At age 4, Daliyah Marie Arana has read more than 1,000 books and that is no small feat. And this recently earned her the “Librarian of the day” accolade at the Library of Congress.
Washington Post learnt that Daliyah had wanted to do her own reading since she was 2 years and 11 months and her mother revealed that her appetite for reading started from the womb. She said that she read books to her other young children on a daily basis and when Daliyah was an infant, she heard her older brother reading chapters of books out loud in their home. By the time she was about 18 months old, she was identifying the words in the books her mother read her.
“It kind of took off from there. The more words she learned, the more she wanted to read.” She added.
Daliyah’s mother started counting the number of books Daliyah read through the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. After meeting the program’s 1,000-book goal, Daliyah plans to reach 1,500 by the time she enters kindergarten next fall and hopes to help the teacher teach the other kids how to read.
She has been asked to recite the famous “I Have a Dream” speech at an upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in her home town and has also managed to read certain college-level texts, thereby impressing the leader of the nation’s library, Carla Hayden, who allowed her to walk through the world’s largest library.
Religion will kill Nigeria if not tamed – Wole Soyinka
Nigerian playwright and poet, Professor, Wole Soyinka, has has condemned the manner President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State have handled the extra judicial religious killings in Southern Kaduna. More than 800 people have been gruesomely murdered by suspected herdsmen and little or no efforts have been made to stop the perpetrators. Speaking at the launch of the book, Religion and the Making of Nigeria, in Abuja, few days ago, the Nobel Laureate warned that If we do not tame religion in this nation, religion would kill us.
“Religion in the history of this continent has been a disastrous venture, a disaster in many zones and continues to be even so today. In this very nation in Southern Kaduna, over 800 souls were brutally extinguished suddenly. “While the issue of grazing lands versus farming is unquestionably part of the conflict, it is equally undeniable that religious differences have played crucial role in the conflict. “And yet some weeks before the latest outrage, the governor of that state was quoted to have claimed that peace was nigh since he had sent funds to the earlier wave of killers and they had agreed to end their killing spree. “What astonished me was not the admission by the governor, but the astonishment of others at such governmental response to atrocity. There was nothing new about it. Has appeasement to religious forces not become a Nigerian face of justice and equity? “First lethargy and then appeasement. Wasn’t Boko Haram’s Muhammed Yusuf not a beneficiary of appeasement in a similar fashion? “Southern Kaduna has reminded us once again that the monster is always lying waiting to pounce under the guise of religion. “If you ask why General Buhari did not act fast enough when these events take place, which degrade us as human beings, well it is perhaps he has been waiting for the governor of that state to send money to the killers first for them to stop the killing.
“The sitting President of this nation, General Buhari, once said ‘If you don’t kill corruption in this nation, corruption would kill us’. I would like to transfer that cry from the moral zone to the terrain of religion. If we do not tame religion in this nation, religion would kill us. I do not say kill religion though I wouldn’t mind a bit if that mission could be undertaken surgically, painlessly perhaps under anesthesia effectively spayed all over the nation or perhaps during an induced pouch of religious ecstasy However, one has to be realistic. “Only the religiously possessed or committed would deny the obvious. The price that many have paid not just within this society but by humanity in general makes one wonder if the benefits have really been more than the losses.”
#ProjectHumanityNG: Mustardels Media Gives Back
As part of its corporate social responsibility and a yearning to give back to society, the staff, friends and management of Mustardels Media, a public relations firm based in Lagos, celebrated New Year’s Day with orphans at Arrows of God Orphanage, Ajah on January 1 2017.
The project, tagged #ProjectHumanityNG, is a laudable initiative aimed at bringing smiles to the faces of underprivileged in Nigeria.
“Since our founding, we have always given back to the society, one way or the other. But this is our first time with #ProjectHumanityNG and it certainly would not be our last,” said Akinsola Fadunsin, of Mustardels Media.
Akinsola reiterates: “We are particularly delighted because friends and colleagues are able to leave their comfort zones to celebrate such a significant day as this with more than 70 orphans in this Orphanage.”
Materials ranging from toiletries, bags of rice, noodles, among others were donated to the orphanage. Notable among the donations were about 100 pieces of Towels, Umbrellas and Stationery donated by a partner of #ProjectHumanityNG, SystemSpecs Limited, owners of Remita, an electronic payment platform.
Also, during their stay, the children had lots to eat and drink, were treated to good music, participated in games etc.
Your Paths Shall Drip With Abundance. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Darlings!
Welcome to a brand new season and experience.
Some of us made plans in 2016 that didn’t come to fruition. Life happens. Something bigger and better is coming through for you.
So, forget about the lows of the past year and concentrate on the abundant pool of prospects 2017 will bring.
I will like to express my profound gratitude to my readers, contributors and clients. Thank You isn’t enough but I must say it.
You made the past year awesome for me. I am very grateful.
My prayer is that you shall have increased joy, unending blessings and your paths shall drip with abundance. Amen.
Please move closer to God, do what is right, be good to people and stay away from all forms of negativity.
Thank you!
Editor
Ololade Olatunji
Merry Christmas!
Season’s Greetings Wonderful People!
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. May joy never cease in your household and may your dreams and desires come true for you. Thank you for making my year amazing. God bless you all.
Look forward to a greater year.
Cheers!
Ololade Olatunji
Managing Editor; loladeville.com.ng
My passion has been a driving force – Leading blogger, Laila Ijeoma Obiagwu
Laila Ijeoma Obiagwu is the owner of Laila’s blog and enjoys a large followership online. She tells Ademola Olonilua of PUNCH newspapers how her blog was created.
When was Laila’s blog created?
I actually started blogging in 2012. Lailasblog.com was birthed January 2013
What drew your attention to blogging?
I have always been a science student in school and I never knew anything about blogging in my life. When I finished school, I just wanted an outlet where I could share experiences with people and because of that, I started a Facebook page called, ‘True love for my man.’ That was the first social media account I used to gather people together and we spoke about love and heartbreak. The Facebook page grew because a lot of my friends joined.
I still wanted more, so I told a friend that I had the desire to run a television show and she told me to visit a radio station instead. I listened to her advice, visited a radio station and they gave me air time to do a show about money because I also work in a bank.
I had to cancel the show because it was not easy running the show alongside being a mother, a wife and a banker. All this while, I was still holding on to the passion of growing a community of like minds.
One day, I stumbled on one of my colleagues’ blog at work and I asked him questions about how it works. He showed me how to run a blog and from there, I began to visit other blogs. I was so intrigued and I told my colleague that day in the office that I wanted to start my own blog. He helped me create the blog, I began blogging and ever since then, I have had so much fun. I did not start it because I needed money, I was gainfully employed. When I started and began to read people’s comments, I knew this is what I had been looking for all this while.
How were you able to combine being a blogger, a wife, mother and a banker?
It is crazy and quite difficult to explain it. I spend every free second I have on my blog. I started waking up as early as 3am to blog and the beautiful thing about blogging is that you can schedule your posts, so even when you are not online, the post would still be uploaded on the blog. That helped me a lot.
During my break hours, I would rush home, find out what is happening around the world and begin to blog then I rush back to the office after that. Then once it is 4pm, I quickly round off my work and by 6pm, I am back home sitting in front of my computer, blogging till about 12am when I go to bed. That is how I have been living my life because I am still working for the bank.
It has to do with passion. When you want to succeed, as bad as you want to breathe, then you would be successful. You would not even see obstacles. My passion has been a driving force.
Also, I have a supportive home and a husband who is very caring. I have a husband who helps out a lot at home and even on the blog and I am very grateful. In fact, my kids even know that their mother is a blogger. My family understand that I have two jobs and they all come together to help me. They help out with whatever they can and this reduces the burden.
What has been your most controversial post so far?
When Toke Makinwa got married, I broke the story but I don’t think that was controversial. Once in a while, I have had issues with some celebrities and some other people. Also during the Olamide versus Don Jazzy feud, I broke the story that it was Dangote that brought them back together and Olamide prostrated to Don Jazzy. The story actually went viral.
But have you posted any story that got you into trouble?
I think one that almost got me into trouble involved the wife of the son of a very top Nigerian pastor. This top and highly revered pastor’s daughter-in-law posted her bikini picture on her Instagram page and when I saw it, I uploaded it on my blog.
Of course, I knew it would generate some controversies but I uploaded it though later took it down after I had a change of heart. But unfortunately, other blogs had already picked it. Later I got a letter from the lady that I published her picture without her permission. It was on public domain.
Have you ever gotten letter from lawyers or threat messages based on what you post on your blog?
Yes I have and I am trying to remember them. The latest one was with Toni Payne. I don’t know if it should be on print because these are issues I have resolved. During the Toni Payne saga, she threatened me and told me that she could circulate a false story about my husband.
When I became very serious with my blog, I had to get a writer to assist me. Right now, I have two writers that assist me. They help me post some stories when I am preoccupied with some other things.
That very day, one of my writers stumbled on a post on Instagram, someone used a parody account and the name of the account was Thoni Payne. The person blasted Wizkid and my writer thought it was Toni Payne. So when my writer was uploading it on my blog, she credited the statement to Toni Payne.
However, immediately she did it and realized her mistake, the post was removed. All that time, I was at work and was not aware of all that was happening.
It was when I got back home and I was going through my emails that I saw a message from Toni where she was abusing me. She had already sent a mail to my in-laws and my husband. She was able to get them by tracing through my social media accounts. She told my in-laws that I was tarnishing people’s image on my blog and they should warn me to take down the story. I did not know she had sent a mail before that one.
Then I replied her asking what the problem was in a very nice manner. It was at that point I scrolled down my mail and saw the first e-mail she sent me where she wrote that I posted false news about her and I must apologize or she would instruct her lawyers to write me, then she attached the link of the story with the e-mail.
I went to my blog and realized the post had been deleted, so I called my writer and she informed me of what happened. Toni Payne was insisting that I apologize and I told her that I didn’t need to be told that she deserved one.
I own the blog and accepted full responsibility for what happened. Then I put up a retraction. Toni even sent me a picture of my husband to make me understand that she did her job well. When she did that, I had to ask if she was threatening me. She said that she was not going to do anything like that but she added that one day I would get a dose of my medicine.
I was very shocked when she said that. She said I had been writing so many evil stories about her and that I was after her downfall. Which I am not.
How do you handle negative criticism?
I am somebody that apologizes when I am wrong; we all make mistakes once in a while. Even CNN and Daily Mail which I love a lot make mistakes. I post the news and I never blackmail. If I am wrong, I would always apologize but if you accuse me wrongly, I leave it to God because the person is not worth my stress.
At what point did you start making money from your blog?
I was consistent in my work and in 2014, a particular company did an advert with me for a full year and it was worth it.
For someone not based in Lagos, how do you get fresh news?
One good thing about blogging is that you don’t have to be in Lagos but you have to be there to attend business meetings. You can blog from anywhere and you can get fresh news anywhere as long as you have the right sources, friends and connections. Sometimes strangers send me stories because they like my blog. They say things like they want me to be the first to break the story. That is how I get most of my stories.
When you created your blog, did you know you would become popular?
No, I did not. I started my blog as a prank. I did not start my blog because I wanted to make money. In 2007, I was earning as much as N200,000, I was single and I was a big girl. It was not about money at all. I started blogging as a prank; I even used a fake picture on my blog’s profile. It was along the line that I realized that I enjoy it. I love blogging. I did not realize that the blog would take me to where I am today.
Do you wish you were as popular in reality as you are on the internet?
May God not let bad thing happen. When you get popular, you are exposed to a lot of things. Even the people that are with you can sell you out. Most of the stories that we post were given to us by inside sources. It is people around celebrities that give the stories to bloggers. I don’t think I am ready for such popularity. I like things the way they are.
You were recently nominated for an award in Dubai, what was it about?
It is the Pan African Humanitarian Award in partnership with the Economic Community for West African States and World Leaders Forum, Dubai, and I was nominated in the category of the most promising blogger of the year. I was very excited when I got the mail because it is the first international nomination that I would have. I also feel very honored and humbled.
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There are several ways we can get vitamins. First of all, vitamins are synthesized by plants. When a man eats plants, for example, fruits and vegetables, he fulfills his need in the vitamins. Animals also absorb vitamins from plants, so we can obtain some vitamins by eating animal products (eggs, fish or meat). Another way in which we can get vitamins is to consume supplements. Vitamins have many healthy functions.
Vitamin Function
Most of the vitamins have identifiable roles in maintaining the function and health of our body. For instance, vitamin C strengthens the immune system thus improving the ability of our body to fight off the infection. Vitamin E is linked to skin, hair and nail health, and the B vitamins are involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates for energy. Vitamin D works alongside the mineral calcium to promote healthy bones. Vitamin K is necessary for forming blood clots, and vitamin A is important for ocular health and vision. Although many vitamins have identifiable roles, they seldom work alone and work far better in concert than they do in isolation.
Types of vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E and K are classed as fat-soluble vitamins and are transported and utilized in the body in the presence of dietary fats. Your body stores excess fat-soluble vitamins for use when needed. Vitamins B and C are water soluble and cannot be stored in your body. Your kidneys eliminate excess vitamin B and C in your urine, so you need to consume adequate amounts of B and C on a daily basis.
Selected Sources of Vitamins
You can obtain vitamins from a variety of food sources as well as vitamin supplements. Fish oils and liver contain vitamin A; you’ll find B vitamins in meat, grains and leafy green vegetables; vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits such as oranges; vitamin D and vitamin E can be obtained from fish oils and nut oils; and leafy green vegetables are a good source of vitamin K. Eating a variety of plant and animal-based foods ensures that you obtain a broad range of vitamins.
Considerations
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St Teresa’s College CLASS OF '96 :We have a great bond – Toke Faniyi
Omotoke Faniyi is the President of ’96 set of St Teresa’s alumuni, a graduate of accounting from Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, Ile Ife. She is a successful business woman who is happily married with children. She spoke to us about on how relentless’96 set have been, their giving back to the school , her lowest point in life and many more.
Tell us a bit about your alma mata?
St Teresa’s college (STC) was founded in Lagos, in 1933, as a branch of St Mary’s Convent school which had been founded in 1873.
The college was named after St Teresa of Lisieux, one of the founders of the Carmelites Teaching order whose official colour was brown.
It’s first location was 72 Campbell street and several of its 1st pupils were from St Mary’s convent.
Its first principal was Sister Brenda Hayes while Mrs Cyrilla Ajike Campos Nee Akerele was the 1st native Nigerian to teach at the school.
In 1946, St Teresa’s high school for girls as it was known then moved to its current location of Oke Ado Ibadan, on the hill, where its graceful presence dominates until this day. STC till today is the most influential and one of the oldest classy catholic girls school in Nigeria.
When did you finish?
I finished in 1996 that is about 20 years ago.
What makes 96 set unique?
The number one factor is that we have a great bond in our set and it had always been like that. We are all great friends .Also, I am not about to brag but, we are a bunch of intelligent and hardworking girls. In fact, I will say we are a set of beauty and brains. STC have helped shaped our lives in positive ways and because of the great influence our school had on us, we all excelled in our chosen careers.
It’s been twenty years you all left school, what promoted your coming back together after twenty years?
Well, I will say the of our reunion started last year and that was when we had our first reunion. But because this year marks our 20 years since left school, we decided we had to give back to the school that gave us so much. We then decided that we should celebrate our anniversary by saying thank you to the school that moulded and brought us together.
What is the state of the school now?
When we visited our school in May this year, we identified the various needs of the school. We then decided to help with the toilets which were in a bad state at that time, bearing in mind that the students were all girls who are very prone to infection.
We decided to do a complete makeover of 22 students toilets and refurbishment of 6 teachers toilets.
We wanted a standardized toilets and these involved getting new WC’s, tiles, paintings, doors and converting some pit latrines into proper water toilets. We will be commissioning this project on the 9th of November this year. We also intend to have talks on careers, sexuality and many more. It is not going to be all talk alone, we will be giving gifts to the senior students and also appreciating some of our old teachers.
What was your most memorable day in school?
Wow! I had so many beautiful memories of STC and as a boarding student it was an exciting period for me all through.
However, the most exciting of all the memories would be during a quiz competition. I remembered I was asked a question in physics but because I wasn’t a science student. The moderator said the question should be passed on but the opponents insisted because my group was already winning.
I decided to take the risk, I did some calculations and I got the answer right. Everyone went wild because they didn’t believe I could get the answer right. I remembered , I was the star of the night and there was jubilation everywhere.
As a child, were you a nerd or a popular kid?
I was very popular as a kid. I was a quite hyper and very social too. Many people knew I loved dancing and listening to music. Among my peers, the name Mary Akerele was a bit of a popular name among my peers especially in the hostel. Mary is my English name.
What was your lowest point in life?
That was when I lost my brother. It was a trying time for my family and I don’t think I can ever get over it. The day he was buried was the saddest day of my life. I have a big picture of him in my living room and each time I look at it, I just wonder why he left too soon ,without even saying good bye. May my big brother Segun Kasunmu continue to rest on. Amen.
What are the greatest lessons you learnt from your dad that you still hold dear to your heart?
Oh my dad…of blessed memory. From my dad, I learnt to be content and honest. My dad loved children so much. I took that part from him, though he is very strict he showed us so much love. I learnt from him to place my kids 1st above everything and to be truthful always. Honesty was always a key word with my dad.
What advice do you have for young girls?
They should study hard, finish school and be confident of their abilities and in themselves. They should not be afraid of hard work, be polite and be respectful to all.
They also need to be focused so they don’t end up in the kitchen and other room……LAUGHS.
What do you have to say to wrap it up?
I would like to thank all my mates who believed we can do something meaningful for the school. Especially, those who contributed their time and money, working relentlessly to make this project work out, I and my Exco’s really appreciate your efforts.
I would also like to appreciate our various sponsors who when we called them, answered us. May God replenish you all.
Quote of the day: Don't put plaster on what needs surgery
“Don’t put plaster on what needs surgery” it’s such a great day to be alive and behold the goodness of God. Remember that you cannot filter reality So remain true to yourself and don’t covet the seeming perfect lives you see on social media. People have scars that are masked. People put a plaster on what needs surgery. Live life on your own terms. It’s ok not to have it all figured out.”
Beautiful words by Betty Irabor, media entrepreneur and Publisher, Genevieve Magazine.
Meet the Harvard graduate floating Nigeria’s first online bank
Former managing director of Jumia Nigeria, Tunde Kehinde, is about flagging off a first of-its-kind project in Nigeria. Come October 2016, The Harvard Business School graduate will float Lidya, Nigeria’s first online-only bank.
The digital bank which will be based in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos will offer small and medium-sized businesses unsecured loans of between N152,000 ($500) and N4.5 million ($15,000).
“There are no real products catered to these customers today. What we’re trying to do is introduce a lot of technology, algorithms and machine learning to industrialize the credit assessment process.” Kehinde maintained.
He also revealed plans to partner with other Nigerian banks to allow them to use it as a platform to target small businesses and offer financial services at such low cost to its customers.
“Because of how the banks are set up, with bricks and mortar networks, they’re more inclined to service multinationals and large government institutions. Their cost structure isn’t favourable to servicing small businesses. Because we’re using technology and algorithms to assess the risk, it allows them to offer financial products to these customers at a low cost.” He added.
Source : Thecable.ng