Tag: Nigeria News

  • Hidden tricks you didn’t know your Android phone could do

    Hidden tricks you didn’t know your Android phone could do

    There’s a whole host of hidden features, in your Android phone, that you may not know about that can make your mobile experience a lot more fun.

    Android has a wide variety of models, and versions which makes it more difficult to find features that will be consistent across all devices but you could dig into the settings and tweaks available for your Android phone and you’ll find a host of clever features and useful tools.

    Here are five (5) tricks you could do with your Android phone:

    1. Find your phone: Usually, you’d have to ask someone to ring your phone or find another phone to ring your phone. But you don’t have to with your Android. Simply search “find my phone” on Google and Google will find it for you. If you own more than one Android device, you’ll be prompted to select one.

    Not only can you see its location on Google Maps but also ring it or erase everything on it. The ring also works even if the phone is on silent and rings for a full 5 minutes. So that’s an advantage over a traditional method of ringing to find your phone.

    1. Dual tab viewing on Chrome: So everyone knows how to split-screen on Android and use two apps side by side. Most people don’t know, however, that you can also view two separate Chrome tabs side by side as well. Just make sure you have two tabs open on Chrome and then launch the split-screen view by long pressing on the recent/overview key. Tap on the three-dot overflow menu button on Chrome and select Move to other window and that’s it.
    2. Use a mouse to operate your phone: Is your display broken and the touchscreen doesn’t work? Connect a USB mouse. You can also connect gamepads, USB sticks and more with the adapter. Do it and your iPhone friends will be turning green with envy. You only need a USB OTG cable, and then you can begin.
    3. Unlock your phone automatically: Android has had a feature called Smart Lock for quite some time now but it isn’t talked about much. You can set it to automatically unlock when you’re at a specified location such as your home, office or any other place. You can set it to unlock when you connect to a device such as your smartwatch or your car’s Bluetooth system. Smart Lock can be found in Settings > Security & Lockscreen.
    4. Turn on the Guest mode: Sometimes you’ve to hand over your phone to someone in need. And then they have to walk away a few steps to get a better signal reception. You have no idea what they might be looking at. A better solution would be to use a Guest mode which has been, again, present on Android for a while. Just pull down your quick settings from the top and tap on your user icon. Select Add guest and you’ll switch to guest mode.
  • 22 danger signs to watch out for when using a gas cylinder

    22 danger signs to watch out for when using a gas cylinder

    By Praise Olowe

     

    There have been many cases of gas cylinder explosions and when this happens, lives are lost and properties worth millions are destroyed.

    However, there are so many danger signs we need to look out for while using a Gas cylinder.

    Some of these factors are:

    •   Cooking gas cylinders must not exceed five years: most people using gas cylinders hardly remember when it was bought. It is important to keep track of the days and replace them as soon as possible.
    •    Do not buy used Gas cylinders.
    •    Watch out for the expiry dates: The steps to check the expiry date are very simple and basic. The expiry of LPG cylinder can be found on one of the metal strips that connect the body of the cylinder to top ring (handle). It is mentioned on the inner side of the strip. The strip has any of the alphabets from A to D painted on it along with a number. Decoding the expiry date is simple. The alphabet represents the month it expires while the number indicates the year. A year is divided into four quarters :

    A – January to March

    B – April to June

    C – July to  September

    D – October to  December

    For example, your cylinder has ‘A 18  painted on the metal strip. The alphabet A represents month March and 18 indicates the year 2018.

    • ·       Use gas cylinders in a vertical position, unless specifically designed to be used otherwise
    • ·       Securely restrain cylinders to prevent them from falling over
    • ·       Always double check that the cylinder/gas is the right one for the intended use.
    • ·       Before connecting a gas cylinder to equipment or pipe-work make sure that the regulator and pipe-work are suitable for the type of gas and pressure being used.
    • ·       When required, wear suitable safety shoes and other personal protective equipment when handling gas cylinders.
    • ·       Do not use gas cylinders for any other purpose than the transport and storage of gas.
    • ·        Do not drop, roll or drag gas cylinders.
    • ·       Close the cylinder valve and replace dust caps, where provided when a gas cylinder is not in use.
    • ·       Where appropriate, fit cylinders with residual pressure valves (non-return valves) to reduce the risk of backflow of water or other materials into the cylinder during use that might corrode it (e.g. beer forced into an empty gas cylinder during cylinder change-over).
    • ·       Ensure the valve is protected by a valve cap or collar, or that the valve has been designed to withstand impact if the cylinder is dropped.
    • ·       Store gas cylinders in a dry, safe place on a flat surface in the open air. If this is not reasonably practicable, store in an adequately ventilated building or part of a building specifically reserved for this purpose.

    Read Also: Family of six burnt in Anambra gas explosion

    • ·       Cylinders containing flammable gas should not be stored in part of a building used for other purposes.
    • ·       Protect gas cylinders from external heat sources that may adversely affect their mechanical integrity.
    • ·       Gas cylinders should be stored away from sources of ignition and other flammable materials.
    • ·       Avoid storing gas cylinders so that they stand or lie in water.
    • ·       Ensure the valve is kept shut on empty cylinders to prevent contaminants from getting in.
    • ·       Store gas cylinders securely when they are not in use. They should be properly restrained unless designed to be free-standing.
    • ·       Gas cylinders must be clearly marked to show what they contain and the hazards associated with their contents.
    • ·       Store cylinders where they are not vulnerable to hazards caused by impact, e.g. from vehicles such as fork-lift trucks.
  • Famous Nollywood celebrities that have died in 2019

    As we all know Nigerian movies industry has produced many Nollywood actors and actresses over the years and at the same time lost most of them to the cold hand of ‘Death’.

    The Nigerian movie industry has lost icons within the short period of the year 2019 and it’s been a sad occurrence.

    Here are 10 Nollywood stars that have died this year.

    Funmilayo ‘Ijewuru’ Ogunsola

    Funmilayo ‘Ijewuru’ Ogunsola

    Funmilayo ‘Ijewuru’ Ogunsola passed away on Monday, February 4 in Ibadan at the age of 58. She was a popular actress and was married to the late movie star, Ishola ‘I show Pepper’ Ogunsola.

    Gbenga ‘Burger’ Akintunde

    Gbenga ‘Burger’ Akintunde
    Gbenga ‘Burger’ Akintunde

    Gbenga ‘Burger’ Akintunde died on Thursday, January 3 at the age of 47, after visiting the hospital to complain of malaria.

    Adewale Olanrewaju 

    Adewale Olanrewaju Adewale

    Adewale Olanrewaju popularly known as  ‘I show Larry’ died on Monday, January 21 at the age of 36. The actor was also a movie producer.

    Abe Ishola Monsurat Olabisi

    Abe Ishola Monsurat Olabisi

     

    Abe Ishola Monsurat Olabisi passed away on Saturday, March 30 at age 39. Her death was announced days after she delivered a baby girl.

    LinChung Duke Oliver

    LinChung Duke Oliver
    LinChung Duke Oliver

    Duke ‘LinChung’ Oliver passed away on April 2 at age 45. He passed away after a car crash on his way to Lagos from his mom’s burial. He is famous for his role as Sylvanus in the sitcom, ‘Do Good.’

    Alfred Rotimi Popoola

    Alfred Rotimi Popoola
    Alfred Rotimi Popoola

    Alfred Rotimi Popoola passed away on Thursday, February 27 in Abeokuta, Ogun state. He died at 51. Popoola has featured in several Nollywood movies including ‘Aiye Foreign,’ and ‘Ropo Ijogbon.’

    Prince Dammy Eke

    Prince Dammy Eke
    Prince Dammy Eke

    Prince Dammy Eke died on April 28. He died at age 41. The actor reportedly slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

    Adio Majester

    Adio Majester
    Adio Majester

    Adio Majester passed away on Tuesday, May 7 in the intensive care of an undisclosed hospital. He died at age 50. He featured numerous movies and a number of stage plays in his career as an actor.

    Henry Okoro

    Henry Okoro
    Henry Okoro

    Henry Okoro died following injuries sustained during a fatal accident that occurred on May 11. He was an actor before taking a backseat to work as director and producer after a decade. He died at 36

    Eddie Ugboma

    Eddie Ugboma
    Eddie Ugboma

    Eddie Ugboma died on May 11 after a health challenge. He would be remembered for his role as Oyenusi in a film of the same title. He died at 78

  • 10 smallest countries you never knew existed

    There are more than 200 countries in the world. But there are states and territories on this planet we never knew existed. They occupy a small area and some of them are inhabited by just a couple of families.

    Below are lists of the top ten tiniest countries with a population smaller than that of a medium-sized city or even a small village:

    Palau

    The Republic of Palau is an island country, which consists of more than 300 islands of different sizes. Palau is one of the most amazing places on earth. Its area is 459 sq. km with a population of 21,347 people. Its rain forests are full of unique plants and birds and its territorial waters are inhabited by 130 threatened species of shark. But the most remarkable sight in the country is the lake with over two million jellyfish in it.

    Palau

    Niue

    Niue is a tiny island state in Oceania. Despite the truly amazing views, tourism is not popular there. Therefore, the country depends greatly on foreign aid, especially from New Zealand. The capital city is just a small village with a population fewer than 600 people. But the island has its own airport and a real supermarket, the one and only in the whole state.

    Niue

    Saint Kitts and Nevis

    The state consists of two islands: Saint Kitts and Nevis. One of the main sources of income is the economic citizenship program that allows anyone who has at least $250,000 to invest in the local sugar industry and thus obtain the status of a citizen of St. Kitts. Another way of obtaining citizenship is to purchase a property worth no less than $400,000 on either of the two islands.

    Saint Kitts and Nevis

    The Principality of Hutt River

    The Principality of Hutt River is a micro nation located in the province of the same name in Australia. It was founded by Leonard Casley, who declared his farm to be a new and independent state. Although the country is not recognized by any state, it still has its own currency, stamps, and passports. In different parts of the principality, tourists can see the busts of His Royal Highness Prince Leonard I of Hutt.

    The Principality of Hutt River

    Tuvalu

    Tuvalu is one of the smallest and poorest countries in the world. The economic situation of the tiny state could be even more disastrous if Tuvalu hadn’t been given the Internet domain .tv, which annually brings millions of dollars to the country’s budget.

    Tuvalu

    Nauru

    Nauru is the smallest independent republic and the smallest island state on our planet. Nauru has neither an official capital nor public transportation system, and 25 miles of its roads are used by locals driving their private vehicles. Environmental problems make the republic very unpopular among tourists. Another “record” of Nauru is the number of obese people: the obesity rate in the country is more than 70%.

    Nauru

    The Principality of Seborga

    This micro-nation on the territory of Italy is ruled by His Tremendousness Marcello I. The Principality of Seborga is actually a village of the same name near the French border. The unrecognized state has an army that consists of 3 people: the Minister of Defense and two border guards.

    The Principality of Seborga

    The Republic of Molossia

    The self-proclaimed Republic of Molossia is a micro-nation founded by Kevin Baugh, located in Nevada, USA. Its population consists of Mr. Baugh himself, his family, 3 dogs, 1 cat, and 1 rabbit. Molossia has its own national anthem, national emblem and national flag. They even have the death penalty for particularly serious crimes. It issues its own passports and even has a space program. In May 2017, the Republic turned 40.

    The Republic of Molossia

    Sovereign Military Order of Malta

    Apart from Vatican City, there is another tiny state on the territory of Rome, which is called the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Its area is 0.012 sq. km. and it occupies three buildings, two of which are located in Rome and the third one on the island of Malta. The country has its own currency, stamps, website, car numbers, and passports.

    Sovereign Military Order of Malta

    The Principality of Sealand

    The unrecognized state of Sealand is a sea platform located 6 miles away from the coast of Great Britain. Sealand is governed by a self-proclaimed Prince Regent, and anyone can become a count, baron, or even a duke: one can buy a noble title for a few hundred British pounds on the state’s website.

    The Principality of Sealand
  • Eight fruits that can boost your ‘sex drive’

    Most people always find ways to improve their sexual experience hence scientists have linked a variety of foods that can boost sex drive.

    Keeping the circulatory system in good working order is essential for healthy sex life. Better circulation can lead to an improved sexual response in men and women.

    Foods that can help people improve their sex drive are commonly called ‘aphrodisiacs’, named after Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love.

    Certain foods help in increasing the blood flow throughout the body. Your diet arguably has the biggest effect on how the body will function; here are foods that can boost your sex drive;

    Strawberries and raspberries

    Strawberries and raspberries

    The seeds of these fruits are loaded with zinc which is essential for sex for both — men and women. It is believed that women with high level of zinc in their bodies find it easier to prepare for sex.

    In men, zinc controls the testosterone level which is responsible for producing the sperm. It is important that men load up on zinc as their zinc levels reduces during intercourse.

    Avocados

    Avocados

    Did you know that the word “avocado” came from the Aztec word for “testicle”? Folic acid and vitamin B6 are both necessary for a healthy sex drive as contained in avocados.

    Folic acid pumps the body with energy, while vitamin B6 stabilises the hormones.

    Watermelon

    Watermelon

    Watermelon improves one’s erection and increases the sex drive.

    They also contain ‘citrulline’ which releases amino acids and arginine in the body. Arginine is responsible for vascular health.

    READ ALSO: Infertility: These fruits can boost fertility

    The truth is this juicy tropical fruit does so much more than replenishing your body with fluids.

    Almonds

    Almonds

    Almonds contain arginine which improves circulation and relaxes blood vessels.

    This amino acid found in almonds helps you maintain an erection.

    Walnuts

    Walnuts

    Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats that boost dopamine.

    It also contains arginine, an amino acid that increases the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and increases circulation.

    Oysters

    Oysters

    Oysters have been associated with increased sex drive since the time of ancient Rome. With so much history behind it, the whole oyster-libido linkage probably has some truth to it.

    Oysters are high in zinc, which is essential for proper functioning of the male reproductive system

    Bananas

    Bananas

    Apart from the obvious shape of the fruit, it’s the potassium in bananas that can help improve your sex drive.

    Since potassium helps increase muscle strength and contraction, achieving orgasms can become much easier.

    Additionally, bromelain helps produce testosterone. Add a frozen banana to your post-workout smoothie or add banana slices to overnight oats for some natural sweetness.

    Tigernut

    Tigernut

    Medically, this may not have been proven but traditionally, tiger nuts has been used as an alternative medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and related problems.

    Its rich content of the Vitamin E also helps in men fertility issues as it aids in the free and active movement of the sperm which will easily swim to fertilize the egg leading to easy conception.

    It also contains other vital minerals which will help boost sperm count and also improves its thickness. It also improves sex drives in both men and women.

  • Buhari seeks Reps approval for 2016/2018 borrowing plan

    Tony Akowe, Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the House of Representatives to approve the 2016/2018 external borrowing plan which was not approved by the 8th Assembly.

    In a letter from the President read on the floor of the House at resumption of plenary on Thursday by the Speaker, the President said the approval of the borrowing plan will enable the government fund some of the projects listed in the plan.

    He said only the North East development plan and the China Exim bank funded Lagos to Ibadan rail line were approved by the 8th Assembly.

    Read Also: NDDC Budget: Senate bars Interim Management

    He said the remaining projects not approved are no doubt important to government policies and programmes as they relate to power, education, agriculture, education among others.

    He said the projects to be funded under the borrowing plan were approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2016 under the 2016 external borrowing plan.

    He informed the House that he has directed the Minister of Finance to make herself available to provide necessary clarifications that may be needed for the House to pass approve the plan without delay.

  • Pension asset grows to N9.58trn

    Moses Emorinken, Abuja

     

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has revealed that its pension asset has risen to N9.58trn as at September 2019.

    This was made known on Thursday by the Acting Director-General of PenCom, Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar, during a workshop organized by the Commission for journalists in Benin city, Edo state.

    According to her, “As at September 2019, the number of registered contributors under the CPS has grown to 8.85 million while pension fund assets have grown to N9.58 trillion. This growth indeed justifies our emphasis on the safety of pension funds as the bedrock of sustaining the CPS and assure all stakeholders that the pension reform remains steadily on course.

    “These modest milestones notwithstanding, the Commission and Pension Operators are committed to actualizing the growth potentials of the pension industry”.

    In line with the theme of the workshop, ‘Expanding Coverage of the Pension Industry’, Mrs. Umar, explained that the Commission’s strategic focus which aims to expand access to pension via the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), is also aimed at expanding coverage of pension through transformational initiatives especially the Micro Pension Plan (MPP).

    The MPP, which was launched in March, 2019 by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, is targeted at the informal sector and self-employed who are not mandatorily covered under the CPS.

    The PenCom boss also added that: “Enhanced Contributor Registration System (ECRS), which is an in-house developed ICT application which was deployed in June 2019 to enhance the integrity of the contributors’ database, has been integrated with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database to help authenticate the uniqueness of individuals seeking to register under the CPS.

    “The ECRS provides a platform for the registration of Micro Pension Plan participants and is a major step towards the introduction of the transfer window, which will enable contributors change to the PFAs of their choice, in line with Section 13 of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014”.

    Read Also: NDDC Budget: Senate bars Interim Management

    The Executive Director (Technical) of ARM Pension, Mr. Abisola Onigbogi, explained that the informal sector has a huge potential to contribute significantly to the pension sector because apart from having a concentration of 70 per cent of total workforce in Nigeria, it also makes up about 17 million business and contributes 59.7 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

    He also stated that efforts are going to ensure partnership with service providers to provide access to basic services such as health care, insurance services among others, with the aim of bringing more persons in the informal sector into the pension scheme as a greater percentage of Nigerians which represent the informal sector are still out of the pension coverage.

    “We need to deepen financial inclusion which stands at 65 per cent through mobile phone subscription. There are currently 172 million mobile subscribers, therefore, we need to make it easier for contributors to contribute to their pension account from the comfort of their mobile phones.

    “Providing means of identification by enrollees has been a major challenge for us, therefore, we are working with the regulators to ensure that the requirements are relaxed a little too encourage more people into the scheme”.

  • Kate Henshaw condemns use of bleaching cream on kids by ‘slay mamas’

    Veteran Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw has condemned the act of ‘slay mamas’ using breaching cream on their babies.

    The ace actress, who frowned at such act, took to her Instagram page @k8henshaw to express how bad she felt, adding that there was nothing to glow in babies’ bodies, cautioning parents not to destroy children’s future for aesthetic values.

    She wrote: “This is where I draw the line!!! Selling all sorts of unverified products to mothers telling them to glow their babies with flawless shower bath!!

    “What is this self-loathing that you want to transfer to children?? For 20k or 30k you want to destroy a future for aesthetic value,” She said.

    She stressed on the spark out over skin transformation method involving a hot bath in order to wash away their coloured skin.

    The movie artiste, who doubled as an activist for women and kids, slammed any beauty therapist who used such procedure on kids.

    The 48-year old actress said that it was not proper for anyone to take children’s right in choosing their skin looks at such a tender age.

    The actress and fitness enthusiast is one of the elite group of actresses, who have significantly contributed to the Nollywood’s enduring reputation for creative excellence.

    Henshaw, an award-winning Nollywood star actress, producer, politician and fitness expert, is also a social advocate with interest in the welfare of her community.

    The Nollywood star commenced her acting career in 1993 with the movie “When the Sun Sets”, where she played the lead role.

    Read Also: It’s you who will fall sick, Bobrisky replies Prophetess

    Her performance in the role opened up doors of opportunities for her in Nollywood.

    Henshaw has featured in over 100 movies, which include “Do Good Series”, Consequences When the Sun Sets, Above Death, In God We Trust, A Million Tears , My Little Secret , Games Men Play , Stronger Than Pain.

    In 2015, Henshaw took interest in politics and decided to represent and serve her people.

    Her aim was to represent Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but lost at the primary level.

    Henshaw was later appointed by the Governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade, as the Special Adviser, Liaison, Lagos.

    She has won numerous awards which include, Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in Lead Role 2008, City People Movie Award for Face of Nollywood (English) – 2015, Best Actress Award at ZAFAA for her role in the movie Iquo’s Journal – 2015 among others.

    Henshaw was once married to Roderick James Nuttal, and their union was blessed with a daughter Gabrielle Nuttal.

  • BREAKING: Ex-Senator, former Bayelsa Speaker, others arraigned before CCT

    By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

     

    An ex-Senator, Emmanuel Onwe from Ebonyi State, a former Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Friday Komboyein and four others have been arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja on charges of breach of code of conduct for public officers.

    A statement by CCT’s spokesman, Ibraheem Zakariya said while Onwe (a former Commissioner in Ebonyi) was arraigned alone on a charge in which he was accused of refusing to return his asset declaration form at the appropriate time, Komboyein and others were arraigned on a separate charge in which they are accused of abusing their offices.

    Those arraigned with the ex-Speaker are: two former Clerks – Aaron Timiye and Owudogu Edward; and two other ex-Accountants – Thomas Tamaraodubo and Koroye Stephen.

    According Zakariya, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned on Wednesday.

    Details shortly.

  • 2Baba, Blackface settle out of court

    Nigerian legendary Musician, Innocent Idibia, famously Known as 2baba, has settled the long existing legal battle with his former group member Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, famously known as Blackface. This happened on Wednesday when they opted for an out-of-court settlement.

    They signed a yet to be disclosed settlement agreement at the Ikeja High Court shortly after 2baba dropped the N50m defamation suit filed against Blackface.

    Blackface had since accused 2baba that he stole the song from him after he composed it, without giving him credit on the sang after he sang it.