Johns Hopkins University Awards Chimamanda Adichie Honorary Degree

Chimamanda Adichie was awarded an honorary degree by Johns Hopkins University on the 18 of May 2014 during the University wide Commencement at Royal Farms Arena.
The award-winning author had some advice for the graduating seniors.


She said, “Eat real food as often as you can. And embrace ignorance. Say those words ‘I don’t know’, Because by embracing ignorance you open up the possibility of knowledge”

Opera Launches Free Unlimited VPN For iOS

Over the last few weeks, Opera has upped its game and delivered several new features to its existing products. The developer version of its desktop browser now includes a free VPN and an inbuilt ad-blocker. Just over a week ago too, Opera Mini received an update that lets you block ads from showing on the mobile browser.




Opera has taken it even further by launching a free VPN app for iOS. This doesn’t only encrypt your connection and change your IP address, it also has features that let you block ads from showing in all browsers and prevent websites from tracking you.
I installed the app and it does exactly what is says. For now, you can switch between 5 different countries while using the virtual private network.
Unfortunately, the ad-blocker has no whitelist. All ads are blocked and there’s no way to support sites you like. We lamented about this when this same feature was added to Opera Mini.
Opera VPN has no hidden charges, it is completely free. These recent moves from Opera on all platforms are to generate more awareness for its desktop browser. If you’re wondering what else Opera gains from this, Chris Houston, president of Surf Easy explains:



*"
“ [Opera makes money] by collecting anonymous data about how people use their mobile device. This information is made available to third parties who are interested in better understanding the mobile ecosystem and how it’s evolving.**




Well, data collected cannot identify you personally, these are more like survey data about how a group of people use their devices. Opera too explains that advertising may later be introduced within the app.
Theres no word yet on when the free VPN app wil be available on Android.

China tops list of countries most welcoming to refugees

People in China , Germany and Britain were ranked as the world ’s most welcoming to refugees in findings published by human rights organisation Amnesty International . On Wednesday , the rights group said that residents of Russia, Indonesia and Thailand were considered the least welcoming out of 27 countries in the Refugees Welcome Index , which measured public levels of acceptance of refugees .
The index ranked nations on a sliding scale of how willing citizens said they were to welcome refugees into their homes , neighbourhoods, cities , towns or villages and countries . Around the world , it found that one person in 10 would be prepared to take refugees into their homes . “ These figures speak for themselves , ” said Shalil Shetty .


“ People are ready to welcome refugees , ” he said, but governments ’ inhumane response to the refugee crisis is “ badly out of touch with the views of their own citizens ” . The five - year long conflict in Syria , which has claimed around 270, 000 lives , has sparked a major refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe as people flee the fighting . Millions more people are displaced around the world each year by conflict and disaster .


In China, which was ranked as the most welcoming country , 46 percent of people said they would take refugees into their own home. Those in Britain were the second most willing to do so at 29 percent . While one in 10 Germans said they would accept refugees into their homes , 56 percent said they were welcome and 96 percent in their country . In Russia, where people were ranked as the least welcoming, 61 percent said they would refuse refugees access to their country.

Strike: “We are open to dialogue” – NLC President

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),
Ayuba Wabba in Abuja on Thursday, said it was ready to negotiate with the Federal Government.
Wabba said this while briefing newsmen after a closed-door meeting between the leadership of the union and the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
He, however, said the strike would continue as the government had yet to reach out to the union for negotiation.


He said he did not walk out of any meeting with the federal government.
He added that the union had not received any formal invitation for meeting with the government since they commenced the strike.
“The Senate leadership called us to brief them about what transpired and where we are now, which we have already done.”
In essence, what we did was to try to give a preview of the process we have followed to arrive at the stalemate.


“This is also to confirm because there has been media reports that we had been invited and we refused to attend meetings. We said no, we have not received any formal invitation for any meeting. The strike is still on but we are open to dialogue,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Wabba-led faction had embarked on industrial action since Wednesday due to the hike in fuel price from N86.50 to N145 per litre.
However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the
Joe Ajaero -led NLC faction withdrew from the industrial action.
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said NLC had shown commitment for dialogue, adding that the National Assembly will play its role in resolving the crisis.
NAN recalls that Senate on Wednesday directed its committee on Labour to mediate between the government and labour unions to resolve the differences.

SA Fashion week 2016. Apply Now!

For more details on the SA Fashion Week New Talent Search 2016, please visit: http://www.safashionweek.co.za

Over 5 Million People Die Annually From Tobacco – WHO

In commemorating the Family Doctors’ Day, today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) report has revealed that annually, over five million people die worldwide as a result of tobacco intake as they were affected by lung cancer, heart diseases including heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, erectile dysfunction and birth defects.
Also, it was estimated that over one billion people globally practice tobacco smoking with reasons given to as recreational and fulfilment of some religious rituals, among several others.
President of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Dr. Frank Omo-Ehijele Odafen, who gave the 2016 theme as “Smoking Cessation,” disclosed yesterday in Abuja, that many passive smokers such as children were affected by the behaviour of others.
To stem the tide which he said has killed approximately half of long- term smokers when compared to age mortality rates faced by non-smokers, the association urged federal government to put some wholesome laws in place which is expected to protect non- smokers.
He encouraged the government to legislate that every family should have a family doctor as according to him, a family doctor .


“All government at all levels should ban smoking in public places/transport systems.Government should institute high taxation on tobacco products, National Broadcasting Corporation(NBC), should run advertorial on TV/ radio to discourage smoking, government should disallow all commercials advertising or promoting smoking in the media- print and electronic and government should provide social rehabilitation centres for those willing to give up smoking. Cultural practices that discourage children and youths from embracing smoking should be given more impetus and government should legislate that every family should have a family doctor,” he advised.

The dangers of processed foods

In today’s fast pace world, more and more people are consuming processed foods worldwide without adequate knowledge on its disadvantages. Statistics shows that there is a reduction in the consumption of whole organic foods. Scientific data has shown links between processed foods and health problems such as Obesity, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Diabetes to name a few.



The definition of what constitutes a processed food can vary slightly, processed foods applies to any food that has been altered from its natural state in some way, either for safety reasons or convenience to extend its shelf life. Processed foods aren’t just microwave meals, but also refer to foods that are packaged in boxes, cans, jars or bags.





Food processing techniques include freezing, canning, baking, drying and pasteurising products. In addition to going through many complex processing steps, processed foods often contain additives, artificial flavourings and other chemical ingredients.



Processed foods have ingredients that are high in salt, sugar; fructose syrup and fat. These ingredients are added to processed foods to make their flavour more appealing and to prolong their shelf life, or in some cases to contribute to the food’s structure.
Each 50-gram (1.8-ounce) portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent, according to the WHO





These foods are higher in calories due to the high amounts of added sugar or fat in them. Sugar is empty calories; it has no essential nutrients, but produces a large amount of energy. By nature, our appetite gravitates toward foods that are sweet, salty and fatty because these are the foods we need for survival, however, this results in people consuming more than the recommended amounts, because they are unaware of how much has been added to the foods.


Processed foods are extremely low in nutrients compared to whole foods. In many cases, synthetic vitamins and minerals are added to the foods to compensate for what was lost during processing. These synthetic nutrients are not to be compared to those found in whole foods.


Processed foods are high in trans-fat, which raises the level of cholesterol in the blood. Elevated levels of cholesterol increase the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, processed foods tend to be low in fibre and require less time and energy to digest.



Nutrition information on food labels is an important source of nutritional information but it typically underutilised by consumers. Adequate knowledge on the ingredients will save a lot of individuals from health challenges. By looking at the ingredient list on a product, it is easy to determine whether a food is high in fat, trans-fat, sugar or salt

**


These are guidelines that show if a food is high or low in fat, trans-fat, salt or sugar:""

Total fat
High: more than 17.5g of fat per 100g ; Low: 3g of fat or less per 100g
Trans-fat
High: more than 5g of trans-fat per 100g ; Low: 1.5g of trans-fat or less per 100g
Sugars
High: more than 22.5g of total sugars per 100g ; Low: 5g of total sugars or less per 100g
Salt
High: more than 1.5g of salt per 100g (or 0.6g sodium) ; Low: 0.3g of salt or less per 100g (or 0.1g sodium)
For example, if you are trying to cut down on trans- fat, try to limit the amount of foods you eat that have more than 5g of saturated fat per 100g.
The best way to approach a healthy, balanced diet is as simple as swapping processed foods for whole foods. The body runs most efficiently on food that is in its natural form, or very close to it. Processed foods means the body has to work harder to do its job. People have thrived on vegetables, meat, eggs, fruits and other whole foods for centuries, while processed foods are a new phenomenon. If we make the body’s job easier, it will make our lives easier.

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

Saraki, others meeting with NLC leaders in bid to end strike

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has convened an emergency meeting aimed at brokering peace between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the federal government over the ongoing nationwide strike, his office has said.



Bamikole Omisore, Mr. Saraki’s spokesperson, wrote on his Twitter page on Thursday that the Senate President, alongside other principal officers of the upper chamber were meeting with officials of the NLC.
“Leadership of Nigerian Senate is now in a meeting with Nigerian Labour Congress to broker peace between labour and government on fuel price deregulation,” Mr. Omisore tweeted.


“Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is meeting with both factions of NLC. Comrade Wabba, Issa Aremu, Honourable Ekwe, Dr. Ozo-Eson, Comrade Adeyemi, Dr Fashina and others,” Mr. Omisore tweeted.
In a text message to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Omisore said senators present at the meeting include, Francis Alimikena, Suleiman Nasif, Kabir Gaya, Joshua Lidani and Mao Ohuabunwa.
The NLC had commenced a nationwide strike on Wednesday.

NYSC Postpones 2016 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Orientation Course

The authority of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) regrets to announce the postponement of the 2016 Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) Orientation course scheduled to commence on Saturday, 21st May, 2016 due to logistics reasons.


We enjoin all Prospective Corps members to watch out for a new date to be announced later.
All inconveniences are highly regretted, please.

Nigeria Immigration Service gets new boss

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Martin Abeshi, has retired.
Mr. Abeshi was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 27, 2015, after holding the position in an acting capacity for six days.


Mr. Abeshi is to be replaced by Muhammed Babandede, who will take over as interim Controller-General of Immigration.



Until his appointment, Mr. Babandede was in charge of the Operations and Passport Directorate of the service.

Wizkid Set To Go On Tour With Chris Brown

Star boy Wizkid ,is indeed set to take over the music industry.
It has just been confirmed that the talented singer will be going on tour with multi-award winning singer,
Chris Brown.







This was announced by Mavin’s Bizzle Osikoya, who shared a screenshot of the event on his Instagram account earlier today.
@wizkidayo added as Support act on @chrisbrownofficial #OneHellOfANiteTour #major
A photo posted by Bizzle Osikoya (@bizzleo1)...


Wizkid would be performing alongside French Montana, August Alsina, amongst several others at Chris Brown’s One Hell of a Nite concert in Amsterdam.




He earlier tweeted his excitment saying:
2016 All Mine
2016 all mine!
1:09 PM - 19 May 2016
386 298
Wizkid Ayo Balogun
@wizkidayo


Well done Wizkid!