What We Need To Know and Learn About Nigeria National Anthem

"Arise, O Compatriots" is the national anthem of Nigeria. It was adopted in 1978, and replaced Nigeria, We Hail Thee. The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries of 1499 Nigerian in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase.

The lyrics

The Nigeria National anthem (1978 - present)

first anthem

Arise, o compatriots,

Nigeria's call obey

To serve our fatherland

With love and strength and faith

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain

To serve with heart and might

One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity

Second Anthem

O God of creation

Direct our noble cause

Guide our leaders right

Help our youth the truth to know

In love and honesty to grow

And living just and true

Great lofty heights attain

To build a nation where peace

And justice shall reign

the writers of the above national anthem

John .A. Ilechukwu

B. A. Ogunnaike

Sota Omoigui

P. O. Aderibigbe

Eme Etim Akpan

THE OLD ANTHEM, Nigeria, we Hail Thee (1960 - 1978) written by two British national

First anthem

Nigeria, we hail thee

Our own dear native land

Though tribe and tongue may differ

In brotherhood we stand

Nigerian all are proud to serve

Our sovereign motherhood

Our flag Shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign

In peace or battle honour' d

And this we count as gain

To hand on to our children

A banner without stain

Second Anthem

O God of all creation

Grant this our one request

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed

And so with peace and plenty

Alimat may be blessed

The Nigerian National Anthem is usually performed at major ents having ttional pride, such as thr sporting events and at school where it is usually accompanied by ionadge.

THE NIGERIA'S NATIONAL PLEDGE written by Prof. (Mrs.) Felicia Adebola ADEYOYIN,OON: The Amazon Princess of Shaki,

I pledge to Nigerian my country

To be faithful, loyal and honest

To serve Nigeria with all my strength

To defend her unity

And uphold her honour and glory

So help me God.

Source: google

6 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Do Before 7 am

Successful entrepreneurs are a unique breed of individuals. They sacrifice a lot of things to ensure the smooth running of their businesses. In fact, they are very obsessed with being an entrepreneur. For them, they don't joke with their morning schedule because if they start off the day on the wrong note, they may not be very productive or motivated. Hence, they ensure that they do not miss their morning routine. Jumia Travel, the online travel agency identifies the things successful entrepreneurs do before 7 am.

They are prepared for the day

They sleep early and wake very early to plan their day. This will prevent them from rushing out of the door every morning and also help them deal with stress.

Eat a healthy breakfast

A healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day since it’s going to oil their brain and body for the day. So, they do not play with their breakfast. Also, they ensure that they do not eat junk foods and fruits are not far away from them.

Their phone is not the first thing they check

When some persons wake up, the first thing they check is their phone. Entrepreneurs don't do this. In fact, you won't find their phones close to them when they sleep because it can interrupt their naps. Hence to avoid morning distractions, they avoid their phones in the mornings. They will check it later.

Set goals and priorities

The best time to plan your day and set goals, as well as priorities, is in the mornings. For each day, entrepreneurs write down these goals and try as much as possible to achieve these set goals.

They exercise and meditate

They regularly exercise and meditate to reduce stress, increase energy, and help them sleep better. In addition, it gives their immune system a boost.

They motivate themselves

Entrepreneurs are humans and sometimes they feel overwhelmed. They also need to be encouraged. They don't wait for others to motivate them. They motivate themselves. That is why you see them upbeat and animate every day.

By Adeniyi OGUNFOWOKE
PR Associate at Jumia Travel
+2348090747241

6 Everyday Habits that are Risky to your Health

Habits are like glue. When it gets stuck, it either becomes indelible or takes forever to remove. This is why it’s not advisable to allow a habit overwhelm you because it requires painstaking efforts to abandon. If you, however, continue with these habits, it will affect your health and general wellbeing over time. Thus, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency identifies habits that are putting your health at risk.

Sitting all day

Since jobs are now performed mostly with computers in the 21st century, it is very possible that you will sit in front of it for hours without taking breaks. This is not good because the longer you sit, the more you are susceptible to heart diseases. Therefore, the import of breaks can’t be overemphasised.

Smoking

This is not new. A large number of people are smoking today disregarding the instruction that smokers are liable to die young. The health hazards associated with all kinds of smoking are unlimited. Even electronic cigars have not be certified safe.

Eating junk food

The food eaten today are not a balanced diet, no thanks to tight schedules. Consequently, we turn to processed or packaged foods that unhealthy. Generally, eating junk food can hurt our health. Take time out to cook.

Not wearing sunscreen

Not wearing sunscreen whenever it is sunny raises your chances of having melanoma, an eye disease. It is easy to overlook this but the consequences are dire. Your eyes need protection from sun rays.

Downing too alcohol

Too much of everything is bad. Alcohol is the gold many cannot resist. At classy hotels and bars in Lagos, you find people downing alcohol like water. There is nothing wrong with taking alcohol for some people. It is advisable though you drink moderately if you cannot do without it.

Not getting enough sleep

Sleep can help boost creativity. But very few persons are getting enough sleep. They are too busy. And at other times when they have the opportunity to sleep, they are distracted by their smartphones. If you cannot sleep the recommended 7 or 8 hours, try to sleep soundly even if you are sleeping for several hours.

By Adeniyi OGUNFOWOKE
PR Associate at Jumia Travel
+2348090747241

President Trump donates his first quarter salary to National Park Service

As culled from LIB, President Donald Trump, who promised during his presidential campaign that he wouldn't accept a salary for being the president of the United States of America, has decided to donate his first-quarter salary of $78,333 to the National Park Service, the White House announced on Monday.
During his campaign, he promised that he would donate his $400,000 annual salary if he were elected as president. In September 2015, he said: "That's no big deal for me". And he has kept to his word in regards to that.

After he made the donation to National Park Service, the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose agency oversees the 100-year-old protector of 417 national parks, monuments and other sites, while appearing alongside White House spokesman, Sean Spicer at a daily briefing said he was "thrilled" at Trump's decision. He said:

"We are going to dedicate and put it against the infrastructure on our nation's battlefields". "We are about $229 million behind in deferred maintenance on our battlefields alone," Zinke said.

Just for laugh!!!

ENGLISH PASS ENGLISH
A professor drove into a Petrol Station in his sleek state of the art range rover sports.
-Professor: Guy, abeg, give me full tank.
-Fuel Attendant: Sir, I don't speak pidgin, I only speak English.
- Professor: Ok! Good morning, I currently feel a profound desire to replenish the propellant of my motorized automobile. Therefore i cordially request you to transfer from your subterranean reservoir a sufficient quantity of the combustible fluid of the highest octane rating to fill the appropriate receptacle of the said means of
perambulation to the brim.
-Fuel Attendant: Oga na play i dey play o, how much fuel you wan buy?
Pls don't laugh until U send this conversation!!!
put a smile on someone's face.😀😀😀😀😀

The Certificate Scandal and the Rising Trend of Suicide By Reno Omokri

Reno Omokri

I read the statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari is not involved in any certificate scandal and I was rather surprised that a professional like Garba, whom I know to be a polished media man, would even have responded to that story from The Punch Newspaper in the first place.

The response was unnecessary. As a Presidential spokesman, you do not respond to every story. In fact, under President Obama, there was a template in the White House which was that if multiple media networks are not carrying a story then it is not worth responding to it because by responding to a small story, you make it a big story. You give it the attention that makes other news houses interested in it and that is what Garba Shehu's statement did.

Now, to say that President Buhari does not have a certificate scandal is an act of dishonesty and to quote Edmund Burke, Garba is being economical with the truth.

The Presidency is being clever by half by saying that President Muhammadu Buhari, like Dino Melaye, is not involved in a certificate scandal. That is patently dishonest. President Buhari DOES have a certificate scandal.

If the President does not have a certificate scandal, how come he hired thirteen high priced Senior Advocates of Nigeria to defend him in a case brought to compel him to provide the certificate or proof that he has one, including one SAN, Kola Awodein, who gave a 'gift' of ₦500,000 to Justice Ademola, the judge handling the case against the President, at a time the case was pending before him!

A man who has no certificate scandal will simply produce the original certificate or if it is lost he will apply to the University of Cambridge International Examinations for a Certified True Copy of his results. You do not need to defend the truth with 13 SANs. The truth will defend itself.

Now, do not get me wrong. I am not saying that Buhari has no GCE Certificate. I do not know if he has or does not have a certificate. What I know is that the story  keeps changing. We read that the Nigerian Army had his certificate until they denied. Then we were told that the certificate was seized by the Babangida administration when Buhari was overthrown in 1985. We have also read that the certificate is with President Muhammadu Buhari's provincial school in Katsina. Which is it? Your guess is as good as mine. What I am saying is that except hiring thirteen SANs is part of his strategy for fulfilling his campaign promise of employing three million Nigerians in two years, it is safe to conclude that President Muhammadu Buhari HAS a certificate scandal! A confirmed one.

On January 21, 2015, the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, even intervened and said that they could assist in verifying the certificate if only then candidate Buhari would officially request them to.

On that date, WAEC's spokesman, Mr. Yusuf Ari said, "WAEC cannot take any action except, the owner of the certificate asked us to do so. We are an independent body, therefore, we cannot be partisan on this issue."

Would it be far easier to just ask the relevant authorities to release the documents as Mr. Ari said, than to hire thirteen SANs?

In fact, I wish the efforts by Dino Melaye's enemies in the All Progressive Congress to verify his certificates can be applied to verifying the certificate of another powerful man in the APC. We should not treat Dino Melaye one way and President Muhammadu Buhari another way. If they think Dino Melaye is unfit to hold his Senatorial seat because he did not graduate from university (which is untrue) then they should apply their logic to all political office holders no matter how high they are. If Dino must present his certificate then others must also present their own too! What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander!

For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum educational requirement to contest a Senate seat is the equivalent of a West African Senior School Certificate Examination. There is absolutely no doubt that Dino Melaye has one. Yet so much pressure was piled on him because of his Bachelor certificate simply because he ruffled the 'cabal's' feathers.

If questionable certificates are the issue then it is not Dino we should be looking at! There is somebody who has more questions about his school certificate than Dino. Why are we shining the spotlight on Dino and pandering to President Muhammadu Buhari? Just as the Senate Summoned the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University to give evidence in this matter, the Senate should likewise summon the representative of Cambridge International Examinations to answer questions about President Muhammadu Buhari's certificate!

In a nation in recession with two of the deadliest terror groups on earth, our fixation is on the certificate of a Senator without executive power! That is the problem with Nigeria's leadership. Our current leaders cannot spend time planning the progress of this nation, but they can devote razor like focus to planning the downfall of real and perceived enemies even to the smallest and most ridiculous detail!

And the fact that the spotlight on Dino Melaye's certificate is being shone by elements within the APC is yet another example of how divided that party is.

This is even as the recent contretemps between Malam Nasir El-Rufai and some mandarins in the 'cabal' has shed more light on why the Buhari administration has failed to deliver the goods it promised.

Never in the history of Nigeria have we ever had a government so divided against itself.

The Nigerian Customs Service Versus Nigerian Senate, the Directorate of State Security Versus the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, Nasir El-Rufai Versus Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Versus The Nigerian Senate, Aisha Buhari Versus the Cabal, Asiwaju Bolaji Tinubu Versus John Oyegun, Abike Dabiri Versus Minister of Foreign Affairs, Raji Fashola Versus Akinwunmi Ambode.

Yet you wonder why this government cannot deliver! If the grass suffers when only two elephants fight, what do you think will happen to the grass when all the elephants are fighting simultaneously? A government that uses all its energies to fight itself will not have any energy left to fight for you!

And to make matters worse, the Buhari administration and the APC keep saying former President Jonathan ruined Nigeria for five years. Yet in those five years you had affordable food, fuel, dollars and regular salary at the federal level.

Moreover, Jonathan did not spend unspecified sums of money on his health abroad neither did he write letters to the National Assembly defending members of his cabinet caught red handed in corruption.

Perhaps Jonathan ruined Nigerian by reviving our previously moribund railways and made it possible for you to travel by rail from Lagos to Kano at a cost of ₦1500? Perhaps he ruined Nigeria by building the ONLY standard gauge modern railway that makes it possible for you to live in Kaduna and work in Abuja? In fact, I am sure Jonathan ruined President Buhari's home state of Katsina, by building the ONLY federal university in that state. If ruining is what Jonathan did for five years, then what will you call what President Buhari has done to Nigeria in the last two years?

It is now tickety-boo in the mind of the apparatchiks of this administration to lay the blame for all their problems on Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, but there is only one small problem.

In January 2015, then candidate  Muhammadu Buhari released a campaign ad with a picture of him that said and I quote "if anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility and fix it. THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAD" (emphasis President Buhari's, not mine).

Going by the above words of President Muhammadu Buhari himself, we can see quite clearly that judging him by his own standards, the only possible verdict is that he has failed as a leader because two years into his administration he has yet to to "take responsibility and fix it" and is still blaming his predecessor.

By constantly blaming Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the woes of his government, President Buhari is saying that a man in retirement in Otuoke has more influence over his administration than he as President does. The reality is that the penchant to blame the previous administration shows that ex President Jonathan is more powerful in his absence from power than incumbent President Buhari is with his presence in power.

Saying anything to get elected and then breaking the promises you made after you are elected is deception and the worst form of corruption!

But in truth, what derailed the Buhari administration and the APC is that they focused all their energies on destroying Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP and the Transformation Agenda instead of concentrating on building Muhammadu Buhari, the APC and the Change Agenda.

Leaders must realize that power is like fire. You can only make progress with fire if you use it to light the way in darkness. But if you use it to burn your enemy's house, after burning his house, the wind will spread the fire to your own house. Good leaders focus on making progress, bad leaders are fixated on revenge. You cannot combine both. You must choose one or the other and President Buhari made the wrong choice.

And the fixation of the Buhari administration on blaming Jonathan and fighting its real and perceived enemies has meant that only minimal attention is being given to the economy with the consequent effect being that a man who inherited the third fastest growing economy in the world from former President Jonathan has turned Nigeria into a nation with the world's fourth worst performing currency!

The effect of President Buhari's mishandling of the economy has been catastrophic on the lives of Nigerians.

Never in the history of Nigeria has suicide been so widespread as it is today. There is so much despair in the land. We obviously need permanent police presence around the Lagoon in Lagos. But my thinking is that even if we police the lagoon, how many suicides go unreported in cities, towns and villages across Nigeria?

And even in the Nigerian Police Force, there is a rising wave of suicide amongst officers and men which has become so prevalent that the police authorities themselves have been forced to take action,

At the beginning of the year, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5, Abubakar Mohammed told newsmen that he had received a mandate from the Inspector General of Police to intervene to stem the rising trend of suicide within the force. He said and I quote “the IGP has asked us to now go close to our officers as well as the rank and file to know what their problems are because the level of suicide within the police is getting higher. Police officers are killing themselves without knowing what the problems are”.

So if those who are meant to prevent suicide have some of the highest rates of suicide within their midst, what are we to do as a nation?

I am reminded at this time of Proverbs 29:2 'When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn.'

This is not about PDP or APC. If doctors and business men and women are being moved to suicide, what about the increasing number of unemployed? I call on churches to shift focus from miracles and financial breakthroughs to extending love to the broken, lonely, unemployed and abandoned in their communities. Sell your founders private plane and use the money to feed thousands as Jesus fed thousands!

Though there is so much gloom in the land, I want to end this piece on a positive note, so I will leave my readers this week and every other week with one of my wisdom nuggets which form the basis of my ministration as a pastor and an ambassador of Christ.

Reno's Nuggets:

Don't ask for money from wealthy men. Ask for friendship. A beggar of a rich man is poor. A friend of a rich man becomes rich. You see, people remain poor because when they get money they think of the latest phone or shoe instead of a business idea to invest in. But when you befriend the wealthy, you learn to think like them. Finally, you can only become successful by association if you hang out in places where the people you want to be like hang out #RenosNuggets

Reno Omokri is a Christian TV talk show host and founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center and the Helen and Bemigho Sanctuary for orphans. He is the author of three books, Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God, Why Jesus Wept and Apples of Gold: A Book of Godly Wisdom

Article written by Reno Omokri

Our Daily Bread Devotional

Our Daily Bread Devotional, April 2, 2017 - Behind the Scenes

Topic: Behind the Scenes [Sunday April 2, 2017]

Read: Daniel 10:1–14, Bible in a Year:Judges 16–18; Luke 7:1–30

Your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. Daniel 10:12

My daughter sent a text message to a friend, in hopes of having a question answered quickly. Her phone’s messaging service showed that the recipient had read the message, so she waited anxiously for a reply. Mere moments passed, yet she grew frustrated, groaning her annoyance at the delay. Irritation eroded into worry; she wondered whether the lack of response meant there was a problem between them. Eventually a reply came and my daughter was relieved to see their relationship was fine. Her friend had simply been sorting out the details needed to answer the question.

The Old Testament prophet Daniel also anxiously awaited a reply. After receiving a frightening vision of great war, Daniel fasted and sought God through humble prayer (10:3, 12). For three weeks, he received no reply (vv. 2, 13). Finally, an angel arrived and assured Daniel his prayers had been heard “since the first day.” In the meantime, the angel had been battling on behalf of those prayers. Though Daniel didn’t know it at first, God was at work during each of the twenty-one days that elapsed between his first prayer and the angel’s coming.

The confidence that God hears our prayers can cause us to become anxious when His reply doesn’t come when we want it to. We are prone to wonder whether He cares. Yet Daniel’s experience reminds us that God is at work on behalf of those He loves even when it isn’t obvious to us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust Your care for me even when I can’t see it.

God is always at work on behalf of His people.

This message was written By Kirsten Holmberg [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Winning Wisdom: Teaching Rebellion?

Topic: Teaching Rebellion? [Saturday, 1st April 2017]

Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord. Jeremiah 28:16

Rebellion means conflict, struggle, contravention. To rebel against something or someone therefore means to have conflict with them; to struggle against them; or to contravene their instructions. Every one of us has at one time or the other in our lives rebelled against our parent(s). For some the rebellion was as great as running away from home, while for others it was just simply going against an instruction of theirs. Now, if you were in a situation where during or after your act of rebellion, your parent(s) blamed a friend or some friends of yours as the cause of such rebellion, you’ll remember that they forbade you from ever associating with such friend(s).

How does this concerns us? We know that for God, the sin of rebellion is as witchcraft, and it is not pleasing to God. But, we have come to learn from Jeremiah 28:16 that the wrath of God is turned against the person who incites the act of rebellion. This can be deduced from the magnitude of punishment pronounced against Barnabas, who caused the people to “trust in a lie”, and “taught rebellion against the Lord”. Also in Jeremiah 29:32, the punishment upon Shemaiah was also great for the same wrong of teaching the people to rebel against God.

Now what entails teaching rebellion against the Lord? This is teaching/preaching certain things that are not from God, saying they are from God, and causing the people of God to believe in such things. When people start walking according to these teaching that are not from God, they starting acting in contravention of the will and instructions of God. This is rebellion. The effect of teaching rebellion against God can be found in 2 Peter 2:1 which says “but there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction”. It is our duty as believers to teach the people the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and the Lord Who knows “how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” will surely help us.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for choosing me as a believer to tell the world of You. Help me and teach me not to speak anything that is outside of Your truth, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

By Esun Tekeme

6 Reasons You Should Replace Sugar with Honey

Sugar came in the middle of the night, chased away honey and became king in the morning. A classic case of usurpation. Today, it is so many people can’t do without sugar. In their morning tea, they must add several cubes of sugar. Regardless, no matter how widely spread the use of sugar, the fact remains that it is a sweetener that cannot be compared to any other.  Hence, the recommendation that you should always take sugar rather than honey. Honey features sugar, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and amino acid. If you have not been taking honey, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares the health benefits of taking honey. Expectedly, this will encourage taking honey more often.

Regulate blood sugar

Honey contains fructose and glucose that are needed to balance your blood sugar levels. So, the honey you take the better for your health and blood sugar. Importantly, there is no amount of honey you take that will raise your blood sugar level.

Better exercise performance

Taking honey before an exercise will ensure that you perform optimally during your workout sessions and you don’t tire out easily. At the same, if you take it at the end, you heart speed will slow down quicker and you will feel better.

Perfect for wounds and burns

This is why it is advisable for you to have honey at home. When you apply honey to an external wound and burns, it makes it dry quickly. When next you have a wound or burn, use honey for treatment.

Deal with a cough and throat irritations

Honey can also help in dealing with a cough and throat irritation. It works like magic. Few spoons of sugar can reduce or clear these annoying irritations.

Check cancer and heart disease

Like they say, prevention is better than cure. To prevent or minimise the risk of cancer, you should take honey regularly because it contains antioxidants that cushion the effects of these terminal diseases.

Lessen the risks of stomach ulcers 

It is also possible to use honey to limit the risks of stomach ulcer and other bacterial stomach flu.

By Adeniyi OGUNFOWOKE
PR Associate at Jumia Travel

Our Daily Bread Devotional, March 30, 2017 - Life and Death

Topic: Life and Death [Thursday March 30, 2017]

Read: Genesis 50:22–26, Bible in a Year:Judges 9–10; Luke 5:17–39

I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid. Genesis 50:24

I will never forget sitting at the bedside of my friend’s brother when he died; the scene was one of the ordinary visited by the extraordinary. Three of us were talking quietly when we realized that Richard’s breathing was becoming more labored. We gathered around him, watching, waiting, and praying. When he took his last breath, it felt like a holy moment; the presence of God enveloped us in the midst of our tears over a wonderful man dying in his forties.

Many of the heroes of our faith experienced God’s faithfulness when they died. For instance, Jacob announced he would soon be “gathered to [his] people” (Gen. 49:29–33). Jacob’s son Joseph also announced his impending death: “I am about to die,” he said to his brothers while instructing them how to hold firm in their faith. He seems to be at peace, yet eager that his brothers trust the Lord (50:24).

None of us knows when or how we will breathe our last breath, but we can ask God to help us trust that He will be with us. We can believe the promise that Jesus will prepare a place for us in His Father’s house (John 14:2–3).

Prayer: Lord God, Your dwelling place will be with Your people, and You will be our God, wiping away our tears and banishing death. May it be so!

The Lord will never abandon us, especially at the time of our death.

Insight:

Genesis, the book of beginnings, concludes with important endings. At the beginning of chapter 50, we find one of the Old Testament’s greatest examples, Joseph, weeping over the death of his father, Jacob. The chapter ends with Joseph’s death and burial. In between, three key events take place. First, Joseph takes his father’s remains back to Canaan to their familial home. This marks Joseph’s first return to the land since the dark days of Genesis 37, when his brothers sold him into slavery. Second, Joseph reassures them of his love and forgiveness by affirming God’s purposes and his own desire to care for his brothers and their families (50:19–21). Third, Joseph, anticipating death, again reminds the Israelites of their proper home in Canaan by asking that they take his bones to be buried in the land of promise. These ideas prepare the way for the exodus—God’s eventual rescue of Israel from bondage in Egypt more than 400 years later.

This message was written By Amy Boucher Pye [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

FCMB’s profit rises by 109% to N16.3bn in 2016, …..Declares 10k dividend

As culled from LIB, FCMB Group Plc has again demonstrated its resilience by reporting a profit before tax (PBT) of N16.3 billion for the full-year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 109% compared to the N7.8 billion for the same period in 2015. Profit after tax also rose to N14.3 billion as against N4.8 billion prior year.


Following these, the financial institution has recommended a dividend of 10 kobo per share to shareholders. FCMB Group which is the holding company of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Limited and CSL Trustees Limited, also reported a number of appreciable growths in key operating areas going by the audited results. Gross revenue as at the end of December 2016 was up by 16% to N176.35 billion from N152.51 billion in the previous year.

This was in spite of the challenging macroeconomic environment and other regulatory factors. Non-interest income grew to N47.7 billion, an 86% Year-on-Year (YoY) increase, as against N25.6 billion in 2015. This was mainly driven by N29.3 billion in foreign exchange revaluation gains. Consistent with its value as a helpful financial institution committed to the growth of individual and business aspirations, the FCMB Group results showed an increase in credits advanced to customers last year.

Loans and advances rose by 11% from N593 billion in 2015 to N660 billion in 2016. Total assets increased marginally by 1% from N1.16 trillion to N1.17trillion. In addition, operating expenses decreased by 2% to N65.8 billion, just as non-performing loans to total loans ratio declined from 4.2% in 2015 to 3.7% in 2016. The Group’s capital adequacy ratio stood at 16.7%.

However, customer deposits reduced to N658 billion from N700 billion. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, the flagship of FCMB Group Plc and the commercial and retail banking arm of the holding company, also sustained its impressive performance over the years. The financial results show that the bank’s net interest income grew by 9% (YoY) from N62.8 billion in 2015 to N68.6 billion in 2016

Warning on soft drinks

Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper

A Lagos court the other day ordered the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to compel the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc, to carry a mandatory warning on its Fanta and Sprite brands, stating that the contents should not be taken with Vitamin C in order to avoid poisoning. Also, the court berated NAFDAC for poor regulation of the brands and awarded a N2 million cost, declaring that the agency failed Nigerians by certifying Fanta and Sprite fit for human consumption even when they were later tested and declared unfit for human consumption in the United Kingdom (UK).

The suit was filed by a company that tried to export Fanta and Sprite bottled in Nigeria to the UK. British authorities seized and destroyed the products for being poisonous by containing excess levels of benzoic acid and sunset additives. Benzoic acid, which serves as a preservative, if used excessively, can cause cancer and has also been linked to asthma problems and increased levels of hyperactivity in children. It can cause allergies, hyperactivity, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting in some individuals. Anyway, the questions at this juncture are: should the contents of Fanta and Sprite not be the same worldwide? What scientific explanations does NBC have for variations reported in the contents of the products in Nigeria? Is the issue of what is good for the temperate and tropical regions not too opaque and deserves better explanation?

NAFDAC has filed an appeal and a motion to stay execution of the judgment on Sprite and Fanta, while NBC has also said that the judgment was inaccurate as its products are safe for consumption in Nigeria and appealed the court judgment. This case has, however, brought to the fore the issues of consumers right to information and safety in Nigeria! One thing is obvious –the case has been in the court for about a decade in the slow wheel of justice. Within the period, there was no attempt by the relevant government agencies to recall the batch of the drinks and join the media to sensitise the public on the use of soft drinks and Vitamin C with a view to ensuring the safety of consumers.

Anyway, despite the fact that NBC has argued that its Nigerian brands are safe for consumption, it is better to be cautious. Hence, the need for further investigations against the backdrop of the safety issue raised by the judgment, especially with regard to the effects of excessive level of benzoic acid and sunset additives on human health. Their interactivity with Vitamin C should also be srutinised. The investigation of these ingredients and their levels in the soft drinks product category should be extended to all brands in the country, because machines cannot easily pick carcinogenic disease and daily many Nigerians are dying without knowing the causes.

Furthermore, the various health conditions associated with the ingredients and their prevalence should be studied by experts to establish trends. It is only through such researches that the health concerns of taking soft drinks can be scientifically established while speculations and mistrust concerning the health hazards will be addressed. Furthermore, based on the findings of the researches, obligations of marketers to consumers, especially on health warnings will be established, and if possible contents of soft drinks recalibrated.

As a people, Nigerians should all be committed to ensuring that destruction and loss of lives especially through food intake are reduced to the lowest ebb if not totally prevented. As such, relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government such as NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), should collaborate in a well-coordinated manner to conduct a broad and detailed examination of all food brands; while the consumer rights groups should hire independent investigators to do the same and make the findings public. This exercise in ensuring the safety of food and drinks should not be for only Fanta and Sprite but various others. Apart from doing this now, the duty bearers should carry out periodic monitoring and review for quality control and assurance; and to reassure consumers of the safety of products in the market. It should be done also to ensure that people get value for their money. Batch examination of food and drinks using stringent measures should be compulsory. If these are done,sub- standard goods will be stamped out of the markets and products consumed will be health compliant. Consumption is life and death. This is a task that must be done if Nigerians are truly committed to rebuilding their country. Where attention to details is missing, the nation will perish.

6 Amazing Benefits of Mangoes

6 Amazing Benefits of Mangoes

Mangoes generally offer a myriad of skin benefits for the skin, hair, body etc. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 6 amazing benefits mangoes, the king of fruits.

Enhances Skin Health

Mangoes are rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is a photo-protective agent that helps quench photochemical reactions in the epidermis, which protects the skin from ultraviolet rays. The Vitamin A in mangoes has also been found to reduce oil production in the skin which helps to combat acne and dark spots. Both the beta-carotene and vitamin A help to resurrect dead skin and make radiant and luminous. Eating mangoes as well as smearing some mango pulp on your face and leaving on for about 30 minutes will do wonders for your skin.

Gives a Fairer Skin Tone

A mixture of mango pulp and milk cream, when applied on the face for about 30 minutes, can make the skin fairer and spotless. Mango peels can also be dried in the sun and ground to powder, before being mixed with milk powder and a little water to form a sort of home-made fairness mask to give a fairer skin tone and spotless complexion.

Helps with Diabetes

The fruit is known to control blood sugar levels and normalize insulin levels in the blood. For this reason, diabetics can gain benefits from eating this fruit.

Improves Digestion

Mangoes are rich in fiber which help to prevent constipation and keeps one full for long. These fibers also helps to keep the colon clean and allows it work optimally thereby aiding digestion. Mangoes also contain certain digestive enzymes that breakdown proteins and aid digestions.

Great for the Hair

Mangoes are rich in vitamin C and help promote collagen production for healthy hair. Also due to the presence of vitamin A (which has scalp conditioning properties) and beta-carotene in mangoes, the fruits help to nourish the hair and treat dandruff. You can mix mango with yoghurt and egg yolk or banana and coconut oil to make a kind of mango conditioner for your hair.

Great for Pregnancy

Mangoes are extremely useful for women during pregnancy because they are loaded with plenty iron and folic acid which help to prevent anemia and keep the unborn baby healthy and happy. The fruit is mainly helpful for pregnant women suffering from iron deficiency.

By Damilola Ojo
08101556883

President Buhari orders vice chancellors to expel university students with low CGPA

As culled from Flatimes, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave vice chancellors a marching order to expel students with less than 0.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) from next academic session.

Such students, he said, are unserious elements that should not be accommodated any longer in higher institutions.

The President also cautioned governing councils and managements universities against muzzle-flexing and ego-tripping, which he said had thrown affected universities into avoidable crises.

Buhari spoke at the 31st convocation of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

He further assured his administration was committed to the 2009 agreement entered into with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

This, he noted, led to the recent setting up of a committee to renegotiate the contentious agreement.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Onwuka, told vice-chancellors and their managements to practise transparency, accountability, fairness and ensure discipline.

He said: “We must stop to continue housing adventurers, who have no business remaining in the universities beyond the time specified for their studies in the universities.

“In that wise, it is being proposed that at the end of this academic year, any student with less than 0.5 CGPA should cease to be a student of the university and should be shown the way out.

“The universities must continue to have people who are serious in what they have come to do.

“If you have less than 0.5 in your CGPA, you are out. You are out for good so that the space will be left for those who have come to do serious business.

On governing council, he charged them to avoid ”unnecessary muzzle-flexing and ego-tripping that throw affected universities into avoidable crises.

“They must look after the welfare of staff and students and ensure proper development of their universities.

On the contentious 2009 agreement with ASUU, Buhari pleaded with the lecturers to give peace a chance, by coming to the negotiation table in the best interest of higher education.

He reassured ASUU and other unions that government was committed to quality education in the universities and other layers of the education sector, including the welfare of staff in the system.

The Real Truth About The number 08030004900 That Was Alleged is Killing People

As culled from Nairland, We at techredirector.com have debunked this issue. For the past few days messages like this have been Trending on WhatsApp for wrong reasons.. Gud evening ,i hope u guys ave heard dat d police saved anoda woman tryn to jump into d lagoon today..pls my sisters dis is d number calling dem..08030004900...i didnt really blive until a friend tld me d number called her nd started sayn sum enchantment and d nxt thing she heard waz tld to 08030004900 kill her self wit any possible means she has...d same number called her friends broda in skul nd if nt for her friend's broda roommated dat stop him..he wud ave stabbed himself wit d knife in his hands..so pls sisters lets pass dis information..nd lets also b prayerful..d was d same number dat called dat doctor dat jumped into d lagoon too...#TAKEHEED Pls don't pick calls from d number Two of my course mates were saved cos dey missed d call However, there is no truth behind this, Truth It is an MTN NG no. For promotional messages, that's the reason why it can't be called. The short code is 4900, instead of calling with 4900 which many users won't pick up, the 08030004900 was introduced. I myself have picked the call recently, you hear a promotional message and it's not in any way related to the lagoon - suicide. pls spread the news Lalasticlala can forward to FP

Re: Real Truth About 08030004900 No. Killing People - Techredirector

Lady Gets Drunk, Passes Out & Poop On Herself At Bachelorrete Party (Graphic)

A picture shared on snapchat that's been making the rounds on social media shows a woman in lingerie on the floor of someone’s house — said to have passed out. She’s resting on some kind of blanket or pillow, suggesting she’s been in that position for some time. There is a thick pile of poop on her bum cheeks and upper legs. And there are Nike sneakers with tissue paper in them next to her head, indicating they are new.


Those sharing the photos claim this took place at a bachelor party, and what we’re looking at is a stripper who passed out after having one too many drink.


There have been many past incident of people pooping on themselves when they’ve had too much to drink. The other cause of such is if the person's drink was spiked.

Some people on social media have analysed the consistency of semi-liquid poop, pointing it to a poor diet. According to them, it's a combination of fried food and alcohol for days on end. Well,  probably.

Also, another person said the hot pile of mess may have been resting in her bowels for some time now. three— to — four days at the most. And the additional meal and alcohol at the bachelorrete party forced them out uncontrollably after she passed out.

Whatever the case may be, the photo is not for the faint-hearted. So brace yourself....

Our Daily Bread Devotional

Our Daily Bread Devotional, March 26, 2017 - East Meets West

Topic: East Meets West [Sunday March 26, 2017]

Read: Romans 14:1–12, Bible in a Year:Joshua 22–24; Luke 3

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? Romans 14:4

When students from Southeast Asia met a teacher from North America, the visiting instructor learned a lesson. After giving his class their first multiple-choice test, he was surprised to find many questions left unanswered. While handing back the corrected papers, he suggested that, next time, instead of leaving answers blank they should take a guess. Surprised, one of the students raised their hand and asked, “What if I accidentally get the answer right? I would be implying that I knew the answer when I didn’t.” The student and teacher had a different perspective and practice.

In the days of the New Testament, Jewish and Gentile converts were coming to Christ with perspectives as different as East and West. Before long they were disagreeing over matters as diverse as worship days and what a Christ-follower is free to eat or drink. The apostle Paul urged them to remember an important fact: None of us is in a position to know or judge the heart of another.

For the sake of harmony with fellow believers, God urges us to realize that we are all accountable to our Lord, to act according to His Word and our conscience. However, He alone is in a position to judge the attitudes of our heart (Rom. 14:4–7).

Prayer: Father in heaven, please have mercy on us for presuming to judge the heart of those who see so many things differently than we do.

Be slow to judge others but quick to judge yourself.

Insight:

When we find ourselves in a position where we disagree with other Christians, it’s good to remember that God has given us room to disagree and help for how to handle our differing opinions. We can find such help in today’s text. How has knowing Scripture helped you to deal with conflicts?

This message was written By Mart DeHaan [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]