Sunday, 6 December 2015

3 Things You Should Never Carry in Your Wallet. "Dont Be A Victim"

More than eight million people were the victims of identity theft last year. What the personal information thieves are looking for can often be found right in your wallet--which is why it's so important to know what's in there. Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, talks about what you should and should not have in your wallet.

1. Your wallet can contain your life, which is not always a good thing. Let's start with what we should keep in our wallets. Credit cards?

Yes, you should carry a credit card. But just one credit card. The good news is that most people now have two credit cards, which is down from three cards just a year ago. I like this trend. The more cards you carry, the more likely you are to over-extend yourself. Also remember even if you have a credit card in your wallet but never use it, it adds to your available credit, which affects your credit rating.

2. So you should carry some cash?

I do think it is important to carry some cash. Studies show that when people use plastic versus cash they spend 12-18 percent more. Also, you don't want to use your credit card or debit card to buy things like gum and other small purchases. If you're just paying your minimum balance, you could end up paying interest on those small purchases.

3. We all remember George Constanza's wallet stuffed with receipts. Should we save all our receipts, and is our wallet the right place to keep them?

Receipts not only clutter your wallet, but they could contain information about you that identity thieves could use. So you should take any receipts out of your wallet every night. Either reconcile them at the end of the week online against your bank account or credit card website, or save them until the end of the month and reconcile them against your monthly statements. But don't store them in your wallet.

4. What else should you not have in your wallet?

The number one thing you should not carry in your wallet is your social security card. If it gets into the wrong hands, it can be used for everything from buying a car to opening a credit card. You should also never carry your passport in your wallet. Even if you are traveling in a foreign country, leave your passport in your hotel and just carry a photocopy of the picture page. And of course do not keep a list of your pins and passwords in your wallet. That would be a gold mine to a thief. Keep those passwords at home.

5. What else should we take out of our wallets?

Don't keep anything in your wallet that has expired. This includes old credit cards or membership cards. Just because they've expired doesn't mean thieves will not try to use them. Also remember most of them have at least your name on it, and probably your address and other personal information. The more information you can keep out of the hands of others, the better.

Many people carry old hotel key cards in their wallet. Although almost all hotels do not put personally identifiable information on their key cards, the cards can often be used to make purchases at the hotel spa or gift shop. My best advice is destroy them after you have checked out, you don't need to return them to the hotel.

Nine Foods You Should Never Eat Again But You Still Eat Them Almost Everyday

With so much misinformation out there about food and how it affects human health, making healthy food choices for you and your family can be difficult and confusing. There are a number of specific foods; however, that you will want to avoid in almost every circumstance because they provide virtually no health benefits while posing plenty of health risks. Here are nine foods you should never eat again if you care about preserving your long-term health:<br />
1) White bread, refined flours. By definition, white bread and refined flours in general are toxic for your body because they have been stripped of virtually all vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Because of this, the body does not know how to properly digest and assimilate these so-called foods, which can lead to health problems. Refined white flour has also been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have been linked to causing thyroid and organ damage.

2) Conventional frozen meals. Most conventionally-prepared frozen meals are loaded with preservatives, processed salt, hydrogenated oils and other artificial ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily pre-cooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal at best (especially after getting microwaved again at home). With the exception of a few truly healthy frozen meal brands such as Amy’s and Organic Bistro, most frozen meals are little more than disease in a box, so avoid them in favor of fresh foods.
3) White rice. Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice in its brown form. Even so-called “fortified” white rice is nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly and does not cause the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does

3) White rice. Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice in its brown form. Even so-called “fortified” white rice is nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly and does not cause the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does.
4) Microwaveable popcorn. This processed food is a favorite among moviegoers and regular snackers alike, but it is one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically every component of microwaveable popcorn, from the genetically-modified (GM) corn kernels to the processed salt and preservative chemicals used to enhance its flavor, is unhealthy and disease-promoting. On top of this, microwaveable popcorn contains a chemical known as diacetyl that can actually destroy your lungs. If you love popcorn, stick with organic kernels that you can pop yourself in a kettle and douse with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and Himalayan pink salt.

6) Most conventional protein, energy bars. By the way they are often marketed, it might seem as though protein and energy bars are a strong addition to a healthy diet. But more often than not, these meal replacements contain processed soy protein, refined sugar, hydrogenated fat, and other harmful additives that contribute to chronic illness. Not all protein and energy bars are bad, of course — Thunderbird Energetica, Organic Food Bar, Boku Superfood, Vega Sport, PROBAR, and Zing all make healthy protein and energy bars. Just be sure to read the ingredient labels and know what you are buying.
7) Margarine. Hidden in all sorts of processed foods, margarine, a hydrogenated trans-fat oil, is something you will want to avoid at all costs for your health. Contrary to popular belief, butter and saturated fats in general are not unhealthy, especially when they are derived from pastured animals that feed on grass rather than corn and soy. And if animal-based fats are not for you, stick with extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil rather than margarine. 

8) Soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes. One of the biggest health frauds of modern times, the soy craze is a fad that you will want to skip. Besides the fact that nearly all non-organic soy ingredients are of GM origin, most soy additives are processed using a toxic chemical known as hexane, which is linked to causing birth defects, reproductive problems, and cancer. Soy that has not been fermented is also highly estrogenic, which can throw your natural hormone balance out of whack. 

9) “Diet” anything. Many so-called “diet” products on the market today contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Equal) and sucralose (Splenda), both of which are linked to causing neurological damage, gastrointestinal problems, and endocrine disruption. Many diet products also contain added chemical flavoring agents to take the place of fat and other natural components that have been removed to artificially reduce calorie content. Instead, stick with whole foods that are as close to nature as possible, including high-fat foods grown the way nature intended, and your body will respond surprisingly well.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/15-foods-you-should-never-buy-again/
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AT LAST!!! Federal GOVT. Finally Respond To Biafra Protests…Their Statement Will SHOCK You (JUST SEE)

The federal government has described the agitations by some Nigerians, largely in the South-East, as “completely…..legitimate.

There have been mass protests by Igbos in South-East Nigeria for an independent country of Biafra. The protests have sometimes gone violent with reported deaths of about six people, allegedly at the hands of security officials
The protests got worse following the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, the promoter of Radio Biafra, a pirate radio the Nigerian government accuses of spreading hate and violence.
The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who spoke on the agitations, however said the basic cause of it was “economic” which would have gotten worse but for the efforts of the current administration.

Speaking at a News Agency of Nigeria Forum in Abuja at the weekend, Mr. Mohammed appealed to leaders in the country not to exploit the economic situation to further destabilise Nigerians.
He also urged Nigerian leaders to be courageous enough to come out and defend the unity of the country even though “in the short term it might be politically fashionable for them to be on the side of some agitators.”

NEW STORY: ADEBIMPE THE FACEBOOK GIRL season 1 (part 1 and 2) From Hot Gist Center , we brought u dis lovely new story by ONIHAXY.......enjoy

ADEBIMPE THE FACEBOOK GIRL (season 1 ) part 1

Early february. I met adebimpe on facebook as a mutual friend to
one of my friends. One thing led to another, we started chatting
on BBM and early march, we started E-dating. 3weeks ago, we
discussed on how we will see facially and she suggested to
travel down to meet me in akure if only I can send T.fare.
Adebimpe is a student of uniport so she fully based in PHC.
I was so happy that I started day dreaming how the visitation will
look like, the romance, fun, love-making etc. . On the 14th of
april, I sent 10k into her account as Tfare. She called me to tell
me she got the money. And the travelling preparation
began.

Photos: Troops clear more Boko Haram camps

Press statement below from the Nigerian army.

Advancing troops along Banki axis today afternoon cleared more terrorist camps and captured weapons,

A Nigerian woman was assaulted by a man believed to be a Jamaican national on a bus in Peckham, London on September 14th. The woman was reportedly hit in the face by the man after she challenged him for

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Hot Gist Center: Miss Afikpo Beauty Pageant 2015

Hot Gist Center: Miss Afikpo Beauty Pageant 2015: According to the Organisers; Miss Afikpo will represent the highest ideals. She is a real combination of beauty, grace, and intell...

All the Deets from MTVMAMA2015

The MTV MAMA Awards saw many top African Artistes in Durban, South Africa.

Psquare, Yemi Alade, Patoranking, the Mavin Crew etc Were Among the Winners. See All the #MTVMAMA2015 winners here »http://bit.ly/mama-winners

Indian Soap Opera "Married Again" has Ended

Indian Soap Opera "Married Again" usually shown on Zee World Africa has finally ended! The Soap Ended on Friday (Yesterðay).

Although I didn't watch it, I have never seen a Soap Opera that Captivated the heart of Nigerians like "Married Again". Who was your favourite character??

Miss Afikpo Beauty Pageant 2015

According to the Organisers;
Miss Afikpo will represent the highest ideals. She is a real combination of beauty, grace, and intelligence, artistic and refined. She is a type to be emulated by girls in Afikpo and beyond.

Event: Miss Afikpo 2015
Date: Saturday, August, 29, 2015
Time: 6 PM
Venue: Maria Island Resort
Ndibe beach road, Afikpo, Ebonyi state.
Major music acts to be announced later will perform live.
The instructions for registration is as follows:

. You must be a female between the age of 18&30.
. Pay the sum of ten thousand Naira (N10,000) to:
Account name: Miss Afikpo 2015
Bank name: Zenith bank
Account number: 1014317881
. Bring your teller to:
Maria Ude Nwachi Constituency Office
13 Eke Market road, Afikpo, Ebonyi state.
You will be given a form to fill & submit.
In a few days you will be able to fill the form on our website, and submit. You will be informed.
Prizes:
Winner: Honda (end of discussion) car
1st runner-up: Laptop
2nd runner-up: A Smart Phone
Sponsored by:
Maria Ude Nwachi
Member: Ebonyi state house of assembly
Afikpo North East Constituency.
www.facebook.com/Miss.Afikpo

Wizkid, Tiwa Savage Renew Pepsi Contract for Two Years

Ayo Balogun and Tiwatope Savage has renewed their pepsi ambassadorship with the brand for two more years!

Congrats to them :-)

Monday, 3 November 2014

7 ways to keep your memory sharp at any age

As we grow older, we all start to notice some changes in our ability to remember things.
Maybe you’ve gone into the kitchen and can’t remember why, or can’t recall a familiar name during a conversation. You may even miss an appointment because it slipped your mind. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but we tend to get more upset by them as we get older because we fear they’re a sign of dementia, or loss of intellectual function. The fact is, significant memory loss in older people isn’t a normal part of aging—but is due to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness, with Alzheimer’s being among the most feared.
Most of the fleeting memory problems that we experience with age reflect normal changes in the structure and function of the brain. These changes can slow certain cognitive processes, making it a bit harder to learn new things quickly or screen out distractions that can interfere with memory and learning. Granted, these changes can be frustrating and may seem far from benign when we need to learn new skills or juggle myriad responsibilities. Thanks to decades of research, there are various strategies we can use to protect and sharpen our minds. Here are seven you might try.

1. Keep learning

A higher level of education is associated with better mental functioning in old age. Experts think that advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being mentally

8 things you can do to prevent a stroke

Regardless of your age or family history, a stroke doesn't have to be inevitable. Here are some ways to protect yourself starting today.

This year, 425,000 women will have a stroke—55,000 more strokes than men will have. Age makes us more susceptible, as does having a mother, father, or other close relative who has had a stroke.
You can't reverse the years or change your family history, but there are many other stroke risk factors that you can control—provided that you're aware of them. "Knowledge is power," says Dr. Natalia Rost, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and associate director of the Acute Stroke Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. "If you know that a particular risk factor is sabotaging your health and predisposing you to a higher risk of stroke, you can take steps to alleviate the effects of that risk."
Here are eight ways to start reining in your risks today, before a stroke has the chance to strike.

1 Lower blood pressure

High blood pressure is a huge factor, doubling or even quadrupling your stroke risk if it is not controlled. "High blood pressure is the biggest contributor to the risk of stroke in both men and women," Dr. Rost says. "Monitoring blood pressure and, if it is elevated, treating it, is probably the biggest difference women can make to their vascular health."

Understanding your customers

Understanding customers is the key to giving them good service. To give good customer care you must deliver what you promise. But great customer care involves getting to know your customers so well that you can anticipate their needs and exceed their expectations
To understand your customers well, you need to be attentive to them whenever you are in contact with them. The potential rewards are great: you can increase customer loyalty and bring in new business through positive word-of-mouth recommendation.
There are three main ways to understand your customers better. One is to put yourself in their shoes and try and look at your business from their point of view. The second way is to collect and analyse data in order to shed light on their buying behaviour. The third way is simply to ask them what they think.

Jamb 2014 Cut Off Mark For All Nigerian Universities and Polytechnics Released

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Universities and Polytechnics in Nigeria

Below is a list of Nigerian Universities with their respective JAMB Cut off marks. The cutoff mark here is the minimum JAMB UTME score a candidate is expected to have before he or she could sit for Post Utme/screening exam or be admitted at the individual Universities and Polytechnics.

NOTE: The listed JAMB Cut-off Marks are those used by the institutions in the 2013/2014 admission year. The Schools are yet to announce any change to the cut off marks for the 2014/2015 session.

UNIVERSITIES	CUT OFF MARK
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU)	180
Adekunle Ajasin University Anyingba (AAUA)	180
Abia state polytechnic (AbiaPoly)	150
Abia State University Uturu (ABSU)	180
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria	180
Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)	Not Specified.
Akwa-Ibom State University (AKSU)	180
Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education	180
Anambra State University Uli (ANSU)	180
Auchi Polytrchnic	150
Benson Idahosa University	Not Specified.

INEC releases 2015 elections time-table

According to the timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on February 14, 2015, will precede elections into the State Houses of Assembly, as well as that of all but four of the 36 states of the federation.

This is because the Anambra State governorship elections was held in November 16, 2013, while the governorship elections for Ekiti and Osun States have been slated to hold on June 21st and August 9th, 2014 respectively.

A statement signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, in Abuja, also said the commission fixed state assembly and governorship elections for February 28, 2015.

Boko Haram Attacks, Kidnapped Girls Prompt Nigeria's Teachers To Walk Out

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, May 22 (Reuters) - Nigerian teachers went on strike and staged rallies nationwide on Thursday in protest against the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by the Islamist Boko Haram sect and the killing of nearly as many teachers during its insurgency.

Boko Haram gunmen stormed a school outside the remote northeastern town of Chibok on April 14, carting some 270 girls away in trucks. More than 50 have since escaped but at least 200 remain in captivity, as do scores of other girls kidnapped previously.

National Union of Teachers (NUT) President Micheal Alogba Olukoya told reporters Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is sinful," had killed 173 teachers over five years.

In Maiduguri, capital of the northeastern state of Borno where the insurgency is most intense, around 40 teachers marched down a street past rows of cicada trees to the office of Governor Kashim Shettima chanting "bring back our girls" and holding placards saying "vulnerable schools should be fenced".

Shettima came to the gates of the compound to meet the teachers, who were clothed in black union vests over their long, flowing traditional robes and were escorted by the military.

President Goodluck Jonathan and the military have come under intense criticism for their slow reaction to the mass abduction, although last week Nigeria accepted help from the United States, Britain, France and China to help find the girls.

The United States has deployed about 80 military personnel to Chad in its effort to help find the girls, President Barack Obama told Congress on Wednesday.

Boko Haram has threatened to sell the girls into slavery but has also offered to swap them for jailed militants.

"All schools nationwide shall be closed as the day will be our day of protest against the abduction of the Chibok female students and the heartless murder of the 173 teachers," NUT President Micheal Alogba Olukoya told reporters.

Boko Haram wants to create a breakaway Islamic state in a religiously-mixed, Muslim and Christian country of 170 million people, Africa's most populous. Its militants have attacked hundreds of school, killing hundreds of teachers and students.

No teachers were killed in the Chibok attack.

"We remain resolute in our resolve to continue the campaign even as we mourn the death of our colleagues until our girls are brought back safe and alive and the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book," Olukoya said.

UN Security Council Committee Blacklists Boko Haram

The United Nations Security Council Committee on Al-Qaeda sanctions has blacklisted the Boko Haram sect after the insurgents kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls.
Consequently, the sect is now subject to an international asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
U.S Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said that by adding Boko Haram to the U.N’s 1,267 Al-Qaeda sanctions list, the security council has helped to close off important avenues of funding, travel and weapons to Boko Haram and shown global unity against their savage actions.
The U.N listing entry describes Boko Haram as an affiliate of Al-Qaeda and the organisation of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Nkiru Sylvanus Responds To Rumour On Romance With Imo Governor

The ever resolute Nollywood actress, Nkiru Syvalnus has finally broken the long observed silence after she gave out her words on the rumour peddled by rumour-mongers over her alleged romance with the Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha.

After much agitation on if the white-man husband of Nollywood actress, Chioma Toplis ever existed or a mere pronouncement to protect her children as being fathered by someone, she has finally come up with an answer which realistically is an end of discussion to such doubt.

Pope Francis canonizes predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II

Pope John X
XIII, who reigned from 1958 to 1963 and called the modernizing Second Vatican Council, and Pope John Paul II, who reigned for nearly 27 years before his death in 2005 and whose trips around the world made him the most visible pope in history, were declared saints by Pope Francis at an unprecedented twin canonization on Sunday morning

Daddy Showkey plans a comeback with ’Showkey Show ‘!

Veteran music star and the Galala music messenger, Daddy Showkey has finally made a return to the music scene with a spanking new single titled ‘Showkey Show’.

Seven years after his last hit album ‘Take 5ive’, the Diana hit maker has decided to delight music fans worldwide with another mind-blowing album under the supervision of Cornerstone music and this time, it’s going to be banger all the way.

An alleged move by the All Progressives Congress to present a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket is believed to have put the party in a fresh dilemma. There had been speculation that APC was preparing to present a ex-Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Yet another ritualist house discovered in Abeokuta

Guess it’s the season of uncovering ritualist dens. Another den was discovered yesterday, April 3rd in Akinremi Estate in the Adigbe area of Obafemi-Owode LGA of Ogun State, Vanguard reports

A pregnant young lady in a bid to set herself free from the ritualist ran out of a duplex in the estate on Wednesday night and informed the estate residents of what was happening in the building. The young lady said she was from Abia state and was sold to the ritualist by her elders sister for N100,000.

Queen Elizabeth Gives Pope Francis a Bottle of Whiskey (ABC News)

Pope Francis gave Queen Elizabeth a present for the future king, Prince George, in a brief and informal 30 minute audience at the Vatican today.

The queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was on the ground in Italy for less than five hours before returning to the United Kingdom on a private jet.
It was the first time Queen Elizabeth met Pope Francis and she took with her on the plane home a gift for the royal grandson. Pope Francis handed the queen a precious stone globe with a cross on it for Prince George, who is about to depart on his first overseas trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Lola Omotayo & Aliona

Good Morning!
For many of us, it’s just another Saturday, but for Paul Okoye - one half of P-Square and the mother of his adorable son Andre – Anita Isama it’s one they will remember forever.
The couple will wed traditionally today Aztech Arcum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. BN Weddings is live on the scene and will bring you an amazing full wedding feature next week, just like we did for his twin Peter. Missed it? Click here!
As the groom is a music megastar, we expect many celebrities to grace the occasion. Keep refreshing to see their #AsoEbiBella looks, with the fabric from Yinka Fowora of Foradora Fabrics.
Enjoy!
P.S: KEEP REFRESHING for more styles and celebs! xoxo
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