3 arewa women making waves in Nigeria

Hajiya Aisha Abubakar- grand daughter of Sultan of Sokoto Abubakar, Aisha is also a daughter to the renowned Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji a former minister and heir to the Sultanate trone. the UK educated lawyer is presently the minister of state for Trade, Industry and Investment, very smart and one of the shining lights of President Buhari's administration.

Mrs Zainab Ahmed-minister of state for budget and national planning made her name while serving as an elected a member of the International Board of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Kaduna born Ahmed was the former Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and immediately her name popped up on the ministerial list, many who knew her were glad because of her intelligence and work ethic.

Amina Mohammed- one of the most popular ministers in Buhari's cabinet, her CV is one that is very rich and attractive. Having worked with Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo on MDG's. the Gombe State indigene found herself at the UN where she assisted Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on developmental issues before she was made minister by Buhari.

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN FOR ARSENAL

The frustrations of Arsenal fans in the last eight years is better imagined, some of them still find it difficult to believe that the now very chubby Manchester City Football Executive, Patrick Vieira was the last Captain to lift a major trophy at the club(Patrick has probably forgotten the last opponent he tackled for the ball in his last competitive game given his new role and physique)Eight years ago seem so long now and considering the successes enjoyed by the team at the time many Arsenal fans would’ve probably laughed off any suggestions that their beloved club will go trophy less for nearly a decade.

What a lot of Arsenal supporters don’t know is that the club’s current policy of younger, relatively obscure players with potential started way back before Vieira lifted  that FA cup at Wembley in 2005,the idea found its way into Arsenal’s policy books immediately it became apparent that the club was to move from their historic Highbury stadium to the Emirates, Even though Wenger deserves credit for his enviable record of financial dealings with regards transfers, his real gems always have affordable price tags and the fans most a times couldn’t believe how good they turned out to be, starting from his first signing Patrick Vieira who he got for £2.5m,Nicholas Anelka came for £.5m even the one who has brought Arsenal the most joy in recent years, yes him, Thierry Henry could be seen to be a huge bargain considering his £10.5m price tag.

The signing that kicked off Arsenal’s present transfer policy was the capture of Ivory Coast international Kolo Habib Toure from ASEC MIMOSAS (Cote d’ivoire) in 2003. Arsenal fans didn’t really notice the beginning of a new dawn at the time because all the “big boys” ,Dennis Bergkamp,Thierry Henry ,Patrick Vieira and one of my personal favourite of all time Robert Pires were still at the club and the fans were still basking in the euphoria of the league and cup double of 2002 and the yet to be equaled unbeaten run and league success of 2004 while the fans were being mesmerized on the pitch and celebrating trophies, the board were busy discussing the future direction of the club(the fans now know how effective that discussion turned out to be)

What really broke the camel’s back was the departure of long time Wenger’s ally and trusted right hand man, David Dein, whose partnership with the manager was said to be the backbone of the club’s successes over the years, immediately he left came an influx of youngsters at Arsenal, some turned real good(Cesc  Fabregas, Robin Van Persie) then came the bad and ugly, Abou Diaby(nicknamed the new Patrick Vieira)Owusu Abieye, Emmanuel Eboue to the recent Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jeckinson not forgetting 20yr old Yaya Sanogo has joined from Auxerre this term, some of the aforementioned might elicit different reactions from the fans regarding their talents and contributions to the club’s cause, one thing is certain though they were clearly a step down from the kind of players expected at the club.

I strongly believe that Arsenal’s pursuit Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is a game plan by the club to appease the fans, who over the years have expressed their frustrations over the lack of real marquee signings that will sustain a real title challenge and bring the club back on par with their rivals (who seem to have increased in number since the last time they were really challenging..)

After declaring that he has 70m in the transfer kitty and ready to spend on new quality players, Wenger’s turnaround yesterday to say his present crop of players are good enough to mount a serious challenge for available trophies that confused a lot of the fans and confirmed what I have suspected all along. Arsenal knows getting Suarez from a “top four” rival will take some doing but to appease the fans given their frustrations the pretend to be trying (hence their strange, last offer)

The Club are very comfortable with the present bunch which will eventually mean another last minute jostle for fourth place and Champions League Qualification just like they’ve done in the last couple of seasons, some fans are planning a boycott of matches next season to press home their demands for better signings “we can’t be paying the highest match day ticket prices in the EPL and continue like this after several unfulfilled promises by the club, we have to do something about this, the power is in our hands” an avid supporter enthused.

Whatever happens, I think the club owe it to the fans to come out clean on the issues affecting the club and stop the double dealing acts, the fans are the backbone of every football club and resolving their concerns will help the club to move forward.

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                               Mansur Abubakar

                                                                                                                              Mansurabu9@gmail.com

HOW NIGERIANS CAN TRULY GET VALUE FROM THEIR ADVERTISING BUDGET

                 

As years pass by, the essence of advertising to individuals and businesses becomes more and more vital because without advertisement businesses would remain stagnant and refuse to grow meanwhile reaching out to millions of potential customers has huge benefits because it attracts immense customers thereby resulting in huge profits and the overall growth of the business.

Advertising on a budget could be challenging though (considering avenues and costs are factors that determine how everything works out) these are following ways Nigerians can truly get value from their advertising budget.

The Budget-expenses for the venture has to be defined, the business has to know what it intends to expend for advertisement that will be meaningful and yield tangible results. Considering the importance of advert, what every business should budget for this should be sizeable in fact some analysts believe as much as 35% of overall company budget should go towards advertisement (creating awareness)

Many Nigerian companies are yet to fully grasp the importance of advert, some have taken it off their companies to do list altogether while some have demoted it to the bottom of the list, I implore each business (especially the small ones on their way up) not to ignore the wonders advertisement could do to their establishment, so they should budget well for it because it will go a long way as a propellant.

Consult widely-Many Nigerian businesses fail to consult widely on vital issues, they prefer to do things their way and in modern business climates, it doesn’t work that way, they should always be room for consultations because there are experts in all fields that you could really benefit from their knowledge, advertisement isn’t left out, so business owners shouldn’t go into it with their eyes closed, get an expert to guide you, don’t act as if you know everything, handling this sensitive issue could positively or negatively affect your business and what you stand for. So it is important that you consult widely and meet people in the field for guidance on how to go about it so that your services can really benefit from your advertisement budget.

Changing times-In recent years Nigeria seem to have fully joined its peers around the world with regards the internet revolution a.k.a” online frenzy” it is estimated that from 2002 when Nigeria had only 8 million active internet users in 2012 that number grew exponentially to 55 million users which was one of the tremendous increment I n internet history, in essence what this means for Nigerians is that the internet is a viable option for traditional advert methods some even say it is gradually replacing it altogether.

It will be wise for Nigerians to take full advantage of the internet to reach out to millions of potential customers, many have heed this call and are smiling to the bank as we speak and the sweet aspect is that no matter your budget there’s something for everybody.

While Nigerian blogs and online forums like nairaland, Ynaija and bellanaija could drain your small advert budget others like aabn.com could really help you to reach out to millions with the smallest of advert budget, so take advantage.

REASONS YOU SHOULD USE HONEY EVERYDAY

REASONS YOU SHOULD USE HONEY EVERYDAY

Honey is man’s oldest sweetener and has been available from time immemorial and with advancement in science and technology we seem every day to be realizing the immense value of Honey to our health and general well-being. Based on latest findings and research, this are the reasons Honey should form a part of your everyday diet.

Mineral Composition-It is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose but also many beneficial minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium (which plays a vital role in our bones and teeth development) Iron which is essential for production of red blood cells in the blood and also involved in the conversion of blood sugar to energy, chlorine, sulphur and phosphate not forgetting that copper, iodine and zinc also exist in small quantities.

Vitamin-there’s also enough vitamins  which is part of our daily body requirements, honey contains Vitamin A, which aids in good vision and also maintains good skin, Vitamin B1,this helps for healthy brain, nerve cells and heart function not forgetting conversion  of carbohydrates to energy, Vitamin B2,for essential growth, healthy skin and eyes, Vitamin B3 for maintenance of digestive system, nerve and also lowers high blood cholesterol ,Vitamin B5,this vitamin is vital for metabolism and production of essential body chemicals and lastly Vitamin B6 which is necessary for chemical reaction of proteins and the formation of red blood cells(researchers say one can’t live without this vitamin)

Allergies-scratchy eyes, headaches and cold can be a real nuisance; honey can help to cure all those and even more. It can replace drugs when it comes to allergies, use raw honey that is unheated and unpasteurized, consume 2 to 3 spoonful daily, u can also spread it on toasts, biscuits or use it to sweeten your tea.

Skin-It also has an amazing effect on your skin, it got the ability to attract water and it is safe for sensitive skin. Can be used as a moisturizing mask for your skin as well as your hair(to use as a conditioner, mix the honey with olive oil)remember to wash your hair well before you go outside.

Ulcers-It also happens to be an effective treatment for ulcers, which affects millions around the world; it is mainly used in Europe for this purpose. The sugar in honey absorbs water and helps to trap some of the moisture so that bacteria and other microbes can’t grow as easily as in other foods. You should also take 2 to 3 spoons, twice daily for this in order to have the desired result.

3 THINGS YOU MUST HAVE AT 30

                          

There’s a general saying that life begins at 40 but if you really want to have a very fruitful and enjoyable lifestyle by that age then your work must start early so that by the time you’re 40, you would’ve attained a very admirable and respectable status in the society. Starting early will definitely give you an edge in the struggle, apart from necessary ingredients that are vital for success, discipline, mental strength, intelligence and hard work, below are the 3 most important things you must have by the age of 30 in order to live a harmonious life.

Relationship with God-the importance of this can never be over emphasized as the saying goes with God all things are possible, that’s why a very viable and stable relationship with God should be number 1 on the list. Having God in your life will increase your zeal, confidence and hard work and that will translate to better things in your life.

Amazing testimonies of people that found success after having faith and committing to God are too numerous to mention and can be seen or heard everywhere. It is highly imperative that as you clock 30, your life should have an adult perspective about it, put the life of an exuberant 20 something with raging hormones behind you and start living like a responsible adult and what better to do that if not by committing whole fully to the Almighty. It will make you calmer as you pursue other goals in life and this relationship will also serve a guide in your whole activities.

Income-it is compulsory that you possess a means of livelihood and stop depending on other people for survival, it is necessary to engage in something productive(instead of sitting idly and waiting for season 2 of your favourite series)there are million things to do with very little and the earlier you realize that the better, waiting for a miracle as regards your dream job isn’t the right way when someone else is making a good living doing the things you choose to ignore(things you’re better than him at)

At 30, you shouldn’t beg daddy (or mummy in few cases) for money to upgrade your wardrobe; instead they should offer you a loan to start up something. Thousands of graduates continue to roam the streets in search of well-paying job to no avail while others have seen the light and are making the best use of their time and earning an income as a result. The point is as you reach this landmark; make sure you’re productive and useful to yourself, family and the society at large.

Life partner-“behind every successful man is a woman” and “behind every successful woman lies a man” I’ve agreed with this saying since the first time I heard it because I really believe that to be successful you need someone by your side that really love, cares and understands you whole heartedly. Over the years, most success stories have been attributed to having a life partner that was there through thick and thin, someone that the held the person when he was falling down, inspired the person when confidence was low, we all need someone to be there for us and as we grow older we tend to realise the great importance of that. 

BEST WAYS TO REALLY ENJOY SATURDAYS

Over the years  Friday has attracted more praises, nicknames and popular songs like “Friday on my mind” by the easybeats and “Thank God it’s Friday” by R.Kelly but you still have to go to work(though many people see it as a short day)and even though Sunday is still part of the weekend but that dreadful anxious feeling of ”tomorrow is Monday” makes it less enjoyable. That’s why there’s no better day to relax and unwind like a Saturday, unlike it’s aforementioned sister days, Saturday is a total escape(for people with conventional working hours, that is)

We live in a fast-paced and busy world today, more so why we all need one day of the week to really relax and enjoy life, that day should best be Saturday and these are the best ways to really bring the day to life  .

Plan for it in advance- the importance of planning in everything we do can’t be over-emphasized and just as planning is good for work it also does an amazing job for relaxation, the plan should involve freeing up your Saturday, shift or postpone whatever needs to be shifted or postponed(don’t clog it up with your to-do lists)on the other hand plan fun things to do on Saturdays especially one that involves family, find a good movie and keep for Saturday.

Physical exercise-there’s no better way to start the day than  workout, jog or at least a light exercise early in the morning, apart from its health benefits which I’m sure we all know, it also start u off on a positive mood which you’ll exhibit throughout the day.

Eat something different-tea and bread for breakfast has become a norm in most households especially during the weekdays when we are all rushing to go out, I know, it is convenient and easy to “arrange” but this is a Saturday we are talking about not Monday so tea and bread should be off the breakfast menu, eat something different, something  very healthy. For me it’s either plantain and liver sauce or “Sinasir”(a modern version of waina) which is enjoyable with different vegetable soups, there are many dishes to choose from, just make sure you avoid the usual for a special day like Saturday(I can hear the bakeries coming for my head)

Shower-have you read about the scientific research where it was proven that showers actually make you smarter(lol)so all you Einstein wannabes take showers often and make your Saturday showers the longest, in terms of duration and the most enjoyable, so that you’ll invent the next” big thing”(I can hear someone calling the plumber to fix his shower)jokes apart taking a shower should be next on your list after physical exercise and breakfast and this could either be hot or cold depending on how you feel.

Watch a good movie-My Saturdays aren’t usually complete without watching at least one good movie, the whole essence of this article is how to best enjoy the day and one of the best ways to unwind is to watch a nice film, it can either be a product of Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood or the closer to home Kannywood depending on your taste and mood, music fans can also decide to listen to a good album. I’m not a big fan of Cinemas,  I prefer to watch my movies at home(economically speaking, though)but remember to service your generator in case PHCN decide to interrupt just when “the aftor(that’s how we pronounce it in my place)is about to punch the boss”

Evening time special-this is the most important on the list because unlike all the other items that one could do on his own, this one involves human interaction which is vital for our general wellbeing. Visiting a nice park with lots of green vegetation could boost your mental state and help you solve puzzles for your Monday presentation, ahaa, a zoo that has exotic animals(forget it you there are no Pandas in Nigerian zoos)or an amusement park with friends and family should be a weekly thing, a Saturday thing(if all things are equal, if you get what I mean) These visitations live a lasting memory on family members and friends, the least you could do with regards to this segment is invite a friend/relative to your house or visit a friend/relative and for those people like me that still live in my village let me rush to my backyard to climb that Baobab tree.

You guys didn’t remind me to include cleaning on the list(especially now that sanitation exercises are active in most states)well that’s very imperative but we all know cleaning isn’t fun and we are looking at the fun and enjoyable side of Saturdays but remember if you don’t clean your environment, I won’t be there when the Environmental Task Force come after you.

INTRO

On this blog,we are going to be discussing everything that will benefit arewa, from our deliciously rich cuisines,relationships and the state of insecurity that is hampering the development of our immensely blessed region.