THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE

It’s normal to sometimes seek after a life that is presumed perfect or to occasionally dream of escaping to a place where the light is shining bright. In an opportunistic generation like ours, it’s easy to feel trapped if life becomes a struggle or frustrating. This intrinsically leads them to believe that the grass might be greener on the other side. Satisfying this curiosity is what drives many to paths where they soon realize that what is tempting isn’t always reality.

Every year, thousands of people embark on the journey to seek greener pastures in lands that presumably flow with milk and honey. They believe they will be happier and more successful anywhere but where they are. Unfortunately, not all of them are able to make it to other side.

BETWEEN BUHARI'S FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND FAYOSE'S WAR AGAINST INDISCIPLINE

What is the difference between President Buhari's fight against corruption and Governor Fayose's war against indiscipline? That was the question that kept running through my mind as I took another glance at the now controversial photo of some Ekiti State civil servants pleading on their knees before Governor Ayodele Fayose. 

Fayose is not a stranger to controversy and I sincerely would tip him as the Donald Trump of Nigeria, controversy-wise that is. Now, it's not clear whether the Governor asked the workers who came late to go on their knees or if the workers did so out of their helplessness or respect for the office of the Governor. We might never really get the true story of what exactly transpired but all we have is a photograph that lays credence to our perception of Fayose. 

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A few months ago, President Buhari shut the door against some diplomats for showing up late for a meeting at the Presidential Villa and most of us hailed him as a very disciplinary leader. And when he rose up against the allies of former President Jonathan, we heralded the second coming of our corruption Messiah. And regardless of the tactics he employed in fighting this battle, he had the support of many Nigerians. 

WHEN JOY REALLY COMES IN THE MORNING

I know what it's like to wake up in the morning and feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. I have had several of those moments in my life and have learned that during these times the only friend I have in this world is good music. Songs that will lift me up from my bed and keep my spirits high for the rest of the day. 

This morning I woke up feeling so weary and you guessed right; I jumped on an overwhelmingly inspiring music (Kari Jobe's Majestic album). I have listened to the song forever on this album several times but today it etched in my heart. I don't just listen to any song, I like it when it speaks to me. And this song had everything, including an incredible spoken word poem. 

I have meditated upon the verses of the spoken word in the song throughout my journey to the work. It has filled my morning with refreshing joy and I strongly believe you will be encouraged;

THE THINGS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED SOMEONE ELSE IS PAYING FOR

Last night I went to a neighborhood mart to pick up some groceries for dinner. And while I was at the counter about to pay for what I bought, I overheard another cashier telling the man standing next to me that his bill was in the excess of fifty thousand naira.

Out of curiosity, I looked closely to see ‎what this man had purchased to rake up such an amount in a neighborhood mart with the current state of the economy. I could see nothing but a few items that were neatly tucked in a medium paper bag. What in the world could cost so much.

I kept thinking of the numerous things that fifty thousand naira would afford. But wait, I don't even spend that much for my shopping in a whole month. And to the best of my knowledge, the neighborhood mart don't sell luxury items. I just couldn't hold it anymore, so I had to ask the cashier who I happen to be familiar with from my months of frequenting the mart.

NIGERIA'S D'TIGERS WIN THE 2015 AFRICAN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Nigerian national men’s basketball team, D'Tigers have emerged winners of the 2015 Afrobasket tournament held in Tunisia. The won the trophy with a 74-65 victory over the defending champion Angola in the finals. 

This is the first time Nigeria win the coveted title. It is also their first win over their Angolan counterparts who have 11 Afrobasket titles, having lost on all previous meetings. The win means that Nigeria's D'Tigers have qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic games.

D'Tigers guard, Chamberlain Oguchi led the way for Nigeria, finishing with a game-high 19 points, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

UNILAG UNDERGRADUATES BUILD ECO-FRIENDLY CAR

A team of students at the University of Lagos have successfully built an eco-friendly car. The inventors say the car doesn't emit gas or utilize fossil fuel. They built the car under the Project Dove Initiative and have successfully completed the first model, named Dove P1. The car was built utilizing locally sourced materials and was built from scratch to finish at the University premises.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CHRONIC COMPLAINERS

We all have that person in our circle who always have something to complain about all the time. I am not talking about those who complain about issues that bothers them from time to time. Am referring to those known as Chronic Complainers, who have something negative to say about every situation that they find themselves in. No matter how bright things become, they still see the negative side of it – and they go all about infesting others with their negativity.

I am not saying people should not complain but when the complains become persistent, it becomes harmful to those around them. It’s a fact that negative people are highly contagious and one chronic complainer can easily drain your energy with never-ending drama. This will leave you feeling exhausted, frustrated, discontent and unproductive.

Most chronic complainers can't be restrained by any means, they will complain about anything and everything under the sun – the weather is always too cold, no one likes your picture on Instagram, the food has too much spice, you have to brush your teeth everyday and everything you want is too expensive. Whatever they can think about to complain, they gladly will. Sometimes you do not even know that some things can be complained about until you hear it from a chronic complainer. It is not everything that is going on in your life that you have to complain about, just keep some things to yourself.

Enough exposure to a chronic complainer puts you at the very real risk of imploding one day. So here are some ways to protect yourself from energy sucking people;


Show empathy but don't get entangled - 
Most chronic complainers just want to be heard and are not serious about solving their problem. Pay attention while they are complaining to you but don't take them seriously. Be careful not to show particular empathy, as they may single you out for extended complaining sessions.

Distract - Get them to move on from the complaint by talking about other things going on in the office. A change of conversation is a way to get the complainer to focus on something else.

Don't Be Responsible - Don’t take responsibility for finding solutions to the issues that they complain about. You can proffer solutions but let them take the responsibility of solving the problem themselves.

Don’t Waste Your Time - Trying to get the chronic complainer to see the brighter side of life is exhausting. Convincing someone who is constantly in victim mode that things are not as bad is almost impossible because you wont be able to change their mindset.

Move on When You Must - To be constantly surrounded by negativity can quickly wear you out. In trying to keep up your positive attitude, you have to intentionally surround yourself with people who truly reflect you. Make friends with people who make your day a little brighter simply by being part of it. However, even the compulsive complainers can have moments when they are a joy to be around. So learn to remove yourself from their presence when they start whining.

Ignore Them When You Can - Sometimes, it good to simply ignore chronic complainers. Studies have shown that just the act of thinking a negative thought can adversely impact your immune system and the build-up of negative thoughts inevitably leads to stress, which can affect the state of your health.

THE LOVERHOLIC X-RAYS: ALL MEN ARE NOT THE SAME

On a recent trip to Abuja, I met this elegantly poised lady at the departure lounge of the airport as she was struggling with her luggage and I gladly offered to help. We got talking and somehow (not by accident) ended up sitting next to each other on the plane. On my good days I can be very charming, and gorgeous women bring out the best in me.

During our exciting and engrossing conversation, I sensed that my new companion held a very cynical view about men. In my inquisitive nature, I sought to find out how such a self assured woman came to hold such distrustful opinions about the menfolk. She spoke like a woman who understood how cunning men can be and felt there was nothing any man could say to sway her.

NIGERIAN ENTREPRENEUR SUJIMOTO MEETS WITH THE EMIR OF DUBAI, MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM

Have you ever met a king before? I have. And, not just any king; but, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai.

A true blue blood whose royalty isn’t his only claim to fame. An accomplished poet, an orator and a visionary leader who has proved to the world that his people will not stand for mediocrity, rather are recognized as the leaders of the world in innovation. Consistently breaking boundaries and records that only they have achieved in the first place.

It was with his “full throttle” approach that Sheikh Mohammed continued and expanded the Vision, based on the simple framework laid down by his father Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and his uncle, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; giving the world “Destination Dubai” a great service to his country; the ultimate holiday destination and financial center of the 21st century.

MEET KIMBERLY ANYADIKE THE NIGERIAN WHO HOLDS THE RECORD AS THE YOUNGEST PILOT TO FLY CROSS-COUNTRY

21 year old Nigerian-American, Kimberly Anyadike is a pilot who holds the record as the first African American teen to fly across the United States. She performed this feat at the neophyte age of 15 in 2009. Anyadike learned to fly at age 12 through the Compton-based Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum [TAM], which offers aviation lessons in an after-school program for disadvantaged youths. The Organisation also encourages youth involvement in aviation as an alternative to drugs, gang violence and other self-destructive activities.

Anyadike was inspired by the stories of great pilots like Bessie Coleman, the first African-American airline Pilot, and Mae Jemison, the first African American female to travel in space. So great was her passion that she paid for her flight lessons by working many regular jobs and odd jobs while still maintaining an excellent academic scorecard which was a prerequisite to remain in the program.