60-year-old woman gives birth in Lagos ...After 31-year wait

A 60 year-old woman, Mrs Christy Omolara Irurhe, was, on Monday, delivered of a baby girl in a Lagos hospital. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in the course of a visit, she described the pregnancy and birth as a miracle.

Indeed, there is nothing impossible for God, He is the same God, he never change.

7 Tips on how to Maintain a Happy Relationship

Photo: Getty Images //

The small things make a big difference. You can achieve a happy relationship by focusing on the positive things.


| by Linda J. //

When a relationship hits a rocky patch, many people focus on the negative side. Don’t do this, avoid that…

But the secret to a successful relationship is not to highlight the negative, but to accent and maximise the positives. A happy relationship focuses on the do’s not the don’ts, the cans not the can nots.

Couples who actively work towards creating a fun, satisfying and intimate relationship for each other have a longer lasting successful relationship than those who drift along or concentrate on avoiding the negative aspects.


How do you maintain a happy relationship?

1. Be playful and have fun

Life is more than working, sleeping and paying the bills. It is supposed to be fun, a happy relationship is fun.

One of the first things to disappear when you get so wrapped up in the mundane and busy side of life is your sense of fun with your partner. Use your silly pet names, have a joke and tease them, take time out to have that pillow fight!


2. Show some gratitude and pay compliments

Add some sparkle to your partners’ day and pay them a compliment. When a relationship starts to mature we start to take our partners for granted. Even a simple “thank you” for doing a mundane task works well.

Use “you” rather than “I” when you do express your gratitude, it makes it far more meaningful! What works better? “I really enjoyed dinner, thank you” or “You are a great cook, dinner was amazing, thank you”.

3. Pay attention to your partner

When you’ve been in a relationship for a while, it’s easy to stop noticing changes in your partner. We are all individuals and never stop growing and changing.

Couples in a successful relationship pay attention to their partners, they notice the small things.

4. Celebrate success and achievements no matter how small

Your partner is more than just a shoulder to cry on in tough times. Couples in a happy relationship don’t miss an opportunity to celebrate success or cheer each other on. When something good happens make the most of it!

5. Hug your partner

Physical closeness enhances your connection with your partner. Yes, regular sex is great, but even if your sex life has faltered, you can maintain that closeness. A hug, a back rub, holding hands or a simple touch can boost your emotional connection with your partner.

6. Say it with… words?

Nothing beats a hand written letter or note. Writing shores up those romantic feelings and gives the warm fuzzy feeling when you receive a letter from the one you love. You don’t have to be a literacy expert either, a post it note on the mirror, “I love you!” written in the snow, a note left in a lunchbox – you get the idea, be creative. Write down your feelings for your partner and let them know.

7. Take responsibility for your happiness

A successful relationship is a partnership, investing time in your life and happiness will mean you have more to offer that partnership. This is even more important if your relationship is going through a rocky patch.

Don’t focus on what your partner is doing wrong (or not doing at all); make your own life more satisfying by not relying on your partner to be the only source of happiness. This helps take the pressure off and bring a positive attitude back into the relationship.

Small positive gestures are important; they help maintain a happy relationship. The possibilities to add more small gestures to your relationship are endless. Just using one or two of these secrets for creating a successful relationship will make a big impact – try them and see!

Three presidents to grace Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature

At least three heads of state have confirmed their intention to be part of the activities marking the fifth edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature, which is coinciding with the 80th birthday of Wole Soyinka, a professor and Nobel Laureate.

The three heads of state are Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana.

The Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature is a biennial event staged to recognise the best literary work produced by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 to promote literary excellence in Africa and has since become the African equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

The organisers of the award have announced a longlist of 10 African authors from a total of 163 entries submitted from 17 African countries in the genre of Drama, which is the focus of the 2014 edition.

A shortlist of candidates for the prize is expected to be announced shortly, while the ultimate winner is expected to emerge on July 5.

  The event will start with  book presentation in honour of the Nobel Laureate three days after the announcement of the Prize winner. The book presentation is slated for Accra, Ghana on July 8, 2014, three days after the presentation to the Prize winner on July 5 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It is being sponsored by Globacom, the  national telecommunication carrier.

 

 

Fasting reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease

 Fasting can no longer be regarded as a religious obligation only , according to a  new research fasting has been found to lower rate of heart disease and diabetes. The study is done by researchers at Intermountain Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah.


The researchers reported that 10-12 hours of hunger prompts the body to initiate the search for food and the body then starts utilizing the stored amounts of bad cholesterol, LDL, which is found in fat cells of the body.

The researchers claimed that this mechanism influences people suffering from diabetes directly, The lead author Benjamin Horne noted that fasting can become an important diabetes intervention in the future.

"Though we've studied fasting and it's health benefits for years, we didn't know why fasting could provide the health benefits we observed related to the risk of diabetes," Horne noted.

.AMAKA IGWE ’S TRIBUTE NIGHT

Family, friends, colleagues and Nollywood practitioners, gathered for a special Service of Songs/Tribute Night on Monday, May 9th, 2014 in honour of Nollywood icon/producer, Amaka Igwe, who passed away on the 29th of April 2014.

Abike Dabiri and husband with Kunle Bantefa

The Haven Events Centre at GRA Ikeja hosted hundreds of personalities from government, media, music, business and Nollywood. Guests included; Abike Dabiri and husband, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bukky Ajayi, Wunmi Obe, Olu Jacobs, Kunle Bantefa, Ngozi Nwosu, Sola Onaiga, Bimbo Akintola, Nobert and Gloria Young, Patrick and Ireti Doyle, Tony Umez, Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Ego Boyo, Ali Baba, Teju Babyface and a host of others.
Amaka Igwe will be buried on Friday, June 13th 2014 at Ndiuche Arondizuogu in Imo State, her marital home.

Tony Umez

RMD and Nobert Young

Mobile Phones Kill Sperm?

Image Wonderlust

 New research conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK and recently published in the journal Environment International has revealed that–for men there is danger in keeping your smartphone in your pocket.

Mobile phones emit RF-EMR or radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation. The frequency is produced not only when a cell phone is active but also when the device is idle.

 The study revels that being exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from carrying mobiles in trouser pockets negatively affects a man's sperm quality. 

Red meat 'linked to breast cancer'

Eating a large amount of red meat in early adulthood could be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Belfast Telegraph

Governor Fayemi Escapes Death, APC Member Killed As Police Attack Party Faithfuls In Ekiti

 

Ekiti State Governor, John Kayode Fayemi

A peaceful walk by some members of All Progressives Congress, APC, on Sunday was disrupted by a detachment of anti-riot police. The police fired live bullets at the people killing at least one person. Governor Kayode Fayemi was not spared as his convoy was attacked. Tear gas canisters were fired at him while his security aide was brutally attacked. OSUN DEFENDER correspondent in Ado Ekiti who was at the venue reports that the operation which looked like a commando kind of action happened while the Commissioner of Police, Uyanah was present.

A GREAT NIGERIA AMAZON IS GONE: Rest in peace Prof. Dora Akunyili

Encomium has been pouring in since her death was made public. Prof Dora Akunyili  was one woman Nigerians will miss so so much because of her contributions to the nation.

According to the Senate President, David Mark,   Prof. Dora Akunyili was a patriotic and dedicated public officer who believed in the sanctity of unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.He noted that Akunyili was an intellectual of international repute.

The senate president said that the former Minister of Information and Director-General of NAFDAC displayed an unwavering commitment and dedication to duty.

Mark said as D-G of NAFDAC and as the nation’s chief image maker then, she brought Nigeria to global reckoning with her campaign of “Great People, Great Nation’’ project. “Nigerians will not forget in a hurry her resolute and relentless war against fake and counterfeit drugs when she chased the illicit drug peddlers out of the market.

“We have lost a great Amazon. We have lost a scholar. We have lost a crusader. We have lost a soldier who stood to be counted when it mattered.
“We shall miss her robust and honest contributions to the socio-political and economic development of Nigeria.’’

Mark prayed that the almighty God would grant her eternal rest and grant her bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed grief and shock over the death of the former Minister of Information.

Ekweremadu described the late pharmacist as a “woman of substance, unequalled character, and courage who brought respect and glory to the nation.’’ He said her death was a colossal loss to the entire country and an exit of an uncommon role model.

The deputy senate president noted that Akunyili’s love for her fatherland filled her with the courage to tread where other mortals feared to venture. “Prof. Dora Akunyili was a woman of enormous integrity, a quintessential professional and public administrator per excellence.

“As a minister, she was outstanding and as the Director-General of NAFDAC, she brought a lot of energy and impetus to bear on the fight against fake and substandard drugs and food.
“Her brilliant innovations and unparalleled spirited war the health sector practically gave life back to millions of Nigerians. “She was faithful and true to the nation till the very end and will be seriously missed,’’ Ekweremadu added.

He called on the Federal Government to immortalise Akunyili, adding “she practically laid down her life for her country and remained a role model that represented everything a Nigerian woman should be.’’
Ekweremadu condoled with her family, government and people of Anambra State and the nation, and prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul.

Also reacting to the death, Sen. Ayogu Eze (PDP-Enugu), described Akunyili’s as “possibly one of the saddest pieces of news I have heard since the death of my mother last year.’’
Eze said that Akunyili was a core professional and a top Nigerian patriot, who shone on the Nigerian scene like a meteor, leaving her inimitable footprints on the psyche of Nigerians.

She bred life into NAFDAC and in the process, sanitised the chaotic and largely unregulated Nigerian medicine and pharmaceutical industry.

“Her patriotism was to bloom fully when she arrived the Federal Ministry of Information where she left no one in doubt that she was a very resourceful professional by charting a way for cleaning Nigeria’s battered image. “Her slogan, “Good People, Great Nation’’, became an instant household byword as a symbol of the faith and trust of Nigerians in their country.

“For her, there is no gender in the battle of life, a battle she waged with grace, gusto and panache,’’ Eze said.
Eze noted that Nigeria would miss Akunyili’s vibrancy and her commitment to Nigeria and prayed God to grant her soul peaceful rest.

Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano is dead.

One of Nigeria most prominent traditional rulers, Ado Abdullahi Bayero, the Emir of Kano is  dead.

He died in the early hours of Friday in Kano and will
be buried today according to Islamic rites. May his soul rest in peace. 

Policeman, two others die in a pro-Biafran group failed attempt to make a live broadcast

MEMBERS of the pro-Biafran group, the Biafran Zionists Movement (BZM), led by a lawyer, Benjamin Onwuka, yesterday re-launched an attack on Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) in a failed attempt to make a live broadcast.

  Members of the group,  numbering over 50,  stormed the state radio station as early as 6.00 a.m., beating and seizing workers on duty while trying to make a forceful access into the station’s studio.
 
Clutching guns, machetes, bottles, petrol and other dangerous weapons including Biafran flags, an attempt to stop them resulted to a shoot-out, which claimed the life of a Police inspector and two other members of the group.

 The state Police Commissioner, Abubakar  Mohammed, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said their mission was to make a live broadcast “overthrowing the government of Nigeria and burning down the television station when challenged”, adding that 13 members of the group, including their leader, have been arrested.
 
The BZM had, for about four hours on March 8, attacked the Enugu Government House, where it hoisted flags and other property belonging to it and since then, had not hidden its intention to declare Biafra in the whole of South-East.