Life is stressful most of the time, the world is flawed and people are 2 faced; to make a bad situation worse; we live in a country where nothing works right and we often struggle to balance the urge to do so much or to just give up altogether. Most of us work hard in our individual lives, at the end of a hard day; we have no fuel to drive home, we pay ridiculous taxi fares, stay in traffic for over 2 hours only to get home to a house with no electricity. We read everyday of terrorism, thieving politicians, devalued currency, cheating yoruba men(aka demons) and other life threatening things we accept as the order of the day.

Really, i believe being Nigerian prepares you for hard times and teaches you coping mechanisms for hard times and i admire the strength and zeal of all hardworking Nigerians.

Despite all the above, Nigeria is an interesting place to live in, it certainly contributes to character development. Below are a few things i have learnt from being Nigerian

To be stronger – Only the strong will survive and thrive in this economy. I’ve learnt the need to be stronger and to always be one step ahead, I’m tough because in a society that doesn’t recognize women as equals, i have to work extra hard to prove myself.

To be hopeful – We are the most hopeful citizens; we cling to the hope and belief that things must surely get better one day. This can’t possibly be our eternal reality; so we hope and hope. I’ve learnt to be extremely hopeful for the possibility of a much better day.

To persevere – We keep struggling believing that any day could be the day we get that lucky break that will elevate us and change our current circumstance. So we persevere through all trials. I’ve learnt that no does not really mean no and that there is no situation that one can not handle with the right tactics or amount so i persevere through any and every situation.

High tolerance level – There’s so much negative things that we’ve gotten used to as a way of life (poor infrastructure, corrupt leaders, cheating husbands, high unemployment rate, Boko haram, underage brides, rape culture, ebola, gender inequality) just to mention a few. I have definitely attained a high tolerant level to situations.

To be more spiritual – In Nigeria, the answer to all questions and the solution to every dilemma is God. You get used to phrases like ‘it is well’, ‘God is in control’, ‘God will do it for you’, ‘God’s time is the best’. Religion is something Nigerians NEED to cling to; the desperate hope that if they live right then a higher power will reward them. I’m a Christian and i have to say that being a Nigerian living in Nigeria has taught me to be more spiritual.

To be competitive – I grew up around a LOT of comparison, to siblings, cousins, neighbors, classmates and so on. If you’re Nigerian you have heard ‘the person that came first does she have two heads?’. Being Nigerian has taught me to be very competitive in all situations.

The list is truly endless but i have learnt so much from being Nigerian and i believe that the traits i have picked up can allow me to live and thrive anywhere in the world. Everyone knows that Nigerians are EVERYWHERE. Even in the most unlikely places like Alaska, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Syria, Iraq, etc.

Really, i believe being Nigerian prepares you for hard times and teaches you coping mechanisms for hard times and i admire the strength and zeal of all hardworking Nigerians.

What has being Nigerian taught you? I would love to hear it all.

Proudly Nigerian.

Love x Light

N.
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Nigeria is a secular state, and its citizens are free to hold on any religious belief, President Muhammadu Buhari has declared. The president made the declaration last weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. Mr. Buhari, represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while making the declaration on Sunday, acknowledged the fact that the Catholic Bishops Conferences were crucial, and commended the Catholic Church for its humanitarian works in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the North Eastern part of the country.

The President said "There shall be no state religion, and all Nigerians are guaranteed freedom of worship.” He added that the menace posed by Boko Haram will soon be over, as the Federal Government is winning the war.

Credit: The Summary News NG Learn more »

"I will stay because there are no more guys out there," says one lady desperately

What if your man hits you once? Would you stay or leave? BattaBox presenter Odunayo asks Nigerian women on the streets of Lagos and we definitely got crazy replies.

"I won't stay o, Never," one lady said

While some women would stay if they get beaten, some would walk immediately. What would you do?

Watch video below:

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What if your man hits you once? Would you stay or leave? BattaBox presenter Odunayo asks people on the street----video credit batabox--see more videos on youtube--LIKE THIS PAGE
Posted by Naija Gbedu on Friday, April 3, 2015

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The Nigerian Embassy is ready to issue "EMERGENCY TRAVEL CERTIFICATE" this document will enable you travel to Nigeria, and then you can collect or renew your international passport.

REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN EMERGENCY TRAVEL CERTIFICATE: 
Affected persons must complete the following requirements.

1. Old International Passport data page

2. Receipt of payment to Embassy account

3. Flight Ticket

4. Consent letter

5. Passport Photograph

Please in other to obtain this document, a US $50 equivalent MUST be paid into the Embassy account and this application should be made at least 10 working days before proposed date of travel.

The requirements above should be sent to the NSS email; nss.emu@gmail.com (All documents should be neatly scanned).

Payment should be made into this account:

Bank: İş Bankasi

Account Number: 42340171108

Account Name: Nijerya Buyukelcilgi

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On July 19 2016, The Nigerian Community in Turkey (NICOT) had a peaceful demostration at the Taksim Square in support of Turkish President Erdogan and his ruling AKP Party after the botched coup attempt on the nation.

The Nigerian community which was led by their able president, Prince E. Magboh waved banners, flags and posters in full support of democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.

As has been widely reported in the media, around 22:00 on 15 July 2016, a military coup was launched in Turkey. The coup which saw Turkey's main bridges closed to traffic and parliament buildings bombed didn't succeed in ousting President Erdogan.

More pictures and Videos below:

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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 »

Speaking on the Topic: ADVOCATE FOR PEACE at a recently held TEDxCIU event, SANDRA OBIORA emphasized that one should "Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and believe that peace is entirely possible!"

Sandra C. Obiora is a business student, a language enthusiast and tutor, an audio technician, a writer, a poet, an artist, an intellectual, a motivational speaker, among other things. She is interested in concepts embedded in Psychology, International relations, African studies, Sustainability, Economics, Sound engineering, Finance, and above all an advocate for world peace."

Watch video below:


This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx Learn more »

It is no longer news that the Britain have pulled out of their membership of the European Union (EU). Many allies of Britain, including Nigeria will no doubt feel the impact of this decision. Economic experts say there is a risk of a contagion effect beyond the borders of Britain.

As a member of the British Commonwealth, Nigeria has strong economic ties with Britain. Nigeria is Britain’s second largest trading partner in Africa after South Africa, with £6 billion (about N2.4 trillion or $8.52 billion) in bilateral trade volume last year.

Nigeria and Britain have long standing political and economic ties. The decision of Britain to pull out of the EU will affect Nigeria in different ways.

1. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United Kingdom would shrink over time and a weaker and smaller UK economy would scale back its investment in development projects in Nigeria.

2. Immigration and Visa application It would foster anti-immigration around the world, and this will affect Nigeria who have a large population of its citizens in diaspora. It is expected that Britain will be very strict on visa applications especially from countries like Nigeria which has a large visa applicants to the United Kingdom.

3. Investment potential Investment in Britain by Nigerian businessmen would be less attractive since the country would no longer offer full access to the lucrative EU market. Trade agreements between EU countries and non-EU countries are negotiated by the European Commission.

4. Integration and economic development The benefits of deepening integration and socio-economic development through economic blocs in Africa especially Nigeria would be punctured due to Brexit.

5. Tough immigration policies Brexit will bring about enforcement of tougher immigration policies that would affect Nigerians travelling to the UK and the estimated over 2 million Nigerian migrants in the country.

6. May fuel secessionist sentiments It will have a strong influence on secessionist sentiments in Nigeria as the unification of the United Kingdom will be affected, as some regional agitators in Nigeria would find the example worth emulating.

7. Nigeria internal politics The toll of Brexit on Nigeria would have deeper implications on Nigeria’s politics because it is a signal that political unions can no longer be seen as self-perpetuating.

Credit: http://sbmintel.com/ Learn more »

After 200 hours of deejaying nonstop, Nigerian DJ, Dj Obi has entered the record book as the record holder for the longest time a DJ has kept the wheels spinning at the club.

If you think that’s not a lot of time, consider that it took DJ Obi about 8 days to break that particular record! The massive feat was achieved at the Sao Cafe, Lekki, Lagos Nigeria where numerous friends, fans and proud Nigerians showed up day after day just to cheer him up.

What’s even more interesting is that DJ Obi is still going as he has set a personal target of ten days!

Add him on Snapchat @djobiajent and follow on twitter https://twitter.com/DjObiAjEnt

More pics and videos below:

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MY VALUE JUST WENT UP!!! #DjObiWorldRecord pic.twitter.com/y1HUlpALQG

— Obi Ajuonuma (@DjObiAjEnt) July 1, 2016

The moment we surpassed the current world record of 200 hours; its been an amazing journey - 9 days in; Thank you everyone! You all have been so supportive! WE DID IT TOGETHER!! #GLOBALDJOBI #DJOBIWORLDRECORD #DJOBISZN #DJOBIONDECK #DONTCRACKUNDERPRESSURE

A video posted by Obi Ajuonuma (@djobiajent) on Jul 1, 2016 at 12:32am PDT

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IT  did not make headlines. For major news network, it also did not get any mention. Even when major newspapers reported the event, there was a major highlight that was ignored. A report said of the 96 graduating Doctor of Pharmacy candidates, 43 of them were Nigerians and of the 27 awards given, 16 went to Nigerians.

Howard University also awarded a Doctor of Humanities degree to actress and activist Cicely Tyson, a Doctor of Laws to Ambassador Horace G. Dawson, a pioneering member of the U.S. Foreign Service and founding director of the Howard’s Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center, and a Doctor of Science to Dr. L.D. Britt, chairman of the Department of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

It awarded more than 1,300 bachelor’s degrees, more than 300 master’s degrees, and over 100 Ph.Ds. The top five areas of concentration were psychology, history, political science, social work and mathematics. Additionally, more than 400 students received professional degrees in law, medicine, pharmacy and dentistry.

Howard University has the only dental and pharmacy colleges in the District of Columbia. The graduates represented 46 states and 35 countries. The youngest graduate at the ceremony was 20-years-old and the oldest was 74.

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.

Obama told the graduates to remember the ties that connect African-Americans: “That is our particular awareness of injustice, and unfairness, and struggle. … That means we cannot sleepwalk through life.

“Be confident in your heritage. Be confident in your blackness,” he told the graduates. “There’s no one way to be black. Take it from somebody who’s seen both sides of the debate about whether I’m black enough.”

“We have cousins, and uncles, and brothers, and sisters, who we remember were just as smart and just as talented as we were but somehow got ground down by structures that were unfair and unjust, and that means we have to not only question the world as it is, and stand up for those African-Americans who haven’t been so lucky.”

That empathy should extend to “all people who are struggling,” he said.

Finally, he advised the grads that creating change requires organization and strategy. That strategy has to include voting, Obama added:

“People try to make this political thing really complicated … you know what? Just vote. It’s math. If you have more votes than the other guy, you get to do what you want.”

Moreover, he said change requires compromise and “listening to those with whom you disagree.”

Obama said when he received a bachelor’s degree in 1983, there were no Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and few Black judges. He said it was important to note the progress America has made in race relations since then.

“To deny how far we have come would be a disservice to those who went before. There’s still so much work to do, so many miles to travel,” Obama said. “America needs you to gladly, happily take up that work.”

Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick said President Obama was awarded a Doctor of Science degree (not doctor of laws or letters) to underscore how much the Affordable Care Act means to this country as a whole. He urged graduates to embrace Obama as a personal role model and to emulate his trademark graciousness.

Speaking from his own experience, Obama encouraged African Americans to continue to embrace their heritage and to “be confident in your Blackness.” Even so, he noted that there was no one way to be Black, and no litmus test for authenticity.

“Look at Howard,” Obama said. “One thing most people don’t realise about Howard is how diverse it is. You shatter stereotypes.”

Credit: The Nation Newspapers Learn more »

Nigeria has announced ambitious plans to send an astronaut into space by 2030, as part of its drive to develop a world-class space industry.

"The space program is very important," said Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, during a speech in the capital city Abuja. "Space is a major asset that Nigeria must be involved in for the purpose of protecting national interests."

A Nigerian Space Agency delegation will visit partners in China this month April 2016 to discuss logistics and investment for a manned space mission, which would be the first by an African nation.

Nigeria's space program is no joke, and it is making steady progress. The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has launched five satellites since 2003, with three still in orbit delivering vital services. The most recent - NigeriaSat-X -- was the first to be designed and constructed by NASRDA engineers, and more advanced models are in development.

Credit: CNN Learn more »

Four hours. That's how much time physicist Rabia Salihu Sa'id has each day to get her research done at Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria.

"Each day, my university is giving me only four hours of electricity. I can't do research in four hours!" Sa'id says, laughing, despite her frustration.

She studies how deforestation may change air temperatures in Nigeria. Computing power is essential for her research.

"Think! You are concentrating and the power goes off! You try to use the battery, and the battery starts beeping. Then you have to close it and leave," she says. "The ideas are gone by the time you come back. It's difficult — you have to start all over again."

Working as a professor isn't an easy job anywhere. But scientists in many low-income countries, such as Nigeria, cope with problems unheard of elsewhere. Universities commonly lack the funds to support research, while students have no access to computers or the Internet.

Despite such slings and arrows, good science does get done in poor countries. And done by women, such as Sa'id. Women make up only about 14 percent of Nigerian academics but account for about a quarter of the science and technology professors — the latter statistic is roughly inline with the percentage in the U.S.

Three of the top female scientists from Nigeria, including Sa'id, won an award Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Association for Advancement of Science in San Jose, Calif.

Sitting around a table during the conference, the women swapped experiences and shared common frustrations. Many times they sounded just like female scientists in the U.S. They strive to get money for students, to do innovative research under tight funds and to receive support from male colleagues.

Caltech biochemical engineer Frances Arnold was awarded a National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Obama in 2013.

"I don't think they were very happy in my department when I got the award," Sa'id says about her male colleagues back home. When she showed one of them her award letter, he asked if the award was specifically for women. She said it was. "And he just shook his head and walked away — as if that's the only reason I got it!"

"There is always some hostility," says Dolly Ighoroje, a physiologist at the University of Benin in Nigeria. "I don't know if it is because they feel threatened or envious or something because as far as they are concerned, they are the boss."

But some of these women's struggles make problems in the West look small. Take for instance Mojisola Oluwayemisi Adeniyi's experiences at the University of Ibadan.

Like Sa'id, Adeniyi is a physicist. Her goal is to understand how future climate conditions in Nigeria will affect the country's ability to grow food. This type of research requires massive computing power — think a room filled with computers for her students to run climate models.

Adeniyi has only one laptop. But that doesn't stop her.

"Presently I improvise," she says. Adeniyi uses her own laptop, outfitted with eight processing cores and climate modeling software, which she copied at a conference.

"If you tell someone I am running regional climate model on a laptop," she says, "they'd find it unbelievable — but I do it."

Adeniyi's dream is a computer room for her students. But she doesn't have the money to buy the machines. Lack of funds, in general, seems to be a problem for many scientists in Nigeria. Many even have to use personal money to fund their research.

When Mojisola Usikalu was working to get her master's degree in physics, she used her salary as a schoolteacher to pay for samples to be analyzed. She studies how radiation can affect plants and animals.

"The professor I went to said my data were very good," Usikalu says. "He encouraged me and said, 'You can do more than this.' From that point, I said to myself, 'OK, there are good opportunities in the sciences. If I just do good work, maybe I can get somewhere.' "

Usikalu believes that with a little doggedness and a little help from time to time, anything is possible. The professor recommended her for a doctoral fellowship. Now she's a lecturer at Covenant University in Ota, Nigeria.

"I always try to motivate the students — especially the girls," she says. "I tell them, 'There is no barrier. There is nothing that can keep one from good success in science if one is passionate about it, determined and focused. One can get to any level.' "

Like in the U.S., girls in Nigeria tend to drop of science as they get older, Adeniyi says.

"It's in secondary school that boys and girls begin segregating," she says. "Girls start thinking math and physics is hard. It's not feminine. But if people like us can go there and talk to them, showing them what we have achieved, telling them they can do well in those subjects, they will surely be encouraged."

This is a #throwback story

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Denmark has emerged as the happiest nation in the world. The Scandinavian country, which has a population of around 5.6 million, knocked Switzerland into second place to take the title of the happiest country in the 2016 World Happiness Report.

A combination of a relatively high GDP, good healthy life expectancy and high levels of social support gave the country its edge over the other nations.

The report is the fourth of its kind to be produced, using a variety of factors to measure happiness around the world since the first World Happiness Report in 2012.

People's health, access to medical care, family relations, job security, political freedom and levels of government corruption are all among the measures used to assess happiness.

Check out the list below:

Credit: Daily Mail UK

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The Nigerian Students Society, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders has finalized plans for a once-in-a-life-time Debate forum where Nigerians, well-wishers and friends can deliberate on certain issues bedeviling the most populous nation in Africa and African economy power house, Nigeria and possible solutions.

More details below:

Date: TODAY: Thursday, 24th March 2016
Venue: RD Blue Hall, EMU-Famagusta
Time: 5pm (be punctual please)

The first step in fixing a problem is knowing where it lies. "Corruption in a country, who is to be blame? THEM OR US? (Leaders or Followers)"

The speakers are selected from a rich pool of intellectual Nigerian minds and are expected to do justice to the topic(s) that will be in contention.

Moreover, there will be a question and answer session where winners will be gifted with memorabilia, et al.

According to the official bulletin from the NSS_EMU, there will be light refreshment also provided. In this regard, everyone is cordially invited.

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A toddler was killed and his twin brother, sister and mother were injured after the car they were in collided with a second car in a horrific accident along the old Famagusta-Nicosia road on Monday. The other driver was also injured.

According to Turkish Cypriot police, two-and-a-half-year-old Doga Cicek died after Nigerian driver Enahoro Arausi, 22, reportedly tried to overtake the car ahead being driven by Ipek Kaleli Cicek, 39, the child’s mother, from the right-hand side.

It is believed the Nigerian’s vehicle hit Ipek Kaleli Cicek’s car, which was also in the right-hand lane, with Arausi losing control, and his car veering off the road and overturning. His car thereafter burst into flames, and the injured Nigerian man later transported to hospital.

However, two-and-a-half-year-old Doga Cicek died on impact, according to Turkish Cypriot police reports, whilst his mother Ipek Kaleli and twin Deniz Cicek were slightly injured. His sister Ada Cicek, eight, suffered a broken jaw.

Police have said Arausi will be arrested after being released from hospital. The investigation is continuing, they added.

Some pictures below:

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The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has debunked media reports that it failed to fulfill its responsibility of paying the outstanding fees and stipends to 25 students in Turkey under its scholarship programme.

The students schooling at the European University of Lefke, Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, had last week decried the manner in which officials of the programme allegedly abandoned them in Northern Cyprus.

But reacting to the students' claim, the PAP, through its media consultant, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, claimed that there was no substance in the position former, adding that the leader of the protesting students, Ombo Contterell, and three others had actually graduated between February and March last year.

Giving further insight, he said 75 students were sponsored to the Turkish university in question, but were later recalled home due to 'some unfortunate situations there.'

According to him, while the rest were placed in universities in Nigeria, only 26 went back to Turkey to continue with their education, stressing that of the number that went back, one Miss Horsfall Regal Adokiye finished her Masters shortly after return in 2014.

This, Lakemfa stated, left 25 of the students in Turkey, adding that four others, including Ombo Contterell, Anabraba Boma, Amaran Tari, and Hart Queeneth graduated early last year, but continued to draw their allowances as they did not make their graduation known to the Amnesty Office.

He said following the discovery about their status as students who had graduated, the Amnesty Office subsequently stopped the payment of their fees and allowances, but has continued to pay the remaining 21 students still schooling in TRNC.

Providing documents to back up his claim, Lakemfa said the remaining 21 students were paid $35,000 or an equivalent of N6, 930,000 being in-training allowance for September-October, 2015.

He also disclosed that the same 21 students had been paid for February 2016, the sum of $2.9 million at an exchange rate of N310 to a dollar, adding that this could be confirmed from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which remitted money.

Lakemfa said at inception, vendors by the name, Ruma Institute, were used to remit monies to the students, but the Amnesty Office had to stop the practice due to some logistics problems.

This, according to him, paved the way for direct payment to the students, pointing out that since his assumption of office as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of PAP, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), had met the obligations to beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme within and outside the country.

*Originally written by Ndubuisi Francis for This Day Newspaper Learn more »

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey is ready to help Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.

Addressing a joint news conference alongside his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Erdogan said Turkey will help Nigeria bring peace to the region.

"As a country combating terrorism itself for a long time, any terror in Nigeria deeply hurts our hearts,” the Turkish president said.

Erdogan also extended his condolences to the victims of terrorism in Nigeria.

“There is evidence that terrorism is the same all over the world," Erdogan said, adding: “Terrorism has no religion or nationality”.

“We are ready to combat terrorism with Nigeria. We would like you to enjoy our experience in the field of defense,” he added.

There is no “distinction between terror organizations,” Erdogan said.

Buhari welcomed the Turkish president saying: “I thank you for supporting us in these difficult times that we have been through,” Buhari said.

The Turkish president also expressed his interest in boosting bilateral economic ties. He noted the growth of Nigerian economy in recent years and expressed Turkey’s willingness to make further investments in Nigeria.

“We have been following Nigeria’s economic growth closely. I am accompanied by a large number of businessmen…We hope to be able to obtain a positive outcome from this [Turkey-Nigeria business] forum [in Abuja],” Erdogan said.

“The population of Turkey and Nigeria is about 260 million people… that is a very important market if we combine our forces,” he added.

He also said that Turkey remains ready to share its experience and knowledge in the fields of irrigation and agriculture with Nigeria.

“It will be a pleasure for me to host Buhari as soon as possible,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish president also said the Grand National Assembly of Turkey will cooperate with the Nigerian parliament.

Turkey and Nigeria signed bilateral agreements on economic, scientific, and technical cooperation in 2011.

The Turkey-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1999. Their main areas of trade relations revolve around imports of clothing materials and automobile parts. Turkey also imports raw materials from Nigeria, including rubber and sesame seeds.

Turkish investments in Nigeria are in the areas of construction, quarrying, textiles, tourism, education, healthcare and hospitality.

Erdogan is currently on a four-nation tour of Africa. He visited the Ivory Coast on Monday and Ghana on Tuesday. He is expected to leave Abuja late Wednesday for a visit to Guinea.

Nearly 150 Turkish businessmen joined Erdogan on his tour of West Africa that began earlier last week.

Some pictures below

Watch video below:

Credit: Anadolu Agency Learn more »