1 YEAR LATER - I write this with great sadness over the unimaginable and shocking loss of a close friend to death. He is too young. He loved life. He is the best guy you would want around you. He can lay down his life for you, which he did under some strange circumstances.

EBINABO TARIYEMIENYO MEINDINYO inside and out, was a wonderful friend to me, supporting me for over 2 years with his gentle and caring nature. One of his beliefs in life was the importance of being authentic, original and carefree with people, saying what needs to be said because it’s good for the relationship and for the soul.

Also, I always admired how Ebi never judged or forced his opinions on anyone, but offered valuable and truthful advice that I will surely miss. He was loving and real. He was a wonderful and generous friend to all his friends.



Ebi’s life was taken away from us too soon and it is hard to understand why tragic things like this happen to such good people. However, this is a question without an answer and we should not dwell on the loss of our dear friend, son and brother. Today let’s celebrate his life and remember all of the remarkable things Ebi accomplished and how wonderful his life was.

Ebi was incredibly responsible, intelligent and caring. I knew that I could trust him with anything and I respected him more than words can say. I wonder what you were thinking as your life ended. Did you wonder if your life mattered? did you wonder if people would remember you? Oh God, this is so sad.

It is incredibly sad that Ebi’s life ended so soon and I cannot put into words how much I will miss him. Ebi was a positive person and would not want us to be sad today. If he were here he would tell us to cheer up, smile and remember all of the great memories we all shared. Even though Ebi may be gone, his memory will live on in all of us forever.

COMRADE EBINABO TARIYEMIENYO MEINDINYO, I appreciate your friendship and will never forget you.

Your brother and friend,
K.D - Nigeria

_____________________
This is  Sponsored Post.

Learn more »

It's Sunday and a beautiful day. Here's a video of  Hay Why De Rapper going in on a rap holy rampage to give God several meanings.

Watch Video below:

---

Bonus video below:

---

Learn more »

Cypriot company Logicom is funding the conference and is confident that it will draw companies such as Microsoft and Intel.

The project to turn Famagusta into a ‘Smart City’ will be presented at a bi-communal conference entitled “Smart City” in early May 2016.

International companies that will manage the implementation of advanced technological systems for Famagusta during the town’s reconstruction, will attend the conference.

Pointing to Barcelona which is a Smart City, the Chamber of Commerce’s General Secretary, said that the revitalised city can have a well-organised infrastructure, with renewable energy resources, avoiding pollution. It will also have a metro. High tech systems will control everything, including traffic lights and local administration, he said.

With a high level technology system, he said, everything will be controlled electronically including traffic lights and local administration.

Noting there is really now a good opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem, He said that he is very optimistic of a better, more united Cyprus in the nearest future.

Learn more »

Set to take a walk through the walled city of Famagusta in a scorching heat wave, Okan Dagli, Famagusta Initiative activist and member, smiles at the prospect that we will only be able to cover a small part of the enchanting city in the one hour we have to spare.

Founded in around 274 BC, the port, incidentally the deepest one of the island, once rivalled Constantinople and Venice. It was ruled by a succession of conquerors over several centuries, the traces of which can still be seen dotted around the city.

After quenching our thirst, we left a small café set in the old grocery market of a city that rose to fame after a large number of Christians resettled here, following the fall of Acre, and transformed it from a tiny village into one of the richest cities in Christendom. The Saint Nicholas Cathedral on Famagusta’s main square marks our way.

“This is a Lusignan house that was restored into a school and this is a column from Salamis, to which Ottomans added elements,” points Dagli as we begin to feel the realms of the city’s history.

“And this is a Franciscan church, it’s another community that came to Famagusta. A lot of communities came to Famagusta: Armenians, Byzantines, Latin, Carmelites, French,” adds Dagli as he points to the remains on the Turkish Baths left behind from the Ottomans.

Notably, it was in the 13th century that the town flourished and became a centre of commerce for both the East and the West.

“All the churches, and all the monuments, belong to the 13th century,” attests Dagli. “During the 13th century, Famagusta was the richest city of the world, the queen of the Mediterranean,” he adds.

Because of all this, getting to know Famagusta inside-out would take quite some time. In the meagre hour we have, Dagli walks us through several of the most important monuments of the walled city.

Saint Nicholas Cathedral

The remains of a Venetian palace stand across the square from the Saint Nicholas cathedral where the Queen of Cyprus, Caterina Cornaro, used to welcome her people from the tip of one of the towers.

Originally known as Saint Nicholas’ Cathedral and later as the Ayasofya (Saint Sophia) Mosque of Magusa, The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque is the largest mediaeval building in Famagusta.

Built between 1298 and 1400, it was consecrated as a Catholic cathedral in 1328. The cathedral was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman Empire captured Famagusta in 1571 and remains a mosque to this day.

“This tree is now 700 years old, it was plan-ted when the Cathedral began its construction,” points out Dagli, “that’s what they used to do, when they began construction, they put a Ficus tree next to the cathedral they were building, it’s the same age as the cathedral.”

Remarkably, the French Lusignan dynasty ruled as Kings of Cyprus from 1192 to 1489 and brought with them the latest French taste in architecture, notably developments in Gothic architecture. “The minaret of this mosque is important because it’s the only minaret in the world that is in the gothic style,” says Dagli.

The Venetian Palace

The prominence of the remains of the Venetian governor’s Palace, once known as the Palazzo del Provveditore, is grand as one gets to walk through the internal courtyard of the premises and imagine the presence it must have had in the past.

Yet, the Ottoman siege of 1571 that followed the Venetian rule of the island was also followed by more than three centuries of neglect, compounded by serious earthquakes and floods, which left the large sections of the city in ruins by the time the British arrived in 1878.

“The Palace collapsed because in 1735 there was a big earthquake here, and a lot of buildings, monuments and church collapsed,” Dagli notes.

Namik Kemal Dungeon

As you enter the courtyard, one notices a building on the right-hand side. “This building belonged to Namik Kemal, a big Turkish poet that was sent to Famagusta for prison in the 19th century,” explains Dagli. “He was against the Ottomans and the padisha, in Turkish padisha means king, sent him to Famagusta,” he adds. “He stayed for about three years, but he fixed the upstairs and he stayed upstairs, he was free in the whole city,” says Dagli.

Turned into a museum now, the historical building was originally part of the Palazzo del Provveditore (Venetian Palace), yet as it currently stands, the building was built during the Ottoman era. Eventually the building was reportedly used by the British authorities during the First World War.

As one leaves the courtyard of the palace, with empty window sills and high walls surrounding you, there are numerous remains of monuments apparent to the eye, the Turkish Baths, churches and cathedrals, smaller chapels, and houses, many of which have retained a colonial architecture, all set within the space providing a livelihood for the community still living within the walled city of Famagusta.

Schools, bars, cultural centres, bars and restaurants have been created in some existing structures, while other buildings have maintained their identity throughout the years.

“This building, our primary school has been a primary school for over 100 years,” says Dagli.

As we carry on walking, Dagli points to the twin towers as he calls them, the twin churches of the Templars and Hospitallers.

The twin churches

The Knights Templar formed one of the three great military orders of knighthood, founded in the 12th century to protect the pilgrims who flocked to Jerusalem after the First Crusade. At the head of the order was the Master of the Temple in Jerusalem until 1291, when, on the fall of the Latin kingdom, the headquarters of the order moved to Cyprus. “Famagusta belonged to the Knights Templar for one year in the 13th century,” says Dagli as he points to their emblem at the entrance of one of the churches.

Othello Castle

Then of course, there is the Othello Castle, also known as Othello’s Tower, which stands aside the port and along the Venetian walls of the city, and has recently hosted prominent cultural events that draw people from both sides of the divide.

The castle, originally built by the Lusignans in the 14th century was later modified by the Venetians. Indeed, after the opening of Saint George’s Church and several ceremonies performed which attracted some thousands of Greek Cypriots back to the city, the Othello Castle has also been witness to some new, or should I say old, comers to its vicinity. Just one of the elements that makes this city such a time warp and an intriguing walk back into the past.

[Source] Learn more »

UPDATE: 26 Year Old Nigerian again falls from Building in Bizarre circumstances
The incident which happened on 11th July 2016 at Fatos Apartment building in Gulseren Famagusta TRNC claims that the 26 years old Nigerian man was involved in a "peeping incident" against a 16 year old girl that lives next door in the same building...READ MORE Learn more »

The HD video which was uploaded on Youtube recently shows a clear crisp images and videos of Famagusta Northern Cyprus. Landmark features can easily be distinguished in the video which was uploaded by youtube user Mikhail Ivanov.

 Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus. De facto, it is the capital of the Gazimağusa District of Northern Cyprus. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.

During the medieval period [especially under the maritime republics of Genoa and Venice], Famagusta was the island's most important port city, and a gateway to trade with the ports of the Levant, from where the Silk Road merchants carried their goods to Western Europe.

Watch video below:

Learn more »

The festival was promoted at a press conference held at the Palm Beach Hotel recently. Gazimağusa Mayor İsmail Arter said that the festival had an important place in the country, adding that they were acting with the realisation that Gazimağusa was the culture capital of Cyprus.

The much anticipated 20th International Mağusa Culture, Arts and Tourism Festival will be held between the 8th and 28th of July, it has been announced.

Noting that just like in previous years there will be international artists attending this year’s festival, he said that they were very proud to be able to host such renowned artists.

The festival will kick start with a 90’s concept by singer Ozan Orhon on the 8th of July at the Namık Kemal Square.

Artists like Volkan Konak, Koray Avcı, Julian Marley, Pink Martini and Los Vivancos will also be performing during the festival.

Mayor Arter also said that a symbolic fee of 10 to 20tl will be charged for entrance to the concerts.

Credit: BRTK Learn more »

With the Internet, pretty much anything is possible! Including ruling an entire kingdom via Skype, apparently. Meet King Togbe Ngoryifia Céphas Kosi Bansah, the 66-year-old king of the Hohoe area of southeastern Ghana, who governs his people via Skype. According to The Independent, Bansah once moved to Germany to attend school as a foreign exchange student, but decided not to return to Ghana after he met and fell in love with a woman named Gabrielle, who is now his wife.

He became the king of Hohoe in 1987, after the death of his grandfather, who was the reigning king. Sources says “he was chosen over his elder brother and father because both are left-handed, an attribute that his people believe is unclean and indicative of dishonesty.”

Reports state that Bansah runs a garage in Germany, but still finds time to govern the 200,000 people of Hohoe via Skype and telephone calls, often staying awake all night to rule and settle tribal disputes. He recently made headlines after thieves broke into his home in Ludwigshafen, and stole most of his royal regalia, including his crowns and golden chains his grandparents once owned. The stolen items were valued at £15,900.

Credit: The Independent

Learn more »

Evangeline Samuel: "Give honour to whom honour is due" [OPINION]

. Click to Read on...

Learn more »

In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

Watch video below:

---

---

 Credit: TED Main

---

Learn more »

Soon after leaving her fiancé Michelle is involved in a car accident. She awakens to find herself sharing an underground bunker with Howard and Emmett. Has she been saved from an apocalyptical event as Howard & Emmett tell her or are there other motives for her being held against her will?

*************************

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE @ LEMAR MAGUSA CINEMA

 * Screening at SALON 3

 * Phone: 03923656387

 * Time: 11:15am, 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6:30pm, 8:45pm

Watch International Trailer below:

Learn more »

Fearing the actions of Superman are left unchecked, Batman takes on the man of steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs. With Batman and Superman fighting each other, a new threat, Doomsday, is created by Lex Luthor. It's up to Superman and Batman to set aside their differences along with Wonder Woman to stop Lex Luthor and Doomsday from destroying Metropolis.

*************************

BATMAN V SUPERMAN @ LEMAR MAGUSA CINEMA

 *Date: 25-03, 2016 --- 01-04, 2016

 *Phone: 03923656387

 *Time: 11:00am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 8:30pm, [Weekends, till 11:30pm]

Watch International Trailer below:

Learn more »

The event, which made a re-ference to the pre-1974 orange festivals in Famagusta, started in the morning of 19th March 2016 with a religious service within the walled city.

The Famagusta Initiative together with Famagusta-Our Town groups organized the bicommunal event titled ‘Oranges in the Sea’ on the shores by the closed-off city of Varosha last weekend in support of reunification and peace in Cyprus.

The Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot participants of the event then proceeded to the Palm Beach shore where they released 42 paper boats in yellow, orange and green to the sea.

Forty-two symbolises the number of years since the division and the yellow, orange and green colours symbolise the colours of citrus colours, the organisers said.

The participants also decorated an old Famagusta orange festival float with oranges; the float is an original that had been used during the pre-division festivals.

A children’s choir sang songs in Turkish and Greek, and a human chain was also formed along the shore to call for peace and unification.

Some 500 Greek Cypriots came from Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca and Paralimni to participate in the event.

A similar event, ‘Oranges on the Sand’, was organised last year by the Famagusta Initiative and Famagusta-Our Town.

Credit: In-Cyprus Learn more »

RealTalk Undressed is a responsive, contemporary student-styled and oriented talk show program that focuses on contemporary issues in a modern world. This is new. This is different. This is fun. This is educative. Everyone is a participant.


Our Street Interview segment gets down to the common man and woman on the street to get their perspectives on related issues.

Click to watch video EPISODE 5 'below:

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Learn more »

So our RealTalk Undressed Street Interviewers hit the streets of TRNC in Girne, Lefkosa and Famagusta to ask folks what Valentine's mean to them and how they plan to celebrate it this February 14th, 2016.. Well enough interesting answers were gotten. No need for much words. [Watch the video below]

RealTalk Undressed is a responsive, contemporary student-styled and oriented talk show program that focuses on contemporary issues in a modern world. This is new. This is different. This is fun. This is educative. Everyone is a participant.

Our Street Interview segment gets down to the common man and woman on the street to get their perspectives on related issues.

#Realtalkundressed is the official hashtag. And on Sunday, we will be doing FREE SHOUT-OUTS for everyone that submits their shout-outs to realtalksgb@gmail.com | We will be providing an opportunity for everyone that needs an avenue to tell someone how much they mean to them. More Details on SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14TH.

Click to watch video 'The VALENTINE'S Edition 'below:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S EVERYONE!

Learn more »

With Regards to Valentines Day 14th of February, CouchTv decided to Send their Camera man out to get the views of students on How Important Is Money In A Relationship. Enjoy!!!! [PS: this video was shot a year ago]

Watch video below:

---

---

Learn more »

Sometime in the middle of January 2016, DJ Estimate (Damilola Afeez) whom everyone in TRNC has come to recognize as 'The Standard man' informed his followers on Facebook that he will be starting a weekly activities called ( THREE STANDARD ).

According to him, the programme which will be released online by him every week is an additional Inspirations and expositions given to him from the standard God. He went further to point out that "this doesn't stop My DJ work , My clothing brand and My record label from functioning , Bookings and Orders are still 100% allowed."

In his words; 

"THREE STANDARD is more of quotes , realities and wise sayings every one has to know. It also involves what is going on around them , what they need to do and how to solve relevant problems.

I am not doing it just because of what I feel to do, it's just an inspirational thought that got revealed to me , which I decided to bring out in a unique way.

It will all be in  form of 3 sentences that will be quoted with the same 1st latter at the beginning of each sentences with related pictures as well , eg (YOU , THEM , BECAUSE etc )"

Follow his Facebook for Updates

****
Proudly supported by Scanty Gela Blog Learn more »

According to latest report from the TRNC Meteorology Department, as reported by BRT, TRNC residents are warned that temperatures will plummet further starting this week. According to the report, The Island is expected to be hit by a new cold and wet weather front.

Also expected are scattered rain storms and possible snow on higher and lower plains of the Island. Temperatures are expected to drop as much as 3'C at nights, which will feel as -3'C and highs of 16'C during daytime.

As usual, residents are cautioned to dress appropriately and take all precautions to avoid falling sick. Drivers are also warned to drive cautiously during this cold period.




****

Driving up to Troodos mountains yesterday ⛄❄😀 #Snow #Cyprus #Troodos #Mountains #CyprusSnow #Winter pic.twitter.com/qaoMsTCltx

— Anna (@TinyLittleFreak) January 24, 2016

Credit: Brtk English Learn more »

Snapchat geofilters, the location-based graphics that you can place over your photo, are a fun way to spice up your pictures and let your friends know exactly where you're snapping from.

But did you know some of them are made by users? Here's how you can submit your own geofilter design to Snapchat.

Here's how to submit your own geofilter designs to Snapchat.  

You'll need to use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to create your design. Snapchat has specific templates for each program. Click here to download them.

Your submissions should be saved as web-optimized, transparent PNG files. Make sure each design is 1080 pixels wide and 1920 pixels high. Files should also be under 300KB.

Check out this chart from Snapchat for more details about the specifics of your design.

Click here when you're ready to submit your design. First, you'll have to create a geofence for it. A geofence designates the area where you want the filter to be available. Use Snapchat's map tool to create your fence.

Next, upload your PNG file by clicking the large plus sign in the upper right-hand side of the screen.

Once your image is uploaded, you'll need to provide some basic information, including your name and email address. You'll also have to explain "why is this location meaningful to you."

After you've answered Snapchat's questions, you're ready to hit submit. If your design is accepted, Snapchat will email you to let you know. 

Snapchat has strict rules about geofilters, so it's important to do your research if you want your design to be accepted. Filters for specific businesses are not allowed. Neither are designs that block too much of the screen. When designing your filter, Snapchat recommends picking a "location where people are likely to gather and send Snaps."

If you're thinking about submitting your own geofilter, be sure to check out Reddit. There are tons of threads devoted to tips and tricks for designing the perfect filter. You can even post your design ideas to get feedback from other designers. 

[Source] Learn more »

The Nigerian Music Group made up of Chuchu Movain and Friends were a force to reckon with at the time with their Music Producer Sammy Joe. This particular event was a launch of their album termed 'SUSPECTACULAR' and took place at the Club Bandabuliya in Castle Famagusta TRNC.

Watch video below:

Learn more »