The Nigerian experience by Jaouad Rahou

“Still in Nigeria?” I hear that question often — sometimes with surprise, other times with a knowing smirk, and occasionally, quiet concern. And honestly? I understand why they ask. From the outside, Nigeria can seem overwhelming. Loud. Unpredictable. Inflation. But living here? It’s intense. It’s vibrant. And it’s unforgettable. Over time, it’s grown on me — not because it’s easy, but because it’s alive. Because in all its contradictions, Nigeria feels more human than anywhere I’ve ever known. Here’s my honest answer: 1. People say “Sorry” even when you hurt yourself. 2.“Good morning” expires at exactly 12:00pm — and you’ll be corrected if you miss the cutoff. 3.Rain ruins plans? Just get through it. 4.Anyone can turn into a motivational speaker — no prep needed. 5. One event, two prayers: Muslim to open, Christian to close. Peaceful, respectful, seamless 6. Everyone disagrees — politics, religion, football — and still shares a plate of jollof. 7.“Happy New Month” is a real thing — and so is “Happy New Week,” “Happy Friday,” and “Happy Sunday.” Every day deserves celebration. 8.“Now-now” is a valid timeframe. 9.Make plans, then say “God will do it.” 10.“I’m on my way” = still brushing teeth. 11.Weddings = 1,000 guests and 10 outfit changes. 12.Titles matter. Your gateman might be called “Chief Security Officer” — and that one-man IT guy? “Chief Technology Officer.” 13.Loud music = joy. Silence = something’s wrong. 14.Plantain is therapy. 15.People smile through what would break others. 16.Lagos traffic is a spiritual experience. You’ll reflect, pray, and question your life choices — all before the next intersection. 17. Kids greet like royalty: “Good afternoon, sir.” 18.Tailor lied. You knew. You still gave fabric 19.“How far?” means everything. 20. You can’t be lonely. Even strangers will call you “my guy” before they ask your name. 21.Puff puff = edible stress relief. 22.“E go better.” And we believe it. 23. Everyone has a side hustle. Your Uber driver is also a real estate agent. The pharmacist rents out canopies on weekends. And your mechanic? He trades forex between engine checks. 24. Gospel + afrobeats + fuji? DJs do it all. 25. “How’s mummy? Your leg?” is one greeting. 26. RSVP is optional. Takeaway is not. 27. WhatsApp groups = 100 unread messages by 6am. 28. Markets = real-world MBA. 29. “Almost there” = just started dressing. 30.Businesses run from car trunks — successfully. 31.“10am sharp” is a suggestion. 32.We don’t swear — we say “You’re playing with your destiny.” 33. One meeting = new “brother from another mother” 34.Dress code: Overdress or stay home. 35.“Let’s catch up soon” = next year. 36. Google Maps fails. Okada guy delivers. 37.Wearing white in rainy season? Bold. 38. Someone’s aunty dreamt about you. Take it seriously. 39.Even bad news comes with gist. 40. Football is religion. Premier League is Sunday service. Win? eruption. Lose? “I’m done with this club”… till next weekend. And you, what make you love Nigeria?

Poor Billionaires exist

In middle school science, what I was taught about Matter is basically that it is anything that has weight and occupy space. I had to navigate adulthood to realize this definition is DEEPLY POOR. Part of my clarity (learnt in deep misery) is the truth that most humans actually live in the prison of matter—the ownership of things; because people are so poor all they have is money. I grew to understand that poor billionaires exist, languishing in the pettiness and smallness of having plenty outside and nothing inside. In a world obsessed with symbols of success—labels, possessions, titles—we often forget that existence itself does not derive its credibility from things, but from meaning. Those who miss this weighty idea will forever be in hustle-mode, chasing reflections of worth all their life, and never experiencing true worth. Having a lot of money in the process, yet lacking meaning. Meaning, in this sense, is the intrinsic alignment of one’s existence with a purpose beyond mere survival or accumulation. It is the substance that transcends fleeting validations, anchoring a person in a reality that is not dictated by external forces but by an internal coherence of values, purpose, and depth; and meaning is sure not a trophy to be acquired. It is not about having or owning; but a state of being—a spiritually-defined, evolving narrative that shapes one’s actions, relationships, and legacy. It is what remains when titles fade, possessions decay, and recognition dissolves. I know now that the entities who define their existence from within, carving purpose beyond the material, sooner or later ascends beyond struggle into scale. They know the external world is so fickle, it elevates today and abandons tomorrow. To define strength from the outside-in is to hand over your soul to forces indifferent to its depth. True power begins in the unseen—the conviction, the clarity, the unwavering alignment of one’s being with something beyond possession. From this place, even a whisper moves mountains. That’s real FAITH. Never forget that those who build their identity upon things will forever be vulnerable to their loss. I FEAR NOTHING. I OWN NOTHING..but I AM🙏🏽 Shalom💫✨(Excerpt: Olakunle Soriyan)

Subsidy Removal the positives and negative effects on the Nigerian economy

Understanding Petroleum Subsidization Petroleum subsidization refers to government intervention in the fuel market to reduce the cost of petroleum products for consumers by covering part of the price difference between the market price and the pump price. This is done to make fuel more affordable, stabilize transportation costs, and support economic activities. In Nigeria, the government historically subsidized petrol prices, ensuring that citizens paid below the actual market rate. This policy aimed to reduce the cost of living, support businesses, and prevent inflationary pressures caused by high fuel prices. Actions Taken in the Removal of Petroleum Subsidy in Nigeria Over time, the Nigerian government faced huge fiscal burdens due to subsidy payments. In May 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies, citing unsustainable government expenditure and corruption in the subsidy system. The major actions taken include: Immediate Removal of Subsidy – Fuel prices surged from around N197 per liter to over N500 per liter, later reaching above N600 in some locations. Deregulation of the Petroleum Market – Market forces now determine fuel prices rather than government control. Increased Fuel Importation by Private Sector – Private companies are now responsible for fuel importation, ending NNPC's monopoly. Government Efforts to Cushion the Impact – Initiatives such as the palliative funds, salary adjustments, and mass transit support programs were introduced to ease economic hardships. Economic Effects of Subsidy Removal in Nigeria The removal of petroleum subsidies has had significant economic consequences, both positive and negative: Positive Effects:  Reduction in Government Expenditure – Freed up resources that were previously spent on subsidies (estimated at $10 billion annually).  Attraction of Foreign Investment – A more liberalized market encourages private investment in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.  Reduced Smuggling – Subsidized fuel was often smuggled to neighboring countries close to us from Calabar; removal curbed this illegal activity.  Incentive for Local Refining – Companies like Dangote Refinery and modular refineries are more viable now as prices reflect actual production costs. Negative Effects: • Soaring Inflation and Cost of Living – Higher fuel prices led to increased transportation costs, food prices, and general inflation. • Increased Hardship for Citizens – Many Nigerians struggle with affordability as the price of goods and services skyrockets. • Higher Production Costs for Businesses – Industries relying on fuel for operations face higher operational costs, leading to potential job losses. • Transport Sector Crisis – Public transportation and logistics costs have significantly increased, affecting daily commutes and business logistics. Conclusion Petroleum subsidy removal in Nigeria was necessary for fiscal stability but came with short-term economic hardship. While it may promote long-term economic growth, it requires proper policy measures such as investment in public transportation, local refining capacity, and targeted social welfare programs to cushion the effects on vulnerable citizens.

CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS

CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS If you hire a photographer to record your wedding, he knows better not to record those who are fighting over meats or bottles of beer. If there is a loose wire causing sparks somewhere close to the sound system, he knows better not to record it. He is careful choosing what to focus the lens on. You know why? He knows that you paid him to record the great moments you will always like to remember, not the ones you do not cherish. He knows that what you want to remember are not those people fighting. You want to see the beautiful wedding dresses, the rhythmic dance steps of the bridal train, the toasts, the comedy from the MC etc. It is the same wedding, but he chooses his focus. This is called Selective Attention. Choose what you focus on in Life. The stimuli that demand our reactions or responses on a daily basis are usually numerous. The workplace is busy. Different moments, diverse experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly. You can allow everything to disturb your mind or you can filter out the bad and ugly and consume what you'll always ever remember for good. Be selective with your attention. Be decisive to choose what consumes your energy. If you cannot make that choice, then you are not in control of your emotions. We can leave the gist that drain your energy and focus on your growth and all that contribute to it. Chose what gives you growth and joy. Be selective with your focus. Written by Sobayo Oluwafemi

The strangest secret in the world recorded 1956

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-K8JbS4nng

10 WAYS TO LOSE BELLY FAT

Avoid common mistakes and craft abs of steel by following these 10 simple steps to lose belly fat First of all, let's get one thing clear: there is no way to target specific areas of fat on your body. No matter how enthusiastically the lady on the infomercial promises her products will be able to 'melt those love handles' or 'firm up that butt', she's lying. Or at least, bending the truth. And even if you work out twice a day, every day, if you're consuming more calories than you’re burning, and if the food you’re eating is packed full of sugar and other things that encourage your body to store fat - you will still carry some excess flab. However, there are some tricks you can employ to give your body the best chance in your fight against the flab. Thousands of crunches won’t give you a six-pack, but making some dietary changes and switching up your training approach can and will. The quickest way to fail your fat-fighting mission is by flaking out on your commitments and lacking discipline. But even if you are properly motivated, you need to ensure you aren’t making silly mistakes that will stall your belly fat burning progress. We've come up with ten of the most common, critical errors even the most ardent gym-goer could still make, and the simple changes that could see your six-pack come out of hiding within a matter of weeks. Are you sitting comfortably? Let’s begin… 1. Banish stress Minimising stress lowers your cortisol levels. It's been understood for ages that chronically high cortisol results in fat gain, particularly around the middle. No matter how much you exercise or how healthy your diet, you’ll struggle to lose weight if your cortisol is elevated. And unfortunately for us gentlemen, we're more prone to stress-related cortisol and belly fat so reducing stress levels is a surefire way to help attack the belly flab. Of course, reducing stress is easier said than done, but three scientifically proven ways you can do it are: yoga, laughter and listening to music. So, hit a yoga class, watch a comedy and keep some headphones handy. 2. Get plenty of vitamin C Vitamin C can help balance the cortisol spikes that occur while you're stressed. And as well as being a good way to boost you immune system and prevent colds, Vitamin C is also essential for making carnitine, a compound that helps your body with the process of turning fat into fuel. If you’re going through a particularly stressful period then increase your vitamin C and it’ll go some way to help counteract the negative side-effects. However, don't just neck a load of orange juice to up your intake. OJ may be a great vitamin C source but it's also full of sugar (even though it's naturally occurring it will still hamper your weight-loss efforts). Try including more chilli peppers, tomatoes, kale and kiwi fruit in your diet. These all have even more vitamin C than oranges, along with a host of other healthy nutrients. The best abs workout to help you shift your belly fat 3. Start strength training Strength training isn't just about building bulging biceps that look good in the mirror. It's essential for weight loss because it burns calories while improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. It's preferable to steady state cardio training because it produces a more favourable muscle-building response and burns more fat. For the best results, follow a periodised strength training programme that changes regularly – so you are not doing the same thing for longer than two months – and include sprint training. 4. Don’t avoid fat Avoiding fat in your diet to shift fat from your body may seem logical, but when you appreciate the role of fat in the body you’ll realise it isn’t. You need a decent amount of ‘good’ fat in your diet because all the cells in your body are made up of two layers of fats, or lipids, which are composed of good fats or bad fats depending on the type that’s predominant in your diet. If the cell lipid layers are made up of healthy fats, it will make them more sensitive to insulin and allow the receptors to bind more easily, which is necessary for good metabolism and energy production. Of course, removing trans fats from your diet is essential because they will make you fat and then they will kill you. The truth about losing weight and burning fat 5. Balance your healthy fat intake To get a balanced intake you ideally want a nearly equal ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fats. Most people get way too many omega 6 fats because they are abundantly found in the most commonly used vegetable oils. Omega 3 fatty acids are those that come from fish oil (usually known as DHA, EPA and ALA) but they also are found in grass-fed beef and wild meats. So for better insulin health and body composition, eat wild meat and fish and take an omega 3 supplement. 6. Take a probiotic Probiotics are tiny bacteria that live naturally in the gastrointestinal tract and are commonly found in dairy products such as yogurt. It’s difficult to lose weight if you don’t have a healthy gut. Why? More than half the neurotransmitters that send messages from the brain to cells and hormone receptors throughout the body are made in the gastrointestinal lining. If your gut is not healthy, it negatively affects the production of the neurotransmitters, leading to poor cognitive function, low mood and lack of motivation to exercise. Gut health is also essential because it improves digestion. Your metabolism will be supported so that nutrients are broken down, absorbed and used by the body effectively. A recent study even found that the probiotics found in fermented kimchi and yoghurt can naturally speed up your metabolism. The best six-pack moves 7. Top up your nutrients Another trick for supporting digestion and fat loss is to make sure you have adequate stomach acid to break down food. Take a hydrochloric acid (HCl) supplement to improve acid levels in the stomach and to allow your body to completely break down food. The increased acid levels in the stomach will improve the absorption of protein, calcium, vitamin B, magnesium, zinc, iron and other basic nutrients. 8. Get a good night’s sleep When you’re tired you produce more of the hunger-stimulating hormone called ghrelin, which triggers cravings for sugar and other foods that will do your waistline no favours. Losing sleep can also alter your hormone production, which affects your cortisol levels and can cause insulin sensitivity - one of the main offenders when it comes to seemingly unshiftable belly flab. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night is one of the best things you can do if you want to lose weight and reveal your abs. 9. Start your day with protein Skipping meals will set you up to fail to lose weight, and eating breakfast is one of the simplest, healthiest things you can do to feel better and have more energy – but it’s vital that it includes protein. Cereal is bad for breakfast because it’s typically packed with sugar and additives. Setting the neurotransmitters up for the day is the reason a high-quality protein breakfast is essential. The macronutrient content of the food you eat for breakfast will prime the chemicals that send messages from the brain to all your muscles and tissues throughout the whole day. 10. Drink green tea A study in the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition suggests that drinking four cups of green tea each day could help people shed around 2-3kg in two months because there is a compound in the brewed tea that temporarily speeds up your metabolism. If you want to up your intake even further keep a jug of iced green tea in the fridge for a bit of variation. (MAX ANDERTON)

MUGABE CONTROVERSIAL QUOTES ON RACISM

Iwan Read the speech of President Mugabe...True Story: 1. Racism will never end as long as white cars are still using black tyres. 2. Racism Will never end as long we still wash first white clothes, then other colours later. 3. Racism will never end if people still use black to symbolise bad luck and WHITE for peace! 4. Racism will never end if people still wear white clothes to weddings and black clothes to the funerals. 5. Racism will never end as long as those who don't pay their bills are blacklisted not White listed. Even when playing the pool (snooker), you haven't won until you sink the black ball,and the white ball must remain on the field. BUT I don't CARE,SO LONG AS I'M STILL USING THE WHITE TOILET PAPER TO WIPE MY BLACK A*S, I 'M STILL FINE! (Mugabe speech) LOL 😃😃😃 What do you think about this speech ?