The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tips

  • Tips on how to run successful businesses

    Girls Entrepreneur Club, a non-governmental organisation, held a forum last Saturday in Lagos to teach women how to run successful businesses, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    The Girls Who Mean Business Live Show, organised by The Girl Entrepreneur Club in Lagos at the weekend, afforded  women entrepreneurs the opportunity to share their stories.

    Despite their differences, the women have a few things in common – they are passionate, determined and committed to turning their ideas into realities – building successful businesses.

    The event held at the FCMB Hub One in Yaba, Lagos.

    According to them, entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride with a fair share of ups and downs.  They maintained that what defines a successful entrepreneur is the determination to push through and keep going when the times are tough.

    One of the speakers was Mrs Tosin Oshinowo, an architect. A native of Ikorodu, she studied Architecture at the Kingston University, and then the Architecture Association, London. She holds a Master’s in Urban Design from the Bartlett School of Architecture, London.

    Upon returning to the country, she practised at James Cubitt Architects and has designed works for Guaranty Trust Bank, CafeNeo, Kamp Ikare Resort and Ying Yang Express. She has been the lead architect at CmDesign Atelier CmD+A since 2012.

    CmD+A is an architecture design consultancy in Lagos. Her  architectural prowess was brought to limelight when the Maryland Mall, Lagos, her firm designed, opened in June 2016.

    Prior to setting-up CmD+A, her experiences had been shaped by working in leading international practices, such as Skidmore Owing & Merril’s LLP London and the Office of Metropolitan Architecture Rotterdam, where she was part of the team that designed the fourth Mainland Bridge in 2008.  A year later, Mrs Oshinowo started her furniture line Ilé-Ilà.  She was nominated for the EbonyLife TV Sisterhood Awards for Entrepreneur of the year in 2017.

    Mrs Oshinowo said at  12, she  knew she was  very  creative. “My background before has always been creativity.”

    At a very young age, Mrs Oshinowo developed a strong love for buildings and the art and science behind them. She would join her father to a building site, while he put up at the family residence in their hometown, Ikorodu, Lagos. The only way to fill the void was to give her dream of being architect  a shot. She talked about how the beginning of her business was slow, but she stuck in long enough to break through and now she owns a thriving architectural practice.

    She  started her practice in her home after she quit her job. Later, she rented an office space. What  helped her  was being confident in herself. She advised young entrepreneurs never to give up. She  counselled them  to be prepared for hard times.

    She said it was normal for entrepreneurs to go through ups and downs, frustrated or disconnected from the big vision.

    To actualise one’s dreams, one must be dogged.

    She explained how she manages her schedules: “As an architect, you need to be very structured because you work in a business-focused environment. I’m more organised and quick to make decisions when I have a to-do list.”

    Apart from designing buildings, Mrs Oshinowo has a furniture firm called Ile-Ila: House of Lines, where she uses local fabrics and patterns within a contemporary aesthetic to design chairs.

    Another speaker was  the Chief Executive, Malimbe Africa, Ana Acha Collazo. An entrepreneur, she followed her dream to start her publishing company, which publishes the in-flight magazine of five airlines. They are Arik Air, Aero contractors, Dana Air, Max Air, and Bristow.

    They are also the official transport magazine of Taxify and are received by over 100 top hotels.

    The moderator, Funmi Bolarinwa, said the aim of the show was to strengthen economic  emaniciaption of young women.

    She said the organisation  creates awareness and promotes women’s entrepreneurship.

    According to her, the forum provides girls with the tools they need to develop economic resources and confidence in their skills, allowing them to transform their families and communities.

    Chief Executive, Leadspace, Nonyelim Okolie said FCMB created Hub One, a tech-themed co-working space to  support education entrepreneurship by bringing  tech entrepreneurs to develop breakthrough ideas.

    She  said  Hub One, which is created in partnership with Passion Incubator, is a conducive environment designed to foster collaboration and drive creativity within Nigeria’s tech start-up ecosystem.

    She said Hub One provides the necessary infrastructure for tech start-ups, as well as capacity building events, to enable them to focus their limited resources on their business development.

    Routinely, Hub One will host incubation programmes, hackathons and pitches to support and provide a platform for tech start-ups

    She said FCMB hubs are located in Yaba and Ojodu Berger.

    She said the hub was excited about supporting The Girls Who Mean Business Live Show organised by  The Girl Entrepreneur Club in Lagos.

  • Tips on workers’ engagement, by CIPM

    NO fewer than 500 members have attended the training organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).

    The Learning Leaders’ Forum, which held at the institute’s secretariat  in Ikeja, Lagos, had as theme “Attracting and engaging talents’’.

    In a message, the institute’s President/Chairman of Council Udom Inoyo said feedback from members and the human resource community on the forum indicated that the forum had become a platform that chief executives, managers, line managers, employers and representatives of private and government establishments, owing to its benefits for industry and the profession.

    CIPM, he said, was concerned with the challenges that organisations face when shopping for competent hands, the dangers this portend for employers and the risks employees face when they  change jobs.

    Inoyo said: “Today, we would identify reasons for premature staff movement, proffer solutions and also educate stakeholders on the best approach to addressing the issue as its relate to organisations. It’s a competitive business environment and employers would go after a staff member that brings results at any cost with alluring offers. So, why not protect yours to avoid talent poaching?’’

    Guest speaker Yemi Fasaun, listed competence, credibility, character and charisma as attributes of good leadership.

    He noted  that the leader is key to sustained engagement and that there was the need for leadership development along the value chain, adding that it is not only the chief executive that is the leader in a firm.

    Fasuan, who is Head of Human Resource, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, also said to engage a worker, human resource experts should concentrate more on other factors and less on his CV.

  • Tips for last-minute school supply shoppers

    Making a list of requirements and sticking to a budget is the best way to curb expenditure when buying back- to-school supplies. Experts have, however, advised that parents set limits for what they can buy. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes

    AS  schools resume next week, some parents are afraid of the expenses that await them.

    Some students are already back to school, while others will start next week. But for those still tackling school lists and needs, this might not be the best time.

    With the new school year a week away, malls and other shopping centres are overflowing with parents and kids rushing to make all their purchases but prices are not friendly.

    With just one week to go, this weekend is a big one for back-to-school shoppers.Notebooks, bookbags and lunch boxes were some of the items that flew off the shelves at major shopping places visited by The Nation Shopping. Most parents were seen trying to rush out and complete those shopping lists in time for the big day. Students and parents are flocking to malls, markets and department stores to stock up on school supplies but, for many, it is a costly shopping trip as usual.

    As school children head back to school, they’re going to need supplies. For last-minute shoppers, maximising savings by creating a shopping list is the way out.

    It is important to start by looking and sorting through the things  that are available and taking note of the essentials needed. Budget making to avoid spending on unnecessary items should also be considered before checking for educational discounts.

    Parents say the list of required supplies grows yearly, and with many children, the Naira signs add up quickly. “From school uniforms to note books, of course backpacks, lunch-bags, there’s quite an extensive list,” says Mrs Badmus Omolola, a mother scouting for back to school supplies for her ward at The Arena market in Oshodi.

    Omolola says she tries to make a new budget each school session. She says it’s hard to go overboard, hardly spending N50, 000 on the basics.

    Mrs Okiria Stella, another shopper, said that she spent more than she planned. “There’s a tendency to spend more because things are getting more expensive,” she said.

    Miss Abigail Fagbemi is a student, who puts herself on a pretty low budget. She said: “When I go shopping, I go for the deals because I don’t like being played for over-prices,” she said.

    Back-to-school usually opens up opportunities for retailers to make brisk business and this year, more female shoppers are trooping to markets and stores to buy school items for their wards.

    Ordinarily, one would think sellers of back-to-school items should pace around their stalls and shops, particularly those who sell in the open traditional market, focusing on the road as if they are expecting an important visitor.

    Due to the large number of children returning to schools after a two-month holiday, some retailers claimed this is the peak sales period for them.

    In a chat with The Nation Shopping, Omolara Akanni, a trader in Katangua, said the school resumption has boosted her sales  as she smiles home regularly, making good returns from hawking pencils, ‘biros’, erasers and other school items in the market.

    However, in a world where many children are struggling with academic overloads and growing demands on their time, parents are expected to provide them with the materials to ease their learning.

    Parents are making the best use of this last week to shop for their children’s needs. This is the period parents’ flood shops dealing in school items to buy their children’s needs for the new session.

    Experts advise that for prudent management of available funds, parents should have a list of everything that their wards need and work through it. Sharing these needs into two sections, she explained, is a wise decision.

    “One part for those items to be purchased once in a session and the second part should be for items that will be replenished during the school year. The list will ensure that one does not overshoot one’s budget. It is also proper for school supplies to be bought before resumption and with the child’s consent. And like everything else, school items have fashion trend and children are often disappointed when latest designs are sold out before their parents get to the market or when their sizes are not found.”

     

     

  • Tips on export business

    With the aim of helping new entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities in the agricultural sector, a firm, Sunyprofit International Limited, held a workshop on agri-export business. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Nigeria’s economy has witnessed a steady revival in agric entrepreneurship growth, with many agro entrepreneurs venturing into promising areas of commodities business. These include fruits, grains, vegetables and food processing.

    One entrepreneur who has succeeded in agro commodities business is the Chief Executive of Alpha Oceanic Limited, Adeleye Friday.

    Adeleye, who spoke at the  agro commodities and investment summit, organised by Sunyprofit International Limited in Lagos, at the weekend, said there was a growing market demand for cassava for commercial and industrial use.

    For instance, he said, root starch is demand by food and beverages companies. He also noted that cassava could be used for  pharmaceuticals, as well as feedstock for the production of ethanol biofuel.

    His mantra is simple: collect produce from the farmers throughout the year, add value through processing, and sell them at a profit. He provided a sustainable market  for farmers to sell their produce and more importantly, using up all resources that once used to perish.

    Cassava processing, he further said, is among the areas with huge potential for entrepreneurs to make good money.

    Adeleye, a proponent of small business growth, encouraged entrepreneurs to improve the quality of their produce to better compete in the market place.

    He is championing an initiative to help entrepreneurs explore business opportunities in agriculture and connect to markets across the globe.

    The Chief Executive, Sunyprofit International Limited, Mr Sunny Anjorin, said entrepreneurs or traders can earn good profit through agric export business.

    Anjorin however explained that many entrepreneurs are ill equipped to take advantage of the opportunities provided by agric export trade.

    According to him, lack of capacity and the inability to meet technical produce specifications and stringent requirements in terms of quality, safety, health and the environment impede their integration more Nigerians into global markets.

    He said entrepreneurs often have limited access to resources, especially financing. This impedes their ability to scale up to meet increased demand, proper market produce and grow their businesses.

    Anjorin said making money from exports depends on building the nations reputation for food safety systems and quality raw materials.

    He stressed the need to explore online and offline information on the right international markets for exports, adding that reviewing available data allows entrepreneur to assess which markets realistically fit with their overall strategic direction.

    While there are opportunities in agric business, he said entrepreneurs needed an overview of the export business, registration process, payment terms, advance payment, export incentives, custom procedure, import management and banking and finance.

  • Tips on export business

    With the aim of helping new entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities in the agricultural sector, a firm, Sunyprofit International Limited, held a workshop on agri-export business. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Nigeria’s economy has witnessed a steady revival in agric entrepreneurship growth, with many agro entrepreneurs venturing into promising areas of commodities business. These include fruits, grains, vegetables and food processing.

    One entrepreneur who has succeeded in agro commodities business is the Chief Executive of Alpha Oceanic Limited, Adeleye Friday.

    Adeleye, who spoke at the  agro commodities and investment summit, organised by Sunyprofit International Limited in Lagos, at the weekend, said there was a growing market demand for cassava for commercial and industrial use.

    For instance, he said, root starch is demand by food and beverages companies. He also noted that cassava could be used for  pharmaceuticals, as well as feedstock for the production of ethanol biofuel.

    His mantra is simple: collect produce from the farmers throughout the year, add value through processing, and sell them at a profit. He provided a sustainable market  for farmers to sell their produce and more importantly, using up all resources that once used to perish.

    Cassava processing, he further said, is among the areas with huge potential for entrepreneurs to make good money.

    Adeleye, a proponent of small business growth, encouraged entrepreneurs to improve the quality of their produce to better compete in the market place.

    He is championing an initiative to help entrepreneurs explore business opportunities in agriculture and connect to markets across the globe.

    The Chief Executive, Sunyprofit International Limited, Mr Sunny Anjorin, said entrepreneurs or traders can earn good profit through agric export business.

    Anjorin however explained that many entrepreneurs are ill equipped to take advantage of the opportunities provided by agric export trade.

    According to him, lack of capacity and the inability to meet technical produce specifications and stringent requirements in terms of quality, safety, health and the environment impede their integration more Nigerians into global markets.

    He said entrepreneurs often have limited access to resources, especially financing. This impedes their ability to scale up to meet increased demand, proper market produce and grow their businesses.

    Anjorin said making money from exports depends on building the nations reputation for food safety systems and quality raw materials.

    He stressed the need to explore online and offline information on the right international markets for exports, adding that reviewing available data allows entrepreneur to assess which markets realistically fit with their overall strategic direction.

    While there are opportunities in agric business, he said entrepreneurs needed an overview of the export business, registration process, payment terms, advance payment, export incentives, custom procedure, import management and banking and finance.

  • Tips on healthy living, by cleric

    How can Nigerians improve on their health? It is by doing regular exercises, appropriate choice of good stable food, routine medical screenings and having a meaningful relationship with God, the Convener/Founder, ‘Arise Women Conference’ (‘Arise’, for short), Pastor Siju Iluyomade, has said.

    She spoke at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos before her group embarked on a walk round major streets of Victoria Island to create awareness on healthy living.

    Thereafter the NGO carried out a free medical screening and disease prevention talk.

    The walk was accompanied by dancing, music, exercises, eating of  fruits, drinks, medical talks, and lots of fun. There were many stands and mobile clinics that catered for participants’ medical, spiritual and welfare needs.

    Mrs Iluyomade, the wife of the Regional Pastor of Region 20, City of David (COD) of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), explained the reason for the event tagged:  ‘Walkforlife’.

    She said regular exercises keep lifestyle diseases at bay. “If people can add some regular movement into their routines throughout the day, they will feel better and be less susceptible to health problems. In the long term, they may not see big changes in the mirror, but they will prevent further weight gain. So it is being suggested that people take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to a colleague’s office rather than phoning them and taking short strolls during the day to help increase the number of steps they take”.

    Shedding light on the various booths, she said: “Arise is committed to the building of our great nation, Nigeria, through its women by equipping them spiritually, morally, ethically, to the physical health of women by the provision of free medical screening services in several areas, including diabetes and cancer. It is committed to the establishment of mobile clinics which has been bringing primary health care to the doorsteps of different communities and a Free Women’s Clinic at Healing Stripes Hospital, Victoria Island as an out-patient clinic for women. Arise is a faith-based non-governmental organisation committed to accelerating nation building through the empowerment of women in the society and also passionate about the health of women through free preventive medical care in the area of HIV tests, eye test, Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar level tests.”

    Mrs Iluyomade then called on the government to improve on delivering healthcare systems, initiatives and well drilled practitioners to ensure a more productive society.

    She said in order for Nigerians to achieve their potentials on a day- to-day basis, the government has to improve on delivering more sound healthcare systems, enlightenments and practitioners in almost every local government.

    “A lot of our people die needlessly just simply because they are not looked after on a day-to-day basis. So it is important that we imbibe the spirit of wellness and learn to take care of ourselves through exercise and good eating habits and I am sure by doing this, we will have a more productive society. I believe very strongly in health and I believe that we need to take care of ourselves in order for us to achieve our potential and what I will like to see in the near future is that we have general practitioners (GPs) in almost every local government for every 10 minutes walk from every home, so that it becomes a part of us”, she said.

    “We operate here in Lagos and main focus of the health areas we cover have been expanded to prostate and cervical cancer screening, and sickle cell anaemia. I need to point out that hypertension is prevalent in virtually almost all the people who have trooped out here, this is because in Lagos, people hardly exercise and most indulge in bad habits such as drinking alcoholic beverages, drugs and self medication. All these impair and must be stopped,” said Mrs Iluyomade.

    Corroborating, Head, Clinical services, Healing Stripes Hospital, Foundation of the RCCG, Dr Akinsiku Adedamola, said he was not surprised by the life expectancy rate in Nigeria, adding that  government needs to curb the illicit sales of herbal concoctions and kick start health re-enlightenment programmes.

    “Today the ailment we picked up the most is hypertension. Unfortunately, hypertension is a silent killer, a lot of people don’t know. Presently the life expectancy in Nigeria is very low compared to Western Worlds and this is because of the things we indulge in, there is therefore a need for government to curb the illicit sales of herbal concoctions.

    ”Our fast foods points also need re-education to reduce the amount of spices or seasonings added to foods. The government also needs to come up with programmes that will keep re-enlightening people on the truth about health”, he said.

    According to Akinsiku, “Advocacy is integral and just as we have come up with this initiative to promote healthy living, governments need to partner with religious ministries to create awareness as people are suffering due to poor health seeking behaviour”.

  • Cancer prevention: Seven tips to reduce your risk

    Cancer prevention: Seven tips to reduce your risk

    The search engine- http://www.mayoclinic.org explains simple basic steps to avoiding cancer. And Dr Segun Fahuwa of Mister Guarantee Trado-Medical, 4F, Akerele Extension, Near Super Shopping Plaza, Surulere, Lagos answers the second question. 

    As cancer has been declared an epidemic in Nigeria what steps can I take to prevent developing one?

    –Folasade Ipaye, 32-year-old-Teacher, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Concerned about cancer prevention? Take charge by making changes such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular screenings.

    You’ve probably heard conflicting reports about cancer prevention. Sometimes the specific cancer-prevention tip recommended in one study or news report is advised against in another.

    In many cases, what is known about cancer prevention is still evolving. However, it’s well-accepted that your chances of developing cancer are affected by the lifestyle choices you make.

    So if you’re concerned about cancer prevention, take comfort in the fact that some simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Consider these seven cancer prevention tips.

    • Don’t use tobacco

    Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer — including cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix and kidney. Chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas. Even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer.

    Avoiding tobacco — or deciding to stop using it — is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It’s also an important part of cancer prevention. If you need help quitting tobacco, ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and other strategies for quitting.

    * Eat a healthy diet

    Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can’t guarantee cancer prevention, it might help reduce your risk. Consider these guidelines:

    Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as whole grains and beans.

    Avoid obesity. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-calorie foods, including refined sugars and fat from animal sources.

    If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.The risk of various types of cancer — including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver — increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you’ve been drinking regularly.

    Limit processed meats. A report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of the World Health Organisation, concluded that eating large amounts of processed meat can slightly increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

    In addition, women who eat  Mediterranean diet, supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts, might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. People, who follow the Mediterranean diet, choose healthy fats, like olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.

    • Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active

    Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney.

    Physical activity counts, too. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.

    Adults, who participate in any amount of physical activity, gain some health benefits. But for substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic physical activity. You can also do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine, and if you can do more, even better.

    • Protect yourself from the sun

    Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer and one of the most preventable. Try these tips:

    Avoid midday sun. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.

    Stay in the shade. When you’re outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat help, too.

    Cover exposed areas. Wear tightly woven, loosefitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Opt for bright or dark colours, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation than pastels or bleached cotton.

    Don’t skimp on sunscreen. Use generous amounts of sunscreen when you’re outdoors, and re-apply often.

    Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. These are just as damaging as natural sunlight.

    • Get immunised

    Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral infections. Talk to your doctor about immunisation against: Hepatitis B, which can increase the risk of developing liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for certain high-risk adults, such as adults, who are sexually active but not in a mutually monogamous relationship, people with sexually transmitted infections, intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men, and health care or public safety workers, who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids.

    Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical and other genital cancers as well as squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys of ages 11 and 12. It is also available to both men and women of age 26 or younger, who did not have the vaccine as adolescents.

    • Avoid risky behaviours

    Another effective cancer prevention tactic is to avoid risky behaviours that can lead to infections, which, in turn, might increase the risk of cancer. For example: Practice safe sex, limit your number of sexual partners, and use a condom when you have sex. The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to contract a sexually transmitted infection — such as HIV or HPV.

    People, who have HIV or AIDS, have a higher risk of cancer of the anus, liver and lung. HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer, but it might also increase the risk of cancer of the anus, penis, throat, vulva and vagina.

    Don’t share needles. Sharing needles with an infected drug user can lead to HIV, as well as hepatitis B and C, which can increase the risk of liver cancer. If you are concerned about drug abuse or addiction, seek professional help.

    • Get regular medical care

    Regular self-examinations and screenings for various types of cancers, such as cancer of the skin, colon, cervix and breast,  can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful. Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for you.

    Take cancer prevention into your own hands, starting today. The rewards will last a lifetime.

  • Styling tips for jumpsuits

    Styling tips for jumpsuits

    JUMPSUIT that has taken the fashion scene by storm in the last couple of years is still very hot on the red carpet! But before rocking one, it is good to know the one best for you. There are jumpsuits for every body size, hue and fabric.

    So, it is important that you get one that will make you feel comfortable. Of course, before you opt for a jumpsuit, keep in mind some styling tips so that the result can be perfect. According to your height, waist monkey will impact one way or another. Also, avoid tightness at the waist, with pleats at the belly if you want to neutralise the stomach area. Opt for a V-neckline to enhance the bust and prevent strapless model if you have a little bulky chest or front. Remember that if the pants are straight, it will bring slenderness. Be mindful of the three ways to wear a jumpsuit time, place and situation.

    For official setting, do it with style and good taste. The monkey can be an alternative to the classic trousers clip. Pair it with a high heel and a handbag briefcase.

    For an afternoon stroll, you could combine it with accessories and less-sophisticated accessories.

    If you are a jumpsuit virgin, wearing a jacket on top makes the look more subtle. A jumpsuit is a style that pretty much anyone can get right, but there are some rules you need to follow when thinking about getting a jumpsuit.

    Hues – When you are picking a jumpsuit, you should put into consideration the colours that you are best in.

    Shoes – The jumpsuit look is almost like a dressy look for a lot of people, so you want your shoes to show that casual but yet dressy appearance.

  • Five Smart Tips to Simplify Your Life

    Five Smart Tips to Simplify Your Life

    It’s not that hard to live a simple life, you just need to be determined about it. If you are able to keep a few tips in mind, simplifying your life will be more achievable. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 5 smart tips to help simplify your life.
    Declutter
    Too much physical and mental clutter isn’t good, and it is necessary to declutter and get things more organized. This can help to not only simplify your life, but help you feel more in control of your life. So, if there are things in or around your house that you don’t need or that have no positive use or function in your house, you should throw it out. Also ensure items and important documents in your house are well arranged and easily accessible, so you don’t have to scatter the house looking for them, especially when going out or traveling.
    Identify Bad Relationships and Work to Fix Them, Or End Them
    To simplify your life, you need to learn to be decisive. Don’t invest some much time and energy in unhealthy relationships. You need to identify these unhealthy relationships that dampen your spirit, and decide to either figure out how to make them work, or put an end to them. Give it as much thought as you want, but don’t lose sight of the fact that you need to be decisive about it. As much as relationships can be complex and confusing, try as much as you can to understand emotions and aim for simplicity in your relationships.
    Have Some Alone Time
    Alone time is crucial for us, human beings because it gives us an opportunity to get to know ourselves, and helps with self-discovery. Until you have an understanding of who you are and your kind of person, simplifying your life will really only remain an aspiration. This is because you can’t really simplify what you don’t understand, and if you don’t understand yourself, simplifying your life will be difficult.
    Spend Less Time on Social Media
    It amazing how much Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts and notifications can drag down and complicate a person’s life. Try to make face-to-face interactions a priority, and keep in touch with the people in your life through phone calls or hangouts, rather than stalking their social media profiles. You’ll thank yourself later for it when you see the results. Also, when traveling consider going to travel forums and blogs to get needed information from travel experts or enthusiasts, rather than depending on social media for all your information.
    Live Frugally
    Don’t live above your means, no matter how tempting it might be. Always remember that it is best to live within your means and be able to sleep well at night, than to live above your means and sleep with an eye open because of acquired ‘gbese’. Also, it is best to learn to live within a budget, so you don’t end up being stranded financial at very uncomfortable times. Even when you go out with friends or when you’re on vacation, it is vital that you have a budget to guide your spending and stick to it.

  • Pupils get career tips

    Primary Six pupils of Mushin Local Government Area were given some career tips by experts from various fields at their sendoff.

    The maiden event tagged ‘Professional Leadership Summit’ held at the Local Government Education  Authority’s (LGEA’s) secretariat.

    Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Nation‘s chapter Chairman, Comrade Musa Odoshimokhe,  who spoke on Journalism, advised the pupils to be fearless and  purpose-driven.  As far as journalism is concerned, information dissemination is key, Odoshimokhe added.

    He explained that journalism sets agenda for the government, and holds governments and institutions accountable to the public.

    Odoshimokhe, who advised the pupils to have a flair for journalism,  warned them on information management, adding that any piece of information released to the media could either bring delight or trigger tensions.

    He urged them to read wide to gain  knowledge of every aspect of the human life.

    Another speaker Dr Adedayo Faduyile of Lagos State Teaching Hospital urged the pupils to have passion for lives as that is the thrust of the profession.

    Science subjects are also key as they serve as the bedrock of the profession, Faduyile advised.

    Other professions in which pupils were mentored included: teaching, military, engineering, business, fashion designing, and Law, among others.

    The LGEA Education Secretary, Mrs Olufemi Akinlude, said it was necessary for participants to have a foretaste of their career so that they could achieve aspirations.

    She noted that the summit, the first of its kind in the state, was borne out of the need to mentor the pupils to enable them imprint in them the zeal to succeed and not be deterred by their backgrounds.

    “I was looking for a way to inculcate in them career tips because as future leaders, there is hope for them. Since they will soon pass out I decided to have a gathering like this to enlighten them on their various career paths and to celebrate their passing out soon.

    “If we do not start to encourage them that tomorrow is better, we might be producing miscreants in the society. I brought up my children in Mushin. It bothers me when I hear, see and feel the stigmatisation of Mushin people, both young and old, concerning unruly behaviour. My resilience in total abrogation or reduction of this menace to the barest minimum was the genesis of what we paraphrased ‘Professional Leadership Summit, ” she said.

    She urged the parents to assist in guiding their wards’ paths to exhibit good conduct and values in the society.

    She asked parents to keep photographs of uniforms of their various career choices in which they were dressed in at the event, and have them hung at a conspicuous places to serve as a reminder and to redirect their mindset when their wards derail.