DO YOU KNOW THAT ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR YOU TO LIVE FOREVER?

With the fall of Adam in the garden of Eden came death. The good news? The story did not end there! John 3:16 continued the story with, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” Yes, you got that right... everlasting life!

One great thing you need to know about God is that He does not give up on us. His hands of mercy are always stretched out, waiting for us to see the error in our ways and reach out to Him. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that God is the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. This means we are no longer doomed to destruction. We have that never failing hope that though we die, yet shall we live. John 11:25

The key is to accept Jesus Christ into our lives. He is the way out. John 3:17 tells us, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved”. Acknowledge and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He came to save you, for John 3:18 says, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”.

Regardless of how bad or evil you think you are, salvation is open to everyone. We were all born sinners, Romans 3:23 clearly says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. This means no man was born perfect, no man was born already saved. Ignore that voice telling you that you are not good enough or that no one can save you or whatever negative thing you are hearing. Those are all lies. Luke 23:39-43 tells the story of two thieves that were crucified with Jesus, one wasted that opportunity and decided to mock Jesus instead. The second thief on the other hand, recognised it as his only opportunity to enter into eternal life and he utilised it. The thief said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” And Jesus said to him, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise”. Luke 23:42-43. And just like that, a person who had spent his last days stealing and was being executed for it, gained everlasting life only because he believed.   

Are you out there still wallowing in sin? Christ is waiting for you. No need to waste any more time. Stop having sex outside wedlock, stop cheating people, stop watching pornography, stop fantasizing about your neighbour's wife or husband, stop flirting with your secretary or your colleague as a married person, desist from pride, greed and laziness, desist from those outbursts of anger. Christ is waiting! Christ is waiting for you! Just open your heart to Him, invite Him into your life. The latter part of Matthew 9:13 says, “For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”.

Or did you once believe in Christ but in the course of life you have gone astray, you have forgotten your first love, you have departed from the path of righteousness? Do not be disheartened, there is always a provision for a U-turn. You can come back to Christ, He has not given up on you, He has not turned His back on you. Remember the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. A son beloved of the father decided to leave the true path and go on his own way. When he returned to the father to beg to be treated as a slave, was he turned away? No! The father threw a huge feast in his honour and welcomed him with open arms. Do you remember the story of Peter? After working so closely with Christ, learning at His feet and seeing so many miracles, he denied Christ at the first sign of trouble in Matthew 26:69-75. Peter denied Christ not once, not twice but three times. Still, that was not the end of his story. The same Peter who denied Christ three times won about three thousand souls after preaching his first sermon in Acts 2:14-41 and he went on to become one of the pillars of the early church.

Have you been an unsteady Christian? Hot today, cold tomorrow. Or has your faith been shaken by the challenges of life and you find yourself beginning to entertain doubts or harbouring anger against God? Your case is not lost, your story is not finished. The apostle Paul testified in 2 Timothy 3:11 that, “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” 2 Timothy 3:12 also says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”. This means you and I as Christians, should not expect the road to be smooth all the way, there will definitely be bumps and gallops and flat tyres and fuel stops in this journey of life but God is always there to see us through. Return to God today, hold unto Him again and this time around, don’t let go. 

Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me”. This is an invitation to you, yes you! Christ is at the door of your heart knocking. Open the door today and accept Him as your Lord and personal saviour. Romans 10:9 concludes that, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”. And as simple as that, eternal life will become yours!

10 URGENT SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP KANO

Kano state is one of the states to be hit hard recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are ten ways you and I can help Kano state curtail the pandemic:

Provide food and water to families in need, according to your capacity

Contact anyone you know who’s a top official in the Special Marshals or Army or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), to mobilize for more volunteers to help in the markets and isolation centres 

Curb the panic by restraining from spreading messages of woe on social media

Write and share articles to educate people on the benefits of social distancing 

Contact your pastors or imams to mobilize for digital  prayers for the state

Go for testing immediately you experience any of these symptoms; cough, fever, tiredness or difficulty in breathing

Keep uninformed family members and loved ones informed about the pandemic so that they may not fall prey to the disease

Share this article on all social media platforms to create public awareness

Practise social distancing and personal hygiene

Stay informed, stay home and stay safe.

SEVEN SPIRITUAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES THAT MAKE YOU POWERFUL

Bible quotations are taken from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible

Eat the Word of God in the Bible: 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”. Psalm 119:105 says “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”. Matthew 4:4 days “Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'”. Psalm 119:130 says “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple”.

The entire Christian life is to be totally dependent on the Bible for it is our life support. It is God expressing Himself to us in human words. It is God revealing Himself to us and within it, we can find everything we need.

Understanding of Jesus Christ: Romans 10:9 says “If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”. John 6:35 says “Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.’” John 14:6 says “Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'”. John 8:12 says “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'”. 

We are saved today because of Jesus, for by Adam, we all must die but through Jesus we have eternal life. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. 

Prayer/Living with the Holy Spirit: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “Pray continually”. 1 John 5:14 says “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us”. Prayer is a connection to God that ensures free flow of communication from Him to us, and from us to Him. 

However, Romans 8:26-27 says “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will”. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Advocate, our Intercessor, our Comforter, our Counselor, our Teacher and Guide. 

John 14:26 says “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”. John 16:13 says “But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come”. When you live with the Holy Spirit, you will never go wrong.

Fasting: Fasting consecrates, it enhances prayer, it subdues the flesh and brings it under the power of the spirit. Jesus Christ began His ministry with fasting in Matthew 4:1-2 and He was strengthened spiritually to overcome the devil in Matthew 4:3-11.

Fasting is also a sign of repentance. If your ways have not been right with God, now is the time to truly repent and return to Him. Joel 2:12 says “Even now, declares the Lord, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning”.

Giving/Gifting: Proverbs 11:25 says “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed”. Luke 6:38 says “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”. The blessings attached to giving are innumerable. The latter part of Acts 20:35 wraps it up by saying “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.

Holiness: Romans 6:22 says “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life”. 1 Peter 1:15 says “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do”. 

Ephesians 5:3 says “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people”. Romans 12:1 says “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship”.

Holiness is the only way of life that is profitable. Matthew 5:48 concludes, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Peace: John 14:27 says “Peace I leave with you: My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. 

Do not let anxiety and fear rule your life. Key into the peace of Christ, 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”. Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

May the eyes of our heart be enlightened that we may know the hope to which He has called us, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, in Jesus' name. Amen!

Honesty is compatible with haggling

I got a revelation which I tested and it worked fine. Someone might find it useful. I gave a builder a contract of 6.93M and he sounded so honest to a fault. I asked him why he was so zealous for the work. His answer was that he just loved the project as he would gain only a hundred thousand Naira after executing the task expected to last about 5 months. I said that was very kind of him and I was generous with gratitude. I asked for his details and transferred the 100k  within minutes. My admonition was that his profound cheapness was not compatible with our modified competitive capitalism. He has used all known methods to beg for the work but I am disgusted by his liberal intensive persuasive exaggeration.

Patiently Aggressive USD BILLIONAIRE: the tools we deployed in writing this noble book.

Writing a book may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools, the task can be tackled more easily. Here are the tools that aided the work of writing this great book:

Dictionary— This was used to check for definition of words, spelling and proper usage of words.

Bible— This was used in citing Biblical references to serve as either a base or backup for a position for spiritual accuracy.

The versions used were the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) and the King James Version (KJV).

Google Docs—The platform used to write the book, you can liken it to a canvas upon which an artist paints. The entire book was put together on Google Docs.

Phone (Android) keyboard— This was employed in doing the major typing work in the book.

Gboard—This was necessary due to the presence of certain special characters which cannot be obtained on the original android keyboard.

An Android device— This has the capacity to support all the necessary applications used in writing the book and carrying out research online.

Google— This search engine was used for quick research to garner more information on ideologies, synonyms, accuracy of words, punctuation, and other things incidental to writing a book.

YouTube– This was used for consultation, research and sometimes verification when it had to do with certain practical topics.

Google drive – Thanks to this, the book and all other necessary files were saved and made easily accessible.

WhatsApp – This was used for easy flow of communication between the writing team.

Gmail – When the idea of the book was birthed, it was  shared via email after which, the writing team began the work.

SEVEN IMPORTANT REASONS A YOUTH NEEDS MONEY

Money gives you freedom to make choices: Money gives you a wider variety of options in life. On the other hand, lack of money narrows your choices to whatever your meagre resources can afford, regardless of whether or not you like it or whether or not it is even good for you. And as we all know, majority of good and quality things in life, ranging from goods to opportunities, require higher financial implications.

Money enables you to execute your dreams: Every youth has a dream he/she plans to achieve. And whatever projects you want to undertake, require money. Do you plan to start a business? You need money. Do you plan to further your education? You need money. Do you plan to have a family in the future? You need money. Do you plan to build a house in the future? You need money.

Money provides the basic human needs: The basic human needs of food, clothing and shelter, are provided for with money. To conveniently and continuously feed yourself, clothe yourself and shelter yourself, you need money.

Money enables you preach the Gospel on a wider scale: God has commanded us to go into the world and preach the Gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). To reach more people, money is needed. For example, missionaries require money for travels, materials and sustenance, even the local churches need money to go for evangelical outreaches in rural areas. 

Further, preaching the Gospel goes beyond just telling others about the Word of God. If your unsaved neighbour is in need of food, preaching the Gospel entails you telling him about Christ and giving him food. If you don’t have the money to provide the food, it is highly doubtful that your preaching will make much impact because at that point, the most important need of your neighbour is food. The same is even said for brethren in church, how much more the unsaved. (James 2:15-16)

Money gives you the opportunity to give more: A popular saying goes thus “You cannot give what you do not have”. Do you desire to give to the needy, the orphans, the widows? You need money to bless all these lives. Giving a person in need 500 naira will feed him today. Giving that same person 500 000 naira to establish a business, will feed him for life.

Money teaches you independence and responsibility: Money enables you to stand on your own. With money, you can say goodbye to a life of dependence on others. 

Money also requires responsibility to ensure it doesn’t develop wings and fly away. With money, you learn to be responsible in handling it, a person who is responsible with money usually exercises such form of responsibility in many areas of life.

You cannot live a life of significance without money: Living a life of significance goes beyond the individual. It extends to impacting lives around you and in the process of this, you will need to part with money from time to time to meet whatever needs you identify in your community.

Even the Bible recognises the importance of money. Ecclesiastes 10:19 concludes by saying “but money answereth all things”. Therefore, do not be deceived by the notion that money is evil. The Bible says it is the love of money that is the root of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)

You do not need to love money to have money! The difference therefore lies in your approach to money. The proper approach is to see money as one of the essential tools to navigate life.

POVERTY AND SIN ARE FRIENDS

A God that wants His children to prosper and live in abundance surely does not want us to live in lack. 

3 John 2 says “Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”. This verse shows us that it is God’s Will for His children to enjoy all round prosperity—spiritually, financially, emotionally, health wise and in all ramifications. Note the words “above all things”, they reflect how important it is to God for His children to prosper.

 It is God’s wish for us to prosper, what does He do? He equips us to become wealthy. Deuteronomy 8:18 says “For remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to make wealth”. Our God is not contradictory, He is very consistent. If He wants us to be good, he does not want us to be evil; and if He wants us to prosper, He definitely does not want us to be poor. Our God is a holy God and He gives us the power to make wealth, by extension, this means on the one hand, that wealth is a by-product of holiness. And on the other hand, that poverty is a by-product of sin.

Remember that God’s promises to us can only come to pass in our lives if we are in alignment with Him. Deuteronomy 15:4-6 says “However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess, as your inheritance, He will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised, and you will lend to many nations and borrow from none...”  Now if God has said that we will be prosperous if only we obey Him, the other side of the coin is that, if we do not obey Him, we will be poor. When do we disobey God? It is when we sin. Sin is anti God, it is contrary to God and it opens us up to whatever God doesn’t want for us. 

Simply put, if you obey God, you prosper. If you disobey God and continue in sin, you don’t.

HOW WE WROTE THE BOOK ON WEALTH CREATION, SIGNIFICANCE IN LIFE, COUPLED WITH BLISSFUL FAMILY LIFE

It all started with a vision. With my experiences in life and the processes I have passed through to get to where I am today, I did not want to keep these to myself because I live to have significance in life and to lead others to have significance. Therefore, I asked myself how can I teach people this and enlighten them? And the idea of a book was birthed. The written word is powerful, it can always be revisited and reference can always be made to it so it is not easily forgotten. 

Decision: After the vision was birthed, I took an active decision to actualize it and bring it to life. I begun to set the necessary mechanisms in place and the work started. A vision without actualization is dead. 

Teamwork and Leverage: No one is an island of knowledge. Writing involves so many things such as editing, technological know how, proofreading and so on. A lot more can be achieved when the labour is divided and you team up with people who have the required capabilities. And so a team was imperative to the success of the book. 

It is not enough to just have ideas, it is important that they are conveyed in a way that can be understood by the public to achieve the desired impact.

Setting of goals: For every part of the book, goals were involved. Setting goals gave us guidelines to follow. It also enabled us to easily fish out ideas that were incompatible with or generally detrimental to the development of the book. Every goal set and accomplished resulted in the success of the book.

Research: Research was a major key to the success of the book. It is very easy to make errors and research aids in avoiding many errors and misconceptions. It exposed us to certain important ideologies which people are yet to be exposed to. It also enabled us to make informed suggestions.

Determination: It is without doubt that there were certain challenges but determination to carry out what we set out to do and accomplish it, overrode whatever challenges that arose. In fact, the more the challenges, the stronger the determination. We saw the challenges not as roadblocks but rather as stepping stones to move forward. 

God: We owe everything we are to God our Creator. Without Him, nothing can be achieved. 

10 REASONS YOU SHOULD EMBRACE 5G FAST

5G stands for 5th generation mobile network.

The previous generations of mobile networks are 1G which delivered analogue voice; 2G which introduced digital voice; 3G which ushered in mobile network; and 4G LTE which introduced mobile broadband. 

What is 5G bringing to the table?

5G is faster than 4G:

5G will be able to deliver up to about 20 gigabits per second, peak data rates and above 100 megabits per second, average data rates. On the other hand, 4G can only support peak data rates of up to 300 megabits per second.  

5G is more capable than 4G:

5G network is a platform designed to elevate mobile broadband experiences as well as support new services, all spectrum types and bands.

5G has lower latency than 4G:

Latency is the time that elapses between when we give an order on our device, and the occurrence of the action. 5G technology could drop latency to 1ms which is about fifty times less than the average latency of 4G network.

5G uses spectrum better than 4G:

From low bands to mid bands and high bands, 5G is designed to get the most out of every bit of spectrum. 

5G will have a positive impact on businesses:

With the increased dependency on the internet for marketing and provision of other services, 5G will be able to provide high data speed and increased network reliability thereby enhancing the efficiency of businesses which will translate to higher patronage and profits.

5G will have a positive impact in the medical field

5G will enable new services that can transform medical procedures such as remote healthcare. Remote healthcare enables doctors constantly monitor a patient’s condition, and perform check-ups, without the patients having to go to the hospital or the doctors having to go to the patients’ homes.

5G will have a positive impact on disaster management

Artificial Intelligence will not be left out. Drones transmitting via 5G will aid in disaster management, providing real time data for emergency responders and allowing for quicker response. 

5G is designed for forward compatibility:

5G is designed with the ability to comfortably support future services that are still unknown today. 

5G has more capacity than 4G:

5G is designed to support about a hundred times increase in traffic capacity and network efficiency. 

10.Greater number of connected devices: 

The number of devices which can be connected to 5G network is greater. And they will all have access to instant connections to the internet. 5G will be able to support about a million devices per square kilometre, while 4G supports only up to 100,000 devices per square kilometre. 

It is without doubt that when we all embrace 5G, we embrace a better future. 

MASKS AND CORONAVIRUS

 In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, it has become common for people to wear masks in order to prevent contamination and further spread of the disease. It is therefore important to have certain information to serve as a guide on the selection and use of masks. 

TYPES OF MASK 

The common types are Surgical Masks and Cloth Masks.

Surgical Masks: Commonly used by health workers. It does not protect the wearer from inhaling air borne bacteria and viruses. It blocks only large particle droplets, splashes, splatter or sprays. It also reduces the exposure of the wearer’s saliva and respiratory secretions to others.

Surgical masks also remind the wearer not to touch their mouth and nose so as not to transfer virus/bacteria after having touched a contaminated surface.

Surgical masks should be discarded after single use because viruses/bacteria can grow and flourish inside the reused mask.

Surgical masks usually have N, R or P written over them. N means the mask is not oil proof, R means the mask is oil resistant and P means the mask is oil proof.

Cloth Masks: These may seem cheaper and more practicable to use because they can be reused after washing. However, they are less effective than surgical masks in terms of filtration efficiency. A cloth mask is a woven material, therefore pore size is bigger than that of a surgical mask which is made up of non-woven polypropylene material. Surgical masks are therefore recommended. 

RESPIRATORS

Respirators have a tighter seal than masks and usually, air passes only through its material after filtration.  As such, not all respirators are the same. They are graded according to their filtration efficiency, type of filter used, type of material used and additional features. 

In terms of filtration efficiency, they are usually graded as 95, 99 and 100 which mean the respirator is capable of trapping either 95%, 99% or 99.9% respectively, of particles even as small as 0.3 micron size.

WHO SHOULD WEAR A MASK?

It is advisable that we take all precautions to curtail the spread of coronavirus. Consequently;

Sick persons should wear the surgical mask to prevent spread of the disease.

A person taking care of sick persons should wear the surgical mask to prevent contracting the disease.

All health workers should use the surgical mask as they stand the risk of exposure to the respiratory secretions of infected patients.

Everyone should wear surgical masks while in public. 

Stay informed and stay safe!

THE CORONAVIRUS BOYCOTT

This article is provided as an information resource only. It is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned herein, seek medical attention immediately! 

DEFINITION  

Coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19, is a highly infectious disease caused by a new virus.

SYMPTOMS 

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS, AVOID PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY:

Cough

Fever

Tiredness 

Difficulty breathing in more severe cases

PREVENTION 

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water 

Maintain at least 3 feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing 

Go a step further to maintain at least 3 feet distance between yourself and anyone when you go out, regardless of whether or not the person is coughing or sneezing 

Keep your hands away from your face- eyes, nose and mouth 

Avoid shaking hands, hugging and all forms of physical contact. Greet with a wave instead. 

Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose the tissue immediately 

If you use a face mask while out, cover your mouth and nose well and don't touch the mask once it's on. Dispose single-use masks immediately after each use and wash your hands immediately after disposal

For areas under curfew, obey the curfew and stay home

For areas yet to be placed under curfew, avoid going out unnecessarily and avoid all forms of physical contact when you are out.

TREATMENT 

Although a few countries have reported some people who have recovered from the disease without special treatment, there is no specific medicine to prevent or treat coronavirus. Medical research remains ongoing. 

Coronavirus can be fatal so take all necessary precautions to curtail the spread of this disease. 

Stay informed and stay safe!

Exercise and push death away

EXERCISE 

This article discusses exercise and its benefits for adults.

The three main types of exercise:

 

Aerobic exercise — includes walking, running, or swimming, which increase the flow of blood through the heart. 

Resistance training — exercise designed to increase muscle strength and includes lifting weights. It's sometimes called anaerobic because the muscles do not get enough oxygen to sustain anaerobic exercise for prolonged periods of time.

Stretching exercise — designed to improve flexibility and prevent injury. Good range of motion in all joints helps to maintain musculoskeletal function, balance, and agility.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

●Regular exercise prevents premature death. Exercise also lowers the risk of death in men with coronary artery disease.

●Exercise burns calories and may help to burn calories even while not exercising. Exercise also helps maintain muscle mass while dieting. 

●Improves blood sugar control in diabetics and can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. 

●Aerobic exercise helps decrease blood pressure; this effect may be even greater in people with high blood pressure. 

●Exercise improves the blood fats (lipid profile) by decreasing triglyceride levels and raising high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) levels. 

●Reduces tension, anxiety, and depression.

●Exercise which uses the body's weight to work against gravity, including walking or running, helps to prevent osteoporosis and reduces fractures. 

●Exercise training can improve circulation and exercise tolerance for people who have angina (chest pain from a reduced blood supply to the heart).

●Exercise prevents breast and prostate cancer, delays or prevents dementia, and decreases the risk of gallstone disease.

●Helps with quitting smoking. 

TESTING BEFORE AN EXERCISE PROGRAM

Most people do not need to do this, but it's best to check with a doctor. People with diabetes or multiple risk factors for heart disease may need an exercise test before starting an exercise program. 

GETTING STARTED

If you don't normally exercise, start exercising for a few minutes at a low intensity (eg, walking). This will prevent discomfort, disappointment or disability from muscle pulls and strains. 

As physical fitness improves, slowly begin to increase the frequency or time, with a goal of getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, five days each week. 

Perform moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week. 

EXERCISE PROGRAM

Warm up — Begin exercise sessions with a 5 to 10-minute period of warm-up with low-level aerobic exercises (walking, stationary cycling, calisthenics), and then stretches and flexibility movements. Warm-up allows for a gradual increase in heart rate and may reduce the risk of injuries.

Workout — Keep the workout fun and interesting by mixing up aerobic exercise, strength training and stretching.

Aerobic exercise — Walking, cycling, stair climbing, and other endurance-type activities. Low-impact activities like swimming are excellent for people with arthritis because they are less likely to cause injury.

To decrease repetitive strain to your muscles and other tissues, vary the exercises you do. For example, swim three days in a week and walk on other days.

A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (eg, brisk walking) is recommended on five days each week. Alternatively, 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise (eg, jogging) on three days each week. 

If you are breathless, fatigued and sweating, you have done excellently.

Resistance training — can be done with weights, machines, or exercise bands at least twice a week with at least 48 hours of rest between sessions. Most experts recommend at least one "set" of 8 to 12 "repetitions" of this exercise, for each of the major muscle groups.

●A repetition is a single completed back and forth motion of a resistance exercise, such as bending and extending the arm at the elbow while holding a weight in the hand.

●A set is a number of repetitions done without resting.

Begin with light weights, resistive bands, or even a can of food, to allow the muscles and other tissues to adapt. 

Don't perform resistance training if you are in pain or have swelling anywhere.

Stretching — Stretching and flexibility exercises should include every major joint (hip, back, shoulder, knee, upper trunk, neck). Engage in a few minutes of low-intensity aerobic exercise before stretching. Movement into a stretch should be slow, and the stretch itself should be held for approximately 10 to 30 seconds. Don't bounce while beginning or performing a stretch.

Each exercise should be performed several times. The stretch should not cause pain but only mild discomfort.

Cool-down exercises — should be done for approximately five minutes at the end of an exercise session. Cool-down may include slow walking, calisthenics and stretching. This allows the body to clear built up acid in the muscles and allows more blood back into the circulation. This helps to prevent muscle cramps and sudden drops in blood pressure that can cause lightheadedness.

EVALUATING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM

Exercise should fit into the daily schedule (for example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or take a longer route to walk from one place to another), be enjoyable, and feel safe.

However, health problems, changes in job type or hours, and vacations may disrupt your exercise program. Getting back on track can be tough but is an important step in maintaining the benefits of exercise.

WHEN TO SEEK HELP

If any of these problems occur, stop the activity and contact your doctor immediately:

●Pain or pressure in the chest, arms, throat, jaw or back

●Nausea or vomiting during or after exercise

●Palpitations or a sudden burst of a very fast heart rate

●Inability to catch your breath

●Lightheadedness, dizziness or feeling faint during exercise (feeling lightheaded after exercise may mean that a longer cool-down period is needed)

●Feeling very weak or very tired

●Pains in joints, shins, heels or calf muscles (not an emergency but should be evaluated if it doesn't resolve)

PRECAUTIONS

●Drink fluids during and after exercise.

●Don't exercise outdoors if it's too hot or cold.

●Wear supportive, well-fitting running or walking shoes. Replace shoes showing signs of deterioration (eg, cracking, separation of shoe from the sole, imprint of the foot in the insole).

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH THROUGH DIET

This article summarizes the relationships between various foods and specific health conditions, and concludes with general recommendations for following a healthy diet. 

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

●Increased intake lowers risk of premature death, cardiovascular diseases including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.

●High intake may reduce the risk of cancer. Tomato and tomato-based foods may be beneficial at lowering the risk of prostate cancer.

●Recommended intake is at least five servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily.

FIBER

High intake can decrease the risk of CHD, colon cancer, and premature death. It also protects against type 2 diabetes. Eating soluble fiber (like vegetables, fruits, and especially legumes) may help control blood sugar in diabetic patients. 

The recommended amount of dietary fiber is 25g per day for women and 38g per day for men. Many cereals, fruits, and vegetables are excellent sources of dietary fiber. Read the product information panel on the package to determine the number of grams of fiber per serving.

GRAINS AND SUGAR

Eat whole grain foods (like 100% whole wheat bread, steel-cut oats, and brown rice) instead of foods made with refined grains (like white bread and white rice). Regularly eating whole grains helps weight loss and lowers the risk of diabetes. Regularly consuming refined grains and added sugars leads to weight gain and increased risk of diabetes.

FAT

Eating foods higher in healthy fats and lower in unhealthy fats may reduce the risk of CHD.

The type of fat consumed appears to be more important than the amount of total fat. Polyunsaturated fats (like, corn oil, walnuts and omega 3 found in fish) should be taken instead of trans fats. 

Trans fats appear on food labels as “partially hydrogenated oils”. They are found in many margarines, commercial baked goods and oils kept at high temperatures for a long period, such as frying vats in fast food restaurants.

Although saturated fats (found in animal products like cheese, butter, and red meat) have been viewed as unhealthy, and monounsaturated fats (found in combination with other fats in oils like olive oil) as healthy, newer evidence suggests that saturated and monounsaturated fats do not significantly increase or decrease the risk of CHD, although saturated fats raise cholesterol levels.

Don't replace unhealthy fats with refined carbohydrates (eg, white bread, white rice, most sweets) as this may lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (good cholesterol), which increases the risk of CHD.

RED MEAT

Regularly eating red meat (like beef, pepperoni, and pork), increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

FOLATE

A type of B vitamin that is important in the production of red blood cells. Low levels of folate in pregnant women have been linked to a group of birth defects called neural tube defects. To ensure adequate folate intake, take vitamins containing folate and cereals fortified with folate.

ANTIOXIDANTS

These include vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene. Many foods, especially fruits and vegetables, contain these vitamins as well as additional antioxidant properties. It is unclear if they help prevent cancer, and some studies show they may actually cause harm. Individuals who have specific vitamin deficiencies may take antioxidant vitamin supplements.

CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D

Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake particularly in women, reduces the risk of osteoporosis. A doctor can help decide if supplements are needed. Experts recommend that premenopausal women and men consume at least 1000mg of calcium per day and postmenopausal women should consume 1200mg per day. No more than 2000mg of calcium should be consumed daily. 

For vitamin D, 20 micrograms per day is recommended for adults over 70 years old and postmenopausal women. For other adults, 15 micrograms per day is generally recommended.

ALCOHOL

Moderate alcohol intake (just one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men) may reduce the risk of heart disease. However, regularly drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer in women; cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, larynx and liver; cirrhosis and alcoholism; and injuries and other trauma-related problems, particularly in men.

Those who do not drink alcohol should not start.

People under 40 years who are at low risk of cardiovascular disease should not drink because the risks outweigh the benefits in this group.

CALORIE INTAKE

Too many calories lead to weight gain and obesity, which are linked to premature death and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, numerous cancers, and other diseases.

The total number of calories a person needs depends upon these factors:

●Weight

●Age

●Gender

●Height

●Activity level

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A HEALTHY DIET

Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and a little red meat. Get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. To achieve this:

●Include fruits and vegetables in every meal. Eat a variety of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

●Snack on vegetables.

●Give your kids fruits as snacks.

●Put fruit on your cereal.

●Consume at least half of all grains as whole grains (like 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain cereal).

●Choose smaller portions and eat more slowly.

Cut down on unhealthy fats (trans fats and saturated fats) and consume more healthy fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat). To achieve this:

●Choose chicken, fish, and beans instead of red meat and cheese.

●Cook with oils that contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, like corn, olive, and peanut oil.

●Choose margarines that do not have partially hydrogenated oils. Soft margarines (especially squeeze margarines) have less trans fatty acids than stick margarines.

●Eat fewer baked goods that are store-made and contain partially hydrogenated fats (like many types of crackers, cookies, and cupcakes).

●When eating at fast food restaurants, choose healthy items for yourself and your family, like broiled chicken or salad.

●If choosing prepared or processed foods, choose those labeled “zero trans fat.”

Avoid sugary drinks and excessive alcohol intake. To achieve this:

●Drink unsweetened and non-alcoholic beverages, like water.

●Avoid making sugary drinks and alcohol an essential part of family gatherings.

LOSING WEIGHT FOR HEALTH

This article is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own doctor regarding any medical questions or conditions. 

INTRODUCTION

Develop a relationship with a doctor who has experience in helping people lose weight and make the accompanying lifestyle changes, as the doctor can find the best plan for you, monitor your progress, and provide advice and support.

STARTING A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

Different approaches work for different people so keep trying until you find what works for you.

First Stage: Weigh yourself; Measure your waist circumference; Calculate your body mass index (BMI)= weight in Kg divide by the square of your height in meters.

●BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight

●BMI of 30 or greater is considered to be obese

A waist circumference greater than 35 inches (88 cm) in women and 40 inches (102 cm) in men increases the risk of complications such as heart disease and diabetes.

First Goal: Avoid gaining more weight!

TYPES OF TREATMENT

Your doctor can help determine what combination of weight loss treatments would work best for you. These treatments include:

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

This approach may involve these:

The triggers that make you want to eat — Find out the situations that make you eat even when you are not hungry.

The trigger may be related to a certain time of the day or to a certain activity, like watching tv or sitting at a desk working. 

Eating — Change your eating habits by;

●Using a smaller plate for meals

●Eating more slowly

●Making your meals more colourful by adding carrot, cucumber, tomato, etc.

●Keeping healthy snacks (like carrots and fruits) around in case you get hungry between meals

Proteins, fruits and vegetables = Lower weight Foods like fries or chips, baked goods, soft drinks and meats like beef = Weight gain. 

Goals and rewards — You might set a goal to avoid eating after a certain time for a week, with a longer-term goal to lose 5% of your weight by a certain date.

Don't use food as a reward.

The idea is to reward yourself for changing unhealthy behaviours.

Avoid temptations – When possible, avoid situations in which your ability to stick to healthy eating may be threatened. In addition, learn how to say "no" when urged to eat at social gatherings.  

Support system – Have a friend to provide support and reinforce good behaviour. Family support is also essential; if your family doesn't support you, this can slow your progress or even keep you from losing weight.

Positive thinking – If you eat an unplanned meal, thinking negatively may lead you to eat more. Think "since I've eaten outside my diet, I should do something to get back on track".

Reduce stress – Stress triggers unhealthy eating habits in some people so find a way to deal with difficulties without eating.

CHOOSING A DIET OR NEW EATING PLAN

How quickly you lose weight depends upon factors, such as your age, gender, and starting weight. Generally;

●Young people lose weight faster than older people. 

●When dieting, men lose more weight than women of similar height and weight.

●Extremely overweight people lose weight faster than mildly overweight people.

Choose foods that contain enough protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and vitamins (balanced diet).

Avoid alcohol, soft drinks, artificial fruit drinks and baked goods since they have calories but lack important nutrients.

Low-fat diet — 

●Eat low-fat foods like beans, egg white, etc. 

With this diet, increase healthy carbohydrates in your diet (eg, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables).

Low-carbohydrate diet —  Eating between 60 and 130 grams of carbohydrates per day.

●With a very-low-carbohydrate diet, you eat between 0 and 60 grams of carbohydrates per day

Carbohydrates are found in fruits, vegetables, bread, rice, pasta, cereal and dairy products. With this diet, make healthy choices for fat and protein (eg, fish, nuts, beans); eating a lot of saturated fats (butter, beef) increase your cholesterol level and raise your risk of heart disease.

Which diet is best? Choose a diet or meal plan that includes foods you like to help you follow it. 

Fad diets — Promise quick weight loss (more than 0.5 to 1kg per week) and may claim that you don't need to exercise or give up your favorite foods. They lack any scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness, instead relying on "before" and "after" photos or testimonials.

WEIGHT LOSS MEDICINES

Medication may aid weight loss when combined with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. In addition to their expensive nature, it's important to understand their risks, benefits, and limitations. Although weight loss medicines may not help you reach your "dream" weight, they can contribute to reducing your risk of diabetes or heart disease.

Consult your doctor to guide you on what medications to use.

Some of the available weight loss medications are;

Phentermine — (brand names: Adipex-P, Lomaira) reduces food intake by causing you to feel full more quickly while eating.

Side effects; increase in blood pressure and heart rate, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation and nervousness. 

Do not take phentermine if you have heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, or a history of drug abuse.

If you don't lose at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks, stop the medication and talk with your doctor about other options.

Bupropion-naltrexone — Side effects include nausea, headache, constipation, insomnia, vomiting, dizziness, and dry mouth. 

If you don't lose at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks, the medication should be discontinued.

Do not use bupropion-naltrexone if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, a seizure disorder, or an eating disorder. Or if you take (or have recently taken) other medications containing bupropion, chronic opioids (narcotics), or monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS NOT RECOMMENDED 

This is because some are unsafe, while others have not been proved to be safe or effective.

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERIES

Bariatric (stomach) surgery may be an option in certain situations, if a person is unable to lose weight with lifestyle changes and medications.

HYPERTENSION AS A NEGLECTED KILLER

Yakubu just slumped in the office and died.

Tina went to have her bath and she collapsed in the bathroom.

Sam was driving and he had a heart attack. By the time he was rushed to the hospital he had died.

Mr. Gida retired and he had a stroke one month later.

These are stories we have heard before and will continue to hear. The culprit? Hypertension!

Hypertension also known as High blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. It is when the blood pressure is above 140/90. It becomes severe if it rises above 180/120.

Hypertension often has no symptoms and requires medical diagnosis. If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can cause heart conditions such as heart failure, thickening of the heart muscle, coronary heart disease and other conditions. It can also cause stroke and sudden death.

CAUSES

The exact causes are not known but there are several contributory factors which include;

Being overweight/obese

Stress

Smoking 

Excess consumption of alcohol 

Lack of physical activity 

Genetics 

Too much salt in the diet 

The danger in hypertension is that while symptoms may be absent, it's effects may come upon the victim suddenly.

If you have already been diagnosed with hypertension, do not panic. Although it can not be cured, it can be controlled. Keep consulting with your physician, take the prescribed medication and effect the necessary lifestyle changes.

If you do not have hypertension, here are some tips to help prevent it;

Eat a healthy diet; less salt, less fatty foods 

Exercise regularly 

Maintain a healthy weight 

No smoking 

Limit alcohol consumption or stop it totally 

Regular check-ups to know your health numbers 

WHAT ARE YOUR HEALTH NUMBERS?

Blood pressure 

Total Cholesterol 

Blood sugar

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Generally, the ideal numbers for most adults are;

Blood pressure = 120/80 mm Hg

BMI = 25kg/m2 

Fasting blood sugar = 100 mg/dL

Knowing your health numbers will guide you on the necessary lifestyle changes you need to make.

CHECK-UP CHECK-UP CHECK-UP

Regular check-ups with your physician or cardiologist, are essential. This will ensure early diagnosis and timely intervention. If you have not been going for check-ups, begin today. As we all know, forewarned is forearmed.

How to become significant in 10 years.

Here we are, two days to go to year 2020. Many of us always look forward to a new year, believing that somehow it will be better than the previous year. Some actually write out resolutions, things they plan to do differently in the new year. This is not bad. But I will like to invite you to sit back and reflect over the past 10 years of your life. 10 years is long enough to:

Start and finish a first degree, and a masters degree as well. 

Start a relationship, get married and have 2, 3 or even 4 children. 

Buy a piece of land and build a house.

Write a book and sell at least 10,000 copies. 

Start a business and see it established and become profitable.

Get a job, plan an early retirement and quit the job.

Invest as little as 50 000 naira monthly and end up with an investment portfolio in millions.

Start a cattle business with 1 cow and see it upgraded to an abattoir.

Start a farming project; Mushroom farming, Fish farming, Poultry, Piggery, or a vegetable garden, and see it become profitable. 

10 years is long enough to transcend from poverty to riches. Remember that poverty is a choice. You are what you think. Today's decisions determine tomorrow’s results.

There is more you can do with your life. Sadly, many of us do very little. We restrict ourselves. You don't know what you're capable of until you try! Go beyond your limits, go beyond what you think you can do! 

Cast your mind to 2009 and take stock. Did you achieve your 2010 resolutions? How about 2011 & 2012 resolutions? How many resolutions have you been able to achieve over the past 10 years? If you look back and review your past decade (2009 – 2019), you may agree with me that you may have wasted it. You surely could have done far better than what you have settled for.

LET YOUR NEXT DECADE BE DIFFERENT!

You must resolve today that the next decade of your life will be different, better and more successful. This resolution should lead you to do different things and to do things differently!

Strategize and plan for your next decade IN ADVANCE!!! Come up with a clear vision of the kind of future you desire to see unfold in the next 10 years of your life.

Make a list of 100 things you desire to do in the next decade. It could be long term like completing a degree course or short term like getting a passport. 

What 100 things would you like to do or have in the next 10 years? You can accomplish them all if you think you can!! 

WHO SHOULD SEE A CARDIOLOGIST?

A cardiologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels and the blood. As such, cardiovascular diseases affect the heart, the blood vessels or both.

A cardiologist will review a person’s medical history and carry out a physical examination. A cardiologist may check the person’s weight, heart, lungs, blood pressure and blood vessels, and carry out some tests like Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), ambulatory ECG, exercise test or stress test and Echocardiogram.

The following are the groups of persons who should see a cardiologist;

Persons who have symptoms like 

Shortness of breath

Dizziness 

Chest pain

Changes in heart rate or rhythm 

These are symptoms of a heart condition. 

Persons who have had a heart attack or heart failure. 

Persons who have heart diseases like;

Atrial fibrillation 

Arrhythmia 

Congenital heart disease 

Atherosclerosis 

Coronary heart disease 

High blood cholesterol and triglycerides 

Congestive heart disease 

Hypertension 

Pericarditis 

Ventricular tachycardia

Persons who neither have the aforementioned symptoms nor heart diseases but have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol. 

A person who is or has been a smoker.

Persons who are diabetic.

A woman who has pre-eclampsia or had it and is currently pregnant or in her menopause. This is because she may be at higher risk of heart problems.

A person who is about to start a new exercise program 

A person who has chronic kidney disease. This is because damaged kidneys increase the risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure and stroke. 

A person who has peripheral artery disease (PAD)

A person who is experiencing leg pains, especially ones that are associated with activity. This could be a sign of blockages in the leg caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD) which is a disease highly associated with stroke and heart attack. 

In addition to these categories of persons, every other person may see a cardiologist to find out their personal health numbers, these are a person's blood pressure, body mass index(BMI), fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. These numbers provide important clues to a person's heart health. In addition to this information, a cardiologist can give expert advice generally on how to prevent heart disease. 

In a nutshell, everyone should see a cardiologist.

Kobe, snake, rat, China, helicopter, and Nigeria.

These rattles our world now. Who will wipe our tears of milk and fire. Rat you gave lassa, snake yours is corona virus and helicopter you took a celebrity friend to eternity. Peace please ride home. Work our rest oh mercy.

General Qassem Soleimani: the science of death today.

General Qassem Soleimani, a well experienced military lord, under world class protection, lost his life to artificial intelligence (AI). This to me is one of the under examined consequences of embedded systems engineering in the scheme of things and the philosophy of our world today and for the future.
It would have required life to take his life. It would have taken a team of recklessly brave  soldiers with no regards for grave to imagine attacking  General Qassem Soleimani. The embarrassment is that it took only a high precision microcontroller to achieve this monumental combat.
What then is my point? Privacy is now a dream of tales. Artificial intelligence can now take the place of a National army. War, battle,  and combat are now topics for embedded systems engineers. Any Nation without AI capability is not remote from extinction.
My recommendations are self-evident. Are you protected? Ask an engineer not your guard. You may win wars but not battle without Artificial intelligence in the time from now. Your worth may now relate more to cost of microcontrollers. Morality of privacy at an all-time deep. No AI no power. All AI, the prime of an end.

NIGERIA... SAY HELLO TO CONSTANT POWER SUPPLY!

Due to unreliable power supply we experience here in Nigeria, the need for alternative electricity sources has become pertinent. Many of us rely on generators for electricity. However, this has major disadvantages such as the cost of fuel or diesel to power the generator, air pollution from the release of harmful gases from the generator and even the noise which the generator emits can be a nuisance.
A better and cleaner alternative is Solar energy. Solar energy is a reliable and efficient source of electricity. Transitioning to solar energy is a solution to the electricity woes in Nigeria.
WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY?
Solar energy is light and heat from the sun that is used by a wide range of technologies. It is one of the sources of renewable energy. Other sources of renewable energy include wind, rain and waves. Electricity generation is one of the key things which solar energy provides.
There are many benefits to be derived if we take advantage of solar energy, some of which are;
• Solar energy is available every day of the year
With solar energy, electricity is generated every day. No more “Ahh! NEPA has
taken light” because there will always be light. Interestingly, even on cloudy
and rainy days, power is still generated so we enjoy it every day, every time every season!
• Solar energy is cheaper
Without solar energy, when you pay for light, you may or may not see it. When you don't pay for light you will be disconnected and getting reconnected is another cost on it's own. On the other hand, with solar energy, you pay for light once and for all by buying and installing the solar panels and you enjoy light continuously. No more electricity bills; the money you have been using to pay for the bills can be utilized elsewhere. No more disappointment and frustration when there is power outage.
• Solar energy is more constant
Unlike other sources of renewable energy like wind, tides and waves, solar energy has the advantage of constancy. That is to say, it is not always windyneither are the tides always high. We should also have it in mind that we depend on river Niger for our power supply in Nigeria and it is this hydroelectric power supply that has proven to be unreliable so far. On the other hand, the sun is always there to generate solar energy.
• Solar energy is eco-friendly
Reports over the years show an alarming increase in air pollution rates due to emission of greenhouse gases from burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal. This has led to continued depletion of the ozone layer and climate change. The use of solar energy therefore does a great favour to the environment. “How?” you may ask. Solar energy is renewable and clean. Clean in the sense that in the generation and conversion of the energy for usage, no toxic gases are released and no damage is done to the environment. There is virtually no environmental hazard connected to the use of solar energy. This is far different from the smoke generators exhume that contains carbon dioxide which is harmful to the environment.
Therefore, when you use solar energy, you play your part in the reversal of environmental degradation. That is, you're saving the earth from damage.
• Solar energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels
What are fossil fuels? Fossil fuels include petroleum, coal and natural gas.
They contain high amount of carbon which is toxic to the environment. Burning of fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming! They are non-renewable, that is to say they are not easily replaced naturally to keep up with consumption.
On the other hand, solar energy is not harmful to the environment and is definitely renewable. With solar energy, no more waiting for NEPA to bring light and no more buying of fuel for the generator because there will always be light!
• Solar energy is safer for our electronics
With solar energy, power surges or low current and other similar problems are non-existent. Our electrical appliances are therefore safe and able to live out their lifespan. We can confidently turn on the fridge, the television, the fans and AC, heat water, charge our phones and laptops without fear.
• Solar energy requires little maintenance
Once installed, solar panels can last for more than 30 years without maintenance. The inverters usually last for about 10 to 20 years. So install your solar panels, sit back and relax!
USES OF SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy can be used both at home as well as for businesses. Below are some of the uses of solar energy;
➢ Solar energy can be converted into electricity and used to power our homes.
➢ Phones and laptops can be charged.
➢ Sound system, television, fridge, heater, hot plates and other electronic gadgets can be used whenever needed.
➢ Businesses such as computer centres, cafés, cold stores can be powered by solar energy.
➢ Bigger companies can be powered by solar energy.
These all need electricity to run effectively and efficiently. Fortunately we live in the tropical region where we enjoy strong and steady sunlight year round.
Why don't we begin to utilize what has been given to us for free? Sunlight is available to everyone every day. Why don't we all seize this opportunity to gain freedom from irregular electricity supply which has plagued us for years and hindered the smooth running of our daily activities?
HOW CAN I BEGIN TO ENJOY SOLAR ENERGY?
Are you looking for where to get reliable and durable solar panels? Search no more! XINDEL NIGERIA LIMITED RC 1478242 is a renewable energy company that specializes in the sale and installation of quality solar panels and inverters as well as their maintenance. The solar panels are suitable for a variety of uses including residential, agricultural, institutional and commercial uses. The company has set up thousands of solar panels in various homes, offices, businesses, farms, schools and other ventures all over Nigeria. And guess what? They can also set up yours!
Fortunately for you, you need not leave the comfort of your home to contact them. All you need to do is call this number, 07030200372 and place your order. The solar panels and inverters will be brought to your doorstep as fast as you want it, wherever you are in Nigeria!
Once your solar panels are installed, you can say good bye to generator noise, good bye to buying of fuel for generator and good bye to darkness forever!
CONTACT XINDEL NIGERIA LIMITED RC 1478242 CALL 07030200372 TODAY!

THAT "ONE HOUR" EVERYONE NEEDS

Usually, a one-hour encounter is all you may need to have your life questions unravelled. As a result  of the said encounter, your entire life is set on a new paradigm that will change all outcomes forever. 

It all began on the 7th of December, 2019 while making a phone call, a colleague of mine invited me to an event, the CMDA dinner party. I obliged him as I quickly sorted out what I had left, and drove to the venue since I was already late. 

I must confess  that I felt strange and uncomfortable in that gathering since that was my first time of attendance. It was indeed a gathering of great minds and my attention was drawn to the speaker whom I will simply call “DR MP".

He spoke with such aplomb on why we need to live a purpose-driven, God-pleasing life here on earth. He stated that from the beginning of creation it was designed that man should have the best of God’s investments on earth. He further listed common limitations many people face with particular reference to profession. He postulated that as a result of these limitations, it becomes difficult to attain the level of freedom one would desire to attend. He however proffered some of the solutions to some of the limitations he mentioned. At the end of  the teaching, an altar call was made for the attendees to enter into a covenant of wealth. 

Having been convinced by the revelation and the wisdom in his teachings, I approached him and asked for a possibility of meeting him one-on-one to enable me tap from his wealth of experience. I was happy that he obliged me and we exchanged contacts.

Consequently, both of us met on the 10th of December, 2019 at the ARD lounge of ABUTH where we had an extensive as well as in depth discussion in which he elaborated on his previous teachings of 7th December, 2019. I must confess that after this meeting, my philosophy and outlook about life took a totally new dimension for the better. Some of what I learnt from my encounter with this man of wisdom, I will enumerate herein.

Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle 

Contrary to the generally accepted philosophy and norm that “entrepreneurship is a vocation for a selected few” I learnt from my interaction with him that entrepreneurship is for everyone. He made me understand that only a few percentage of the world’s population dare to learn and develop themselves along this line. He narrated part of his life experience while growing up. This was to the effect that his mother had exposed him and his siblings to trading/sales. I then reasoned that by analogy, from the beginning, we were all in the  loins of Adam when God gave him the mandate to be fruitful, multiply, dominate and replenish the earth. This means that humanity has been vested with the enabling capacity to express its inherent potentials. It equally means that part of that expression is veering into diverse fields of one’s choice, entrepreneurship inclusive. 

Decision, the first step to every great achievement 

He expressed this obvious fact by stating that many people desire to be free. However, only very few are willing and determined to give what it takes to achieve their desires.  It dawned on me that determination, consistency and commitment are vital elements for the attainment of success and by extension greatness. The question that demands an answer is this, to what and in what areas of endeavours do we need commitment? The simple answer is that we need commitment in all  areas of life; commitment to self-discovery, consistent personal growth and development, being bold in taking “wise" risky steps, our association with great minds (master minds) that task our brains to bring out the best in us. We have to deliberately programme our minds to refuse mediocrity and embrace challenges that will spur us to greater heights and achievement. 

He emphasized that, with the said commitment coupled with practical application of other success-related principles we can achieve great success. 

Procrastination, the killer of great achievements

It is said that the best time to start is now. Whenever an opportunity presents itself to us, wisdom demands that we take calculated and prompt steps to seize and utilise same. The evil in procrastination is many people who procrastinate end up not taking any action towards actualising their heart desires. Over a period of time, it has been observed that fear of failure is one of  reasons for procrastination, mental and physical laziness is another reason for procrastination. It is to be noted that no matter one’s weakness, with determination to improve on ourselves as well as seek knowledge on the intended field of exploration, we can always excel. We can acquire the needed knowledge by interacting with experts in that field and also by reading books/materials from such great minds. By taking such steps one can tap from their wealth of experience and expertise. The result is one inescapable end which is success. 

The God factor 

This great man reminded me of the fact of divine intervention which he believes also plays a vital role in people’s lives. The Bible tells us that the race is not to the swift neither bread to the wise. He cautioned that we should take cognisance of God's intervention because it’s God that gives us power to make wealth (Ecc.9:11,Deut.8:18). He stressed that wisdom to accomplish outstanding results derives from the giver of all good things, God who is our enablement. Therefore, it is imperative that we have a personal relationship with God if we must do exceptional exploits in our endeavours which include our entrepreneurial endeavours. 

With reference to the greatest entrepreneur that lived in the Bible, the man Joseph, the Bible tells us that Joseph was a man who was committed to a life of godliness and holiness. He had an intimate relationship with God. By reason of his relationship with God, God revealed unto him the solution to a global problem. By divine revelation and as well as the application of the principles revealed to him, Joseph became the most powerful and successful entrepreneur of his time. Note, he became next to Pharaoh and held a post that was specifically created for him in Egypt at that time. All these were as a result of divine wisdom through which Joseph introduced the method of preservation and the storage of perishables for the period of about fourteen years (14 years).

Still on my interaction with this  great “teacher”, I realized that entrepreneurship involves solving problems and offering services and goods for value. For as long as one is engaged in rendering services to impart humanity positively, such a person will remain relevant in the course of human history.  This can only be possible when you connect to wisdom from on high, GOD. Remember, the Bible says in James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him"

By the end of my meeting and interaction with this man I will always refer to as great, my philosophy and thinking about life received a total turnaround. 

My question (assignment) to my readers is, what are you willing to do differently in order for you to achieve your desires or dreams?

Remember, the decision to be committed to consistent self-growth, interacting with great minds with the aim of  learning from their wealth of knowledge and experience, and the practical application of the knowledge acquired, are all keys to experiencing success in all works of life.

LESSONS FROM A CEO

There is a saying that learning is a progressive and lifelong endeavour. The moment you feel you don’t have to learn again, you begin to depreciate in value and as a  matter of fact, to stop learning is to die. 

A great man ( Mike Murdock) once said “when asked what I do for a living, I tell them I learn for a living”, little wonder his influence is incontestable. 

I am going to be sharing with us briefly, 10 valuable lessons I gleaned from my encounter with a pastor who also doubles as a medical Consultant CEO. Tighten your seat belt and come with me.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, DON’T MAKE IT HARD 

Now imagine a life where you have all the time, freedom, financial freedom, the good health you desire and can spend time with your family and those you love, just doing what you love to do by imparting lives and putting smiles on people’s faces. Now I hear a question: is this possible ? My answer is a big  YES. As a matter of fact that was God’s original intent for man, and God is pleased when this happens. (Proverbs 35:27,3rd John 1:2).

I have learnt that what it takes to achieve this among a few other things are:

Deep love for God and Intimacy with Him (1st Corth.2:9-10)

Righteousness (1st Kings 3:11-13,Psalm 11:2-3)

Commitment to self-growth and development (Proverbs 1:5,13-15,8:1-20)

Diligence and Commitment to a cause. (Proverbs 22:9)

Consistent commitment to excellence

Commitment to engaging in value-adding activities/services. 

On the other hand, laziness, negative thoughts and words, procrastination, and above all, disobedience to the above principles will eventually lead to a life of hardship ( Proverbs 13:25).

GOD IS ALL YOU NEED 

It is usually said that hard work is what is needed to be successful in life, however, it has been proved that hard work alone does not necessarily make one successful in life. My life experience made me to  understand that it is God’s grace and favour combined with “smart work” that produces tremendous results (Ecclesiastes 9:11). If the former were to be true, then labourers, bricklayers and truck pushers would have been in control of the world’s wealth, but we know that they are not. Robert Kiyosaki said “if you trade your time and strength for money, you can not be rich “(Cash flow quadrant of rich dad). Remember that it is God who gives us power to make wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:18).

YOU’VE GOT  ALL IT TAKES 

It is generally said that whether you think you can do it or otherwise, you are right for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 3:27). It will be of interest for us to  know that God has equipped us with talents, gifts and virtues that make for a fulfilled life. It therefore our duty to prayerfully discover and harness our unique endowments so as to bless humanity with same. We all have what it takes to be successful inside of us. All we need to do is to discover our unique make up, develop and harness it in order to bless humanity and by extension, create the expected end. If we do not realise the fact that we possess great potentials inside of us, we tend to settle for anything life offers us. The resultant effect is hardship, misery, poverty and endless woes. 

RELEASE THE GOLD IN YOU

Having this knowledge that we all have what it takes to create the ideal lifestyle that we desire, it is imperative that we strive to excel by stirring up the virtues of greatness that God has equipped us with. NOTE, for gold to be valuable it must first be sought for relentlessly and when found, there is a digging and then it is passed through series of refining processes which include passing it through fire. Comparatively  speaking, so do we need to sharpen our talents, gifts and abilities through constant learning and research. 

We rediscover our true selves when we ask deep and searching questions such as WHO AM I? WHY AM I  HERE? WHERE AM I FROM? WHAT CAN I DO? WHERE AM I GOING TO?. The answers to these questions should therefore widen our horizon about life generally and with particular reference to our abilities. With consistency and determination comes excellence, achievement and fulfilment of purpose by imparting humanity positively. 

A wise man, (Dr Myles Munroe of the blessed memory) once said that the richest place on earth is the graveyard, not because of the cost of the coffins nor exuberant ceremonies, but because there lies untapped  potentials.

In summary, there are no words as “I can’t do this” but rather, I don’t want to do this" because we truly can do anything if we would commit just enough time to learning how it is done.

THIS WORLD CAN BE A BETTER  PLACE

Think about a world where everyone is concerned about making impact, solving problems and concerned about what to do to improve the quality of living and not giving to social vices. Let us also think about a world where everyone productively engages himself or herself with the common goal of solving the existing social problems. Ponder over a wonderful world wherein our collective efforts is geared towards making generations after us greater. A generation where love, peace, acceptability and social development are deeply rooted norms. 

A wise man once said “you will always get in abundance, what you want, if you will help as much more people get what they want” (Rev. Sam Adeyemi). It is very instructive knowing that we ought to live a life of  selflessness. 

YOU CAN SOAR ABOVE THE LIMITATIONS OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT 

To a large extent, one can be limited by the vicissitudes of his immediate environment. However, we can always rise above every limitation if the right things are in place, such as the right mind set, right thoughts, health, determination and ability to take prompt action.

From the Bible, we discover that one way to soar above limitations as well as experience good success is to live a righteous life coupled with meditating on God’s word. (Psalms 1, Josh.1:8).

STEP OUT OF THE CONVENTIONAL 

With no intention of  appearing insultive, most people operate in the slavery mentality of go to school, get a good grade, get a good job, work for a good pay, then retire and depend on Pension. It is obvious that with the rate of unemployment particularly in developing countries and the rapid technological advancement, where the use of computers/robots are replacing humans even in some very complex areas like in hospitals where robots now operate on human beings. It therefore becomes pertinent that we develop our God-given potentials to enable us be self reliant. With determination, proper mentorship and willingness to deal with our comfort zone, we can over a period of time become great entrepreneurs, investors, business owners, in addition to our careers. It is to be noted here with due respect that working for salary will never make one to be financially free. The question then is, what do we do? Observations and the study of some great entrepreneurs have shown that having multiple streams of income is what actually makes one to be financially free. Thus, much as a paid job (salary) is good, it should  be a platform to launch us to a height where we can express our potentials and harness same for imparting humanity positively. The above point is the reason why workers in the Oil and gas sector are not financially free, at the best they can be rich. 

I was privileged to meet a man, Dr. Musa who is a Medical Consultant and also doubles as a pastor and CEO of several multinationals. One can see in him that he is not under any  stress because he’s been able to step out of the conventional to give his potentials expression. This automatically takes him above the hardship that comes with conventionality.

Food for thought, think of how much good you will do to yourself, family and the world at large if you will just take the bold step out and obey the voice within. YES YOU CAN!!.

YOU CAN ACHIEVE  YOUR DREAMS 

I will like to reiterate the story of Joseph in the Bible who had a dream at a very early age in life that he was going to be a voice in his  generation. Then suddenly, opposition, blockers and stoppers of destiny arose from his own brothers. This led from his being thrown into the pit, to slavery in Egypt, to his imprisonment all in an attempt to  abort the dream and stop him from fulfilling his destiny. It is worth noting here that Joseph remained focused and determined, and he loved and revered God. Integrity, holiness and uprightness in character were his watchword and eventually despite all he went through, his dream spoke for him and became a reality. (Habakkuk 2:3).

You can also achieve your dream irrespective of the odds and challenges you are faced with. If you can adopt the principles of commitment, consistency, uprightness, godliness, focus and finally smart-work.

BUILD SYSTEMS 

It is an indisputable fact that the world is now a global village. It is therefore imperative that one builds working systems around one’s business out post in order to be globally recognized and relevant. It is also important to create master minds, that is, people of like minds in the organisational set up to not only make it a global concern, but self sustaining and expanding. This is the nature of the businesses we have in Asian countries where companies and organisations far out live their founders. 

According to Dr. Myles Munroe (of the blessed memory), leaders do not maintain followers but raise up leaders. This is a method whereby such leaders replicate themselves in their organisations or companies. Such companies still thrive long after the leaders are no more. Robert  Kiyosaki is of the view that “If you trade all your time for money (no leverage), then you are poor”. The reason is because if something happens to such a person, business suffers. 

Working systems are the reasons companies and organisations last for hundreds of years. 

BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR BEGINNING 

The Bible teaches us not to despise the days of our little beginnings. If we follow the principles enunciated herein we will surely end up great. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

What do you want to be remembered for?

What would you want to be celebrated for?

What should you do differently ?

What do you think of yourself ?

AN OVERVIEW OF FORMATION OF A CONTRACT: OFFER, ACCEPTANCE AND CONTRACT LOOPHOLES

 Offer and acceptance are essential to the formation of a valid contract. 

In the formation of a contract, one of the dangers which a party will likely encounter is the presence of contract loopholes. The focal point of this article will be offer, acceptance and how to avoid loopholes in contracts.

OFFER

An offer is the starting point of a contract. For a contract to exist, a party must first make an offer to another party. The contract is formed upon the acceptance of the offer by that other party. The party making the offer is referred to as the offeror. The party to whom the offer is made, is referred to as the offeree.

An offer must be unambiguous, unequivocal, precise and must leave no room for speculation as to its real content. An offer must clearly convey that the offeror intends to enter into a contract with the offeree. An offer must be with the clear intention that it shall become binding on the offeror as soon as it is accepted by the offeree.

An offer may be made expressly (by words or in writing) or impliedly (by conduct). For example, a salesperson who offers to sell his goods to a potential customer for a certain price has made an express offer. On the other hand, a bus driver who stops his bus at a bus stop is making an implied offer to a person waiting at the bus stop.

In the case of an express offer, the intention of the offeror is what matters in deciding whether or not a contract exists. While in the case of an implied offer, what matters is what a reasonable person will infer from the conduct of the offeror. In the first example given above, the words spoken by the salesperson to the customer will be looked at to determine whether or not he made an offer. In the second example, the question to be asked will be “what will a reasonable person infer from the stopping of the bus at the bus stop?”

ACCEPTANCE 

Acceptance is the element that emphasizes the bilateral nature of a contract. An offer without acceptance can not form a contract. The two elements must co-exist before a contract can come into being. 

Acceptance of an offer has been defined to be the reciprocal act or action of the offeree to the offer made by the offeror, in which the offeree indicates his agreement to the terms of the offer.

For an acceptance to be valid it must be clearly communicated to the offeror. This communication must be done through a means by which the law can infer acceptance such as through words spoken or an act done by the offeree or by a person authorised by the offeree. Therefore, an acceptance, like an offer, can be done expressly (by words or in writing) or impliedly (by conduct). As such, silence and mere intention to accept do not constitute acceptance. 

It must be emphasized that an acceptance must be in tune with the terms of the offer made. A counter-offer therefore does not constitute acceptance. For example, I offer to sell you a chair for 100 naira and you offer to buy it for 90 naira. Your offer of 90 naira does not mean you have accepted my offer.

Also, an acceptance made subject to the fulfilment of a condition is neither valid nor binding. This is because such an acceptance cannot form a binding contract until that condition has been fulfilled.

An agreement made “subject to contract” means the incidence of liability is postponed until a formal document is drawn up and signed. It is a non-binding agreement. It indicates parties’ intention not to be bound until a formal contract is executed. This is common in contracts for the sale of land.

In addition, a cross offer does not constitute acceptance. A cross offer occurs when two offers that are identical terms, are sent by two parties to each other, each party being in ignorance that the other party has made the same offer. For example, I send you an email offering to sell my chair to you for N100, in ignorance of this email, you send an email to me offering to buy my chair for N100. This does not in any way mean either of us has accepted the other’s offer. It just means there are two identical offers and no acceptance. 

CONTRACT LOOPHOLES 

Loopholes in contracts constitute of deliberate omissions by a party to a contract and/or ambiguities deliberately imputed by a party to a contract, in order to provide a way out of previously stated requirements. Never be in a hurry to go into a contract. Take your time to carefully read the terms of the contract. If a certain term is ambiguous, insist that it is written in a way that clearly portrays its intention. If you are unsure of or do not know the implication of a certain term, consult a lawyer or a professional in the area concerned for clarification. 

Examples of common loopholes to look out for are;

In contracts of employment; Contract terms with “at will” clauses mean your employment can be terminated at will. That is, your employer can sack you at any time even without cause. Further, it means he is not under any obligation to give you prior notice or severance pay. Watch out for this before signing any employment contract!

No specific dates: All contracts should have specific dates of fulfilling all the terms. When will the contract be terminated? When is the payment to be made? In the case of payment by instalment, the dates each instalment is to be made should be clearly written. As such, phrases like “as soon as possible”, are ambiguous and do not give a specific timeline.

Foreign laws: Entering into a contract which is subject to a foreign law requires a high level of caution. This is because  some of the rights or protection which you may be ordinarily entitled to under the law of your country, may not be recognized by the foreign law. Make sure you know the provisions of that law regarding the contract before signing the contract. Know the answers to questions like, What rights do I have under the law? What liabilities do I have under the law? In the case of breach by the other party, what reliefs are available to me? 

These are just a few loopholes to look out for. The list is endless as loopholes can be framed in various ways. 

The best option is to ensure that you involve a lawyer in all your contracts so that you don't fall prey to contract loopholes. 

DON'T STOP THAT HELPING HANDS

He lived on me during our undergraduate days because his parents were poor.

My family didn't mind, in fact he had the key to my room, he could come in any time like our child.

He respected me so much, we were so closed.

After our Youth Service, I travelled to America for further studies, my parents have the means.

Before long I settled in America, his letters started coming in, asking about life in America and telling me about difficult life in Nigeria.

I thought to myself, it's better I severe relationship with this poor guy, before he started asking me to bring him to America.

Haven't I done enough in his life?

Let him go and sort himself out.

I finally severed the relationship.

I didn't allow him to have access to me again.

Not long, I heard he has become PA to a Medical Doctor, good for him.

In no time the Medical Doctor became a Governor and sponsored him to the State House of Representative.

He became Speaker, then he became Governor of the State.

While still struggling in America it dawned on me that I have missed it, a friend God gave me to assist and yet I stopped.

We would have ruled the State together baring the respect he had for me.

My dear friend, this is a true life story I have just shared with you.

Who you are helping today?

May be the one to help you tomorrow.

You might be indirectly taking care of your tomorrow.

Who is that you are helping, don't stop, don't malign the person.

Whatever the situation and circumstances of your family and friends, don't neglect them in times of need.

Even, if you don't have money, you should have words that comfort them.

Some people only need that to forge on in life,

Just be a blessing to everyone that cross your paths

Nothing Is Permanent In This Life

Whatsapp killed BBM

Youtube killed DVD

Bluetooth killed Infrared

Xender killed Bluetooth

CDs killed Cassettes

Android killed Windows phone

Uber killed Yellow Cab

Phone killed Post Office

SMS killed Letter Writing

Email killed Fax

Civilization killed Culture

Computer killed Typewriter

E-card killed Hallmark Card

Maggi killed Dawa Dawa

Money killed True Love

What else killed what again?

Internet killed Library

Google killed Dictionary

Wikipedia killed Encyclopedia

No condition is permanent in this world. Be humble.

So my beloved whatever position you are today use it positively, tomorrow may not be yours but someone else’s, it is the measure you met on them today you get tomorrow, so live life with the fear of God.