The Wordsmith Blog™

Remember when Sergio Ramos dropped the Coppa del Rey while celebrating Real Madrid's victory in the Spanish cup? And how the bus then drove over the trophy? Well, Germany have managed something even more embarrassing. Yes, Die Nationalmannschaft have managed to take a piece out of the World Cup. When Germany returned home with the trophy, wild celebrations ensued in Berlin, complete with a dramatic unveiling of Philipp Lahm holding the prize aloft. But somewhere amidst all the jumping, frolicking and merriment-making, the Cup sustained a bit of damage. In fact, a small piece of it is now missing, as the German Football Federation president president Wolfgang Niersbach revealed. "At one point, a small piece of our World Cup trophy was chipped off," Niersbach told Die Welt. "But do not worry! We have specialists on the case who can fix it. We have investigated persistently who it was that damaged the trophy, but the investigation was concluded without a result

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved 10 days paternity leave for any male civil servant in the state whose wife delivers a new baby. The measure is to afford them the opportunity of attending to developmental needs of the child. Fashola also jerked up the maternity leave from three months to six, to allow the nursing mother give their child exclusive breastfeeding for the period. Head of Service, HOS, Mrs. Oluseyi William, who disclosed this yesterday, at a joint briefing with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, in Ikeja, said the new approved policy took immediate effect. According to Williams, "male officers to whom a new baby (or babies in case of multiple birth) is born would be entitled to 10 working days paternity leave in relation to and at the time of his spouse's first two deliveries. "Female officers shall be entitled to 24 week

ETIQUETTE ESSENTIALS: Do's and Don'ts of Workplace Etiquette Keep the work flowing smoothly with these tips for office etiquette. I hope you are off/set for the closing phases of July? Its been a cold rainy month. Here are a few basic etiquette pointers to keep things cool and copasetic in the workplace. 1) Do respect your coworker's space. Offices, even if they are cubicles or open desks, should be respected as belonging to the 'owner.' Knock on the cubicle door or otherwise announce yourself and refrain from leaning on someone else's desk. 2) Don't default 'reply all'. Keep 'reply all's' to a minimum and only when the whole group is interested in your answer. When sending a group email where replies only need to be directed to you, consider BCC. Instead, be a good email-er and preface subject lines with FYI: or Response needed: (just keep URGENT: for the most important situations- or try a phone call!) 3) Do make work-friends. Some of

Nigerians(To Whom It May Concern) can now start getting prepared for a change of particulars as regards their states of origin. Following the proposition submitted and accepted by delegates at the National Conference, 19 new states are to be created out of the existing 36. Details of the 19 new states proposed by the ongoing National Conference t be created in addition to the 36 already in existence have been identified. This was contained in the documents obtained Saturday. For the proposed Edu State, which will be created out of the present Niger State, it will be made up of Agagie, Bida North, Edati, Agbakoba, Katcha, Lapai, Labun and Mokwa Local Governments with its capital in Bida. Apa State will be carved out of the present Benue State and made up of Agatu, Apa, Otukpo, Oju, Obi, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu and Ofbadigbo Local Government Areas with capital in Otukpo. If Kainji State is created, it will be created from the present Kebbi and Niger states and it will be made up of Danko/W

Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is INGESTED by an organism and ASSIMILATED by the organism's cells in an effort to PRODUCE ENERGY, MAINTAIN LIFE, or STIMULATE GROWTH. While, a recipe is a set of instructions that describes how to prepare/achieve or make something. WELCOME TO THE TABLE. Let's have life as a meal! I did not set out writing this piece with any intent to stir up your culinary skills or condemn in any case for those who lack one. But instead, my desire was to put across to you a basic life message in simple palpable terms. Highlighted(In block letters) are words I would want you to take cognizance of. This Recipe Of Life has got ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS,i.e Something to help you face different challenges as you encounter them in your journey. You really will have to INGEST

The following are some secret codes on the blackberry mobile phones. 1. * # 06 # code works knows number IMEI mobile phones. not only works for blackberry devices only. Code applies universal GSM particularly on mobile devices. IMEI itself is a series of 15 unique code that serves as a mobile identity. This code is useful when you want to match the IMEI mobile phone with BOX 2. Alt + NMLL  (no need to type in capital letters / holding the shift key) button is used to change the appearance of the graphics signal indicator rod (bar graph) to display a large number of decibels. As for the blackberry devices with SureType input method such as pearl (8100, 8110, 8120, 8130, 9100) and pearl filp (8220.8230). All you have to do is hold down the Alt key and type NNMLL (additional letters N required for sharing the letter with the letter B). To restore it you can simply enter the code again  3.Alt + Shift + H This code serves to bring up the help screen. This display contains a lot of important

"How Did It Get So Late So Soon?" The question left on the lips of the one who has just been announced late. Some things we want done , but we sadly leave undone for reasons not far fetched; Fear & Fright, Procrastination & Carelessness, Ignorance & Shallow mindedness. But amongst all these, one combination stands tall i.e ; HESITATION + LACK OF COURAGE ---------------------TOO LATE------------------------ A time comes when we're screwed NOT FOR WHAT WE SAID, BUT FOR WHAT WE DIDN'T SAY. And we face the ugly music, NOT FOR WHAT WE DID, BUT FOR WHAT WE FAILED TO DO. A time comes when we're judged NOT FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE, BUT FOR WHAT WE DID NOT BELIEVE. And we're stranded, NOT FOR JOURNEYS WE MADE, BUT FOR JOURNEYS WE FAILED TO MAKE. A time comes when we're disgraced NOT BY THE PEOPLE WE MEET, BUT FOR PEOPLE WE REFUSED TO MEET. And we're sorry, NOT FOR THE RISKS WE TOOK, BUT FOR THE RISKS WE DIDN'T TAKE. A time comes when we'

Lack of sleep isn't the only thing sapping your energy. Little things you do (and don't do) can exhaust you both mentally and physically, which can make getting through your day a chore. Here, experts reveal common bad habits that can make you feel tired, plus simple lifestyle tweaks that will put the pep back in your step. You skip exercise when you're tired Skipping your workout to save energy actually works against you. In a University of Georgia study, sedentary but otherwise healthy adults who began exercising lightly three days a week for as little as 20 minutes at a time reported feeling less fatigued and more energized after six weeks. Regular exercise boosts strength and endurance, helps make your cardiovascular system run more efficiently, and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. So next time you're tempted to crash on the couch, at least go for a brisk walkyou won't regret it. You don't drink enough water Being even slightly dehydratedas lit

Toilets - we all use them but seldom like to talk about them. The flushing toilet was invented by Sir John Harrington in 1596 for Queen Elizabeth I. He was originally barred from the Royal Court for spreading smutty stories, but after his invention, he was allowed back. Having whet your appetite for fascinating toilet facts, let us look at 15 more. 1. The film 'Psycho' was the first movie to show a toilet flushing - the scene caused an inpouring of complaints about indecency 2. Pomegranates studded with cloves were used as the first attempt at making toilet air-freshner 3. Hermann Goering refused to use regulation toilet paper - instead he bought soft white handkerchiefs in bulk and used them 4. Over $100,000 US dollars was spent on a study to determine whether most people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind; the answer: three out of four people have the flap in the front 5. King George II of Great Britain died falling off a toilet on the 25th

Dentists brainstorm in Lagos THE health hazard inherent in the use of toothpicks or other sharp objects on the teeth may be more severe than most Nigerians thought. Besides there link to most oral discomforts, they are potential recipe for grave diseases like mouth cancer, dentists have warned. The dentists, under the aegis of the Nigerian Dental Association said this at a briefing to herald their biennial general meeting, currently holding in Lagos. Theme of the conference is: 'Nigeria at 100 years: The dentistry perspective.' Scheduled for discussion at the scientific conference are challenges like low oral health awareness and a huge need for oral health care among the populace; misconceptions and absence of coordinated system for collective oral health date in the country. Others are inadequate manpower to meet the oral health needs and inadequate distribution of available oral health facilities. Member of the association, Dr Evelyn Eshikena observed that several of the den

1. You know the relationship has no long-term potential. After dating for a while, if you realize that the relationship will eventually run its course, ending it is likely the best thing for both of you. You want to find someone who will be in it for the long haul. 2. The relationship has run its course. Maybe you didn't get out early enough. Get out now. When the relationship feels over, let it be over. Don't cling to it just because you've wasted so much time on it already. 3. You've been hurt physically or emotionally. Some damage can't be undone. Staying in an abusive relationship will only deepen those wounds with time, it won't heal them. Seek professional help if you're not sure how to leave. 4. You've been cheated on, or you've cheated. Rarely can dating relationships rebound from infidelity. Let him/her go. 5. Someone else is on your mind. Do. Not. Cheat. If you're constantly wishing your significant other was someone else or that you co

I trust you have heard the phrase , "Have a great week!" Times innumerable. Though having a great week, or not, rely to a great extent on the wings of fate, of course no one know exactly what lies ahead the next minute. Shall we for this reason live on carelessly and unplanned? An emphatic "NO", I submit should be the answer. Staying positive, and assuming that you can orchestrate a great week, I'll submit the following as steps or technique you should follow in order to have one. One good part of these guidelines is that they help you achieve your set goals too. To achieve/have a 'Great Week', time management must be kept at opium. Time management and goal setting are tough for most or us, mainly because it takes discipline, accountability, and it's not fun. Enjoying your week's journey while keeping your eye on what you want most out of life if key in this . A beautiful part of this guidelines is; It's practical, simple, flexible, an

Many did not notice, but some did, Cameron Laws and Me likewise. The opening ceremony organizers displayed the wrong flag while announcing Nigeria on Thursday. Instead of Nigeria's flag, it projected an image of Niger's flag onto the globe at midfield during the ceremony. Twitter user, Cameron Laws, pointed out the blunder. Nigeria's flag features three vertical stripes, with a white stripe sandwiched between two green stripes. The country's crest is in the middle of the white stripe. Niger's flag features three horizontal stripes. The top stripe is orange, sitting above a white stripe and a green stripe. There is an orange circle in the middle of the white stripe. The neighboring African nations share a 450-mile border and maintain friendly relations. Nigeria is currently ranked No. 44 in FIFA rankings. Niger is ranked No. 112 and did not qualify for the World Cup. This is not the first time the wrong flag has been displayed during a major sportin

"They say a few drinks help to forget pain, but after one too many,we find out pain only took a stroll." -TW™ Now the question is; "What Is The Remedy For Pain?" Pain like as pronounced can be so sharp, heavy-weighted, sudden and prolonged. Pain is that unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder. We all have been pained by someone/something at one point or the other of our life, and I care to ask two key questions; 1) What was the experience like? 2) How did you douse the pain? Handling pain, can be a very arduous and debilitating task. Pain can come in different guise and from different sources. Though every form of it should be handled with precision and uniqueness of strategy, there is more often than not a universal approach to managing pain. Pain can be very detrimental to a person's health and general social function. Pain once noticed must be abated or suppressed as fast

"Let me start by saying that I am Fulani (laughter). My grandfather was an Emir and therefore I represent all that has been talked about this afternoon. Sir Ajayi has written a book. And like all Nigerians of his generation, he has written in the language of his generation. "My grandfather was a Northerner, I am a Nigerian. The problem with this country is that in 2009, we speak in the language of 1953. Sir Olaniwun can be forgiven for the way he spoke, but I cannot forgive people of my generation speaking in that language. "Let us go into this issue because there are so many myths that are being bandied around. Before colonialism, there was nothing like Northern Nigeria, Before the Sokoto Jihad, there was nothing like the Sokoto caliphate. The man from Kano regard himself as bakane. The man from Zaria was bazazzage. The man from Katsina was bakatsine. The kingdoms were at war with each other. They were Hausas, they were Muslims, they were killing each other. &qu

"An anxious man will worry, a worrying person has a thing or two he/she is anxious about. These two are very pertinent issues with humans. Everyday across our various lives we encounter and face different situations that could cause any of the afore mentioned situations. Today I'll love that we looked into these two states analytically. Whichever be the case that pertains to you, the first step to breaking free and finding a solution in any circumstance is understanding very well, the problem." Anxiety & Worry Dissected: Anxiety is a response to a stressor. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, unease, and worry. It can be rooted in any event that makes one feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Worry is when you are concerned regarding a certain situation. Worry comes in various shapes, sizes and forms in almost every day regarding a person or a situation or anything for that matter.   Anxiety and worry are two common negative emotions that seem to taint our minds. These emotio

The word "CV" is surely no stranger to this age and generation. For job seekers, it features frequently in their vocabulary. Many a times the word "CV" is used interchangeably with the word "Resume". Could there be a difference, or do they both mean up to same things? For knowledge sake, knowing we grow and learn daily, it could be of benefit to us to know what exactly unifies or distinguishes these two words. The primary differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are the length, what is included and what each is used for. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. While a resume is brief and concise - no more than a page or two, a curriculum vitae is a longer (at least two pages) and more detailed synopsis. A curriculum vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and ot

What more could best fit as a Democracy day gift to readers of this blog than a security tip or two to help safeguard our lives and property? Following the incessant bomb attacks on innocent citizens, which has as we all know, led to loss of thousands of lives and properties, the Nigeria Police force through its spokesperson ; (Police Force PRO) , Frank Mba has stated easy ways Nigerians can identify a suicide bomber if they spot one. He described the way they move, their reactions, how they try to avoid eye contacts with people around and lots more. This is clearly one of the best awareness tips ever released by the force since the pathetic evolution of suicide bombings in Nigeria. Here's what the Police chief had to say; Characteristics of a potential suicide bomber There is no specific profile for anyone who engages himself in suicide bombing. A suicide bomber can come from nearly every cultural background, religion, race, creed or gender. However, the following are common

Ever thought about what was problem to you years ago and now? Ever wondered why there are still look alikes of the past in the now? As kids we needed clothes, and now has anything changed? Yes, now we need bigger and more fashionable clothes. For as old as the earth is, man's problem has being a struggle to "GET" and "ATTAIN". His strife daily sums up into those two words. The entirety of his days are spent on those two things. From cradle to the grave, that's all he pursues. From Adam's till present, this has not changed. If any change down/along the line, it must be in 'form and dimension' and not in 'presence or absence' for this problem is ever present among the living. THE PROBLEM: Many's view in the whole of this is; "Its Just A Normal Thing". But from the beginning,it was not so. Man was made to tend a garden, be fruitful and multiply. Basically just LIVE, not chasing after wants, needs or status. And there w

Here's What You Should Know About Abubakar Shekau, The Ruthless Leader Of Boko Haram The name Abubakar Shekau may sound unfamiliar to those who are new to Nigerian politics, but the head of Boko Haram has been a terrifying fixture in West Africa for nearly half a decade. A shadowy figure, Shekau has a reputation for cheating death, escaping a mental asylum, and commanding a brutal insurrection against the government. Shekau made headlines on Tuesday after a video emerged showing him railing against Christians and world leaders, while claiming responsibility for the abduction of more than 300 girl from a school in Northern Nigeria. The video has given a face to the terrorist group that has become the focus of international outrage, and the target of governments seeking the safe return of the abducted girls. Boko Haram Before Shekau Shekau took over the leadership of Boko Haram from its founder Mohammed Yusuf, a popular preacher who wanted to install an Islamist state in Nigeria

"...In the end and above all, there's this greater battle, and we are all pawns in this game of life. Its not us they're fighting but our God in and around us, its not them who's fighting us actually, but their god in and through them. Its beyond me we've been left to do battle, knowing we wrestle not against flesh and blood like ourselves, but what more can we? We'll fight with an assurance its a battle already won. Shouts to those who fell and will fall before the victory is come in physical manifest. Like pawns, we'll go where we are asked and do according to mandate.......its a battle of two Thrones, #ItsABattleOfTheGods. I remain in the know, and keep my calm, the game has come of age, our fathers did do battle, we are doing battle, and the coming generation will experience no difference until the whole battle(Game) is called off by this much awaited huge sound of a trumpet. .....The irony remains not all will hear, so somehow the "Game"

The National Youth Service Corps authorities have released the programme time-table for the 2014 BATCH 'B'. See Below ; Registration of Foreign Nigerian Graduates. 14th April, 2014 – 11th July, 2014 Batch ‘B’ pre-Mobilization, Deployment & Relocation Officers’ Workshop.6th – 9th May, 2014 Submission of Masterlist by the following: Corps Producing Institution/ Screening/Vetting by Mob. officers 2nd – 7th June, 2014 Delivery of Print-outs to CPIs 16th – 18th June, 2014 Return of Corrected Printouts by Institutions to Mobilization, Dept.25th – 27th June, 2014 Briefing of Final year Students/Prospective Corps members in CPIs. 7th – 11th July, 2014 Delivery of Call-up letters to CPIs. 28th – 31st July, 2014 2014 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Programmes 5th – 26th August

Obviously we are yet to see the end of the face off between the Boko Haram sect and President Goodluck Jonathan together with the country at large. As it stays, the sect has joined issues with the whole world(Western World). Here's the news; Leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau has described president Goodluck Jonathan as a ‘lame duck’ who can not overcome them. The kingpin of the dreaded group in another video released to newsmen on Saturday said they have been within Abuja, yet they can never be found. Shekau who said his group was responsible for the recent attack on Nyanya bus station where several lives were wasted described the incident as a ‘tiny one,’ adding that Nigerians are yet to see the worst. He spoke at top of his voice into the camera, laughing sarcastically. “Let the world know that we were responsible for the bombing within Abuja in an area called Nyanya. [President] Jonathan, you are a lame duck. Jonathan, you are now too small for us. We can only dea