DRESS codes have changed over the years, depending on the work environment. But there are some basic dress codes that should be followed to the letter in any serious workplace. We visited fashion site Who What Wear to get the scoop on general wardrobe guidelines for the work place. Here are their seven fashion don’ts for the office.
. Nightclub shoes
“We always say not to wear anything to the office that you’d wear to a nightclub-that includes extreme platforms or overly edgy shoes. Keep it timeless with a modest heel in classic shapes like a peep toe, pointy toe, or even a wedge, which can be easier to walk in. If you want to play with trends and your office environment calls for a more creative style, go for colour or print, but just keep the shape conservative.”
. Wrinkled or stained clothing
“We believe that every working woman should own a steaming iron. It is a game changer. No matter how late you are, make sure to take a moment and check your garments for wrinkles and stains. Nothing is worse than seeing a gorgeous, powerful woman in a shirt that looks like it was picked up off the floor or from the back of a drawer and put on her back.”
. Excessive makeup and/or perfume
“The office is not the place to try out the latest beauty trends, so skip the extreme eye makeup and cakey lipstick. If you love a bright lip, go for one of the many great, slightly transparent bright shades, instead of something super chalky or glossy that should be reserved for night. Too much eyeliner and shadow will only start to bleed and smear as the day goes on (and who has time for touch-ups?) so use eye makeup sparingly. We love a wash of light colour on the lid, and a great mascara
. Chipped nails
“We’d rather you remove your polish altogether than wear a manicure that is past its prime. There are many great on-the-go polish remover products; have one on hand if you couldn’t make it to the nail salon over the weekend.”
. Short skirts
“A good test is to make sure your skirt is at least the length of your fingers when your arms are stretched down to your sides. Fingers straight! Depending on your work environment and the length of your arms, you may need to adjust accordingly, but ultimately it is always best to err on the more conservative side.”
. Ill-fitting suits
“It doesn’t matter how much it costs: if it doesn’t fit you properly, it won’t look good. We are always shocked to see how many women ignore the fact that their suit should be tailored to fit them perfectly. This means sleeves that are the right length, darts falling in the right place, and hemlines that work with your office shoes. Buy a suit (or suit separates) based on how they fit your largest areas, then have the other areas tailored. Also, remember to take your work shoes with you to the tailor or when you go shopping so you get the ideal trouser or skirt length.”
. Tanks and halters
“Depending on how corporate or conservative your office is, a tank top is probably a no-no and a halter is completely off-limits. We’ve noticed that women have a tough time getting used to hot weather when it comes to office attire. Make sure you invest in blazers in hot weather and summer fabrics like linen or a cotton blend, or go for lightweight cardigans over your bare arms.”
Friday, June 29, 2012
What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast By Laura Vanderkam
MORNINGS are a great time for getting things done. You’re less likely to be interrupted than you are later in the day. Your supply of willpower is fresh after a good night’s sleep. That makes it possible to turn personal priorities like exercise or strategic thinking into reality.
But if you’ve got big goals—and a chaotic a.m. schedule—how can you make over your mornings to make these goals happen?
Because I write about time management frequently, I’ve gotten to see hundreds of calendars and schedules over the years. From studying people’s morning habits, I’ve learned that getting the most out of this time is a five-part process. Follow these steps, though, and you’re on your way to building morning habits that stick.
1. Track Your Time
Part of spending your time better is knowing how you’re spending it now. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know that nutritionists tell you to keep a food journal because it keeps you from eating mindlessly. It’s the same with time. Write down what you’re doing as often as you can. Use my spreadsheet, a Word document, or a pad and pen.
While measuring your mornings, try tracking your whole week. The reason? The solution to morning dilemmas often lies at other times of the day. You may be too tired because you’re staying up late. But if you look at how you’re spending your nights, you’ll notice that you’re not doing anything urgent. The Daily Show can be recorded and watched earlier—possibly while you’re on the treadmill at 6:30 a.m.
As for the mornings themselves, you can be organized but still not be spending them well. Question your assumptions. You may believe that “a man who wants to keep his job gets into the office before his boss” because that’s what your father did, but your boss may be disappointed that he doesn’t get the place to himself for an hour first! If you decide that something is a top priority, do it, but understand that we have to do few things in life.
2. Picture the Perfect Morning
After you know how you’re spending your time, ask yourself what a great morning would look like. For me, it would start with a run, followed by a hearty family breakfast. After getting people out the door, I’d focus on long-term projects like my books. Here are some other ideas for morning enrichment:
For personal growth:
Read through a religious text: Sacred texts can teach us about human nature and history, even if they’re not from a religion you subscribe to. If they are, pray or meditate and get to know your beliefs in a deeper way.
Train for something big: Aiming to complete a half-marathon, a triathlon, or a long bike ride will keep you inspired as you take your fitness to the next level.
Do art projects with your kids:. Mornings don’t have to be a death march out the door. Enjoy your time with your little ones at a time of day when you all have more patience.
For professional growth:
Strategize: In an age of constant connectivity, people complain of having no time to think. Use your mornings to picture what you want your career and organization to look like in the future.
Read articles in professional journals: Benefit from other people’s research and strategic thinking, and gain new insights into your field.
Take an online class: If a job or career change is in your future, a self-paced class can keep your skills sharp.
3. Think Through the Logistics
How could this vision mesh with the life you have? Don’t assume you have to add it on top of the hours you already spend getting ready or that you’ll have to get to work earlier. If you fill the morning hours with important activities you’ll crowd out things that are more time intensive than they need to be. Map out a morning schedule. What time would you have to get up and what time do you need to go to bed to get enough sleep? As for the mornings themselves, what would make your ritual easier? Do you need to set your easel next to your bed? Can you find a more cheerful alarm clock or one you can’t turn off so easily?
It’s easy to believe our own excuses, particularly if they’re good ones. Come up with a plan and assemble what you need, but whatever you do, don’t label this vision as impossible
4. Build the Habit
This is the most important step. Turning a desire into a ritual requires willpower. Use these fives steps to optimize your routine:
Start slowly: Go to bed and wake up fifteen minutes earlier for a few days until this new schedule seems doable.
Monitor your energy: Building a new habit takes effort, so take care of yourself while you’re trying. Eat right, eat enough, and surround yourself with supportive people who want to see you succeed.
Choose one new habit at a time to introduce: If you want to run, pray, and write in a journal, choose one of these and make it a habit before adding another.
Chart your progress: Habits take weeks to establish, so keep track of how you’re doing for at least thirty days. Once skipping a session feels like you forgot something—like forgetting to brush your teeth—you can take your ritual up a notch.
Feel free to use bribery: Eventually habits produce their own motivation, but until then, external motivations like promising yourself concert tickets can keep you moving forward. And keep in mind that your morning rituals shouldn’t be of the self-flagellation variety. Choose things you enjoy: your before-breakfast ritual has the potential to become your favorite part of the day.
5. Tune Up as Necessary
Life changes. Sometimes we have to regroup, but the goal is to replace any rituals that no longer work with new ones that make you feel like every day is full of possibility.
That is ultimately the amazing thing about mornings—they always feel like a new chance to do things right. A win scored then creates a cascade of success. The hopeful hours before most people eat breakfast are too precious to be blown on semiconscious activities. You can do a lot with those hours. Whenever I’m tempted to say I don’t have time for something, I remind myself that if I wanted to get up early, I could. These hours are available to all of us if we choose to use them.
So how would you like to use your mornings? This important question requires careful thinking. But once you decide, small rituals can accomplish great things. When you make over your mornings, you can make over your life. That is what the most successful people know.
Excerpted from What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam by arrangement with Portfolio Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Because I write about time management frequently, I’ve gotten to see hundreds of calendars and schedules over the years. From studying people’s morning habits, I’ve learned that getting the most out of this time is a five-part process. Follow these steps, though, and you’re on your way to building morning habits that stick.
1. Track Your Time
Part of spending your time better is knowing how you’re spending it now. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know that nutritionists tell you to keep a food journal because it keeps you from eating mindlessly. It’s the same with time. Write down what you’re doing as often as you can. Use my spreadsheet, a Word document, or a pad and pen.
While measuring your mornings, try tracking your whole week. The reason? The solution to morning dilemmas often lies at other times of the day. You may be too tired because you’re staying up late. But if you look at how you’re spending your nights, you’ll notice that you’re not doing anything urgent. The Daily Show can be recorded and watched earlier—possibly while you’re on the treadmill at 6:30 a.m.
As for the mornings themselves, you can be organized but still not be spending them well. Question your assumptions. You may believe that “a man who wants to keep his job gets into the office before his boss” because that’s what your father did, but your boss may be disappointed that he doesn’t get the place to himself for an hour first! If you decide that something is a top priority, do it, but understand that we have to do few things in life.
2. Picture the Perfect Morning
After you know how you’re spending your time, ask yourself what a great morning would look like. For me, it would start with a run, followed by a hearty family breakfast. After getting people out the door, I’d focus on long-term projects like my books. Here are some other ideas for morning enrichment:
For personal growth:
Read through a religious text: Sacred texts can teach us about human nature and history, even if they’re not from a religion you subscribe to. If they are, pray or meditate and get to know your beliefs in a deeper way.
Train for something big: Aiming to complete a half-marathon, a triathlon, or a long bike ride will keep you inspired as you take your fitness to the next level.
Do art projects with your kids:. Mornings don’t have to be a death march out the door. Enjoy your time with your little ones at a time of day when you all have more patience.
For professional growth:
Strategize: In an age of constant connectivity, people complain of having no time to think. Use your mornings to picture what you want your career and organization to look like in the future.
Read articles in professional journals: Benefit from other people’s research and strategic thinking, and gain new insights into your field.
Take an online class: If a job or career change is in your future, a self-paced class can keep your skills sharp.
3. Think Through the Logistics
How could this vision mesh with the life you have? Don’t assume you have to add it on top of the hours you already spend getting ready or that you’ll have to get to work earlier. If you fill the morning hours with important activities you’ll crowd out things that are more time intensive than they need to be. Map out a morning schedule. What time would you have to get up and what time do you need to go to bed to get enough sleep? As for the mornings themselves, what would make your ritual easier? Do you need to set your easel next to your bed? Can you find a more cheerful alarm clock or one you can’t turn off so easily?
It’s easy to believe our own excuses, particularly if they’re good ones. Come up with a plan and assemble what you need, but whatever you do, don’t label this vision as impossible
4. Build the Habit
This is the most important step. Turning a desire into a ritual requires willpower. Use these fives steps to optimize your routine:
Start slowly: Go to bed and wake up fifteen minutes earlier for a few days until this new schedule seems doable.
Monitor your energy: Building a new habit takes effort, so take care of yourself while you’re trying. Eat right, eat enough, and surround yourself with supportive people who want to see you succeed.
Choose one new habit at a time to introduce: If you want to run, pray, and write in a journal, choose one of these and make it a habit before adding another.
Chart your progress: Habits take weeks to establish, so keep track of how you’re doing for at least thirty days. Once skipping a session feels like you forgot something—like forgetting to brush your teeth—you can take your ritual up a notch.
Feel free to use bribery: Eventually habits produce their own motivation, but until then, external motivations like promising yourself concert tickets can keep you moving forward. And keep in mind that your morning rituals shouldn’t be of the self-flagellation variety. Choose things you enjoy: your before-breakfast ritual has the potential to become your favorite part of the day.
5. Tune Up as Necessary
Life changes. Sometimes we have to regroup, but the goal is to replace any rituals that no longer work with new ones that make you feel like every day is full of possibility.
That is ultimately the amazing thing about mornings—they always feel like a new chance to do things right. A win scored then creates a cascade of success. The hopeful hours before most people eat breakfast are too precious to be blown on semiconscious activities. You can do a lot with those hours. Whenever I’m tempted to say I don’t have time for something, I remind myself that if I wanted to get up early, I could. These hours are available to all of us if we choose to use them.
So how would you like to use your mornings? This important question requires careful thinking. But once you decide, small rituals can accomplish great things. When you make over your mornings, you can make over your life. That is what the most successful people know.
Excerpted from What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam by arrangement with Portfolio Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Good Sleep With Tempur By Nike Sotade
EXPERIENCE teaches us that a good night’s sleep is the best way to begin each day. Just one night without enough sleep and we suffer the consequences-drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and feeling slow and uncoordinated. If we deprive ourselves of sleep for several nights, whether through insomnia or intentional activity, such as work or studying-then we may develop serious mood swings, hallucinations, extreme drowsiness and impaired brain and motor function.
A good night’s sleep is often the best way to help one cope with stress, solve problems, or recover from illness. Although the conscious mind shuts down during sleep, the nerve cells in the brain are busily working.
Also connection between sleep and beauty has been present in human perception since time immemorial. We all can recognize lack of sleep on someone’s face. Sleep deprivation influences our overall wellbeing in a negative way. While people who sleep enough have healthier hair and skin, as well as numerous other positive traits, those who do not, suffer the consequences. Although physical effects may be concealed with makeup, mental effects of sleep deprivation remain present regardless.
The same goes for skin regeneration creams. These are practically useless if you do not get sufficient sleep. Although these do offer our skin valuable nutrients, it will not be able to absorb them unless a person is sleeping enough.
Experience over time has also revealed that sleeping on bad mattresses and in bad sleeping positions also affect our overall wellbeing.
Sleep experts have been able to prove that ordinary spring mattresses can cause unnatural sleeping positions and pressure resulting in numbness and discomfort.
It was in a bid to finding a lasting solution to the problem of sleeping positions that spurred the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 70’s to develop a pressure absorbing material to help cushion and support astronauts during lift-off.
This pressure absorbing material has been further developed into pillows and mattresses for the home manufactured by Tempur. Scientists at what would become Tempur production facilities perfected this material for use in sleep products. Today, Tempur is the only mattress and pillow brand licensed to use the Certified Technology Seal.
Explaining the health benefits of using Tempur mattresses and pillows the MD of Zoriac Ventures Limited, the exclusive distributors of the products in Nigeria, Priscilla Omoifo said: “ The products are the best solution for a stress-free sleep. A lot of people complain about back, neck and body pains and we want to make them know that there’s a solution to their sleep problem, so we introduced Tempur.
According to her: “People spend so much time sleeping on the wrong mattresses, they work hard, yet complain that they cannot sleep well. Tempur has different range of mattresses and pillows to suit your body type. It is a mattress that adapts to your body, working according to your body shape and weight.”
Therapeutic by design and offering revitalizing comfort, the beds and mattresses help to relieve pressure, making you feel rejuvenated as they enhance your overall wellbeing.
A good night’s sleep is often the best way to help one cope with stress, solve problems, or recover from illness. Although the conscious mind shuts down during sleep, the nerve cells in the brain are busily working.
Also connection between sleep and beauty has been present in human perception since time immemorial. We all can recognize lack of sleep on someone’s face. Sleep deprivation influences our overall wellbeing in a negative way. While people who sleep enough have healthier hair and skin, as well as numerous other positive traits, those who do not, suffer the consequences. Although physical effects may be concealed with makeup, mental effects of sleep deprivation remain present regardless.
The same goes for skin regeneration creams. These are practically useless if you do not get sufficient sleep. Although these do offer our skin valuable nutrients, it will not be able to absorb them unless a person is sleeping enough.
Experience over time has also revealed that sleeping on bad mattresses and in bad sleeping positions also affect our overall wellbeing.
Sleep experts have been able to prove that ordinary spring mattresses can cause unnatural sleeping positions and pressure resulting in numbness and discomfort.
It was in a bid to finding a lasting solution to the problem of sleeping positions that spurred the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 70’s to develop a pressure absorbing material to help cushion and support astronauts during lift-off.
This pressure absorbing material has been further developed into pillows and mattresses for the home manufactured by Tempur. Scientists at what would become Tempur production facilities perfected this material for use in sleep products. Today, Tempur is the only mattress and pillow brand licensed to use the Certified Technology Seal.
Explaining the health benefits of using Tempur mattresses and pillows the MD of Zoriac Ventures Limited, the exclusive distributors of the products in Nigeria, Priscilla Omoifo said: “ The products are the best solution for a stress-free sleep. A lot of people complain about back, neck and body pains and we want to make them know that there’s a solution to their sleep problem, so we introduced Tempur.
According to her: “People spend so much time sleeping on the wrong mattresses, they work hard, yet complain that they cannot sleep well. Tempur has different range of mattresses and pillows to suit your body type. It is a mattress that adapts to your body, working according to your body shape and weight.”
Therapeutic by design and offering revitalizing comfort, the beds and mattresses help to relieve pressure, making you feel rejuvenated as they enhance your overall wellbeing.
Nigerian emerges best graduating student in North Cyprus, Turkey
Nigeria’s Got Brains Too as Yet another Nigerian Emerges Best Graduating Student in Turkish University
A
young Nigerian has emerged the top graduating student from the Faculty
of engineering at the Eastern Mediterranean University in the Turkish
republic of North Cyprus, obtaining a status of High Honours (first
class).Tunji Anthony Olu-Taiwo hails from Ifako-Ijaiye Local government area of Lagos state.He finished with a Grade Point Average of 4.00 out of a possible 4.00 (straight A’s).
He is the first African to obtain this status from his department. He obtained a degree in Computer Engineering.
Tunji
was born in Kano, Nigeria where he attended Air force Nursery and
Primary school. He completed his secondary education at St. Thomas
Secondary School in Kano.
He loves programming and spends times developing mobile applications. He is also a good chess player. He loves software development and he hope to use this medium to change the Nigeria and the world for a better place.
Tunji
hopes to further his education in the field of software Engineering.
His dream is to become a reputable Software Engineer by improving the
world of computing.
Source: INFORMATION NIGERIA News /Naijapals.com
21 Year Old Chibundu Onuzo, The UK’s No.1 Best Black Student Of 2012
Nigeria may be a country in crisis right now, but her citizens are making
her proud--especially those in the Diaspora. Two days back we
celebrated the achievement of 22 year old Emmanuel Ohuabunwa, news just filtered in that 21 year old Chibundu Onuzo has just been named UK’s Number 1 best black student.
The award was given by Rare Rising Stars. With this award, she is the first woman to top the list.
The
21 year old who got her first book deal at age 1 9, while still an
undergraduate student at King’s College London, (she signed a two novel
deal with U.K. publishing heavy weight, Faber & Faber), was also
profiled by CNN when Nigeria marked her 50th independence anniversary.
Her
latest book “The Spider King’s Daughter has already started garnering
critical acclaim. It has been nominated for the £10,000 more and watch a
brief video of her after the jump
Desmond Elliott Prize for debut novelists alongside a Booker prize-nominated Oxford professor.
Source: Naijapals.com
Wife of the Nigerian President, Patience Jonathan, has been named as the United Nations Tourism Ambassador for Africa.
The
award from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) was
presented to her on Tuesday by the organisation’s Secretary-General, Mr.
Talik Rifai, during the 53rd meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa
holding in Calabar, Cross River State in Southern Nigeria.
Rifai said it was in recognition of her ‘monumental commitment and support for women in tourism.’After
receiving the award, the First Lady pledged to mobilise women and the
youth across the continent to achieve the goals of the organisation.
Dame Jonathan said tourism development would go a long way in assisting women and the youth to engage in meaningful ventures to generate wealth.
Dame Jonathan said tourism development would go a long way in assisting women and the youth to engage in meaningful ventures to generate wealth.
’’Tourism
is a veritable instrument of fighting poverty and has the potential to
advance the economies of African countries,’’ she noted.
Gains of tourism
She listed the gains of tourism to include creation of products and services, investment in infrastructure, poverty reduction and stimulation of micro-finance.
She listed the gains of tourism to include creation of products and services, investment in infrastructure, poverty reduction and stimulation of micro-finance.
The First Lady also stressed the need to promote peace and unity on the continent, saying peace was important for development.
She appreciated the tourism potentials of Cross River state, describing the state as Nigeria's leading tourism destination.
Status of women and youth
Governor
Liyel Imoke said the honour bestowed on the first lady was timely and
in recognition of her untiring efforts to uplift the status of women and
youths.
’’This conference should create new avenues to expand the opportunities in the tourism sector,’’ Governor Imoke said
He commended the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke for partnering with the state in organising the conference, saying it would ‘go a long way in developing tourism in Africa.’The minister said that the conference had afforded Africa a voice to reposition tourism into an important asset.
He commended the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke for partnering with the state in organising the conference, saying it would ‘go a long way in developing tourism in Africa.’The minister said that the conference had afforded Africa a voice to reposition tourism into an important asset.
WICKED WORLD! Yoruba Woman Scalds Step Son With Hot Water
The increasing rate of home abuse, wife battery,
especially child molestation, maltreating, and abuse now is very
alarming and calls for serious and quick intervention by all. I got this
story from a friend and though it’s worth sharing.
Ola in a critical condition as I write is under a serious intensive care in a hospital around Igando area of Lagos. His step-mum who works with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service took laws into and hands and punished him for beating her little daughter by pouring hot water on him while asleep. Click to read full story and see more terrible pics….. sad
“The argument that led to the sad incident started when my step-mum saw me beat my sister” recalls Ola, she got very angry and wanted to harm me back in anger, she reached for and did all she could physically, I tried to defend myself but she overpowered me. She got more furious after my father and some neighbors tried to stop her, and she started scattering the house and even broke bottles. My uncle who also lives around was able to drag her away from the house, and she slept over at his’ that night. I was still sleeping on my bed the next morning, when I she walked into my room and bathed me with hot water; I staggered to the living room and saw my father and uncle. That was the last I remembered before I passed out and woke at the hospital
Ola in a critical condition as I write is under a serious intensive care in a hospital around Igando area of Lagos. His step-mum who works with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service took laws into and hands and punished him for beating her little daughter by pouring hot water on him while asleep. Click to read full story and see more terrible pics….. sad
“The argument that led to the sad incident started when my step-mum saw me beat my sister” recalls Ola, she got very angry and wanted to harm me back in anger, she reached for and did all she could physically, I tried to defend myself but she overpowered me. She got more furious after my father and some neighbors tried to stop her, and she started scattering the house and even broke bottles. My uncle who also lives around was able to drag her away from the house, and she slept over at his’ that night. I was still sleeping on my bed the next morning, when I she walked into my room and bathed me with hot water; I staggered to the living room and saw my father and uncle. That was the last I remembered before I passed out and woke at the hospital
Lagos drenched by overnight rainfall
Source: http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/06/28/overnight-downpour-causes-flood-and-traffic-gridlock-in-lagos/
Residents in Lagos on Thursday morning
witnessed an unusual heavy downpour owing to the several hours it
lasted that started on Wednesday night, causing massive floods in many
parts of the city
Sections of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway were cut off on both sides by the flood, leading to a gridlock.
Many
road users were forced to return home or seek alternative routes while
others remained at the spot, waiting for the flood to abate.
Seven-day rainfall
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) recently warned that residents in Lagos would soon experience a seven-day rainfall.
Abayomi
Oyegoke of NIMET Central Forecast Unit, Oshodi, Lagos had said that a
total of 570 mm of rainfall had been recorded in Lagos State between
January and June.
He explained that the rains being experienced in state were the beginning of a seven-day rainfall.
The
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that workers were stranded at
bus-stops while others reported late at their offices because of the
rain.
Many vehicles were trapped in the flood, causing the traffic to snarl up just as fares went up.
NAN also reported that most of the drains were blocked by refuse resulting in massive flooding of the roads.
At Iyana-Ipaja,
the flooding was severe between Mosalashi Bus Stop and Egbeda, while
the situation was also serious in Surulere, Ijesha, Ebute Meta, Lagos
Island, Aboru, Ikeja, Ketu-Mile 12, Lekki-Ajah and the Lagos-Ikorodu
Expressway.
On the Island, many residents were seen moving out their personal effects from homes on the Adeniji –Adele, Oyebanji and Freeman streets.
A civil servant, Mr Biola Ajose told NAN that several houses at Abesan, a Lagos suburb, were either flooded or submerged, adding that vehicular and human movements were also impeded.
“Vehicles and even pedestrians could
not move as the roads and the drains were blocked. A few motorists, who
dared to drive through the flood, were slowed down.
“Commercial buses and a few motorcyclists (okada) took advantage of the situation to increase fares,” he said.
A resident of Surulere, Mrs Nkiru Obiechina, said the early rain prevented her from going to her shop at Oshodi.
“Although, we have prayed for the rain and we thank God for it, it has disrupted socio-economic activities as it started before we woke up.
“Some
sections of Lagos roads are usually impassable once it rains except the
expressways. It is unfortunate that transporters seized the opportunity
to hike fares,” she told NAN.
A housewife at Ebute Meta on the mainland lamented that the rain destroyed property in several houses in the area.
A motorist, who simply gave his name as Obinna, said he spent more than three hours in the traffic on the Lekki-Epe Expressway because of the downpour.
“I was trapped in the traffic as early as 8 a.m. and I did not get to my office until 11 a.m.,” he said.
Also, motorists, who plied Orile-Iganmu-Mile 2 Expressway, complained that the ongoing construction work on the road slowed down traffic lasting several hours.
“We usually use three lanes but with the rainfall, the road was narrowed down to just one lane causing serious traffic jam.
“We had to take a detour through Apapa to Ijora to link the mainland,” said Joseph Etuks, a banker.
NAN recalls that experts had warned that there would be more rainfall in 2011 than in the previous years.
Also, the Lagos State government had in May advised residents in flood-prone areas particularly in Agiliti and Agboyi-Ketu to relocate before the rains.
Touchdown! Chinese Space Capsule With 3 Astronauts Returns to Earth By SPACE.com Staff | SPACE.com – 11 hrs ago
This story was updated at 11:50 p.m. ET.
Three Chinese astronauts
returned to Earth Thursday (June 28) after 13 days in space on a
historic mission that made their country only the third nation ever to
successfully dock a manned spacecraft to another in orbit.China's Shenzhou 9 space capsule landed at about10 p.m. EDT (10 a.m. Friday, June 29 Beijing time) in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. To prepare for their journey home, the space crew — which included China's first female astronaut Liu Yang — separated the Shenzhou 9 capsule its target, the Tiangong 1 prototype space module, on Wednesday (June 27).
Their landing was broadcast live on China's state-run CCTV television network, showing the capsule streaking through the atmosphere like a meteor, deploying its main parachute, then making the final landing and rolling over on its side in a rough touchdown.
"We fulfilled the first manned manual docking," mission commander Jing Haipeng told CCTV reporters after exiting the Shenzhou 9 capsule. His comments in Chinese were translated into English by CCTV. "For the country and people all across the country, thank you for your concerns." [Photos of China's Shenzhou 9 Mission]
Jing and crewmates Liu Yang and Liu Wang appeared to be in good health after their space mission. The trio wore broad smiles and waved to cameras after leaving their spacecraft, but did sit in reclined chairs to help ease their adaptation back to Earth's gravity after nearly two weeks in weightlessness.
Shortly after the landing, China's Premier Wen Jiabao proclaimed the Shenzhou 9 mission a complete success.
"This manned docking mission of Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 9 marks a large milestone, a major breakthrough for China to master the space docking technology," Wen said while reading a statement. "And also, it marks a decisive step forward on China's second step on its space strategy."
China's big space leap
China's Shenzhou 9 mission, which included successful displays of manual and automatic dockings, represented an important leap forward for China's space program. In addition to being China's longest space mission to date, it also tested technology vital for the country's goal of building space station in orbit by the year 2020.
"Chinese astronauts have their own home in space now," Jing told China's President Hu Jintao on Tuesday (June 26) during a special call according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. "We are proud of our country!"
And while the orbital linkups are important technological achievements for China, the mission also carried a wider social impact because it included the country's first female astronaut: the 33-year-old Liu Yang.
"It was like a home in Tiangong, and I feel very happy and proud of my country," Liu Yang told reporters after landing.
Jing, the commander, is China's first veteran astronaut to fly in space twice. The third crewmember, Liu Wang, served as the Shenzhou 9 docking pilot.
"It feels really good to feel the ground and to be back home," Liu Wang said.
The Shenzhou 9 mission launched into orbit on June 16 and performed China's first manned space rendezvous, after the spacecraft robotically docked to Tiangong 1 on June 18. Several days later, on June 24, the astronauts backed away from the orbiting module and parked their Shenzhou 9 spacecraft once more, demonstrating manual control over the procedure as well.
"This work was done by all space pioneers and staff and we'll remember you. It will be written in history," Wen said.
China's space station goal
The successful linkups made China only the third country, after the United States and Russia, to accomplish manned dockings in orbit.
The Shenzhou 9 mission, as well as experiments performed aboard Tiangong 1 throughout the flight, tested technologies that will help China fulfill its goal of building a 60-ton space station in orbit by 2020. [How China's Space Station Will Work (Infographic)]
"The data will help us improve technologies for astronauts' future, long-term stays in a space station," said Chen Shanguang, chief commander of the mission's astronaut system, according to Xinhua.
China is not a member nation of the $100 billion International Space Station in low-Earth orbit, a roughly 430-ton orbiting outpost that is jointly operated by more than a dozen countries.
But Chinese officials have outlined an ambitious space program for the nation, which includes collecting samples from the moon and robotically returning them to Earth before landing astronauts on the lunar surface.
The Shenzhou 9 mission is China's fourth manned spaceflight. Previous expeditions were launched in 2003, 2005 and 2008.
The Tiangong 1 test module was launched into orbit in September 2011. In November, a robotic spacecraft, called Shenzhou 8, completed the country's first unmanned space docking. According to Chinese officials, Tiangong 1 has performed well, and could play host to another crew in the near future.
"Based on current conditions, the service of Tiangong 1 can be extended," said He Yu, chief commander of the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, reported Xinhua. "It has consumed less than one-fourth of its fuel and no back-up systems have been used."
Depending on its condition, the module could remain in orbit as China continues its space station construction efforts.
"If Tiangong 1 was in perfect shape, it could work side by side with Tiangong 2, which will be launched in the future," He said.
Follow SPACE.com on Twitter @Spacedotcom.
The 15 Hottest American Cities of the Future by Jennifer Polland | Business Insider – 21 hours ago
Although it's hard to predict what the future will hold, we've come up
with a list of 15 cities that we think will be hot in 20 years.
To compile this list we looked at job growth, population growth and demographics, affordability, livability, and the health and well being of the residents.
We also considered how the city is innovating in terms of technology, sustainability, culture, and more. And we thought about how "cool" the city is--an important factor in attracting the young, creative types who will make the city hot.
[Related: 10 cities with amazing deals for renters]
We looked at how the next generation will influence the city--whether they're hipsters, tech-savvy pros, artists, or environmentalists. The cities that made this list vary greatly, but they all have one thing in common: great people and great ideas.
NickeyNickey via Flickr1) Brooklyn, NY, will become a cool capital of culture
For years, Brooklyn took a backseat to its towering neighbor, Manhattan--but no longer.
Today, Brooklyn is one of the fastest growing cities with a population of about 2.5 million, making it the most populous borough in New York and independently one of the largest cities in the US.
This hipster-friendly borough attracts young chefs, artists, entrepreneurs, families, and more, who have opened hip farm-to-table restaurants, cool art galleries and boutiques, and hipster markets like the Brooklyn Flea and Dekalb Market. With amazing cultural venues like the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and the Brooklyn Museum, and the addition of the Barclays Center, NYC’s newest sports and entertainment venue, the area is bound to continue to develop and gentrify.
2) Seattle, WA, will be the best place to be a young professional
Seattle gained momentum back in the ‘90s when Kurt Cobain started the grunge trend and a little coffee shop called Starbucks began to gain traction.
Today the city continues to attract young people and was recently ranked the best place for young professionals to thrive, according to mobile events company timeRAZOR, thanks to its high number of bars and restaurants (numbering over 6,000) and its high median income (the average college graduate there earns $53,185 annually).
Seattle was also ranked one of the 10 Cities with the Fastest Growing Wages in America. Home to major corporations Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing, and tech startups like Facebook and Zynga (which recently opened offices there), the city will continue to attract young, creative professionals in the next few decades.
eschipul via Flickr3) Austin, TX, will create tons of new jobs
This college town was recently ranked the Next Biggest Boomtown in the US by Forbes.
It’s the third fastest-growing city in the US, according to the US Census Bureau, with high rates of job creation.
Austin is also a hip, artsy college town that attracts artists, students, intellectuals, and creative types. The thriving live music scene and Tex Mex food add to the allure, ensuring that people will continue to call Austin home.
p medved via Flickr4) Portland, OR, will become one of the coolest cities for young people
With its laid-back outdoorsy lifestyle, organic restaurants, hip coffee shops, and a featured role on the IFC show Portlandia, Portland has become a popular destination for young twenty-somethings.
According to a recent YPulse survey, more and more millennials are opting to live in small cities, like Portland.
This small, creative city was ranked the number one green city in the US by the Mother Nature Network, and it's also one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US.
Let Ideas Compete via Flickr5) Boulder, CO, will become the newest hotbed for startups
Boulder is fast becoming the newest tech center with a thriving community of startups, earning it the nickname of Silicon Flatirons.
In fact, there are so many new jobs here, with at least 50 tech companies hiring, that the organizers of Boulder Startup Week paid for people to fly to Boulder to fill these open jobs.
Boulder is widely regarded as one of the healthiest and happiest cities in the US according to Gallup, thanks to the active outdoor lifestyle and the thriving intellectual community that comprises this college town.
[Related: 8 Cities with Surprising Job Growth]
NCDOTcommunications via Flickr6) Raleigh, NC, will be an amazing place to get a job
This charming city attracts college students, families, and immigrants, with its job prospects, safety, affordable housing, and short commutes.
As a result, Raleigh was ranked the number one city for business and careers by Forbes, with the fastest growing job market in the US. It’s also the fastest growing city in the US, according to the US Census Bureau.
Wikimedia Commons/Shawn Wilson7) Detroit, MI, will make a comeback
After years of neglect and devastation--sinking so low that the state of Michigan threatened to take over the city--Detroit is poised for a comeback.
According to a recent YPulse survey, more and more millennials are opting to live in small cities, like Detroit.
These young idealists are moving back to Detroit, breathing new life into the downtrodden city with their small businesses, many of which are socially and environmentally responsible. The Urban Innovation Exchange showcases Detroit’s growing social innovation movement, promoting small businesses, like Recycle Here! and Food Lab Detroit. This type of optimism and innovation makes Detroit a city to watch.
8) Philadelphia, PA, will become a dynamic arts destination
The low housing prices, affordable lifestyle, and cool arts scene are attracting young people to Philadelphia.
These people are getting involved in the city through organizations like Young Involved Philadelphia and bringing a new sense of dynamism to the city, with new restaurants, shops, galleries, and a cool music and arts scene.
The City of Brotherly Love has some of the best public art in the country. It's famous for its murals, which adorn buildings all around the city. The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program coordinates these murals, connecting artists to the community.
Philadelphia was also ranked one of the 10 Cities with the Fastest Growing Wages in America.
Peyri via Flickr9) Nashville, TN, will offer a lot more than just country music
There used to be only one main reason to move to Nashville: country music. But that’s changed.
Nashville’s economy is booming, and the city has one of the fastest growing job markets in the US. Forbes ranked it as one of the Next Big Boom Towns in the US.
Between the steady job growth, the thriving music and culture scene, and the diverse population, the country music capital will continue to grow.
KB35 via Flickr10) Bentonville, AR, will thrive as home to one of the biggest companies in the US
Wal-mart, the second biggest American corporation according to the Fortune 500, is headquartered in this relatively small city in northwest Arkansas.
The Wal-mart campus and Walton family play a big role in the Bentonville culture. Wal-mart heir Alice Walton spent $800 million on the Crystal Bridges museum of American art, which was designed by architect Moshe Safdie and houses her vast personal collection of modern art.
As the Waltons continue to invest and Wal-mart continues to thrive, Bentonville will become a top city.
churchstreetmarketplace via Flickr11) Burlington, VT, will continue to trail blaze as a sustainable city
This laid-back city epitomizes small-town charm, but it’s also emerging as a leader in sustainability.
Most restaurants here serve local organic fare, shops sell local Vermont-made products, and people shop for groceries in community-owned co-ops. Much of the food consumed in town come from local farms or from the Intervale Center, a nonprofit organization that cultivates 350 acres of land to provide food for the city residents.
This environmentally-friendly city has turned its focus on sustainability into a form of economic self-reliance--a model which will become increasingly more important in the years ahead.
Flickr/Trevino12) Mountain View, CA, will continue to lead as a tech city
Home to major tech companies Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Mozilla, and more, Mountain View is arguably one of the most tech-centered cities in the world.
In fact the city is so tech-focused that there’s city-wide free Wi-Fi, courtesy of Google, and the Computer History Museum.
With more and more startups finding a home here, this Silicon Valley hub is bound to continue to innovate and attract tech-savvy residents.
Wikimedia Commons13) Pittsburgh, PA, will become the next hipster haven
With its affordable housing, thriving student population, emerging arts and hip-hop scene, and fast-growing job market, Pittsburgh is quickly becoming the newest hipster haven.
The Steel City is attracting and retaining these young creative types with its cool cultural scene and thriving economy.
It was recently ranked the second-best performing city in the US by the Metro Monitor from the Brookings Institute and one of the top cities in the US where people are hiring, according to Gallup.
14) Salt Lake City, UT, will attract the most college grads
With its active healthy lifestyle, its beautiful mountainous surroundings, and its thriving job market, Salt Lake City, recently ranked One of The 10 Best Cities for College Grads, will continue to attract eager young college graduates.
The city was also recently ranked One of the Fastest Growing Job Markets in the US.
Robert Johnson/Business Insider15) Williston, ND, will make oil money hand over fist
North Dakota is experiencing an oil boom, which could make Williston and the nearby towns one of the largest sources of petroleum in the country--and that means unprecedented wealth in the years ahead.
The population has exploded as people flock there in droves to seek their fortunes, and although the city is undertaking a building frenzy, it hasn’t been able to keep up with the influx of wannabe oil workers.
This oil boom is both a blessing and a curse as it has meant overcrowding, traffic, and a housing shortage, but Williston is frantically trying to keep up and will be an area to watch.
To compile this list we looked at job growth, population growth and demographics, affordability, livability, and the health and well being of the residents.
We also considered how the city is innovating in terms of technology, sustainability, culture, and more. And we thought about how "cool" the city is--an important factor in attracting the young, creative types who will make the city hot.
[Related: 10 cities with amazing deals for renters]
We looked at how the next generation will influence the city--whether they're hipsters, tech-savvy pros, artists, or environmentalists. The cities that made this list vary greatly, but they all have one thing in common: great people and great ideas.
NickeyNickey via Flickr1) Brooklyn, NY, will become a cool capital of cultureFor years, Brooklyn took a backseat to its towering neighbor, Manhattan--but no longer.
Today, Brooklyn is one of the fastest growing cities with a population of about 2.5 million, making it the most populous borough in New York and independently one of the largest cities in the US.
This hipster-friendly borough attracts young chefs, artists, entrepreneurs, families, and more, who have opened hip farm-to-table restaurants, cool art galleries and boutiques, and hipster markets like the Brooklyn Flea and Dekalb Market. With amazing cultural venues like the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and the Brooklyn Museum, and the addition of the Barclays Center, NYC’s newest sports and entertainment venue, the area is bound to continue to develop and gentrify.
2) Seattle, WA, will be the best place to be a young professionalSeattle gained momentum back in the ‘90s when Kurt Cobain started the grunge trend and a little coffee shop called Starbucks began to gain traction.
Today the city continues to attract young people and was recently ranked the best place for young professionals to thrive, according to mobile events company timeRAZOR, thanks to its high number of bars and restaurants (numbering over 6,000) and its high median income (the average college graduate there earns $53,185 annually).
Seattle was also ranked one of the 10 Cities with the Fastest Growing Wages in America. Home to major corporations Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing, and tech startups like Facebook and Zynga (which recently opened offices there), the city will continue to attract young, creative professionals in the next few decades.
eschipul via Flickr3) Austin, TX, will create tons of new jobsThis college town was recently ranked the Next Biggest Boomtown in the US by Forbes.
It’s the third fastest-growing city in the US, according to the US Census Bureau, with high rates of job creation.
Austin is also a hip, artsy college town that attracts artists, students, intellectuals, and creative types. The thriving live music scene and Tex Mex food add to the allure, ensuring that people will continue to call Austin home.
p medved via Flickr4) Portland, OR, will become one of the coolest cities for young peopleWith its laid-back outdoorsy lifestyle, organic restaurants, hip coffee shops, and a featured role on the IFC show Portlandia, Portland has become a popular destination for young twenty-somethings.
According to a recent YPulse survey, more and more millennials are opting to live in small cities, like Portland.
This small, creative city was ranked the number one green city in the US by the Mother Nature Network, and it's also one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US.
Let Ideas Compete via Flickr5) Boulder, CO, will become the newest hotbed for startupsBoulder is fast becoming the newest tech center with a thriving community of startups, earning it the nickname of Silicon Flatirons.
In fact, there are so many new jobs here, with at least 50 tech companies hiring, that the organizers of Boulder Startup Week paid for people to fly to Boulder to fill these open jobs.
Boulder is widely regarded as one of the healthiest and happiest cities in the US according to Gallup, thanks to the active outdoor lifestyle and the thriving intellectual community that comprises this college town.
[Related: 8 Cities with Surprising Job Growth]
NCDOTcommunications via Flickr6) Raleigh, NC, will be an amazing place to get a jobThis charming city attracts college students, families, and immigrants, with its job prospects, safety, affordable housing, and short commutes.
As a result, Raleigh was ranked the number one city for business and careers by Forbes, with the fastest growing job market in the US. It’s also the fastest growing city in the US, according to the US Census Bureau.
Wikimedia Commons/Shawn Wilson7) Detroit, MI, will make a comebackAfter years of neglect and devastation--sinking so low that the state of Michigan threatened to take over the city--Detroit is poised for a comeback.
According to a recent YPulse survey, more and more millennials are opting to live in small cities, like Detroit.
These young idealists are moving back to Detroit, breathing new life into the downtrodden city with their small businesses, many of which are socially and environmentally responsible. The Urban Innovation Exchange showcases Detroit’s growing social innovation movement, promoting small businesses, like Recycle Here! and Food Lab Detroit. This type of optimism and innovation makes Detroit a city to watch.
8) Philadelphia, PA, will become a dynamic arts destination
The low housing prices, affordable lifestyle, and cool arts scene are attracting young people to Philadelphia.
These people are getting involved in the city through organizations like Young Involved Philadelphia and bringing a new sense of dynamism to the city, with new restaurants, shops, galleries, and a cool music and arts scene.
The City of Brotherly Love has some of the best public art in the country. It's famous for its murals, which adorn buildings all around the city. The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program coordinates these murals, connecting artists to the community.
Philadelphia was also ranked one of the 10 Cities with the Fastest Growing Wages in America.
Peyri via Flickr9) Nashville, TN, will offer a lot more than just country musicThere used to be only one main reason to move to Nashville: country music. But that’s changed.
Nashville’s economy is booming, and the city has one of the fastest growing job markets in the US. Forbes ranked it as one of the Next Big Boom Towns in the US.
Between the steady job growth, the thriving music and culture scene, and the diverse population, the country music capital will continue to grow.
KB35 via Flickr10) Bentonville, AR, will thrive as home to one of the biggest companies in the USWal-mart, the second biggest American corporation according to the Fortune 500, is headquartered in this relatively small city in northwest Arkansas.
The Wal-mart campus and Walton family play a big role in the Bentonville culture. Wal-mart heir Alice Walton spent $800 million on the Crystal Bridges museum of American art, which was designed by architect Moshe Safdie and houses her vast personal collection of modern art.
As the Waltons continue to invest and Wal-mart continues to thrive, Bentonville will become a top city.
churchstreetmarketplace via Flickr11) Burlington, VT, will continue to trail blaze as a sustainable cityThis laid-back city epitomizes small-town charm, but it’s also emerging as a leader in sustainability.
Most restaurants here serve local organic fare, shops sell local Vermont-made products, and people shop for groceries in community-owned co-ops. Much of the food consumed in town come from local farms or from the Intervale Center, a nonprofit organization that cultivates 350 acres of land to provide food for the city residents.
This environmentally-friendly city has turned its focus on sustainability into a form of economic self-reliance--a model which will become increasingly more important in the years ahead.
Flickr/Trevino12) Mountain View, CA, will continue to lead as a tech cityHome to major tech companies Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Mozilla, and more, Mountain View is arguably one of the most tech-centered cities in the world.
In fact the city is so tech-focused that there’s city-wide free Wi-Fi, courtesy of Google, and the Computer History Museum.
With more and more startups finding a home here, this Silicon Valley hub is bound to continue to innovate and attract tech-savvy residents.
Wikimedia Commons13) Pittsburgh, PA, will become the next hipster havenWith its affordable housing, thriving student population, emerging arts and hip-hop scene, and fast-growing job market, Pittsburgh is quickly becoming the newest hipster haven.
The Steel City is attracting and retaining these young creative types with its cool cultural scene and thriving economy.
It was recently ranked the second-best performing city in the US by the Metro Monitor from the Brookings Institute and one of the top cities in the US where people are hiring, according to Gallup.
14) Salt Lake City, UT, will attract the most college gradsWith its active healthy lifestyle, its beautiful mountainous surroundings, and its thriving job market, Salt Lake City, recently ranked One of The 10 Best Cities for College Grads, will continue to attract eager young college graduates.
The city was also recently ranked One of the Fastest Growing Job Markets in the US.
Robert Johnson/Business Insider15) Williston, ND, will make oil money hand over fistNorth Dakota is experiencing an oil boom, which could make Williston and the nearby towns one of the largest sources of petroleum in the country--and that means unprecedented wealth in the years ahead.
The population has exploded as people flock there in droves to seek their fortunes, and although the city is undertaking a building frenzy, it hasn’t been able to keep up with the influx of wannabe oil workers.
This oil boom is both a blessing and a curse as it has meant overcrowding, traffic, and a housing shortage, but Williston is frantically trying to keep up and will be an area to watch.
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