree climbing at Okomu forest reserve

Aside from the wildlife and alluring landscape, the trees at the Okomu forest reserve provide opportunities for exciting and heart-pounding experiences for adventurous tree climbers. The last surviving rainforest area in the south-west of Nigeria, you can challenge yourself with a tree climbing task and afterwards, you can enjoy a host of other attractions, as well as engage in sport fishing, canoeing or crocodile viewing if you are up for it.


Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

Space-saving hacks for packing your suitcase

The average person hates packing for a trip. There really is nothing pleasant about it: the stress of folding, rolling and squeezing clothes in, the confusion of having to decide what to pack, the dilemma of trying to manage the space you have got and the fact that it takes all the time in the world!

No one wants an over-sized luggage, and so Jovago.com, Africa’s largest hotelbooking portal suggests 4 simple yet highly effective packing hacks that will help any traveler organize their essentials much easier.



Roll your clothes, do not fold

The general method for packing clothes is folding. While folding plays a huge role in ensuring your clothes are organized and crease is limited, they can also be the reason you do not have enough space for the other stuff. Rather than fold your clothes, consider rolling instead. Rolling may require more effort, but it surely saves more space compared to folding.

Pack items inside your shoes

Shoes are usually the most difficult to pack, especially if they are made of leather or sterner materials. The shoes however can offer good space to pack smaller items as the holes in them can hold little items that won’t fit in your toiletry bag, like socks.



Place the heavy items on the bottom

Most people do not care to check the weight of the items they throw in their  bags or boxes. They jumble all sorts of item together, even placing some of the heaviest on the top, making it hard to squeeze in extra items or zip the luggage up. Endeavour to pack your heaviest items on the bottom and work your way up to the lighter items, that way, your bag will have an easier time compressing into the compartments.

Avoid little pouches and purses

While packing, the idea of keeping certain items in separate pouches or purse may seem cute or give off a super organized look, however, they are not very helpful for managing space. Rather than use little bags like toiletry and make-up bags, squeeze them into the nook and crannies of your bag or whatever little space they can fit into.

Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

Lekki: The golden treasure of Lagos

A popular city located to the east of Lagos State, Lekki has a reputation for being an area with one of the most expensive real estate assets in Lagos State, Nigeria, as it currently houses several Estates, gated residential developments, agricultural farmlands, areas allocated for a Free Trade Zone, with an airport, and a sea port under construction. There are two main local governments – Eti-osa and Epe in the area, however, it is better classified by the two phases in the Lekki vicinity:  Lekki Phase I and Lekki Phase II.

The city is not entirely intimidating as its environs are simple, classy and serene. However, with the high cost of living, the sprawl of major hot spots and limited public transport, it could pose a financial challenge for budget travellers who want to visit. Visitors are, however, bound to have fun in the area as there are numerous opportunities for fun including  several number of beaches and resorts around the location, a very bubbly nightlife and the music shows held frequently. They will find that this city is not all glitz; it has many cultural highlights as well as all the glamorous modern add-ons. Jovago.com, Africa’s largest hotel booking portal shares the details.



TOP 3 TOURIST SITES

Lekki conservation Centre

One of the major Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) conservation sites, this major tourist attraction established in 1990 for the conservation of wildlife found in the southwest coastal environment of Nigeria, in the face of sprawling urban development, covers a land area of 78 hectares in Lekki.

Lekki Craft Market

The Lekki Craft Market is a classic open air African market, which offers almost everything from antiques to traditional Nigerian woven fabrics (Aso-Oke) and batik pieces, leather goods, Benin bronze works, wood carvings, drums and masks , e.t.c.

Nike Art Gallery

Ultimately the Number one spot for Arts in Lagos state and the largest of its kind in West Africa, Nike Art Gallery is an art gallery in Lagos owned by Nike Davies-Okundaye. The gallery is Housed in a five-storey tall building, it boasts a collection of about 15,000 diverse artworks from various Nigerian artists.



LODGING

Lekki’s hotels and resorts will dazzle and delight you as they are some of most expensive accommodation in Lagos, but luckily, they leave you feeling like you have gotten your money’s worth. Also, there is actually something to suit every taste — from opulent to standard. Aside from the high-end hotels, there are a few best value hotels, with traveller-friendly facilities. Boutique hotels are wonderful as well, however, some of them lack the facilities (pool, gym etc) available in other hotels of similar price brackets in other parts of the state



SHOPPING

Lekki can be a haven for shopaholics as the locals like to look good and set trends. Shoppers are spoilt for choice between gleaming new city-centre shopping centres, boutique arcades, bohemian streets and farmers markets. There is perhaps maybe too much choice for the tourist. Visitors can get anything from high street fashions, boutique gems, jewellery, gadgets, books, games, food or anything else under the sun for that matter,



DINING

The dazzling array of different restaurants and cafes, as well as local bistros you will encounter in Lekki, reflects the sheer joy the locals take in eating. Dining out is one of the main social activity. The menu is not restricted to local foods only. From Chinese to Indian, French and Lebanese,  Lekki restaurants have got it covered.  There is also food from every corner of Nigeria (and beyond) to be sampled too.

FUN FACT:

The Lekki  Lagoon located in the North of the city is part of a rich folklore and provides an important source of livelihood for the people of Lagos and Ogun State. It is the most important common property aquatic resources and the largest source of freshwater fish production in the states.


Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

Top 5 Reasons Why You Look Older Than Your Real Age – A Must Read

The world may not be a very good place to live in but then, nobody wants to die either.

So while you are busy mounting the whole pressure of the world on yourself, you should learn to slow down and take things slow a bit. Things can get better even when you least expected, So death is not the only the way out.

Stress can make a young man of 25 looks like a man of 55, This also happens to ladies too. Slow down on your Worries.

One irony of life is that people do all they could to look older while growing in order to command respect, but after a certain stage in life, these same people try their possible best to look younger than their real ages.

There are a number of factors responsible for making people look older. Below are a list of five factors:

1. Worrying

It may be true that one may not be able to shake off the incessant thoughts about life and its dealings, struggling to make ends meet seems to be the predominant thoughts for most people. Doing this overtime makes most people become worked up. In the process, depression and other things may set in. People who worry constantly tend to lose their youthful look overtime and add a score to their ages in the process.

2. Strenuous Work

While hard work may be linked to success, it does not translate to success. Engaging in strenuous work could make you look twenty years older than your real age. This could be proved by running into your old school mates who probably pass for your mother now. While being active may make one agile, there is the tendency for one’s skin to lose its elasticity in the process.

3. Poor Nutrition

Certain kinds of foods promote youthful and healthy look. Basically, you are what you eat. What you eat reflects what your skin is going to look like. There is every tendency for you to look older than your real age due to poor nutrition. Eating foods that boost your immune system helps enhance your complexion.

4. Inadequate Rest

Many people feel they could cheat nature by going about their everyday work like robots. Fatigue can drain the color off someone’s face and could make a person look older. Not only would inadequate rest make the face dull, it would make bags grow under your eyes.

5. Relationship Stress

Many women look older than their ages after going through series of heartbreaks. In marriages, some women lose their youthful vibe because of the constant stress they go through as a result of bad or broken relationships.

Drop your Comments.

Ikeja, the heartbeat of Eko

Lagos’ fascinating capital, and the administrative capital of Lagos state, Ikeja is historic yet modish, bureaucratic yet malleable, and multicultural to its roots. It has all the advantages of a big city: rich culture, lively nightlife, international restaurants and good transport- although quite rowdy with a lot of road traffic. Wherever else you go in Lagos, allow at least a little time for Ikeja, undoubtedly a thriving, cosmopolitan metropolis, with top-flight architecture, and is eternally a trendy spot for weekend getaways and holidays. It is a center of Lagosian culture that you cannot afford to neglect.



TOP 3 SITES

Kalakuta Republic Museum

This fascinating museum is the former house and revolutionary headquarters of music Legend, Fela Kuti. It still features most of his property in its original form, from Fela’s bedroom to his underwear.

Computer village

Also popularly known as Otigba, Computer village which was created in 1997 is a large market for computer sales and repair services, as well as various types of office equipment and electronic devices.

Ikeja City Mall

One of the largest malls in Lagos State and certainly the Largest in Ikeja, Ikeja City Mall attracts a lot of visitors, both locals and tourists. Aside from shops, hair salons and eateries, it also has a cinema.

LODGING

Lodging in Ikeja is cheap compared to Victoria Island and Ikoyi, with a touch of charm and elegance. Hotel accommodation includes luxury hotels, star-rated hotels, boutique hotels, motels/inns and apartments for rent. Hotels can be booked online before you arrive at very reasonable prices via Jovago.com.



DINNING

Ikeja can hold its own with any intercontinental city when it comes to eating out, and whatever your taste, price range or preferred type of cuisine there is almost always for you.  As for where to eat, the distinction between the city’s bukkas, fast food joints/eateries, café-bars and restaurants is quite clear, and there are number of great places around the city. For visitors who enjoy drinking, many of the more distinctive bars are handily located in the G.R.A area. Some of the favourites include Red lounge and Pool terrace Bar.



SHOPPING

Ikeja is a city of contrasts with enormous diversity when it comes to places of interest and where to shop. The city has a supreme selection of small, independent shops, a marvelous range of open-air markets as well as covered shopping “streets” and a number of charming galleries. Alade market located on Allen avenue Ikeja is known to be one of the most expensive markets in the city. Shops and stores are open from as early as 8am to 6pm or 7pm Monday through Saturday. Some tourist-oriented shops open on Sundays as well.

FUN FACTS

“IKEJA” is an abbreviation meaning Ikorodu and Epe Joint Administration. It was coined by colonial administrators for ease of administration. It is also said to be fromIkehdia a Benin word meaning Watch Station (military).

Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

4 Reasons to Drink Palm Wine From Igboland

Palm wine is a local beverage which is dear to many Nigerians. Some people even believe that it is better than factory brewed drinks due to its many health benefits and those who have gulped several gourds with plates of hot pepper soup or peppered goat meat, can testify to its delightful taste. However, if you are yet to savour the sap from southeast Nigeria which doubles as the birthplace of the local drink, you need to put ordering several kegs of the sweet liquid on your bucket list.

If you are in doubt about Igbo palm wine, Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 hotel booking portal points out several reasons that will bolster or embolden you to drink this beer a beverage.



It is undiluted

You cannot compare the palm wine sold or tapped in Anambra State to the one sold in Lagos or other parts of Nigeria. Many of these palm wine drinks are already fermented, diluted and adulterated, and this has serious side effects. To a large extent, you can trust that palm wine from this Igboland because it is undiluted and from a credible source.  



Tapped from the source  

The natural taste of palm wine can only be enjoyed if you get it directly from the source. Palm wine is produced by splicing horizontal strips at the top of a palm tree and drilling a hole into the trunk. Afterwards, you attach a container held by a raffia so that the palm wine can drop into the container. It has to be collected daily. Very few people are willing to go through the stress of climbing a tree as tall as 20 metres in a city. But visit the rural areas in the South-East, you will find cheap and quality palm wine direct from the trees.  

A gourd can intoxicate you   

For persons who boasts that they are experts in bingeing, a cup of undiluted palmy, as it is popularly called, will definitely overrule this belief. You can consume liters of alcoholic drinks but you should not attempt this with palm wine as a gourd can get you tipsy while several gourds will get you completely drunk. You have to be disciplined to consume such a natural intoxicant.



It is healthy  

It is quite risky to drink diluted palm wine because many are unaware of the condiments which have been added to pep up the taste. But for the ones directly tapped from the tree, it is very healthy. Some of the health benefits include control of  cardiovascular diseases, slows aging, good eyesight, increased in sperm count and aid milk production in lactating mothers.



Ogunfowoke AdeniyiTravel/Technology Writer

6 things to know before touring West Africa by road

The idea of going on a road trip out of Nigeria to other West African countries can be exciting for adventurous people but, while people travel every day to other west African cities such as Cotonou, Togo, Accra and Douala, either by public buses or private cars, very few of them are prepared for the experience they eventually face on the road. They leave excited and return discouraged, determined never to go on another road trip.

The truth is, travelling to other West African countries from Nigeria by road can actually be rewarding as long as you keep these things listed below in mind and prepare yourself for them. To help you prepare appropriately, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 onlinehotel booking portal suggests 6 things every traveler must know before setting out on this journey.

Your Nigerian Passport and Yellow fever Card are essential

Most people assume that they can just freely travel from Nigeria to neighboring West African countries without their International passport as they are all members of ECOWAS nations and have their visa waived, but that is not the case.

Every traveler is expected to provide their passports for stamping, as well as the Yellow card for proof of health before they are allowed to pass the border. Travelling without these documents can ruin your trip with border delays and denied entry.

Adult diapers will not work

Most cross-country trips can take from as long as 5 to 24 hours, depending on where you are going to and where you take off from.

A lot of travellers are skeptical about using the toilet on the bus, stopping by the roadside to ease themselves or using public toilets along the way, so they resort to wearing adult diapers. Unfortunately, adult diapers are of no help when travelling outside the country to West African countries. Not only will it be utterly uncomfortable, thanks to the long distance and bumps on the way, it could arouse undue suspicion from the officers at the border or even the NDLEA staff.

It is cheaper to change currencies before setting out

The Naira is only relevant for buying and selling within the country, and so, you will need to use the currency of whatever country you are visiting to be able to make purchases there. As a result, you have to ensure you visit any bank of choice or ‘bureau de change’ to trade the money you need for the trip before you set out. Some would advise that you wait till you get to the border before you change your money, but the truth is that the exchange rate at the border is always higher and less beneficial. You best bet is the bank. Alternatively, you can decide to use your ATM card if your bank allows that, but the charges for such transaction are also usually very high.

There is are different time zones

We may all be West African countries, but different countries operate in different time zones. For instance, Nigeria is 1hour ahead of Ghana and Benin Republic. Ensure you research to note the time difference between Nigeria and the country you are visiting, that way it is easy for you to keep track of time.

Also, some people are affected when they migrate into different time zones. If you are one of those, you may want to prepare yourself and pack whatever remedy you need to keep your body in check.

You will cross most borders by foot

Before setting out on your trip, ensure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes as aside from several stops that the bus will have to make for you to stretch your legs and buy food, you will have to cross most borders by foot.  

For most of these borders, especially the Ghana border, it is a long trek which will be very difficult if you are not prepared for it. It is advisable to carry a small handbag where you can keep your valuables, so that when you are crossing the border, you only need to hold it and leave the other entire luggage in the vehicle.

Prepare to stay offline for most of the trip

The beauty of a road trip is taking random pictures and posting them online on making instant videos for Snapchat and Instagram.

If you are travelling out of Nigeria to West African countries, you may not be able to do these as the roaming rates are very high. Sending a text from Togo alone is as high as N300 per text message and the data rates are outrageous.  Also, unless you are an MTN subscriber you may not even have access to any of the mobile networks. The only way out may be to buy a new SIM card that works in the country you are visiting at the border and insert it on your phone.

Ndem Nkem

Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

10 rules for success from Africa’s richest man

Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian billionaire and Africa’s richest man. He is founder of the Dangote Group which has interests in a broad range of industries including food processing, cement manufacturing and freight. Below he shares with us his 10 rules for success:

1. Listen to people
2. Be consistent
3. Possess the right information
4. Be focussed
5. Think ahead
6. Have a vision
7. Do only things you understand
8. Think big
9. Form strategic plans
10. Your name is your most valuable asset

5 things to know before marrying an Igbo girl

Are you in love with an Igbo girl and planning to marry her? Then this is for you!

Igbo girls, a sect of Nigerian girls from the south-eastern parts of the country, are one of the most beautiful and intelligent women in the world. However, they have other unique quirks which impact their marriages considerably.

For those who have fallen in love with Igbo girls and are unaware of these other things that come with being eternally linked to them, Jovago.com, Africa’s No1 online hotel booking site, has put together a little list to help you understand your wife to be. Please keep in mind that list is applicable to most Igbo girls, but not all, like everything else, there are exceptions to the rule.

They value the presence of their family

Igbo girls have deep regard for family and so usually want to have members of their family around most of the time. Her relationship with her parents, siblings and even extended family is close knit and she will not compromise or cut them off in a hurry.

Any guy marrying an Igbo girl has to keep in mind that their home will always be packed with family members gossiping, quarrelling and laughing. Even if you decided to live far away from family, be rest assured that she will keep sending random things back home, will get home-sick a lot and so, will be in constant communication with her family.

They will speak their language to the children

While most Igbo girls are well-groomed and can speak English without the detection of a local accent, they are usually well-versed in their dialect and are proud to speak it at any time. Even when they marry from other tribes or country, they do not neglect their dialect for their husbands or a foreign one.

Their children most usually speak this mother-tongue first before learning that of their husband or any other language. So also, they tend to pass down unique Igbo traits and traditions to their children even if they are married into other tribes.

They will take care of you with love

Igbo girls are beautiful and intelligent, but most of all, they are very caring, hardworking and industrious.

They are generally strong women and while the husband plays the head of the home and brings home the bread, she most likely ends up being the foundation of the house: takes care of the kids, the budget, the food, the home generally. She will not hesitate to take up several jobs to support her husband and family, and she will still fulfill her wifely duty to keep everyone happy.

They are very religious

Igbos are very religious people and their preferred religion is Christianity. Most Igbo girls are brought up in strict religious homes and as such, they have the fear of God and the belief in His supremacy instilled in them.

Even when they get emancipated from their parents, they still carry those values with them into their marriage and homes. Be prepared to go to church every Sunday, and observe religious holidays and church programmes once married to an Igbo girl, they hardly compromise on this or convert to other religions.

Their local delicacies will fill out the home menu

Igbos have a large variety of delicious dishes and their women are trained to know these recipes from an early age. They also have a love for their local meals and so they find it difficult to change their diet to food from other areas.

No doubt after marriage, especially if they are married to someone from another country or tribe, they can make the necessary compromise and eat other dishes, but be rest assures that they will not throw their home food completely away. They find ways to cajole their new family into accepting their local dishes and this is usually easy as Igbo meals are usually delicious and the girls are great cooks.

Ndem Nkem

Travel/Tech Writer Jovago Nigeria