Today's Wise Words.

                                                                                                               (Pic: Paulo Coelho's Facebook page)

Music band with a Nigerian wins Mercury Music Award

A hip hop group called Young Fathers has won the Mercury Music Prize on Wednesday. The Edinburgh, Scotland based group consist of members with a Liberian and Nigerian roots.

The trio Alloysious Massaquoi, Graham 'G' Hastings and Kayus Bankole are very happy to clinch the prize money of £20,000 ($32,000) award. The musicians whose record sold just over 2,000 copies before the award, sky rocketed hours after they were announced winners and even shot up to No.7 on the music charts. After the award, G Hasting said; "We'll take it in our stride. We always wanted to make something bigger than the city we were living in."

Good one!

Jamie Oliver's Jollof Rice ..Yay or Nay?

                                                                             (Pic: jamieoliver.com)

The very famous English celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver has put his name on the lips of West Africans debating on the monopoly of the dish called Jollof rice. The media personality explored and added different condiments into the famously cooked rice in tomato sauce. He identified that some countries add coconut milk, nutmeg, African basil leaf and rooibos tea to savour the well known dish.

In an attempt to nail the dish, Oliver made his Jollof rice with chicken, tagging his dish to Ghana's culinary, making a lot of people wonder why he would write Ghana as the monopoly of the dish. Many Africans agree that Jollof rice is one of the many wonders of Africa, but not many agree that Jamie did justice to what he came up with as his plate of rice.

What do you guys think? A yay or a nay?

Mystery: Father kills wife and two daughters

                                                                                                    (Pic: thetelegraphandargus.co.uk)

In a recent incident in the city of Bradford, a father of two Jitendra Lad 49, has been fingered as the killer of his 44 years old wife Daksha and his two daughters, Trisha 19 and Nisha 16.

The motive behind the killing is still unknown but it is reported that Jitendra stabbed his wife and kids while they were asleep. The West Yorkshire Police have maintained that they are not looking for any suspect in regards to the murders but are in search of a suicide note within the house.

Robbie Williams dances while wife is in labour

Robbie Williams headlined several dailies days ago with the live-blogging of his wife in delivery room. The singer was shown dancing to his music while his wife cringed in pregnancy contractions.

Some have condemned this as insensitive while others applauded it. I recall breaking down in floods of tears while supporting a friend in similar situation few years back. The experience lingers, anyone offering warmly supports at that intense moment should be commended. No matter how many 'One Born Every Minute' series you watch, it can't be compared to the live-experience, and your ability to maintain decorum at that point stands you out.

Womenfolk needs to help out on this: Would you want your man beside you at the delivery room? And basically doing what?

Today's Wise Words

Yes...It is against yourself!

Guy Scott succeeds the late Zambian President

Just days after Zambia rolled out drums celebrating their 50th anniversary as a country, the news broke out on Tuesday of death of the country's President Micheal Sata, in a London hospital after an undisclosed ailment.

To succeed him as an interim President, is the former Vice President Guy Scott, Zambian born of Scottish descent. Scott is to hold the position for 90 days to allow Zambians go to the polls for Presidential election. The 70-year-old was said to be happy being the first African White President since the end of apartheid and was also reported to have said this new appointment came as "a bit of a shock to the system". He further added that "I'm very proud to be entrusted with it".

This is an exemplary precedent from Zambia... More of this should be encouraged all over the world...We have all come a long way.

Like 'The Duchess' on Facebook

To make this blog even better and more easily accessible, I have been up to quite a few exciting things to make the experience of the blog fonder.

Whether you are on the go or on your desk, it is my desire no one misses out on hottest news as it happens. Going forward, I would be presenting my posts across channels - this blog and the blog's Facebook page.

All you need to do is to search for 'The Duchess' on your Facebook with the emblem above identifying the blog's page. Simply 'Like' the page, and you have joined one of the first to know of every of my post.

Click on this link, for a priority pass to the page, like you'd enjoy in airports; Like 'The Duchess' on Facebook.

This blog is going to be very interesting to every member of its virtual community.

Today's Wise Words

The Snail moves slowly, but in the end it will get to its destination. - Unknown, African Proverb

Today's Wise Words

                                                         (Pic: imgkid.com) 

"You are beautiful; but learn to work, for you cannot eat your beauty" - Congolese Proverb.

An Angry Protester runs into David Cameron

The Prime Minister of Britain was today pushed by an angry man as he was leaving Leeds Civic Hall. The security team did their jobs by swinging into action to prevent or avoid a scene.

Mr Cameron who was in Leeds to back plans for High Speed rail projects in northern part of Britain, was aware of the urgency as he quickly made his way into his waiting vehicle, whilst the man got arrested and taken away.

Brazil: Dilma Rousseff wins re-election as President

Ms Dilma Rousseff, 66 has won her re-election bid for another term as Brazil's President after a run-off.

Ms Rousseff who is the first woman to occupy the position had a challenger in Aecio Neves, a candidate who opinion surveys has placed ahead of President Rousseff. The candidates had 51.6% and 48.4% votes respectively of the total votes.

Womenfolk should consolidate on this achievement in all spheres of life in every country of the world. Congratulations to Her Excellency.

Today's Wise Words

                                                                                                                                 (tumblr.com)

In my grandmother's words..."If you see a relationship getting on so well, a party in it is acting a sheep and the other, a goat."

As we all know a sheep for its docility and a goat for being hard to tackle.

Canadians Show Love to a Local Mosque

                                                                                          (Pic:reuters)

Canadians in Cold lake, Alberta thronged out on Friday to show you can make their land a home. This came after two attacks on Canadian soldiers by extremist Muslims including another episode of shooting at Canada's parliament building.

A local mosque in a reprisal attack was vandalized with upsetting inscriptions written multiple times across the outside of the building in red spray paint and windows smashed. It stated "Go Home". Few hours later, community volunteers came out, cleaned up and put up their own signs saying "You are home."

Aww... these people must be warm and welcoming!

Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year 2014 is 'Photobomb'

The role of social media can no longer be underestimated. In 2013 Oxford Dictionaries announced 'selfie', a term which literally means self-protrait, though originated in 2002 but recently widely used in socia-media as the Word of the Year 2013.

'Photobomb' another word mainly used in social-media has made Collins dictionary's Word of the Year 2014. Collins dictionary defined 'photobomb' as "to intrude into the background of a photograph without the subject's knowledge".

The Queen's image at the background of a selfie taken by Australian's 2014 Commonwealth team members in Glasgow, is one notable 'photobomb' event that went viral recently. Sort of endorsement for the act you may say.

I have to rake my head of any coinage we were using that may be a candidate-word for Word-of-the-Year. Help me out in this, and together we would celebrate the winning here once it happens.

Luiz Suarez features in The Guardian weekend magazine

                                                                                                         (Pic: theguardian) 

What a headline! I can't wait to read this, it must be a mouthful interview.

Does this have your Mother-in-law in mind?

                                                                                      (Pic: Metro/Curry-PC World)

I can't talk. I know you've got things to say, on you go! 

Queen Elizabeth sends first Tweet

                                                                                                     (Pic: abcnews.go.com)

The British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has sent her first tweet @BritishMonarchy.

The octogenarian made the historic tweet at London's Science Museum during the opening of an exhibition. She tweets: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R.

Twitter's team would be so glad with this Royal endorsement. Please hear me, I will so frame image of any member of the Royal family visit to this blog and would shout out loud for everyone to know as well. As of now fingers crossed .... and even toes too.

Happy New Islamic Year

                                                                                                                (Pic: rosechannel.com)

Muslims all over the world are ushering in the new Islamic year 1436 A.H. Muharram marks the first month of the Islamic calendar.

Here is wishing everyone a happy celebrations... May the year unfold many glad tidings and blessings to you and your family.

Duchess xx

Lagos State Governor's Song of Praise on UK Telegraph Newspaper

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola's praises have been sang in the UK Telegraph article titled "Meet the man who tamed Nigeria's most lawless city". The article highlighted a lot of efforts carried out by the No.1 citizen of the State and his most recent effort to combat the outbreak of Ebola.

No campus kissing says Zimbabwe University

A ban on kissing and hugging in the University of Zimbabwe Harare campus has caused mixed reactions, as students complain it is unreasonable. In the school circular where the news broke out states “those caught in an intimate position" would be disciplined.

The ban which automatically evicts the non compliant students from the school dormitory was also condemned by The Zimbabwe National Student Union, saying that the school had a record of not consulting the student body, before making such decisions. The President of the Union Tsitsi Mazikana said "We are against these rules which we view as archaic, repressive and evil. We are urging students to resist the rules. These rules reduce the university to a primary school. The authorities need to be reminded that this is an institute for adults who are mature."

Hehehe... This just throws my memories to school days and all the eye opening things you'd see.

Upcoming Africa's Generations - Alek, Ozwald & Lupita

                                                (Pic: David M.Benett/Getty Images)

What more can I say when remarkable Africans come together doing their continent proud.
Like the common Swahili saying that "sticks in a bundle are unbreakable", it is when we have a generation of positive, young Africans achieving results in their different fields of endeavours, that we can actually become indomitable.

From left - Alek Wek, a South Sudanese international model/designer, Ozwald Boateng an English fashion designer of Ghanaian descent and Lupita Nyong'o, a Mexican/Kenyan model/actress and an entrepreneur come together at the Sindika Dokolo's (Congolese Arts Collector) Arts Foundation dinner at the Hotel Cafe Royal in London. 

On the Duchess Post Table..What should she do?

                                                                                                               (Pic:dailymail.co.uk)

A Duchess Post Visitor sent this in;

"My daughter has a friend/classmate whose father is friends with me...We are very cordial especially when we see during school runs. Most of the time, as I have noticed, the wife is either pregnant or nursing a baby whilst the man runs all the school errands... But the lady feigns she doesn't recognize me and she is not ready to. But the father would wave at us in the car by any given chance...

Thank God Its Friday

Heheheheh...I'm smiling already!!...I just love Fridays... And I'm looking forward to a lot of things that I would be doing.

What about you? Do you have a hobby? Are you reading a new book? Visiting an old or new found friend? Cooking for a friend or family? Visiting a sick or bereaved person...Settling a dispute? Just go out there...Make someone happy!!!It makes the world a better place...Do something different! You'd be glad you did!

Duchess xx.

Happy Independence Day Zambia

Happy 50th Independence Anniversary Day to Zambia and Zambians all over the world.

The Southern African country gained independence from the British colonial rule on October 24th, 1964.

This is wishing Zambians a happy celebrations, as you roll out the drums to celebrate... May you move from strength to strength and experience more economic growth!

Today's Wise Saying

"It is from puppy(hood) you would know a stubborn dog" - Agbede proverb.

Meaning traits can be discovered at a very tender age or in the early days of something, someone or a particular happening.

Do you have an inspiring word, saying or proverb you are very proud to know? Do send them in and we would feature them on Duchess Post.

Novak Djokovic welcomes baby boy

The World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and wife Jelena Ristic becomes parents as they welcome the birth of their baby boy in Nice.

Remember MTN Nigeria's marketing advert 'Mama Na Boy'? The advert aired few years ago depicting a scene where a subscriber, in a city, on the mobile network announces to his mother in the village the birth of a baby boy. The short and awaited words can only be meaning to someone in the know of the pregnancy. The phone call elicited frenzy celebrations in the village.

Now, social media has revolutionised  the way such announcement is made, and no one has exemplified this better than Tennis World No. 1, Novak Djokovic with the way he announced the birth of his son on Twitter: 'Stefan, our baby angel, was born!'.

I have the feelings that the tennis player had seen the MTN advert, as the delivery of the two messages are very similar. Why not share your memory of the mentioned advert as well?

Today's Wise Saying

                                                                                                                (museorigins.net)

Be vigilant!

MOBO 2014: Fuse ODG wins Best African Act Award

The Music of Black Origin 2014's Best African Act Award was won by Fuse ODG.  The British musician with Ghanaian descent is lucky to be clinching the award for the second successive year. The singer won in the nomination category with Nigeria's Wizkid, Davido, Yemi Alade and Dr Sid.

The MOBO Awards ceremony was held last night at the SSE Arena in Wembley, London.

Many congrats Charlie!

Happy Diwali

Happy Celebrations!!! ..and remember to eat responsibly!

SEX... your thoughts?

SEX in this context is my catchline for 'leave comment initiative' to urge visitor to this blog to Share & EXchange (SEX) their thoughts by commenting on my posts.

Since I urged everyone to join me in the journey of exploring our world, I have featured a number of interesting developments around the universe. I am glad to let you know that visits to this blog over that time have been impressive and quite encouraging. I'll be doing more to keep the tempo of my posts on every thing as it happens, and to delivers it as we would all like it, so that no one misses-out.

You'll be happy to note that your comment(s) is/are not relevant to the post(s) alone but to each and every visitor who would take something away at the end of every read. So, Share & EXchange your thoughts by leaving comment(s)  on post(s) to make this blog an interactive, engaging and informative platform everyone looks forward to be on.

Let me call on you as well to tell family and friends about this exciting blog as we all work to make it a vibrant virtual community. Happy reading, and be kind enough to leave comment(s).

Lets hear, SEX... your thoughts?

Cell Transplant:Paralysed man made history by walking again

You would have thought I am about feeding you miracle story from one religious event, as it is common with headlines like this, nope. What you are about to read is the efforts of many years of research by experts.

Doctors in Poland with collaboration with colleagues in the United Kingdom have been able to get a paralysed man up on his feet again. This was made possible with a process of transplanting cells from the nasal cavity to the spinal chord. The treatment involves cells taken from sense of smell and then transplanted into the spinal chord after a particular time scale. The 40-year-old Bulgarian man who was used for the test became paralysed after an attack on his spine in 2010.

The Chair of the Neural Regeneration at the University College London Institute of Neurology, Prof. Geoff Raisman who led the London team in a statement, confirms that what has been achieved is "more impressive than man walking on the moon".

This is another ray of hope in medicine again... I hope very soon we will have such announcements for HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Ebola and all other deadly diseases.

Oscar de la Renta dies at 82

                                                                          (Pic: wikipedia.org)

The well known fashion designer Oscar de la Renta has passed away after a bout with cancer. The designer who came into lime light in the 60's for dressing Jackie Kennedy, was also well known for designs worn by a host of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey,Princess Diana, Hilary Clinton and some A-lister's in the Hollywood industry.

De la Renta most recently, designed Amal Alamuddin's wedding dress for her recent marriage to George Clooney. In his words “I want to make clothes that people will wear, not styles that will make a big splash on the runway,”  The 82 years old also mentioned that “Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself.” 

He has really played his part in the fashion world...I remember running into his saying that goes "Be the designer of your own destiny".

Pistorius Sentenced to Five Years

                                                                                                                 (Pic: smh.com.au)

The South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison over culpable homicide of his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. 

This ruling was given by Judge Thokozile Masipa who stated that "It would be a sad day for this country if an impression were to be created that there was one law for the poor and disadvantaged, and another for the rich and famous."  The 27 year old blade runner was also handed a three years sentence for fire arm offence. In his reaction, he wiped a tear from his face after the ruling was dished out to him. 
Judge Masipa added in her sentencing remarks that "The loss of life cannot be reversed. Nothing I say or do today can reverse what happened on February 14 2013 to the deceased and to her family." And she continues "Hopefully, this judgment on sentence shall provide some sort of closure for the family and all concerned so that they can move on with their lives.".

My take, I pray and hope that the harrowing experience of all those involved in this case, would serve as a lesson to us all.

Sex: Made in Scotland

                                                                                                  (Pic: huffingtonpost.com)

The independence referendum made Scotland the focus of the world recently. The latest revelation by scientists in Australia's Flinders University, Adelaide, may return the focus of the world to the innovative country of the United Kingdom.

Researchers in the University have discovered origin of sexual intercourse to a fish found in Scottish lochs about 385 million years ago. The primitive fish is named 'Microbracius  dicki'. I am not a scientist, and wont be able to explain this 'mouthful' name but I guess everyone can give personal meaning to 'dicki' though.

This disclosure is yet another accolade to Scottish inventions among which are; telephone, television, bicycle and Logarithms, just to name a few.

Scotland - The best small country in the world!

Hurricane Gonzalo to hit United Kingdom tonite

Hurricane Gonzalo which devastated Bermuda last Friday, may hit parts of the United Kingdom from 10pm tonight with the remaining fury left in it.

The arrival will bring intensive gusts to the parts. UK's Meteorological Office have issued weather warnings, with prediction for strongest winds on Tuesday during the morning rush hour.

I have got to reach out to family and friends now. Please let us know your loved ones are safe as well once you have contacted them.

Royal Baby Due in April 2015

As we all know another royal baby is on the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced their baby's due date as April 2015. In a statement by the Kessington Palace, it stated that the Duchess continues to suffer from morning sickness but that her condition is "steadily improving".

The Duke and Duchess's baby when born, will be the fourth in line to the throne after the older brother Prince George, 15-month-old and third in line.

Nigeria declared Ebola free!

                                                                                                                       (Pic:WHO)

The World Health Organisation has officially declared Nigeria Ebola free country. The formal announcement was made today by the WHO country representative Dr Rui Dama Gaz , in a joint press conference with the Ministry of Health in Abuja.

I'm hoping other countries would soon be free from this scourge too!

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's 'Letter to the World'

                                                                                                              (Pic: channelstv.com)

The Leader of one of the countries Ebola virus is ravaging, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia has released a well worded missive 'Letter to the World' to call on the world as a whole on the need to rally efforts to combat Ebola threats.

She described the disease as a respecter of no geographic boundaries and as such, resources should be pooled to stop the menace.

My take is that efforts the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria used to curtail the disease should be reviewed and replicated, as a model in eliminating Ebola virus in the communities that are still in its grips.

Venus and Serena Williams bullied

                                                                                                                                                                     (Pic: fedcup.com, bbc.co.uk)

Russian Tennis Federation President, Shamil Tarpischev unguided reference to Tennis superstars American sisters Venus & Serena Williams as "the Williams brothers" in a chat show has landed him in trouble.

Serena Williams, one of the sisters and the Tennis World number one player described the uncomplimentary remarks as "sexist, racist and bullying".

Shamil who described his comment as a joke has been handed one year ban by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) from its tour and also fined £15,500.

This should send the message out that there is no place for racism in the world!

Today's Wise Words

                                                                                                        (Pic: Grammarly) 

You'd rather move according to your own space, energy & time and remember to be smart about it.

Happy working week!

Dignity of a woman illustrated again

These words of named Australian nurse at the frontline of Ebola treatment almost shred me to tears, but the last act of the deceased woman, enveloped my emotions and filled me with sense of pride.

Rest in Peace woman of virtue.


Culled: g2

£100K Hermes handbag's leather stinks of marijuana

                                                                               (Pic: hermesbirkinhandbagoutlet.com)

I guess no one would probably endure long time on waiting list, as it's typical to eventual owners of this Hermes bag, only to end up with obnoxious smell coming out of the luxury item.

The Birkin handbag by Hermes which cost up to £100,000 emits smell close to that of marijuana. Some customers who purchased the handbag in recent time up to 2 years back, have expressed their reservations on the odour from their supposedly precious possession.

The luxury handbag makers have however blamed this problem on poor tanning process on a particular batch of leather used to make the handbag, but they have offered to change the odour infested leather part.

This is why it always makes sense to not only buy quality products but also from authorized channels, you'll never go wrong!

I had Gucci scrambling to replace a loose buckle in my handbag from them recently. They were literally chasing me with phone calls until it was handed to me fixed.

World's first black professional footballer honoured

                                                                                                                (Pic: thefa.com)

Arthur Wharton, a multi-talented sportsman and acclaimed first black professional footballer in the world has been immortalized in St George's Park - the football centre of English Football Association at Burton with the installation of his statue.

Arthur Wharton was of mixed-parentage and was born in Ghana on October 28 1865. Before becoming a professional footballer, Arthur excelled in Crickets, Cycling and Athletics in which he became the first person in the world to run 100-yard sprint under 10 seconds.

Love stuck in the Ocean

                                      *Not real picture                                 (Pic: naturepictures.co)

What started out as a steamy erotic session turned sour, when an Italian couple landed themselves at the hospital in an unexplainable situation.

The young couple who were out to enjoy themselves in Porto San Giorgio beach, took to the water to express their love but surprisingly, they stayed stuck to themselves and struggled to make it to the shore conjoined, where a good Samaritan offered them a towel to guard what is left of their dignity.

The man was unable to detach his member as a result of suction. At the hospital, the woman was later given an injection used to dilate the cervix of a pregnant woman.

Are you reading my mind??..Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Culled from: metro.co.uk

Ayo Fayose takes it back to 1965

                                                                                         (Pic: Nigeria Centenary)

The newly sworn in Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria, Mr. Ayo Fayose has chosen a vintage model of Mercedes Benz car as his official car. Mr Fayose was reported to have made the 1965 car his choice, in a bid to get closer to the masses.

Another picture below:

Today's Wise Saying

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"If you want to be happy, love the one who loves you, because it's a waste of time to love someone who doesn't love you." - Sicilian Proverb

Would you have sex in the airport?

                                                                                       (Pic: Steve Parsons/PA)

A number of horny Brits have admitted to making out in the airport toilet and storage closet, killing time before catching their flights. This was made known by a survey carried out on 2,500 British travellers, using their flight experiences by a flight comparison website jetcost.co.uk.

The survey also revealed that a number of those who have sex in the airport choose the toilets as their romp spot, where they can get down to bask in the holiday mood, thrill and possibility of getting caught.

Would you ever be caught with your pants down? Ever given such scenario a thought? lol!

Twins: Who's heir to the throne?

                                                                                                (Pic;webneel.com)

The royal family of the city Monaco are in to making history with the way they would resolve the imminent issue in their Palace. An issue not peculiar to them alone but only of greater significance in their own circumstance.

The royals are expectant of twins births soon, however the heir to the throne is just for an individual. The issue therefore is who should this be of the twins, the first to be delivered or the last?

This case cast light in some parts of the world, where the last birth of twins is considered the older one in-line with cultural understanding. How the Monaco royals settles this impending development will be interesting. 

What is your view on the way forward for the royals?

Have A Stand!

                                                                                    (uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)

The scenario that played out recently will generate a mix reaction from a whole lot of us. A kid football fan approached France's and Juventus player Paul Pogba at the end of a football match, requesting to have his shirt as a souvenir. The player could not help as he had committed his shirt to someone else before the boy's demand.

In an attempt not to deflate the boy's spirit, the player instead offered him his shorts as alternative, surprisingly the lad met his uncommon gesture with 'no thanks!'.

I am honestly at crossroad on this as it played out. Should you not go out of your way to satisfy anyone or on the other hand, have no compromise in your desire?

Exercise or Punish-ercise?

                                                                                                    (Pic:Akinsami)

Were you raised in Africa,West Africa or Nigeria to be precise? Did you ever get into trouble with security operatives including military personnel, National Youth Service Corps' camp army men? Did you attend a military school or a mainstream school where teachers spared no rod? Are you one of those who had hardhearted seniors who meted out their self justice on your doings (wrong or not)?

Then these images would definitely ring a bell.