And Adanna graduates

This woman is one beautiful lady that is a huge inspiration to me. I have not met her in person but her YouTube vlogs and other social media posts I have followed, shows she's a symbol of a strong African woman who would stop at nothing but to be the best.

Despite coming from an influential Nigerian background, Adanna Ohakim Steineker who has just graduated from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) together with her husband David, churns out motivational videos on DIY's, marriage, career and so many fun loving activities that appeals to many.

I was also an avid follower of her father, a Nigerian ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim too, who in his time canvassed for green environment and sustainable development.

Can't fault this lady...Well done Adanna!

Check more picture with family after the cut.

Uncanny Chinese twins as flight attendants

A pair of twenty set of twins will become flight attendants in Sichuan Southwest Vocational College of Civil Aviation in China. Here are their pose for photos..I must confess that their looks are uncanny.

More photos after the cut..

'Akon lighting Africa' commences

 Akon's solar energy project in Africa is taking off as the workers of 'Akon Lighting Africa' have been installing solar-powered street lights and residential systems.

The musician's initiative has garnered nods from people because it is hiring local young people and providing them with training, skills and most of all steady jobs and income.

Akon has done Africa proud...He is plouging money into the continent and this for sure would bring smiles to families and homes.Good work Akon,well done!

More pictures after the cut.

Findings reveal exercise reduces risk of diabetes during pregnancy

Analysis of studies involving 2873 pregnant women has shown their engagement in exercise during pregnancy, with no or little exercise prior to the pregnancy period, reduces risk of developing diabetes.

The analysis carried out on 13 previous studies by a team from Virgen de Luz hospital Spain was published by BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The findings further revealed the women also gain less weight during their pregnancy. They posited these benefits would bring about healthy offspring.

These findings just rested my worrying every time a pregnant friend sweats it out in my gym.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: My Father's Kidnapping

What thrills me most about art is the "power of the narratives". It gives you the ability to bring your own words in the way you see life which to me is an art...Our expressions, experiences and understandings are different and I take any close opportunity to read people's narratives, not only to know about any occurrence or how events took place but to appreciate how these narration was garnered or woven together.

  

A few weeks back, news broke out about the kidnapping of Chimamanda Adichie's father. Here is her narrative from New York Times revealing all you need to read about it. I'm glad her father came out of this harrowing experience alive. 

"MY father was kidnapped in Nigeria on a Saturday morning in early May. My brother called to tell me, and suddenly there was not enough breathable air in the world. My father is 83 years old. A small, calm, contented man, with a quietly mischievous humor and a luminous faith in God, his beautiful dark skin unlined, his hair in sparse silvery tufts, his life shaped by that stoic, dignified responsibility of being an Igbo first son.

BBC journalist tweets "Queen Elizabrth has died"

In her shoe I don't envy to be, at least in this instance, as Ahmen Khawaja of BBC  erroneously tweeted death of Queen Elizabeth.

The BBC World Service journalist in a follow-up tweet, attributed the social media gaffe to her phone getting into a wrong hand while left unattended to at home.

However, the BBC in a released apology statement refuted her excuse for the error, stating it was rather a genuine error following a rehearsal. The media organisation stated: 'During a technical rehearsal for an obituary, tweets were mistakenly sent from the account of a BBC journalist... The tweets were swiftly deleted and we apologise for any offence. '

This incident is a case of double jeopardy for the Urdu journalist who must be very upset herself. I can only hope this is not in the guise of a silly prank but wish her well out of this crisis.

Beats' speakers recall by Apple

Technology company Apple has ordered global recall of Beats loud speaker as a result of potential risk to users. The company has realised that Beats Pill XL'S battery is prone to overheat that may result in fire risk and has therefore recall the product worldwide.

Nestle 'Maggi' noodles fails test in India

India subsidiary of global brand, Nestlé is in the news for wrong reason as the country authority bans one of its products in India.

Following food safety concerns, Indian authority directed a nationwide sampling of Maggi noodles in the country. Results so far from Delhi and another state indicated unacceptable level of lead in batches of the product. This development has led to 15 days ban on selling of Maggi noodles in the country.

I hope other countries having Maggie noodles on their retail shelves would endeavour to carry out sampling as well?

Today's Wise Saying

"Don't set sail using someone else's star." - African saying

Musician Akon to give electricity to Africa

Asides from making music, the American R&B singer Akon has decided to bring solar energy to people living in rural communities in Africa.
The Senegalese-American descent decided to branch out of his record labels business to set up a charity named Akon Lighting Africa in 2014.
With a view to help engineers produce solar energy, he launched Solar Academy in Bamako Mali, to supply electricity to about 600 million communities in different local areas in Africa.

According to Akon's co-founders of the project Samaba Baithily and Thione Niang, stated to Reuters; "We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise."

"We expect the Africans who graduate from this center to devise new, innovative, technical solutions," according to Niang. "With this Academy, we can capitalize on Akon Lighting Africa and go further."

This is a great idea if it materializes to its completion.

What do I say?? Let there be light!!!

Today's Wise Saying

"A fish and bird may fall in love but the two cannot build a home together." - African saying

Photoshopping Real Women Into Cover Models

This is a fabulous video that highlights a good reminder that what we see as ladies in magazines isn't real and we should never compare ourselves to these superficial models. People in the world know photos are photoshopped.

I would argue that it is the result of social and economic evolution. A lot of soft sell magazines keep doing what sells the most articles. So its entirely up to you, to know and appreciate yourself and to also remember variety is the spice of life.

Watch.

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini to me is not just a writer, but a professional in every field of human endeavour. He brings to light indepth knowledge on workings of every aspect of human life. As if this is not commendable enough, this guy presents every environment with a great insight of local knowledge and parlance.

The depth and breadth of the mind of this illustrious novelist is unimaginable. A go at one of his books - And The Mountains Echoed should let you into my thoughts.

What book are you reading today?

Ship capsizes in China

A Chinese cruise liner with 450 people has capsized in Yangtze water within Hubei province of China. Hundred of people are still missing while few are confirmed dead. 

Divers attending to the incident could hear voices of people trapped in the ship hull. The spate of liners in voyage involving in accident in recent time is worrying. I presume interest in cruise holidaying must be waning now.

Vote Professor Soyinka for Oxford University's Poetry

Another moment of glory beckons at Nigeria as Prof Wole Soyinka garner supports for election to Oxford University's Professor of Poetry role. The 307-year-old position is contested for by 5 personalities. To be elected to the role first held in 1708, every candidate needs at least 50 nominations of Oxford graduates.

Dear all, do work your Oxford alumni contacts to vote Prof Soyinka for this illustrious post. Voter's registration is via this link Vote Prof Wole Soyinka

Today's Wise Saying

"A washerman does not harbour a grudge with the river."- Yoruba Proverb

"Start something that matters" by Brandon Burchard

A lot of us have bottle necks stopping us from achieving our goals. Brandon Burchard is a motivational speaker that makes a lot of meaning with every word he utters. This is the month of June and its not out of the way to get a little boost with this video

Please watch and make do with what is most applicable to you.

"When you see an invention"- Strive Masiyiwa

Strive Masiyiwa is a London based Zimbabwean businessman based in London. He is the founder and chairman of global telecommunications group Econet Wireless. The 54-year-old entrepreneur is a well known philanthropist clamouring for a new state of affairs in the African continent.

Masiyiwa lends his voice against corruption plaguing the African state, he gives talks on creating employment to alleviate poverty, Africans investing in Africa, he also holds discussions on business strategies to creating wealth and enhancing leadership qualities in the continent.

Masiyiwa's posts on social media are very stimulating, just like what he posted on his Facebook page. Read..

Welcome to the month of June!

Happy new month of June to you all. As we hit the middle of the year, sit down, set yourself some life goals, re-strategize, get creative and make it happen!

Can't wait for summer!

Today's Wise Saying

"You cannot tell a hungry child that you gave him food yesterday." -Zimbabwean Proverb