I think its time u knew bout me. I'm not ur everyday kind of guy. I'm not ur average. Like Craig David, I'm sleeker than ur average. Am passionate bout everything I involve in. I'm either white or black. I ain't grey. I'm this kinda guy whom isn't scared to show a lady how or what I feel bout her. I bare my mind the way I feel. Pls and pls, don't judge me if u don't know me. I'm this kinda guy whom'd put up an update bout my girl and won't mind what'd happen next or even care less bout what ur opinion is. I might flirt or play with every lady. And when it comes to the heart, I'd only luv and be with ONE. But, I'd never intentionally hurt or play with a lady's heart. U'd say I'm soft. Don't care bout ur opinion. All I know is that, the shit u drop ain't as hard as a lil chalk. And if u still don't feel comfortable with me. Pls hit the delete and block button.
Just so u know.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Jonathan at Silverbird at 30: $200m lifeline for entertainment industry November 7, 2010
For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a direct investment intervention has been made by the Federal Government into the entertainment industry. Announcing this lifeline yesterday at the Eko Hotel and Suites venue of the Silverbird Group 3oth anniversary, President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed that $200 million has been set aside by the finance ministry for direct investment into the Nigerian entertainment industry. Jonathan acknowledged that the Nigerian entertainment industry currently makes an annual turn over of over 250 million Dollars. He said his administration was determined to change the era when the entertainment was viewed as an informal sector and practitioners in the creative industry were exploited. The president stated that he has directed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Finance Minister to be at the event so that they could participate in the process that would lead to a structured intervention by government to create jobs and give hope to the people in the creative industry. Through a programme called Growth and Empowerment Pact, the president said government would encourage public private partnership in the tourism, entertainment industry to strengthen the ability of the entertainment industry to promote high growth. Jonathan’s speech followed a passionate plea from Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce asking for a presidential support for the entertainment industry. The event was spiced with musical performances by Nigerian artistes including the Sharpe Band which did a rendition tracing 25 years of Nigerian music, D ’Banj and Sound Sultan. An American Band, Party on the Moon, got a standing ovation for rendering many popular songs by American artistes.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Blackberry Touch 9800
Blackberry Touch 9800 Review
Introduction:-
BlackBerry has revolutionized its range by launching a new format of this slider smartphone complete with large touch screen with a full QWERTY keyboard. Positioning Mail + Multimedia + Application+ Surf delight the largest number, starting with the Pros who will find this model a way to improve their daily productivity.
Another innovation of this smartphone is that it incorporates the newest BlackBerry OS 6 inspired by top designers. The result is clear: great ergonomics, web browsing fluidity and speed of execution. The BlackBerry MUST!
Design :
I've had three BlackBerry devices in my timebefore using a torch: a Pearl 8100, a Bold 9000 and its successor, the Bold 9700. Each device has advantages of design and defects, but the crown achievement of the Torch is the "fullness." Compared to the Bold 9700, which feels solid, but light, the torch is a tank. Not that it is a weighing device, but it is certainly well rounded.
My unit, like most BlackBerry devices I've used, has some serious problems of quality construction. While the regulatory mechanism of the screen is solid (in fact, is exceptional, and very successful) moves the screen as a little pig when the keyboard is exposed and interacting with the touchscreen is rotated slightly back and forth. But this is probably not the rule but the exception. I only had about five"exceptions" in my time as owner of a BlackBerry. Something's Gotta Give, RIM.
The device layout will be familiar to anyone with a Bold 9700. The rubber keys are the same as in 9700, the lock and mute at the top is clicky, and the camera button is two steps perfectly.
The interesting dichotomy of the device comes in the interaction between the fingers, the touch screen and trackpad. Mostpeople upgrade to this device will do it from a non-touchscreen BlackBerry. This means, for the curve and Bold users, the trackpad will be a second nature, while the fingers less. The first time you turn the device began to use it as my Bold, but after a few seconds, you realize that the construction included in the torch is not optimized for the trackpad. In fact, some functions may work much better with your fingers. Shift work as it should, but sometimes using the trackpad to get from input text box to another does not work. You have to use fingers instead of moving up or down.
The world, in which this attempt BlackBerryexists, then, is untenable. The device can be used like a touch screen not once, and most experience with the new BlackBerry 6 will be the same as they would in the old operating system. In fact, you can say that it relies heavily OS5 BB6 outside the code, since the BlackBerry button menus are identical. The inclusions of long press on thescreen to select options for background is an added advantage, but offer nothing essential to the experience. I prefer to use that annoying button to the left of the trackpad to do most of the selections in my context.
There is one thing to say about the new AT& T BlackBerry Power Torch 9800: start a hell of a lot faster than its immediate predecessor, 9700. That's something the theme of the entire operation as the Torch is a BlackBerry, but faster, deeper, and like any irritating to the eye.
BlackBerry 6 OS:-
BlackBerry 6 OS fills your every desire. Enjoyuser-friendly graphical menus and intuitive navigation to browse the Web freely. You can even receive all updates your social networks at the same place through social flows. Everything is designed to stimulate your senses and make you an experience more visual, easier and more dynamic. Webphone your BlackBerry offers a new look: the design, ergonomics and functions have been optimized while maintaining the advantages of previous smartphones.
In terms of inspiration, you decide. Whether you choose a high resolution touchscreen that you choose the legendary QWERTY sliding keyboard or you set out with precision optical trackpad, the new BlackBerry Torch 9800 is for you.
Multimedia:-
Carry, watch and share videos, photos, files, etc. BlackBerry 6 OS opens the doors of the multimedia on your BlackBerry smartphone.Synchronize your music via Wi-Fi BlackBerryMedia Sync, so you can access your music library right on your BlackBerry webphone. Browse your music is as easy as view your album art. You can even watch and subscribe to podcasts you will receive whenthey become available. And that's not all: with 8GB of memory you have to store all kinds of files, no more idle time, enjoy every moment to give birth to your ideas!
BlackBerry Browsing:-
Unleash your ideas with our redesigned Navigator. Enjoy the best of BlackBerry navigation through intuitive gestures such as pinch and zoom and tabs that let you move from one webpage to another.
Camera:-
Be creative and release the photographer in you through the stabilization of the image, autofocus, integrated flash and 5 megapixel image qualities fabulous. Furthermore, with11 options for shooting modes the most efficient light capture suit your photos no matter where you come inspiration. Historically simplified multitasking, multitasking is part of the benefits of BlackBerry. We are now moving into high gear with multi connectivity. This means that your applications are connected, you use them or not. Whatever you do, e-mails, messages, updates and notifications still arrive.
Performance:-
The phone works relatively well in the building I am running 6.0.0.141. This does not mean it's an enjoyable experience because it is not, but if you use the BlackBerry Bold 9000 when it came to light, you understand that as mature operating system, the performance increased dramatically - to the point that was like running a brand new phone. The problem with the device is powered by the same processor than the Bold 9000 and 9700. That is, the hardware has not kept up with the industry. There are snapdragons, hummingbirds, and this feels like an emu.
Upping the ante in the camera, however, was a nice touch, and the torch will take pretty pictures! The 5MP camera is much more sensitive than previous builds, and the flash is bright and capable. With the torch most likely you can leave your aim and shoot at home. That is, unless you decide you want to have some video, as the torch only shoots a regrettable inexcusably 640 x 480 resolution.
Media and video has given an overhaul, and the applications work as expected. The sound is clear and smooth video playback. Too bad there is not out DivX xVid or box, but with the proliferation of BlackBerry applications in the near future, I have no doubt the choice of media players will grow. Updated: DivX is not native to the reproduction of the box, so maybe it was my files were not working. Keeping a fairly low bitrate and it should work fine. Nice one, RIM!
There is some slowdown in the device from time to time; the clock will appear in the most unexpected places. I had an application crash or two in me, but in general the device feels soft. Home has beenreduced to about 45 seconds, which is a huge improvement over its predecessor.
The browser is another area where performance can be improved, but that will come with time. As mentioned before, the fact that all sites are accessible now is a huge blessing for the device.
Call quality is excellent, too. Using the device as a phone is relatively painless, especially now that Google has integrated contact synchronization. Next we need to synchronize your calendar, which should be in a future update of the BIS, and never haveDesktop Manager again.
A webphone your image:-
Find inspiration in the multitude of applications designed exclusively for BlackBerry App webphone World and put your ideas into practice. Express yourself by customizing your ringtones, notifications, wallpapers and themes.
Features:-
1.All in one design
2.Visual, Fluid interface
3.Enhanced Browsing
4.Engaging multimedia
5.Social feeds
6.5 MP Camera
7.Universal Search
8.5.5 hour Battery Life
Specifications of the BlackBerry 9800 Torch:-
*.New BlackBerry OS 6
*.Touchscreen multipoint 8cm
*.Compact QWERTY keyboard and touchpad navigation
*.Send and receive email in real time
*.A-GPS and Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
*.5 megapixel autofocus camera with flash
*.Access to HD TV and mobile video on demand
*.3G + / EDGE / Quadband
*.Synchronization PC and Mac
*.4GB micro SD card included
*.Expandable memory up to 32 GB
Conclusion:-
The Good:
There are a lot of good things to say about the torch and the Blackberry 6. Better, faster, nice touch. The keyboard is a dream and the device is well designed. All that and could do with a BlackBerry is still here, just refined, improved and accelerated. The browser is absolutely essential and welcome. You can use it as an old BlackBerrywith the trackpad, or a storm with the touchscreen. The new heist to activate the menus is attractive, although not required, a natural evolution. Gesture of support and universal search are brilliant.
The screen, 480x360px, is crisp and easy to read under the sun. But it remains low resolution compared to the iPhone 4, and it's disappointing when you read the text inthe WebKit browser. Spend a Samsung S Torch Galaxy is like reading glasses off, everything is a blur. But I like the screen and the touch response which is excellent, Soft and very little lag.
The Bad:
The manufacturing process is still very weak, or maybe gives me a failure, but the quality of construction is relatively weak. On-screen keyboards are a waste of time, especially in the portrait, but who cares, right? The paradigm of touchscreen trackpad is still very confusing, and is more likely to use a unique mash up of both adhering to one or another. As a result, access to menus of becoming an exercise in frustration when you do not know what will pop up. There is sometimes significant slowdown due to the relatively slow processor. There is 512MB of RAM, but give you least expect it. The browser can be painfully slow loading or scrolling through web pages heavy, but that does not necessarily mean that it will improve in a future version of the operating system.
This is an evolutionary product, and indeed the best BlackBerry ever created. That does not mean it is enough to keep RIM from falling flat, nor does it mean we can rest on our laurels and not try to significantly improve the user experience in future iterations of the operating system. BlackBerry 6 is a worthy upgrade, and if 9650 or 9700 Bold owners have the opportunity to install, do not hesitate. I alsobelieve that as the configuration of the new operating system for legacy devices withouttouch, had to make some design decisions to appease both. As a result, the touch does not seem quite right and natural at the torch.
The battery life has also been a theme: Bold compared to 9700, the week could be two days without charging the phone, and I’m getting about 5-6 hours of use on the torch of life. It is even better than any other Android phone I've used, but that is not an endorsement.
Introduction:-
BlackBerry has revolutionized its range by launching a new format of this slider smartphone complete with large touch screen with a full QWERTY keyboard. Positioning Mail + Multimedia + Application+ Surf delight the largest number, starting with the Pros who will find this model a way to improve their daily productivity.
Another innovation of this smartphone is that it incorporates the newest BlackBerry OS 6 inspired by top designers. The result is clear: great ergonomics, web browsing fluidity and speed of execution. The BlackBerry MUST!
Design :
I've had three BlackBerry devices in my timebefore using a torch: a Pearl 8100, a Bold 9000 and its successor, the Bold 9700. Each device has advantages of design and defects, but the crown achievement of the Torch is the "fullness." Compared to the Bold 9700, which feels solid, but light, the torch is a tank. Not that it is a weighing device, but it is certainly well rounded.
My unit, like most BlackBerry devices I've used, has some serious problems of quality construction. While the regulatory mechanism of the screen is solid (in fact, is exceptional, and very successful) moves the screen as a little pig when the keyboard is exposed and interacting with the touchscreen is rotated slightly back and forth. But this is probably not the rule but the exception. I only had about five"exceptions" in my time as owner of a BlackBerry. Something's Gotta Give, RIM.
The device layout will be familiar to anyone with a Bold 9700. The rubber keys are the same as in 9700, the lock and mute at the top is clicky, and the camera button is two steps perfectly.
The interesting dichotomy of the device comes in the interaction between the fingers, the touch screen and trackpad. Mostpeople upgrade to this device will do it from a non-touchscreen BlackBerry. This means, for the curve and Bold users, the trackpad will be a second nature, while the fingers less. The first time you turn the device began to use it as my Bold, but after a few seconds, you realize that the construction included in the torch is not optimized for the trackpad. In fact, some functions may work much better with your fingers. Shift work as it should, but sometimes using the trackpad to get from input text box to another does not work. You have to use fingers instead of moving up or down.
The world, in which this attempt BlackBerryexists, then, is untenable. The device can be used like a touch screen not once, and most experience with the new BlackBerry 6 will be the same as they would in the old operating system. In fact, you can say that it relies heavily OS5 BB6 outside the code, since the BlackBerry button menus are identical. The inclusions of long press on thescreen to select options for background is an added advantage, but offer nothing essential to the experience. I prefer to use that annoying button to the left of the trackpad to do most of the selections in my context.
There is one thing to say about the new AT& T BlackBerry Power Torch 9800: start a hell of a lot faster than its immediate predecessor, 9700. That's something the theme of the entire operation as the Torch is a BlackBerry, but faster, deeper, and like any irritating to the eye.
BlackBerry 6 OS:-
BlackBerry 6 OS fills your every desire. Enjoyuser-friendly graphical menus and intuitive navigation to browse the Web freely. You can even receive all updates your social networks at the same place through social flows. Everything is designed to stimulate your senses and make you an experience more visual, easier and more dynamic. Webphone your BlackBerry offers a new look: the design, ergonomics and functions have been optimized while maintaining the advantages of previous smartphones.
In terms of inspiration, you decide. Whether you choose a high resolution touchscreen that you choose the legendary QWERTY sliding keyboard or you set out with precision optical trackpad, the new BlackBerry Torch 9800 is for you.
Multimedia:-
Carry, watch and share videos, photos, files, etc. BlackBerry 6 OS opens the doors of the multimedia on your BlackBerry smartphone.Synchronize your music via Wi-Fi BlackBerryMedia Sync, so you can access your music library right on your BlackBerry webphone. Browse your music is as easy as view your album art. You can even watch and subscribe to podcasts you will receive whenthey become available. And that's not all: with 8GB of memory you have to store all kinds of files, no more idle time, enjoy every moment to give birth to your ideas!
BlackBerry Browsing:-
Unleash your ideas with our redesigned Navigator. Enjoy the best of BlackBerry navigation through intuitive gestures such as pinch and zoom and tabs that let you move from one webpage to another.
Camera:-
Be creative and release the photographer in you through the stabilization of the image, autofocus, integrated flash and 5 megapixel image qualities fabulous. Furthermore, with11 options for shooting modes the most efficient light capture suit your photos no matter where you come inspiration. Historically simplified multitasking, multitasking is part of the benefits of BlackBerry. We are now moving into high gear with multi connectivity. This means that your applications are connected, you use them or not. Whatever you do, e-mails, messages, updates and notifications still arrive.
Performance:-
The phone works relatively well in the building I am running 6.0.0.141. This does not mean it's an enjoyable experience because it is not, but if you use the BlackBerry Bold 9000 when it came to light, you understand that as mature operating system, the performance increased dramatically - to the point that was like running a brand new phone. The problem with the device is powered by the same processor than the Bold 9000 and 9700. That is, the hardware has not kept up with the industry. There are snapdragons, hummingbirds, and this feels like an emu.
Upping the ante in the camera, however, was a nice touch, and the torch will take pretty pictures! The 5MP camera is much more sensitive than previous builds, and the flash is bright and capable. With the torch most likely you can leave your aim and shoot at home. That is, unless you decide you want to have some video, as the torch only shoots a regrettable inexcusably 640 x 480 resolution.
Media and video has given an overhaul, and the applications work as expected. The sound is clear and smooth video playback. Too bad there is not out DivX xVid or box, but with the proliferation of BlackBerry applications in the near future, I have no doubt the choice of media players will grow. Updated: DivX is not native to the reproduction of the box, so maybe it was my files were not working. Keeping a fairly low bitrate and it should work fine. Nice one, RIM!
There is some slowdown in the device from time to time; the clock will appear in the most unexpected places. I had an application crash or two in me, but in general the device feels soft. Home has beenreduced to about 45 seconds, which is a huge improvement over its predecessor.
The browser is another area where performance can be improved, but that will come with time. As mentioned before, the fact that all sites are accessible now is a huge blessing for the device.
Call quality is excellent, too. Using the device as a phone is relatively painless, especially now that Google has integrated contact synchronization. Next we need to synchronize your calendar, which should be in a future update of the BIS, and never haveDesktop Manager again.
A webphone your image:-
Find inspiration in the multitude of applications designed exclusively for BlackBerry App webphone World and put your ideas into practice. Express yourself by customizing your ringtones, notifications, wallpapers and themes.
Features:-
1.All in one design
2.Visual, Fluid interface
3.Enhanced Browsing
4.Engaging multimedia
5.Social feeds
6.5 MP Camera
7.Universal Search
8.5.5 hour Battery Life
Specifications of the BlackBerry 9800 Torch:-
*.New BlackBerry OS 6
*.Touchscreen multipoint 8cm
*.Compact QWERTY keyboard and touchpad navigation
*.Send and receive email in real time
*.A-GPS and Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
*.5 megapixel autofocus camera with flash
*.Access to HD TV and mobile video on demand
*.3G + / EDGE / Quadband
*.Synchronization PC and Mac
*.4GB micro SD card included
*.Expandable memory up to 32 GB
Conclusion:-
The Good:
There are a lot of good things to say about the torch and the Blackberry 6. Better, faster, nice touch. The keyboard is a dream and the device is well designed. All that and could do with a BlackBerry is still here, just refined, improved and accelerated. The browser is absolutely essential and welcome. You can use it as an old BlackBerrywith the trackpad, or a storm with the touchscreen. The new heist to activate the menus is attractive, although not required, a natural evolution. Gesture of support and universal search are brilliant.
The screen, 480x360px, is crisp and easy to read under the sun. But it remains low resolution compared to the iPhone 4, and it's disappointing when you read the text inthe WebKit browser. Spend a Samsung S Torch Galaxy is like reading glasses off, everything is a blur. But I like the screen and the touch response which is excellent, Soft and very little lag.
The Bad:
The manufacturing process is still very weak, or maybe gives me a failure, but the quality of construction is relatively weak. On-screen keyboards are a waste of time, especially in the portrait, but who cares, right? The paradigm of touchscreen trackpad is still very confusing, and is more likely to use a unique mash up of both adhering to one or another. As a result, access to menus of becoming an exercise in frustration when you do not know what will pop up. There is sometimes significant slowdown due to the relatively slow processor. There is 512MB of RAM, but give you least expect it. The browser can be painfully slow loading or scrolling through web pages heavy, but that does not necessarily mean that it will improve in a future version of the operating system.
This is an evolutionary product, and indeed the best BlackBerry ever created. That does not mean it is enough to keep RIM from falling flat, nor does it mean we can rest on our laurels and not try to significantly improve the user experience in future iterations of the operating system. BlackBerry 6 is a worthy upgrade, and if 9650 or 9700 Bold owners have the opportunity to install, do not hesitate. I alsobelieve that as the configuration of the new operating system for legacy devices withouttouch, had to make some design decisions to appease both. As a result, the touch does not seem quite right and natural at the torch.
The battery life has also been a theme: Bold compared to 9700, the week could be two days without charging the phone, and I’m getting about 5-6 hours of use on the torch of life. It is even better than any other Android phone I've used, but that is not an endorsement.
Friday, October 1, 2010
INDEPENDENCE DAY
ABUJA, Nigeria – Two car bombs blew up
on Friday as Nigeria celebrated its 50th
independence anniversary, killing at least
seven people in an unprecedented attack
on the capital by militants from the
country's oil region.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the
Niger Delta, the main militant group in the
country's oil-rich southern delta, had
threatened to attack the festivities and
warned people to stay away.
"For 50 years, the people of the Niger Delta
have had their land and resources stolen
from them," the group said in a statement.
While Nigeria, Africa's most populous
nation, is oil rich most people live on less
than $1 a day. The delta is very
impoverished and polluted from spills.
A third and smaller explosion hit a venue
at Eagle Square where President Goodluck
Jonathan stood with other dignitaries,
about a 10-minute walk from where the
car bombs detonated. A security agent
was apparently injured in that blast heard
by an Associated Press reporter, though
the militant group later denied placing any
explosives in the venue.
Friday's attacks were the militants' boldest
yet, striking in Nigeria's capital during an
event with heavy security held hundreds
of miles (kilometers) from the delta.
The car bombings seemed designed to
lure first-responders and then kill them
with a second blast. Five minutes after the
first vehicle exploded, the second went
off, killing at least seven people, a police
officer told an AP reporter at the scene. At
least one of the dead was a policeman, the
officer said. The officer spoke on the
condition of anonymity because he was
not authorized to speak to reporters.
Inside Eagle Square, an AP reporter saw a
small explosive detonate before members
of the military gathered there. A security
agent was seen lying on the ground near
that blast.
The anniversary ceremony continued
without interruption.
In a statement Friday afternoon to the AP,
the militant group acknowledged that it
knew allowing the second car bomb to
detonate would put passers-by at risk.
We "warned the authorities ahead of time
who decided to ignore the warning and
alert the public," the group said. It added:
"The blame goes to the Nigerian
authorities and our message to the
families of those who may have been
affected is that we deeply regret any loss
of life."
Upset by oil spills and the region's
unceasing poverty, militants in the delta
have targeted pipelines, kidnapped
petroleum company workers and fought
government troops since 2006. That
violence drastically subsided after a
government-sponsored amnesty deal last
year provided cash for fighters and the
promise of job training. However, many
ex-fighters now complain that the
government has failed to fulfill its
promises.
In March, MEND detonated two car bombs
near a government building in the Niger
Delta where officials were discussing the
amnesty deal, wounding two people in an
attack heard live on television.
In April 2006, MEND claimed responsibility
for attacks on an army barracks and an oil
refinery during which two people were
killed. It also detonated a car bomb outside
a state governor's office in December
2006.
The attacks Friday come a day after it says
security agencies in South Africa raided
the home of its former leader Henry Okah.
Okah was freed from a Nigerian jail in July
2009 after the nation's attorney general
dropped the treason and gun running
charges he was facing. He later moved to
Johannesburg.
The militant group said Okah's house was
raided after the Nigerian government
"sent a false petition claiming Okah
planned to overthrow the government
and other claims." Police in South Africa
could not confirm any raid took place at
Okah's home.
Nigeria, which has had only a decade of
continuous democracy since it gained its
independence from Britain in 1960, is one
of the top crude oil suppliers to the U.S.
Last year, attacks by militants led to a
sharp drop in oil production, allowing
Angola to replace Nigeria as Africa's No. 1
exporter.
on Friday as Nigeria celebrated its 50th
independence anniversary, killing at least
seven people in an unprecedented attack
on the capital by militants from the
country's oil region.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the
Niger Delta, the main militant group in the
country's oil-rich southern delta, had
threatened to attack the festivities and
warned people to stay away.
"For 50 years, the people of the Niger Delta
have had their land and resources stolen
from them," the group said in a statement.
While Nigeria, Africa's most populous
nation, is oil rich most people live on less
than $1 a day. The delta is very
impoverished and polluted from spills.
A third and smaller explosion hit a venue
at Eagle Square where President Goodluck
Jonathan stood with other dignitaries,
about a 10-minute walk from where the
car bombs detonated. A security agent
was apparently injured in that blast heard
by an Associated Press reporter, though
the militant group later denied placing any
explosives in the venue.
Friday's attacks were the militants' boldest
yet, striking in Nigeria's capital during an
event with heavy security held hundreds
of miles (kilometers) from the delta.
The car bombings seemed designed to
lure first-responders and then kill them
with a second blast. Five minutes after the
first vehicle exploded, the second went
off, killing at least seven people, a police
officer told an AP reporter at the scene. At
least one of the dead was a policeman, the
officer said. The officer spoke on the
condition of anonymity because he was
not authorized to speak to reporters.
Inside Eagle Square, an AP reporter saw a
small explosive detonate before members
of the military gathered there. A security
agent was seen lying on the ground near
that blast.
The anniversary ceremony continued
without interruption.
In a statement Friday afternoon to the AP,
the militant group acknowledged that it
knew allowing the second car bomb to
detonate would put passers-by at risk.
We "warned the authorities ahead of time
who decided to ignore the warning and
alert the public," the group said. It added:
"The blame goes to the Nigerian
authorities and our message to the
families of those who may have been
affected is that we deeply regret any loss
of life."
Upset by oil spills and the region's
unceasing poverty, militants in the delta
have targeted pipelines, kidnapped
petroleum company workers and fought
government troops since 2006. That
violence drastically subsided after a
government-sponsored amnesty deal last
year provided cash for fighters and the
promise of job training. However, many
ex-fighters now complain that the
government has failed to fulfill its
promises.
In March, MEND detonated two car bombs
near a government building in the Niger
Delta where officials were discussing the
amnesty deal, wounding two people in an
attack heard live on television.
In April 2006, MEND claimed responsibility
for attacks on an army barracks and an oil
refinery during which two people were
killed. It also detonated a car bomb outside
a state governor's office in December
2006.
The attacks Friday come a day after it says
security agencies in South Africa raided
the home of its former leader Henry Okah.
Okah was freed from a Nigerian jail in July
2009 after the nation's attorney general
dropped the treason and gun running
charges he was facing. He later moved to
Johannesburg.
The militant group said Okah's house was
raided after the Nigerian government
"sent a false petition claiming Okah
planned to overthrow the government
and other claims." Police in South Africa
could not confirm any raid took place at
Okah's home.
Nigeria, which has had only a decade of
continuous democracy since it gained its
independence from Britain in 1960, is one
of the top crude oil suppliers to the U.S.
Last year, attacks by militants led to a
sharp drop in oil production, allowing
Angola to replace Nigeria as Africa's No. 1
exporter.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
SamDee Music: END OF KENNIS MUSIC??
SamDee Music: END OF KENNIS MUSIC??: "Saw this....thought i share it.... KENNIS MUSIC-IS THIS THE END?Gone are the days when the duo of keke and d1 used to run the industry,back ..."
Monday, September 13, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
THE BURNING OF THE HOLY QUR'AN: A QUR'ANIC RESPONSE
THE BURNING OF THE HOLY QUR’AN : A QUR'ANIC RESPONSE
By Islamic Research Foundation / Dr.Zakir Naik / IRF Today at 9:34am
And you will surely be tested in your possessions and your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. BUT IF YOU PERSERVERE PATIENTLY AND BE MUTTAQOON , THEN THAT WILL BE A DETERMINING FACTOR IN ALL AFFAIRS (Surah Al e Imran ch 3, verse 186)
The issue of being teased and harassed by Ahle Kitab is not a new offence against the Muslims. It is one o f the common Sunnah of Ahl e kitab which they persistently carry on since they were invited to Islam.
But what many Muslims fail to realize is that , the guidelines are already given in Qur’an as to how to deal with them in such situation.
The above verse has many indications. It gives a purpose of harassment. If you analyse the western propaganda, you will not fail to notice that they are of a sadist attitude towards Muslims. They love to tease Muslims and enjoy their reaction. It is similar to some one who takes away a child’s chocolate and enjoys the child’s reaction. The West is sadist towards Islam. For past 150 years they have missiled no less than 60,00 books against Islam, with no results except that their own children turned to Islam for peace and solace. This is the miracle of the Qur’an and it has always worked the same way.
Let us study a few cases. When the west attacked the Islamic veil, in the past decade we saw that the two third of new Muslims were western females. In the same way when the west tried to impose democracy in the Arab world the result was a democratic failure of the western values – the Islamist parties won, especially in Turkey and Algeria. Perhaps that is the reason why Allah has asked us to do two things in this ayah, firstly bear it with patient and secondly- observe taqwa. For an impatient Muslim, which unfortunately a majority of us are, this can make us restless , but we must realize that in the end these two things are the determining factors for the victory.
The Dutch Film "Fitna" exposed the Muslims' inferiority complex
Why do our protests comei n form of just hue and cry about anti Islamic sentiments when ever a Salman Rusdhie gets knighthood or an anti-Islamic Dutch film gets supports from the West? How long will the Muslims keep on complaining to the world, like that little child whose chocolate is snatched away just to enjoy a sadist moment?? How long will one fifth of the world's population continue to think of them as helpless?
The Muslims are not allowed by the Qur'an to mock at objects of worship of others, as it is mentioned:
" do not revile the objects which other people worship"
(Surah An'am ch 6 verse 108)
But that does not mean that our hands are tied up. There are other means more effective than returning a coin with a similar coin.
But Islam offers other ways of getting back your honour in a respected manner. Let the Muslims notice this verse of Holy Qur'an,
"Not equal are the good and the bad. REPEL evil with that which is better and you will notice the person with whom you had enmity will turn in to close friend"
(Surah Fussilat , ch 41 verse 34)
Lets March into Media
One third of the Bollywood industry is stuffed with Muslim talent. Every third writer is a Muslim. The top three highest paid heroes are Muslims. Thousands of theatres in India are owned by Muslims. The list of powerful directors and producers also have big Muslim names. Shall these people stick to movies promoting infidelity, violence and glamour?
Let the Muslims too come out with their own films promoting peace. Let a writer pen down a story of an American soldier in the Gulf interacting with Islamic values and returning to his country as a Muslim. Hire a popular Hollywood actor e.g George Clooney,for the title role and see the impact. Why not a story about an alcoholic westerner whose family is shattered into pieces and Islam brings them back together? A good emotional story revolving around a madrassa can also be a good way of showing the world the peaceful Islamic culture.
So,My brothers in faith, dont get frustrated but lets march into the media and carve careers out of it. Presenting Islam in the media is the best thing one can do today in the age of publicity, perhaps the fiercest jihad. Sponsor some one who is willing to. Conduct writing workshops or sponsor them in your daw'ah centers. Hire a professional journalist to train your participants. He may be a Non Muslim. But so what! Look what the Qur'aan has to say about it
"help each other in Birr and taqwa but do not help one another in sin and transgression".
Encourage Muslims to build parrallel careers in Media. make documentaries, write articles, do research and promote Islam in everynook of the corner.
One such desirous suggestions to respond the anti Islmaic sadist
By Islamic Research Foundation / Dr.Zakir Naik / IRF Today at 9:34am
And you will surely be tested in your possessions and your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. BUT IF YOU PERSERVERE PATIENTLY AND BE MUTTAQOON , THEN THAT WILL BE A DETERMINING FACTOR IN ALL AFFAIRS (Surah Al e Imran ch 3, verse 186)
The issue of being teased and harassed by Ahle Kitab is not a new offence against the Muslims. It is one o f the common Sunnah of Ahl e kitab which they persistently carry on since they were invited to Islam.
But what many Muslims fail to realize is that , the guidelines are already given in Qur’an as to how to deal with them in such situation.
The above verse has many indications. It gives a purpose of harassment. If you analyse the western propaganda, you will not fail to notice that they are of a sadist attitude towards Muslims. They love to tease Muslims and enjoy their reaction. It is similar to some one who takes away a child’s chocolate and enjoys the child’s reaction. The West is sadist towards Islam. For past 150 years they have missiled no less than 60,00 books against Islam, with no results except that their own children turned to Islam for peace and solace. This is the miracle of the Qur’an and it has always worked the same way.
Let us study a few cases. When the west attacked the Islamic veil, in the past decade we saw that the two third of new Muslims were western females. In the same way when the west tried to impose democracy in the Arab world the result was a democratic failure of the western values – the Islamist parties won, especially in Turkey and Algeria. Perhaps that is the reason why Allah has asked us to do two things in this ayah, firstly bear it with patient and secondly- observe taqwa. For an impatient Muslim, which unfortunately a majority of us are, this can make us restless , but we must realize that in the end these two things are the determining factors for the victory.
The Dutch Film "Fitna" exposed the Muslims' inferiority complex
Why do our protests comei n form of just hue and cry about anti Islamic sentiments when ever a Salman Rusdhie gets knighthood or an anti-Islamic Dutch film gets supports from the West? How long will the Muslims keep on complaining to the world, like that little child whose chocolate is snatched away just to enjoy a sadist moment?? How long will one fifth of the world's population continue to think of them as helpless?
The Muslims are not allowed by the Qur'an to mock at objects of worship of others, as it is mentioned:
" do not revile the objects which other people worship"
(Surah An'am ch 6 verse 108)
But that does not mean that our hands are tied up. There are other means more effective than returning a coin with a similar coin.
But Islam offers other ways of getting back your honour in a respected manner. Let the Muslims notice this verse of Holy Qur'an,
"Not equal are the good and the bad. REPEL evil with that which is better and you will notice the person with whom you had enmity will turn in to close friend"
(Surah Fussilat , ch 41 verse 34)
Lets March into Media
One third of the Bollywood industry is stuffed with Muslim talent. Every third writer is a Muslim. The top three highest paid heroes are Muslims. Thousands of theatres in India are owned by Muslims. The list of powerful directors and producers also have big Muslim names. Shall these people stick to movies promoting infidelity, violence and glamour?
Let the Muslims too come out with their own films promoting peace. Let a writer pen down a story of an American soldier in the Gulf interacting with Islamic values and returning to his country as a Muslim. Hire a popular Hollywood actor e.g George Clooney,for the title role and see the impact. Why not a story about an alcoholic westerner whose family is shattered into pieces and Islam brings them back together? A good emotional story revolving around a madrassa can also be a good way of showing the world the peaceful Islamic culture.
So,My brothers in faith, dont get frustrated but lets march into the media and carve careers out of it. Presenting Islam in the media is the best thing one can do today in the age of publicity, perhaps the fiercest jihad. Sponsor some one who is willing to. Conduct writing workshops or sponsor them in your daw'ah centers. Hire a professional journalist to train your participants. He may be a Non Muslim. But so what! Look what the Qur'aan has to say about it
"help each other in Birr and taqwa but do not help one another in sin and transgression".
Encourage Muslims to build parrallel careers in Media. make documentaries, write articles, do research and promote Islam in everynook of the corner.
One such desirous suggestions to respond the anti Islmaic sadist
Sunday, August 29, 2010
MEDICAL MYTHS
Health advice you should ignore
Medical myths debunked.
Medical advice you hear from your grannie or down at the pub is often surprising, but usually not all that reliable. So while it's true that rubbing a nettle sting with dock leaves works, there are many unlikely medical 'facts' which you can happily disregard. We've collected a few gems, with some proper science to debunk these medical myths. We only use 10 per cent of our brains. Although you might think your batty uncle might be the perfect example, in fact scans show that all of the brain is active and playing a part in our thinking. Even small amounts of damage to the brain will cause mental impairment. Sweets and other sugary treats make children hyperactive. Repeated studies have shown that children's behaviour is not affected by the amount of sugar they've eaten - although parents rate their children as being more hyperactive if they think they have given them a sugary drink, even if it is, in fact, just water! Breast feeding causes saggy breastsGood news mothers - this is false. A study by American plastic surgeons found that breastfeeding had no effect on the shape of women's breasts. However being overweight or a smoker were linked to saggier breast appearance, as were the number of pregnancies, size of breast before pregnancy and the age of the woman. We should drink 8 glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration. There is no scientific evidence to support this widely believed and often followed myth. Tea, coffee, fruit juice - even the food we eat - all provide us with fluid. In fact excessive intake of fluid can damage the body and can even be fatal. Spinach is high in iron. There must have been something else in Popeye's diet, because spinach is not all that rich in iron. Apparently, when it was first measured the decimal point was written in the wrong place, overstating the iron content of spinach by a factor of 10. Spinach contains about 1mg of iron per 100g, whereas dried figs have 4.25mg, roast beef 2.5mg and courgettes 2.4mg. Warm milk helps you get to sleep at night. Milk contains the enzyme tryptophan which has been linked to the initial stages of sleep - but the amount in a glass of milk probably isn't enough to make us drowsy. But the psychological effect of warm milk at bedtime may be strong enough to put us in the mood for sleep! Sick people should rest in bedAn analysis of 39 studies on the use of bed rest in treatment found that for many ailments staying in bed had no beneficial effect. In some cases it was actually harmful. Sorry, but going back to work is sometimes the best treatment!You should wear a hat because we lose most of our body heat through our headsOur heads don't give off any more heat than any other part of our body. If you are fully clothed then of course most of the heat will leave through your head because it is uncovered, but the same would be true for any other similarly sized body part. Too much stress can give you ulcers. Actually, over 90 per cent of ulcers are caused by a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. If you are stung by a jellyfish you should pee on the sting. Before you start approaching people on the beach asking them to do the deed, you should know this is not true. There is nothing in urine that can counteract the effects of a jellyfish sting - in fact some stings will be further activated by it. But washing out the sting with warm water may alleviate the pain and prevent further skin damage, so this may be the source of the myth. Popcorn is good for you. Smoking increases risk of developing active tuberculosis. Sugar-free drinks really help you lose weight. Low carbohydrate diets linked to heart disease. New discovery paves the way for obesity treatment.
http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/medical-myths.htm
Medical myths debunked.
Medical advice you hear from your grannie or down at the pub is often surprising, but usually not all that reliable. So while it's true that rubbing a nettle sting with dock leaves works, there are many unlikely medical 'facts' which you can happily disregard. We've collected a few gems, with some proper science to debunk these medical myths. We only use 10 per cent of our brains. Although you might think your batty uncle might be the perfect example, in fact scans show that all of the brain is active and playing a part in our thinking. Even small amounts of damage to the brain will cause mental impairment. Sweets and other sugary treats make children hyperactive. Repeated studies have shown that children's behaviour is not affected by the amount of sugar they've eaten - although parents rate their children as being more hyperactive if they think they have given them a sugary drink, even if it is, in fact, just water! Breast feeding causes saggy breastsGood news mothers - this is false. A study by American plastic surgeons found that breastfeeding had no effect on the shape of women's breasts. However being overweight or a smoker were linked to saggier breast appearance, as were the number of pregnancies, size of breast before pregnancy and the age of the woman. We should drink 8 glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration. There is no scientific evidence to support this widely believed and often followed myth. Tea, coffee, fruit juice - even the food we eat - all provide us with fluid. In fact excessive intake of fluid can damage the body and can even be fatal. Spinach is high in iron. There must have been something else in Popeye's diet, because spinach is not all that rich in iron. Apparently, when it was first measured the decimal point was written in the wrong place, overstating the iron content of spinach by a factor of 10. Spinach contains about 1mg of iron per 100g, whereas dried figs have 4.25mg, roast beef 2.5mg and courgettes 2.4mg. Warm milk helps you get to sleep at night. Milk contains the enzyme tryptophan which has been linked to the initial stages of sleep - but the amount in a glass of milk probably isn't enough to make us drowsy. But the psychological effect of warm milk at bedtime may be strong enough to put us in the mood for sleep! Sick people should rest in bedAn analysis of 39 studies on the use of bed rest in treatment found that for many ailments staying in bed had no beneficial effect. In some cases it was actually harmful. Sorry, but going back to work is sometimes the best treatment!You should wear a hat because we lose most of our body heat through our headsOur heads don't give off any more heat than any other part of our body. If you are fully clothed then of course most of the heat will leave through your head because it is uncovered, but the same would be true for any other similarly sized body part. Too much stress can give you ulcers. Actually, over 90 per cent of ulcers are caused by a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. If you are stung by a jellyfish you should pee on the sting. Before you start approaching people on the beach asking them to do the deed, you should know this is not true. There is nothing in urine that can counteract the effects of a jellyfish sting - in fact some stings will be further activated by it. But washing out the sting with warm water may alleviate the pain and prevent further skin damage, so this may be the source of the myth. Popcorn is good for you. Smoking increases risk of developing active tuberculosis. Sugar-free drinks really help you lose weight. Low carbohydrate diets linked to heart disease. New discovery paves the way for obesity treatment.
http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/medical-myths.htm
THE UGLY FACE OF POVERTY CULLED FROM PENDULUM BY DELE MOMODU
PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele was our guest in Lagos last Thursday August 26, 010. I did not know of the visit, his first as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, until my flight from Ghana touched than in Lagos. As soon as I cleared Customs and sped towards my car in order to catch a television interview appointment with the famous singer Zaaki Adzay, my driver, Mr Samuel, was quick to announce the bad news to me. "Oga, there is too much traffic everywhere today because Jonathan (President) is coming to town Sir. We were in the traffic for over two hours Sir because everywhere had been blocked."Mr Samuel would have made a good reporter but for the fact that he did not have much of formal education. But the extremely bright and energetic man has a good grasp of local politics. I was regularly entertained by his analysis. And I love him dearly. I was not in the mood to drive through any traffic but knew I was totally powerless in the hands of our overzealous security apparatchik. Since God’s case has no appeal court, I just sat calmly to enjoy Mr Samuel’s commentaries."Haa Oga, this Jonathan government is spending our money o!"I thought that was no big news again, so kept quiet. I had no intention of cracking myself up so early in the day. But my silence did not discourage Mr Samuel from waxing more loquacious for some strange reasons. He was over the top as he went on and on about how Jonathan’s people had bought white uniforms known as Aso Ebi for hundreds of rented but gaily dressed women who thronged the airport to welcome the latest Messiah of Nigeria. The traffic was still a bit heavy as we approached the Murtala Mohammed Airport two, the only airport with a semblance of sanity in Nigeria."You will soon see Jonathan’s plane where it is parked Sir,"Mr Samuel said with a tinge of excitement. For the first time I was tempted to respond to my able driver’s tantrums."Which of his planes, the one bought by President Obasanjo a few years ago or one of the three brand new planes he recently ordered?,"I asked with a dash of sarcasm. Mr Samuel said he did not know, but in his view the plane looked very new. We soon drove past the Presidential wing, at snail-speed of course, and it afforded us the opportunity of seeing our own Nigeria Air Force One. The plane was neatly parked with a few officers obviously chatting away under the belly of the plane. We noticed the fearful presence of combat soldiers squatting under some shrubs that litter the fields close to the fence. They looked very menacing. And I wonder we often call out the soldiers in peace time and under a civilian administration. Anyway, let’s leave that to our security chiefs to worry about. I would be eternally glad if they can spare us the anguish of causing unnecessary traffic jams every time our rulers are flying and driving through our cities. True leaders are usually put on display for the citizens to see and treasure. Only despots are hidden behind bullet-proof showcases. At the entrance of the Presidential Wing, I noticed the rented women for the first time. Some even carried their children on their backs. And ready to embark on some audacious treks back home. We must salute the tenacity of our women, especially these long-suffering mothers. Mr Samuel explained some smart fellow must have been contracted to hire the women in droves. This made me very curious and I asked how much each of them s likely to take home after this nerve-wracking odyssey."Haa, Oga, each of them will make at least one one thousand,"he said matter-of-factly. I couldn’t believe my ears. How could all these wonderful women leave their homes under the scorching heat to end up earning one thousand Naira. I thought that was cruelty at its crudest. Who would put an end to this vicious manipulation of poor people? Why must we continue to subject our citizens to such despicable indignity? My brains were doing some somersaults as I engaged in this interior monologue, known in Literature as stream-of-consciousness. I now understood why our rulers believe so fervently that they would continue rig elections with impunity and get away with it. Can you really blame them when they have deliberate impoverished their fellow citizens in order to exploit their weaknesses. A weak man would most wondrously accept any insult from the strong man. On Thursday, I saw the ugly face of poverty. And the words of Moshoo Abiola freshly gushed back like a tornado:"It is only a man who has not experienced poverty who would glamorise it. There is nothing to glamorise in it because it is better seen than experienced." My heart bled for this able-bodied people who could have been gainfully employed with some measure of dignity but have been turned into the holoi poloi, the wretched of the Earth, according to Franz Fanon. I was deeply touched at their epic efforts at eking a living for themselves and their children. Their husbands would also be employed as thugs to create confusion as the polling stations. And they would gladly accept the filthy jobs out of necessity than absolute voluntariness. I concluded that Nigeria still needed loads of prayers. Nothing less would do. God would have to pity us and look down on us with mercy and compassion. As to President Jonathan’s mission in Lagos, that is another matter entirely. I’m sure you must have heard or read of the atrocious contracts being dished out of Abuja now with the rapidity of pop corns? Please, don’t be fooled. It has nothing to do with any genuine concern for rebuilding our dilapidated nation. According to usually impeccable sources, the prodigal sons and daughters are already looking for all the cash they can muster in readiness for the war they plan to unleash on the rest of us next year at the polls. Some powerful and lucrative Ministries are expected to perform what Fela had called"government magic." The politicians are desperately looking for avenues to award huge contracts and reap bountiful harvests from it. What is going on in Nigeria is incredible. I had been reliably informed that the Aviation Ministry was going to make some blistering announcements and days later the prediction came to pass. I was stunned beyond words when our Minister of Aviation actually got the nod from the Federal Executive Council for the approval of N7.9b (seven billion and nine hundred thousand naira) for the purchase of generators for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. Is it not disheartening that our government could commit such gargantuan resources to buying generators in these austere times, especially on an infrastructure that was already primed to be privatised. It should have been obvious to any serious government that the failure of our airports came as a result of such government interventions in the past. A cursory peep at all our airports would reveal an uncanny similarity and regularity of filth and squalor. Politicians, as presently constituted in Nigeria, can never run airports successfully. They are too uncouth, shameless and greedy to facilitate modern amenities and upgrade our airports to what we see in Hong Kong and South Africa. How could we conceptually expend so much money from our collapsed economy on such capital items that could be handled by the private sector as in the case of MM2. This would have freed government from this huge and unnecessary burden. It is such a monumental tragedy that our scarce resources are not only being wasted but being used recklessly by government functionaries to compete with and destroy the private sector. The scandalous nature of this careless spending comes to fore when one considers the fact that this same prodigiously wasteful government is making desperate moves to improve power supply in the nation through the private sector. In fact, President Jonathan was ostensibly in Lagos to address stakeholders’ meeting on the necessity to attract private sector participation in generating electricity in Nigeria. Yet, this same government had barely 24 hours earlier approved a stupendous expenditure in the power sector that could have been competently handled by the private sector. Is it not sad that as far back as 2005, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had placed an advert in the papers titled INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF UNINTERRUPTED AND QUALITY ELECTRIC POWER TO THE MURTALA MOHAMMED AIRPORT COMPLEX, IKEJA LAGOS asking for investors to provide power for the same airport. According to insiders in the aviation sector, several companies responded to the proposal. One of the hottest proposals was the plan to install power-generating turbines at the time but nothing happened thereafter. That possibility has been practically defeated by the illiterate decision to buy generators for the airport at this time and age. At the rate our money is being thrown around by this government, we need to go on our knees and pray against bankruptcy. God save Nigeria comPresident Goodluck Ebele was our guest in Lagos last Thursday August 26, 010. I did not know of the visit, his first as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, until my flight from Ghana touched than in Lagos. As soon as I cleared Customs and sped towards my car in order to catch a television interview appointment with the famous singer Zaaki Adzay, my driver, Mr Samuel, was quick to announce the bad news to me."Oga, there is too much traffic everywhere today because Jonathan (President) is coming to town Sir. We were in the traffic for over two hours Sir because everywhere had been blocked."Mr Samuel would have made a good reporter but for the fact that he did not have much of formal education. But the extremely bright and energetic man has a good grasp of local politics. I was regularly entertained by his analysis. And I love him dearly.I was not in the mood to drive through any traffic but knew I was totally powerless in the hands of our overzealous security apparatchik. Since God’s case has no appeal court, I just sat calmly to enjoy Mr Samuel’s commentaries."Haa Oga, this Jonathan government is spending our money o!"I thought that was no big news again, so kept quiet. I had no intention of cracking myself up so early in the day. But my silence did not discourage Mr Samuel from waxing more loquacious for some strange reasons. He was over the top as he went on and on about how Jonathan’s people had bought white uniforms known as Aso Ebi for hundreds of rented but gaily dressed women who thronged the airport to welcome the latest Messiah of Nigeria.The traffic was still a bit heavy as we approached the Murtala Mohammed Airport two, the only airport with a semblance of sanity in Nigeria."You will soon see Jonathan’s plane where it is parked Sir,"Mr Samuel said with a tinge of excitement. For the first time I was tempted to respond to my able driver’s tantrums."Which of his planes, the one bought by President Obasanjo a few years ago or one of the three brand new planes he recently ordered?,"I asked with a dash of sarcasm. Mr Samuel said he did not know, but in his view the plane looked very new. We soon drove past the Presidential wing, at snail-speed of course, and it afforded us the opportunity of seeing our own Nigeria Air Force One.The plane was neatly parked with a few officers obviously chatting away under the belly of the plane. We noticed the fearful presence of combat soldiers squatting under some shrubs that litter the fields close to the fence. They looked very menacing. And I wonder we often call out the soldiers in peace time and under a civilian administration. Anyway, let’s leave that to our security chiefs to worry about. I would be eternally glad if they can spare us the anguish of causing unnecessary traffic jams every time our rulers are flying and driving through our cities. True leaders are usually put on display for the citizens to see and treasure. Only despots are hidden behind bullet-proof showcases.At the entrance of the Presidential Wing, I noticed the rented women for the first time. Some even carried their children on their backs. And ready to embark on some audacious treks back home. We must salute the tenacity of our women, especially these long-suffering mothers. Mr Samuel explained some smart fellow must have been contracted to hire the women in droves. This made me very curious and I asked how much each of them s likely to take home after this nerve-wracking odyssey."Haa, Oga, each of them will make at least one one thousand,"he said matter-of-factly. I couldn’t believe my ears. How could all these wonderful women leave their homes under the scorching heat to end up earning one thousand Naira. I thought that was cruelty at its crudest. Who would put an end to this vicious manipulation of poor people? Why must we continue to subject our citizens to such despicable indignity? My brains were doing some somersaults as I engaged in this interior monologue, known in Literature as stream-of-consciousness.I now understood why our rulers believe so fervently that they would continue rig elections with impunity and get away with it. Can you really blame them when they have deliberate impoverished their fellow citizens in order to exploit their weaknesses. A weak man would most wondrously accept any insult from the strong man. On Thursday, I saw the ugly face of poverty. And the words of Moshoo Abiola freshly gushed back like a tornado:"It is only a man who has not experienced poverty who would glamorise it. There is nothing to glamorise in it because it is better seen than experienced."My heart bled for this able-bodied people who could have been gainfully employed with some measure of dignity but have been turned into the holoi poloi, the wretched of the Earth, according to Franz Fanon. I was deeply touched at their epic efforts at eking a living for themselves and their children. Their husbands would also be employed as thugs to create confusion as the polling stations. And they would gladly accept the filthy jobs out of necessity than absolute voluntariness. I concluded that Nigeria still needed loads of prayers. Nothing less would do. God would have to pity us and look down on us with mercy and compassion.As to President Jonathan’s mission in Lagos, that is another matter entirely. I’m sure you must have heard or read of the atrocious contracts being dished out of Abuja now with the rapidity of pop corns? Please, don’t be fooled. It has nothing to do with any genuine concern for rebuilding our dilapidated nation. According to usually impeccable sources, the prodigal sons and daughters are already looking for all the cash they can muster in readiness for the war they plan to unleash on the rest of us next year at the polls. Some powerful and lucrative Ministries are expected to perform what Fela had called"government magic."The politicians are desperately looking for avenues to award huge contracts and reap bountiful harvests from it. What is going on in Nigeria is incredible. I had been reliably informed that the Aviation Ministry was going to make some blistering announcements and days later the prediction came to pass. I was stunned beyond words when our Minister of Aviation actually got the nod from the Federal Executive Council for the approval of N7.9b (seven billion and nine hundred thousand naira) for the purchase of generators for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. Is it not disheartening that our government could commit such gargantuan resources to buying generators in these austere times, especially on an infrastructure that was already primed to be privatised.It should have been obvious to any serious government that the failure of our airports came as a result of such government interventions in the past. A cursory peep at all our airports would reveal an uncanny similarity and regularity of filth and squalor. Politicians, as presently constituted in Nigeria, can never run airports successfully. They are too uncouth, shameless and greedy to facilitate modern amenities and upgrade our airports to what we see in Hong Kong and South Africa.How could we conceptually expend so much money from our collapsed economy on such capital items that could be handled by the private sector as in the case of MM2. This would have freed government from this huge and unnecessary burden. It is such a monumental tragedy that our scarce resources are not only being wasted but being used recklessly by government functionaries to compete with and destroy the private sector. The scandalous nature of this careless spending comes to fore when one considers the fact that this same prodigiously wasteful government is making desperate moves to improve power supply in the nation through the private sector.In fact, President Jonathan was ostensibly in Lagos to address stakeholders’ meeting on the necessity to attract private sector participation in generating electricity in Nigeria. Yet, this same government had barely 24 hours earlier approved a stupendous expenditure in the power sector that could have been competently handled by the private sector. Is it not sad that as far back as 2005, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had placed an advert in the papers titled INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF UNINTERRUPTED AND QUALITY ELECTRIC POWER TO THE MURTALA MOHAMMED AIRPORT COMPLEX, IKEJA LAGOS asking for investors to provide power for the same airport.According to insiders in the aviation sector, several companies responded to the proposal. One of the hottest proposals was the plan to install power-generating turbines at the time but nothing happened thereafter. That possibility has been practically defeated by the illiterate decision to buy generators for the airport at this time and age. At the rate our money is being thrown around by this government, we need to go on our knees and pray against bankruptcy. God save Nigeria I ADD, AMEN!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Facebook mobile security
I think you'd read this piece. Facebook’s “Platmobile” Team Working On Eliminating Mobile Password. Facebook held a developer’s garage event at their headquarters — sort of like a State of the Union for third-party developers. Notably, they announceda new partnership with Y Combinatorthat has the goal of creating new startups with deep integrations with Facebook’s newest tools. But there was also a Q&A session with Facebook CEOMark Zuckerberg, CTOBret Taylor, and Y Combinator’sPaul Grahamthat was pretty interesting.One question asked if Facebook was working on their instant personalization technology for mobile devices. Taylor fielded the question noting that mobile brought about some interesting technology problems in this regard. Most notably, he said the issue is with password entry on mobile devices. According to Taylor, that’s something they have an entire team focused on right now.Taylor noted that this team is called the “Platmobile” team (as in: platform + mobile, and said like ‘Batmobile’). This brought some laughs from the audience, but while the name may be somewhat of a joke, their goal is very serious.Taylor noted that many people have three-letter passwords that they use for mobile services to keep things fast and simple. But obviously that’s not ideal from a security perspective. He noted that many of the developers in the room likely had long passwords that included weird characters for this very reason. But Taylor said that this “10 minute process” was a “really negative part of the user experience.““The Platmobile team is focused on improving that experience. I don’t know the exact timeline on that, but it’s something we’re really focused on because the user experience on the phone right now is sub-par,” Taylor said.Zuckerberg chimed in to say that the mobile experience is obviously different, so instant personalization would be different too. Perhaps you’d have a group of apps that you set different privileges for (such as password memorization) with such a feature, he noted. “The general trend though is that all of this stuff is going towards less friction to get to social interaction,” Zuckerberg concluded.get widgetminimize.
http://tctechcrunch.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/plat.jpg?w=300&h=225
http://tctechcrunch.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/plat.jpg?w=300&h=225
Monday, August 16, 2010
How To Save Your Brand In Times Of Crisis
MIT Sloan Management Review: How To Save Your Brand In The Face Of Crisis Gita V. Johar, Matthias M. Birk and Sabine A. Einwiller,08.06.10, 04:19 PM EDTWhen bad things happen, companies need the right strategy for talking their way out of a mess and avoiding a calamitous pummeling of their corporate image.In 2009 and 2010Toyotawas the target of much adverse media attention after a series of accidents due to sudden acceleration incidents and brake faults that led to deaths and injuries. TheToyotabrand's reputation took a battering.Toyotamanagement had a choice: Be resigned to this fate or use communication strategies to recover from the crisis.Drawing on scientific research on persuasion, we have assembled a crisis communication framework that highlights when communication strategies should be used to help a brand recover from a crisis and restore trust and brand image with customers. Here are some examples of those strategies, which are best used in synergistic combinations:Come clean.If the brand is truly at fault and the crisis is severe, the only viable option is for management to apologize quickly, express sympathy with the aggrieved parties and accept responsibility. Accepting responsibility is often inhibited by legal considerations; however, management has to weigh the long-term effects of brand damage against potentially shorter-term monetary damages due to litigation.All the bad news has to be communicated quickly and, if possible, all at once. In a severe crisis the company's top manager has to step up and serve as the first spokesperson. Corrective action may be necessary as well. In the case of a product recall, this involves detailed instructions about how to get the product replaced or fixed.TheToyota(TM-news-people) crisis exemplifies the detrimental effects of neither acting nor communicating swiftly and openly when faced with a severe problem. Despite the fact that there were indications of safety problems for a long time, Toyota did not openly acknowledge them until it was heavily pressured by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Furthermore, a remedy to fix the problem could not be offered swiftly, and when it was offered, customers complained that the fix did not work.Polish the halo.When an apology becomes necessary, the brand may also need to bolster its image so that less identified customers do not become even more negative toward the brand or transfer their negative beliefs about certain features to other features of the brand-- the "spillover" effect. One way to prevent spillover is by polishing the brand image.Toyota has followed this strategy. In the context of coming clean, the company started a campaign to bolster its image by launching a TV advertisement stressing its commitment to fixing the problems and reminding consumers of Toyota's long tradition of safety and quality.It's important to realize that no amount of polishing the halo can inoculate a brand. The massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill in April 2010 from an offshore oil rig owned byBP(BP-news-people) provides an illustration. For many years, BP had been attempting to rebrand itself as a company that also invests in alternative energy. The Gulf spill strengthened associations of the BP brand with "Bad Petroleum."The "not just me" response.In many cases, a company's transgression, while real, is not something unique to the brand under attack. The same thing could happen to any other brand. If consumers understand this, they are less likely to generalize from the crisis to other aspects of the brand
Inoculation.The idea is to prepare consumers for a negative event by communicating a small dose of the accusation together with counterarguments that refute it--and to do this before the accusation breaks.The "yes, but …" response.Management can reduce the power of accusations by augmenting a come-clean approach with a forthright explanation of the reasons for the crisis, along with an argument that downplays the damage done.Rebuttal.When the brand is not at fault, the lack of a crisis response by the company may be interpreted as a confession. The company under attack must defend itself with a point-by-point rebuttal of the spurious allegation.In 1993, for example,PepsiCo(PEP-news-people) was confronted with multiple claims that it had sold cans containing foreign objects such as syringes. The issue escalated into a national news story. With a crisis plan for product tampering in place and the support of the Food and Drug Administration, which had found no health hazards related to the claims, the crisis was brought to an end within eight days. Pepsi's most vivid communication instrument was a video news release that showed the process of a can-filling line, which persuasively demonstrated that it was impossible for objects to enter the cans during production. This example shows the relevance of speed, persuasive depiction of disproof and the support of a trusted third party (in this case, the FDA).Vilify the accuser.The idea here is to decrease the credibility of a claim by discrediting the source of the accusation. This strategy should be used with caution, because it can backfire if it is viewed as being unfair or defensive. Even in minor cases, vilifying the accuser can be useful in communicating to less-identified customers (though it should be unnecessary with highly identified customers).Denial.This approach makes sense when the following hold: The accusation against the brand is not true; target consumers identify with the brand; and those consumers do not perceive the crisis to be severe.Conclusion.The goal of communication during a crisis is to diffuse the episode's negative impact. The company embroiled in such a crisis should aim to explain to consumers why the problem arose and why the brand should not be viewed more negatively as a result of the event. Companies have to manage consumers' attributions of blame, as well as their thoughts about the future of the brand, by providing them with a clear narrative that answers their questions about the crisis. By choosing wisely from the communication arsenal we have described, companies can avert backlash from consumers and perhaps even strengthen the brand when a crisis hits.This article is adapted from"How to Save Your Brand in the Face of Crisis,"by Gita V. Johar, Matthias M. Birk and Sabine A. Einwiller, which appeared in the Summer 2010 issue ofMIT Sloan Management Review.Copyright © Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010. All rights reserved
Inoculation.The idea is to prepare consumers for a negative event by communicating a small dose of the accusation together with counterarguments that refute it--and to do this before the accusation breaks.The "yes, but …" response.Management can reduce the power of accusations by augmenting a come-clean approach with a forthright explanation of the reasons for the crisis, along with an argument that downplays the damage done.Rebuttal.When the brand is not at fault, the lack of a crisis response by the company may be interpreted as a confession. The company under attack must defend itself with a point-by-point rebuttal of the spurious allegation.In 1993, for example,PepsiCo(PEP-news-people) was confronted with multiple claims that it had sold cans containing foreign objects such as syringes. The issue escalated into a national news story. With a crisis plan for product tampering in place and the support of the Food and Drug Administration, which had found no health hazards related to the claims, the crisis was brought to an end within eight days. Pepsi's most vivid communication instrument was a video news release that showed the process of a can-filling line, which persuasively demonstrated that it was impossible for objects to enter the cans during production. This example shows the relevance of speed, persuasive depiction of disproof and the support of a trusted third party (in this case, the FDA).Vilify the accuser.The idea here is to decrease the credibility of a claim by discrediting the source of the accusation. This strategy should be used with caution, because it can backfire if it is viewed as being unfair or defensive. Even in minor cases, vilifying the accuser can be useful in communicating to less-identified customers (though it should be unnecessary with highly identified customers).Denial.This approach makes sense when the following hold: The accusation against the brand is not true; target consumers identify with the brand; and those consumers do not perceive the crisis to be severe.Conclusion.The goal of communication during a crisis is to diffuse the episode's negative impact. The company embroiled in such a crisis should aim to explain to consumers why the problem arose and why the brand should not be viewed more negatively as a result of the event. Companies have to manage consumers' attributions of blame, as well as their thoughts about the future of the brand, by providing them with a clear narrative that answers their questions about the crisis. By choosing wisely from the communication arsenal we have described, companies can avert backlash from consumers and perhaps even strengthen the brand when a crisis hits.This article is adapted from"How to Save Your Brand in the Face of Crisis,"by Gita V. Johar, Matthias M. Birk and Sabine A. Einwiller, which appeared in the Summer 2010 issue ofMIT Sloan Management Review.Copyright © Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010. All rights reserved
Thursday, August 12, 2010
FACTS BOUT U
1. At least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. If not for you, someone may not be living.
8. You are special and unique.
9. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
11. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
12. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, probably, sooner or later, you will get it.
13. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
14. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know.
15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. If not for you, someone may not be living.
8. You are special and unique.
9. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
11. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
12. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, probably, sooner or later, you will get it.
13. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
14. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know.
15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
VIRUS IN S40
VIRUS!......Yes, this is the word that i have seen and heard almost everyday in s40 forum or from other people. This question is often asked or talked about by the users.
This simply means VIRUS is the most talked and discussed topic for various s40 users. So, i have decided to shed more light on it based on what i know.
Well, its always good to ask questions when you don't have or have little knowledge about a topic. Hence, I don't really blame anyone for lack of knowledge.
What is a VIRUS? Mobile viruses are small programs/applications/softwares specially programmed to do harmful activities in your phone or in the file system as the case may be. Those viruses are written in .sis, .sisx, or .exe format and they require an operating system to run.
Example: lets say a program was written to delete all images in the phone's system. Now, when this application runs, it is a kind of virus/malware. This is just a simple example out of lots of malicious program written to destroy or damage the proper runnings of the operating system.
Hence, to run those viruses or programs, it needs an operating system which supports sis, sisx or exe files. And without such OS, virus files cannot carry out their mission.
Nokia, a very big mobile manufacturing company, have implemented two operating systems(so far and popular) for their mobiles.
The Symbian s60 and the Java s40 phone platform which is officially known as NOKIA OPERATING SYSTEM.
But quite technically, one cannot consider it as an OS simply because it runs in Java platform. Unlike Nokia s60, Nokia s40 phones can only run Java applications. The sis, sisx and exe files(in which language viruses are written) will show 'Unsupported file type' in s40. And even when your phone gets a virus transmitted from a PC, it won't work and will be inactive and as it cannot run in those Java phones.
Furthermore, after having knowledge about the potency of viruses in s40 phones, the question now arises...
Is there and other virus which can affect s40? The simply answer is NO!
The reason behind this answer goes thus: the only application supported by s40 is Java and even if we make a Java virus, it still cannot do any harm.
Why? Because Java is limited or restricted from accessing native operating system or hardware by the highly encrypted Java environment. In other words, it closes the application folders. No file execution or installation can occur without user's permission due to closed source operating system of s40 phones.
Nevertheless, I have to mention and clear one thing that, s40 can get some faulty Java softwares which can do some harmful activities in your phone. This cannot be called VIRUS.
Example, a Java software can be programmed to send unlimited messages to a particular number until your credit is exhausted. There issues are talked about in many forums concerning Red Browser in s40v5 or what have you. But still, it is not possible if the application is untrusted or unsigned or you have not set the Java permission to 'always allow'. So, if you are too much concerned about those Java files, I would suggest you don't use any untrusted application.
As there is no virus for s40, so there is no anti-virus for it too.
How about the s40 Anti-virus available? The basic truth is that, those applications are only made to put a wool over people's eyes, showing some animations on the screen.
Another instance is when some strange behaviour of a phone or a memory card which may look like a virus effect. When this is noticed. I would suggest the first thing to do is possibly a firmware problem or fault or a hardware damage.
In the case of a memory card, it could be a technical error which can be overcome by formating it.
This simply means VIRUS is the most talked and discussed topic for various s40 users. So, i have decided to shed more light on it based on what i know.
Well, its always good to ask questions when you don't have or have little knowledge about a topic. Hence, I don't really blame anyone for lack of knowledge.
What is a VIRUS? Mobile viruses are small programs/applications/softwares specially programmed to do harmful activities in your phone or in the file system as the case may be. Those viruses are written in .sis, .sisx, or .exe format and they require an operating system to run.
Example: lets say a program was written to delete all images in the phone's system. Now, when this application runs, it is a kind of virus/malware. This is just a simple example out of lots of malicious program written to destroy or damage the proper runnings of the operating system.
Hence, to run those viruses or programs, it needs an operating system which supports sis, sisx or exe files. And without such OS, virus files cannot carry out their mission.
Nokia, a very big mobile manufacturing company, have implemented two operating systems(so far and popular) for their mobiles.
The Symbian s60 and the Java s40 phone platform which is officially known as NOKIA OPERATING SYSTEM.
But quite technically, one cannot consider it as an OS simply because it runs in Java platform. Unlike Nokia s60, Nokia s40 phones can only run Java applications. The sis, sisx and exe files(in which language viruses are written) will show 'Unsupported file type' in s40. And even when your phone gets a virus transmitted from a PC, it won't work and will be inactive and as it cannot run in those Java phones.
Furthermore, after having knowledge about the potency of viruses in s40 phones, the question now arises...
Is there and other virus which can affect s40? The simply answer is NO!
The reason behind this answer goes thus: the only application supported by s40 is Java and even if we make a Java virus, it still cannot do any harm.
Why? Because Java is limited or restricted from accessing native operating system or hardware by the highly encrypted Java environment. In other words, it closes the application folders. No file execution or installation can occur without user's permission due to closed source operating system of s40 phones.
Nevertheless, I have to mention and clear one thing that, s40 can get some faulty Java softwares which can do some harmful activities in your phone. This cannot be called VIRUS.
Example, a Java software can be programmed to send unlimited messages to a particular number until your credit is exhausted. There issues are talked about in many forums concerning Red Browser in s40v5 or what have you. But still, it is not possible if the application is untrusted or unsigned or you have not set the Java permission to 'always allow'. So, if you are too much concerned about those Java files, I would suggest you don't use any untrusted application.
As there is no virus for s40, so there is no anti-virus for it too.
How about the s40 Anti-virus available? The basic truth is that, those applications are only made to put a wool over people's eyes, showing some animations on the screen.
Another instance is when some strange behaviour of a phone or a memory card which may look like a virus effect. When this is noticed. I would suggest the first thing to do is possibly a firmware problem or fault or a hardware damage.
In the case of a memory card, it could be a technical error which can be overcome by formating it.
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