Rhyme ‘n’ Reason: 4th edition themed ‘Eversion Musical’ to hold at Terra Kulture

The 2018 ‘Eversion Musical’ will mark the fourth edition of Rhyme and Reason since the debut in 2014 which recorded a huge success.

Rhyme N Reason has officially announced the 2018 edition of ‘
Eversion Musical’; the first of its kind musical satire performed
through spoken words and rap scheduled to hold on the March 10, 11 and 18 of March, 2018 at Terra Kulture,
Victoria Island, Lagos

The organizers have described ‘Eversion Musical’ as an avenue to
showcase the resplendence of dance, rap and spoken word to the
Nigerian audience through a robust production deeply ingrained in
literature. The show has also been described as a conscious effort
to acquaint and proliferate the general audience with literary
elements.

Eversion
Musical 2018

Speaking on the upcoming edition of ‘Eversion Musical’
the show’s founder Atilola Moronfolu “This edition of 'Eversion',
while highly entertaining, is really special – a lot of topics will
be heavily addressed in the performances such as the basis of
morality, social vices, politics, amongst others. The actors have
been rehearsing for months and are ready to deliver a show of a
lifetime so I believe it’s going to be a very interesting
experience.”

 

The 2018 ‘Eversion Musical’ will mark the fourth
edition of Rhyme and Reason since the debut in 2014 which recorded
a huge success with massive attendance. Reports reveal ‘Eversion
Musical 2018’ will introduce new features/segments of the show; an
attempt to make it an improvement over the previous edition held in
2017.

Tickets are available for sale on ariiyatickets.com and
spiricoco.com ; tickets can also be gotten at the venue – Terra
Kulture.

Follow the conversation on social; use #Eversion2018 and
#EversionTheMusical

Rhyme ‘n’ Reason: 4th edition themed ‘Eversion Musical’ to hold at Terra Kulture

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Opinion: Immigrant women and what's left behind

For at least its first act, Martyna Majok’s new play “queens” — uncapitalized for unknown reasons — is a knockout. That’s literally the case in the opening scene, in which someone gets punched in the face.

The next 60 minutes or so keep delivering cold-cocks of emotion and surprise as Majok sets up her story.

It takes so long because the canvas is so large, eventually encompassing 16 years during which 11 immigrant women at various points come to live in an illegal basement apartment in capital-Q Queens.

The women are as different as their countries of origin: Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Afghanistan, Syria, Honduras. But all are escaping a “situation,” or hunting for a person who escaped one earlier.

In the case of Inna, the first woman we meet, it’s both. Her mother left her as a child in Odessa, Ukraine, and has not been heard from since. The only clue to her whereabouts is a photograph of her standing in front of the building where most of “queens” takes place.

Did she, like the others, take refuge there? Or did she disappear forever into the maw of America? As Inna tries to unearth the answers she gets trapped in a situation of her own.

Majok is herself an immigrant, born in Poland. Her breakthrough play, “Ironbound,” produced at the Rattlestick in 2016, prefigured “queens” in dealing with the double disruption of being a woman who ventures, or is forced to flee, beyond the familiar discomforts of home.

More recently, in the excellent “Cost of Living,” seen at Manhattan Theater Club in 2017, disability stood in for geographical and cultural alienation. In that play, two characters chafe against the way that a wheelchair, like color or language, can be a marker of disfavored status within the larger, normative society.

But “queens,” which opened Monday in an LCT3 production at the Claire Tow Theater, is even more ambitious, if not as successful. When Inna (Sarah Tolan-Mee) arrives at the basement in 2017, the landlady, a Polish immigrant named Renia, recognizes her as someone who might be her own daughter, or herself. In a long flashback, we meet Renia (Ana Reeder) on the day she showed up in 2001 in desperate need. From there the story branches farther and farther afield.

Much of the first act, which establishes the play’s fractured chronology, takes place as that younger Renia is provisionally welcomed into a polyglot ménage that includes icy Pelagiya (Jessica Love), tight-lipped Aamani (Nadine Malouf) and furious Isabela (Nicole Villamil). Isabela is packing her bags before returning to Honduras, where her daughter is waiting and her mother is dying. It is typical of Majok’s wit and empathy that Isabela evaluates each item of clothing not in terms of dollars but in terms of the number of low-wage hours it took to earn — and the number of hours away from her daughter it represents. A sweater that cost two hours is too dear to leave behind.

The women are hilariously wary of the United States, of one another and especially of Renia, who won’t share her story. Still, the movement of the first act is from mistrust and recrimination to solidarity. When the roommates change into clubbing clothes to toast Isabela with whatever sad staples they can scrounge, the lamest farewell party ever becomes, briefly, one of the most joyous.

Playing both ends of the scale like that is a distinctive trick Majok uses to release emotion without sentimentality. These women are tough, and not in a glamorous way: Their expectation of mistreatment is no pose and no metaphor. They are angry at the world yet nurture that anger, recognizing that in it may be the beginning of progress. Certainly there is no progress without it.

This makes for thrilling writing. But as the play further complicates its story in the second and third acts, it loses control of its effects. We are offered too much information for the frame to contain, even if it’s vital: How Inna got from Ukraine to Queens after a six-month stop as a potential internet bride in Florida; what brought Renia to the basement and how she becomes its landlady. New characters come and go as well, their identities and stories blurred because they are played by the same actors who played the previous ones. After seeing “queens” and reading the script carefully I was still confused by many plot points.

Confusion can be salient, of course, in plays about confusion, whether moral or existential. But “queens” isn’t squishy that way, so its confusion is subtractive. It may in fact be the result of cutting to keep the production under three hours. (The timing of the acts is lopsided.)

If so, I think Majok would have done better to expand her scope rather than contract it. The material is so important, so ripe and so multi-stranded that it might have been better off as a marathon or a miniseries. Squeezed into its current shape it can do little more than check the boxes on its trenchant to-do list.

This puts excess pressure on the production to provide coherence, but Danya Taymor’s direction opts for suggestiveness rather than clarity. The powerful set design by Laura Jellinek — dominated by a vast ceiling that lowers and lifts over the stage to create feelings of containment and freedom — is more successful in sculpting moods than in defining space or telling the story. (You are never sure where the doors to this basement are.) Action specified in the script is not always clear onstage: a problem of focus. And the fine performances, especially by Reeder and Tolan-Mee, dissipate under the excessive dramatic pressure.

For all that, “queens” is still a notable work, or maybe several. It strikes at the heart of the immigrant experience, which is often unfair, one way or another. “You? Are lucky,” Renia tells one of the women. “Which means that maybe other people: not so much.”

Welcome to America.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

JESSE GREEN © 2018 The New York Times

Opinion: Immigrant women and what's left behind

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Politics: Gary Cohn is making a desperate effort to stop Trump's trade war before it starts

Gary Cohn and other White House officials are trying to get President Donald Trump to soften his new tariffs on steel and aluminum.

• Gary Cohn and other White House officials are trying to convince President Donald Trump to soften his new tariffs.
• Cohn helped schedule a meeting between Trump and business executives whose companies will be hurt by the new tax on steel and aluminum imports.

---

A group of White House advisers is making a list-ditch effort to blunt the impact of President Donald Trump's newly announced steel and aluminum tariffs.

Gary Cohn, the director of the National Economic Council and former Goldman Sachs executive, along with a group of officials in the White House and Treasury Department are attempting to convince Trump to reconsider the tariffs according to a new report from Politico's Ben White, Andrew Restuccia, and Nancy Cook.

According to the report, Cohn organized a White House meeting with Trump and executives from industries that could be hurt by the tariff, which is essentially a tax on imports. These executives would be from businesses that use steel and aluminum that could see costs rise as a result of the trade restriction.

Industries from canned food manufacturers to car companies have warned that the increased cost of metals could hurt their businesse and in the worst case lead to layoffs.

Many economists have warned that the new tariffs could end up being detrimental to the US economy. A new study from The Trade Partnership, a consulting firm, estimated that the tariffs could cost the US economy 146,000 on net.

Going beyond steel and aluminum, there is also growing worry that retaliation from other countries — including US allies like Canada and the European Union — could trigger a trade war.

According to the report, Cohn and the other advisers are not relying on economic data to win over Trump since he is skeptical of economists in general. Instead, they are pointing to the stock market swoon following the tariff's announcement and backlash from GOP lawmakers to argue that Trump should soften the policy.

The group also does not expect to totally win Trump over, but instead to craft a softer final policy.

Cohn and company's attempts at softening the blow from the tariffs also continues a long-standing feud between the more free trade-focused advisers and officials like Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and White House National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro who want increased barriers to trade.

Additionally, the move comes after reports that Cohn was considering leaving the White House after failing to block Trump from imposing the tariffs in the first place.

Politics: Gary Cohn is making a desperate effort to stop Trump's trade war before it starts

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Fiorentina request 'silence and respect' amid Astori contract rumours

Reports claim the club have renewed the contract of their deceased captain, but the Serie A side are asking for privacy in the matter .

Fiorentina request 'silence and respect' amid Astori contract rumours

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Tech: Bumble is removing all the photos of people with guns in its dating app

There will be exceptions for law enforcement and military personnel, but any other photos of guns will be removed from the Bumble dating app.

• Dating app Bumble will start banning photos with guns or knives in them.
• The ban does not apply to users in the military and law enforcement who are in uniform.
• Users will have the option of appealing to get individual photos reinstated.

---

Dating app Bumble is joining the list of companies that have distanced themselves from the promotion of guns in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Bumble announced in a blog post on Monday it will begin to ban photos that include guns or other dangerous weapons like knives. Entire profiles will not be banned, but individual photos will be taken down. The new policy does not apply to users in the military and law enforcement who are in uniform, the company said.

"As mass shootings continue to devastate communities across the country, it’s time to state unequivocally that gun violence is not in line with our values, nor do these weapons belong on Bumble," the blog post says.

Bumble, which was created as a "female-first" dating app, has taken a similar approach to moderating hate speech and inappropriate sexual content with a zero-tolerance policy.

5,000 moderators will search through every new and previously uploaded photo and remove any that don't adhere to the new guidelines, The New York Times reported. Eventually, Bumble will filter out mentions of guns in written content as well, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble's founder and CEO, told The Times.

Herd also acknowledged that the issue of gun ownership is a gray area and the new policy could potentially affect users who don't endorse violence, like gun hobbyists and professional sport shooters. In these cases, she tells The Times, users can appeal to have their photos reinstated.

Bumble also announced it is giving $100,000 to March For Our Lives, a protest for stricter gun control being organized by the survivors of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting last month that left 17 students dead.

Tech: Bumble is removing all the photos of people with guns in its dating app

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Finance: Volkswagen reveals a stunning self-driving concept car that doesn't have a dashboard, steering wheel, or pedals

Volkswagen's I.D. Vizzion has Level 5 autonomy and can be controlled with Microsoft's Hololens augmented reality glasses.

• Volkswagen revealed the I.D. Vizzion concept at the Geneva International Motor Show on Monday.
• The car has Level 5 autonomy, which means it is capable of driving itself in all situations without any human assistance.
• The I.D. Vizzion also has a 111 kWh lithium-ion battery and a two-motor, all-wheel drive system that packs 302 horsepower and has a range of 413 miles per charge under the European testing system (which can produce inflated results).

---

As Volkswagen prepares to launch its I.D. series of electric cars in 2020, the company unveiled the I.D. Vizzion concept at the Geneva International Motor Show on Monday. While Volkswagen has not announced concrete plans to make a production version of the I.D. Vizzion, its electric drivetrain and self-driving technology point toward the automotive industry's future.

The car features a 111 kWh lithium-ion battery and a two-motor, all-wheel-drive system that packs 302 horsepower and has a range of 413 miles per charge under the European testing system (which can produce inflated results).

The I.D. Vizzion's most striking feature is its Level 5 autonomy, the highest level of autonomy in a self-driving car, which means the car is capable of driving itself in all situations without any human assistance. As a result, it doesn't have a dashboard, pedals, or a steering wheel. Instead, passengers would control it through voice and gesture control systems, and would have the option to use Microsoft's Hololens augmented reality glasses if they own a pair.

AI technology allows the car to learn its passengers' preferences on climate, entertainment, lighting, and seating preferences. Volkswagen also indicated that passengers can control scents that are pumped through the car's interior.

In a press release, Volkswagen says the I.D. Vizzion is "a vision of what may be possible by the year 2030," so don't expect to see this exact version on the road anytime soon. But the company does plan to release a production version of the vehicle by 2022, and also plans on production versions of the I.D. compact car, I.D. Crozz crossover, and the I.D. Buzz, which is a reboot of the company's iconic minibus, in the next five years.

Take a look at Volkswagen's renderings for the I.D. Vizzion and its features below.

The I.D. Vizzion concept is part of Volkswagen's I.D. series of electric cars.

The car features a 111 kWh lithium-ion battery and a two-motor, an all-wheel-drive system that packs 302 horsepower and has a range of 413 miles per charge under the European testing system (which can produce inflated results).

It has Level 5 autonomy, which means the car is capable of driving itself in all situations without any human assistance.

As a result, the I.D. Vizzion doesn't have a dashboard, pedals, or a steering wheel.

Volkswagen said the car represents "a vision of what may be possible by the year 2030," but it aims to have a production version by 2022.

Finance: Volkswagen reveals a stunning self-driving concept car that doesn't have a dashboard, steering wheel, or pedals

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Tonto Dikeh: Actress will choose food over sex

Poko baby shared a photo of her meal at the time, and we just might understand what she means.

Tonto Dikeh is a self-proclaimed foodie, going by her latest post on Snapchat.

The Nollywood actress revealed in a post she shared on the photo and video sharing app that she prefers food to sex.

ALSO READ: These are the 7 most controversial celebrities of 2017

Just how deep does one's love for food have to go, for them to willing to let go of sex for it?

 

Well, she shared a photo of her meal at the time, and we just might understand what she means.

This could be another golden nugget in the list of things that makes Poko tick but then again, it could also another bid to get herself to trend in the media.

We already concluded that the controversial actress has the complete manual for staying in the media.

Tonto Dikeh

It might be time for every entertainment publication to create a separate segment for Tonto, because like it or not, not hearing or reading about her is becoming nearly impossible.

 

In January, Tonto entered the news with reports that she is undergoing body enhancement surgery, specifically breast and butt enlargement procedures.

This marks Tonto’s 2018 debut in the news, But if your memory serves, young Poko, or whatever she goes by these days, has managed to an important part of the gossip and rumour mill for the better part of the last decade.

Nigerian celebrities make their coin off how relevant they manage to be.

For Poko, in a space where the people who give you a nickname today can forget your actual name tomorrow, Tonto has secured the manual for staying in the conversation.

Tonto Dikeh: The Brand

A big part of Tonto’s news relevance is the fact that she has dipped her hands in everything.

In 2006, she made her major movie debut as a bright-eyed, baby-faced love interest in “Tea or Coffee”. Her entry into Nollywood coincided with the death of the home video market and the berth of Nollywood as a major pan-African product.

 

Never afraid to take on heavily sexualised roles or play the bad girl, Tonto quickly became a sex symbol. But even that was only the beginning.

After acting in tons of movies, she decided to try her hands at music, with the 2011 release of “Hi” and “Its Ova”. Those songs portrayed her in a different light and spurred a new wave of conversations.

For weeks, Tonto was the main topic on social media. Her songs mostly inspired negative comments (the songwriting and her vocals were demoralising, to put it mildly) but she also scored memes, jokes, parodies, articles and more.

Tonto’s music career was short-lived (even though she signed on to D'banj's DB Records for a brief spell), but since then, we’ve heard of her doing different things; she’s dabbled in fashion, philanthropy, female rights activism, and now with the launch of her show on Linda Ikeji TV, reality television is a part of that list.

 

ALSO READ: Actress prays for a baby girl (Photo)

Controversy has followed Tonto through all her major endeavours in a way that a fair share of Nigerians, with what appears to be our insatiable appetite for bad news, are always interested to see what she’s up to at any given time.

One of her first major scandals came in 2011 when she acted in several raunchy roles in the movie “Dirty Secret”. Nollywood was at the time, considerably conservative and her performance in the movie split the movie industry and fans in half.

But Tonto has managed to keep her popularity on the rise, never mind the things that are said about her on the media.

Tonto Dikeh: Actress will choose food over sex

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Sports: The NBA is working on a plan that would allow the best high school basketball players to skip college

The league also wants to do a better job of connecting with top young prospects and helping them get emotionally and physically ready for the pros.

• The NBA has been working for a while on a way to allow players to not only skip college, but to work with young players and help prepare them for life in the pros.
• This is an issue that has taken on new importance with a major college basketball scandal breaking out, and a new plan could be presented within months.
• The league was at one point considering setting up European-style development academies, but that idea has been scrapped.
• Expanding the developmental G League is an option.

---

With college basketball in the midst of a massive scandal over illegal payments, the NBA looks ready to take steps to end the one-and-done rule and allow elite prospects to skip college, according to ESPN writer Brian Windhorst.

Windhorst writes that Silver has been gathering information about how to fix the one-and-done rule for months, but this most recent scandal in college basketball has given the issue renewed urgency. Silver could present a plan as early as within the next few months, per Windhorst.

The league aims to develop a plan which will go beyond simply allowing top prospects to enter the NBA at age 18, but to actually get involved with players in the high school years and help them develop into NBA-ready players.

"We are looking at changing the relationship we have with players before they reach the NBA," one high-ranking league official reportedly told Windhorst. "This is a complex challenge, and there's still a lot of discussion about how it's going to happen, but we all see the need to step in."

At one point the league had seriously considered letting teams set up their own academies for developing young prospects, like how European soccer clubs develop players, but ultimately decided against that idea.

Instead, Windhorst writes, the league is looking at how it can connect with prospects in high school, and " . . . bring in some of its experts to advise high-level prospects on training methods, recovery, nutrition and life skills. All this in addition to providing professional coaching and playing techniques that could better translate to the professional game and make the eventual transition to the NBA, G League or even high-level college basketball easier."

Expanding the G League and making it a more lucrative option for young players, an idea touted by LeBron James, who is also a vice president of the player's union, is also a possibility Windhorst mentions.

Ultimately, it appears the league is serious about giving elite prospects an opportunity outside of college basketball, while working to ensure that they are physically and emotionally mature enough for pro basketball before starting their careers.

Sports: The NBA is working on a plan that would allow the best high school basketball players to skip college

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Sunday Rotimi's error counted against Rivers United, says Stanley Eguma

The veteran tactician feels his goalkeeper’s howler against the Anambra Warriors cost them a chance to secure maximum points at home

Sunday Rotimi's error counted against Rivers United, says Stanley Eguma

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Mazadu Bako: NNPC to resume oil exploration in Nasarawa State – Official

Dr Mazadu Bako, the General Manager, Frontier Exploration Services of NNPC, made the disclosure on Monday in Lafia, during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it is set to immediately resume oil exploration activities in Nasarawa State.

Dr Mazadu Bako, the General Manager, Frontier Exploration Services of NNPC, made the disclosure on Monday in Lafia, during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara.

Bako said that oil exploration activities in Keana Local Government Area and other parts of Benue Inland Basin were temporarily suspended in January.

He attributed this to the killing of one of the NNPC personnel by suspected herdsmen in the wake of the recent attacks of farmers by herdsmen at the Benue/Nasarawa border.

According to him, NNPC has been mandated by the Federal Government to resume the activities in order to increase its oil output.

Bako said that adequate security arrangements had been made to protect the lives of the workers.

He called for the support of the government and people of Nasarawa State for NNPC to achieve purpose of the project.

Receiving the team on behalf of Gov. Umaru Al-Makura, the deputy governor, expressed concerns over the unfortunate killing of the NNPC staff.

He pledged the support of the state government to enable the corporation to succeed on their assignment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NNPC had embarked on the exploration activities in Nasarawa State since 2017.

The corporation is doing this through one of its upstream subsidiaries, Integrated Data Services Limited (IDLS)

Mazadu Bako: NNPC to resume oil exploration in Nasarawa State – Official

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Olusegun Obasanjo: 5 facts about this Nigerian leader as he turns 81

Olusegun Obasanjo is one of Nigeria's most influential men. Know more about the statesman as he turns 81 on March 5, 2018.

Today, Monday, March 5, 2018, is the 81st birthday of Olusegun Obasanjo.

In the history of Nigeria, Obasanjo has played key roles, from the numerous military coups to the return to democratic rule by the turn of the millennium.

To say, Olusegun Obasanjo is a famous Nigerian is an understatement. The military ruler turned democratically elected president is a political giant whose actions and statements still matter.

 

On the birthday of this grand old Nigerian, we have pulled out 5 facts about him;

1) He is the first man to rule Nigeria twice, first in 1976 as a military ruler and in 1999 as a democratically elected President.

On May 29, 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as the President of Nigeria after winning the general elections, the first in 16 years, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. During his inaugural speech, Obasanjo said "we must change our ways of governance and of doing business on this eve of the coming millennium. This we must do to ensure progress, justice, harmony and unity and above all, to rekindle confidence amongst our people. Confidence that their conditions will rapidly improve and that Nigeria will be great and will become a major world player in the near future."

2. In 1979, he became the first Nigerian military ruler to hand over power to a civilian government.

Olusegun Obasanjo is in the history books for peacefully handing over to a civilian regime led by Shehu Shagari. Obasanjo only used three years in power. He is the only military leader who kept his word to hold elections and handover to a civilian government.

3. In 2005, Olusegun Obasanjo became the first Nigerian leader to lose his first lady. Stella Obasanjo died in Spain during a botched liposuction procedure.

Incidentally, Olusegun Obasanjo has lost two wives to death namely; Lynda and Mojiosola Adekunle.  The former head of state now lives with his present wife Bola Alice.

4. Three days after calling for a ceasefire, the Biafran forces surrendered to Olusegun Obasanjo on January 12, 1970.

On January 7, 1970 Olusegun Obasanjo oversaw the final military operation against Biafra. Known as Operation Tail-Wind, OBJ led the 3rd Marine Commando Division to crush the last defence of the Biafrans. The operation proved to be successful. On January's 9, Ojukwu who led the Biafra rebellion fled for Ivory Coast. Three days later Biafra officially surrendered to Nigeria.

5. Olusegun Obasanjo is the first Nigerian president to complete two terms 1999-2007 without the interruption of a military coup.

During his tenure as president, Olusegun Obasanjo established the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).  He was also able to get the London and Paris clubs to pardon Nigeria's debt of $18bn.

Olusegun Obasanjo: 5 facts about this Nigerian leader as he turns 81

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City Experiences: Dining in Lagos on a budget

Outings in Lagos can be a real hassle for a number of people and can be especially worse when you’re on a budget.

Here are few simple tips on how to make the most of your money and maximize your budget when out dining in Lagos.

In a perfect world, I'd visit every restaurant in Lagos, eat everything and anything on the menu. Go home and not feel remorseful about the money I spent. Unfortunately, life's not perfect. I can't afford every restaurant and even if I could, I'd probably be remorseful about the money I spent cause I'm on a budget and callous spending is frowned upon.

Between work, my salary and NYSC pay, savings and a giant grey area, my disposable income is a baby that has to be swaddled and rocked with care. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (@ehiremea) yes, it’s a shameless plug, don't ignore it. As I was saying, If you do follow me, you'll know I have a passion for food and here are my foodie tips on how fine dine in Lagos on a budget.

First things first;

 

THE BUDGET

I honestly have a monthly budget for taking myself out to eat. It's a little treat I give myself every month. Sometimes I might not use it to eat however, it's a standalone part of my budget. This way, these little treats I give myself don't show up as callous expenditure.

Read Also: Steps to manage your personal finance.

SCOUTING FOR RESTAURANTS

I'm usually always perusing through Instagram, looking at food pictures and visiting eat.drink.Lagos so I almost always have somewhere to dine in mind.

PICKING THE RESTAURANT

Once I settle on a few, I go to the court of public opinion a.k.a google and see what other humans have to say about said places. To help with the making decision I always turn to Ofadaa, Eat.Drink.Lagos, Trip advisor and Jumia foods. I turn to Ofadaa and Trip advisor for an on the surface review.

 

Eat.Drink.Lagos for more in depth analysis on the food itself, an occasional price gauge. Last but not the list, Jumia foods always has an almost concise menu so, I know what I want to eat and how much it'll cost me. Sometimes, I just use it to compare prices of similar items between restaurants I'm torn between.

TIMING THE TRIP

No business owner wants their restaurant to be empty, but I like to dine in comfort and quiet, so I've formed a habit of looking at the popular times section on google to get an idea of when there isn’t a lot of traffic into the restaurant and when the wait time is shortest. Obviously, it’s mostly statistics but it hasn't been anything short of precise yet. I find that even an empty Bukka (if that's possible) can be a nice place to dine.

Read Also: Ways to save whilst you still have a social life.

So those are my main tips to dining in Lagos on a budget all that's left to do? EAT and ENJOY.

Where are some of your favorite places to dine in your City?

What's your favorite kind of food?

Would you like me to do restaurants reviews?

Feel free to let me know in the comment section, I'd love to hear from you

Written by Uddin Ehireme Alexis

Alexis is an avid writer who likes to share her life experiences and tips with hopes that she can entertain people as well as, potentially make a difference. She resides on the internet with her handle @ehiremea and can be reached at ehiremea@hotmail.com

City Experiences: Dining in Lagos on a budget

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Entertainment: Advertisers turn the Oscars into a super bowl-like platform

If you only watched the commercials and not the awards part of the Oscars telecast, you might have thought for a moment you were watching the Super Bowl.

Several advertisers offered cinematic spots that went beyond the usual fare, while others used it for unveilings.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which is set to open in 2019, showed its first commercial (a faux spot for the Overlook Hotel of “The Shining” fame). Netflix teased the final season of “House of Cards,” and ABC used the occasion to release the trailer for its “Roseanne” revival.

Walmart created a 60-second film directed by Dee Rees, director of “Mudbound,” to promote its new box delivery service.

A minute-long spot from Twitter featured women reading a poem by Denice Frohman.

“We stand with women around the world to make their voices heard and their presence known,” Twitter wrote. “To bring them front and center, today and every day.”

While it offered an empowering message, some Twitter users found it distasteful in the context of rampant harassment on the platform.

“How about you spend the money you used on this ad to hire moderators to kick accounts that terrorize women off your platform?” one user wrote.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

DANIEL VICTOR © 2018 The New York Times

Entertainment: Advertisers turn the Oscars into a super bowl-like platform

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MLS Review: LAFC wins inaugural match, Galaxy top Portland

Hollywood star and co-owner Will Ferrell was in attendance along with a star-studded ownership group as the LA stunned the Seattle Sounders

MLS Review: LAFC wins inaugural match, Galaxy top Portland

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Sports: Kobe Bryant just won an Oscar and took a dig at Fox News host Laura Ingraham in his speech

Kobe Bryant's short film, "Dear Basketball," won for "Best Animated Short Film."

• NBA legend Kobe Bryant won an Academy Award on Sunday night.
• Bryant's short film, "Dear Basketball," won for "Best Animated Short Film."
• The film is an animated version of the letter Bryant wrote to announce his retirement.

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Among the many accolades on Kobe Bryant's resume, he can now add another one — Academy Award winner.

Bryant's short film, "Dear Basketball," won for "Best Animated Short Film."

The film is an animated version of the letter Bryant wrote for "The Players' Tribune" announcing his retirement from basketball.

In his acceptance speech, Bryant took a veiled shot at Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who made headlines recently by feuding with LeBron James and suggesting he should "shut up and dribble" amid James' criticism of President Donald Trump.

"As basketball players, we're really supposed to shut up and dribble, but I'm glad we did a little bit more than that," he said.

Here is a trailer for the film. Fans can now watch "Dear Basketball" across many of Verizon's media brands including go90 and Yahoo Sports.

Sports: Kobe Bryant just won an Oscar and took a dig at Fox News host Laura Ingraham in his speech

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Oscars 2018: Best dressed men on the Academy Awards red carpet

Here's a list of the best dressed, dapper gentlemen that graced this evening's red carpet.

Hollywood stars have begun to arrive on the red carpet for the 90th Academy Awards. Once again, the who's who of Hollywood will be celebrating the best talent and films of the year at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood but we are keeping a close eye on the best dressed gentlemen who impressed us on the Academy Awards red carpet.

Jimmy Kimmel returns

Jimmy Kimmel resumes his duties as the Academy Awards host for the second consecutive year. Kimmel famously hosted last year when an envelope mix-up initially (and mistakenly) resulted in "La La Land" being named the best picture winner over "Moonlight" at the 89th Academy Awards. The comedian, speaking on what an honour it was to be selected again, joked that 'If you think we screwed up the ending this year, wait until you see what we have planned for the 90th anniversary show!'

ALSO READ: How Did 'The Shape of Water' Become the Film to Beat at the Oscars?

Time's Up

Time's Up, the campaign to raise legal aid funds for victims of sexual assault, have confirmed that they will have a presence at this year's ceremony. Following the Golden Globes and Baftas, there will be extra scrutiny on the red carpet as to which celebrities choose to wear black in solidarity with the movement.

ALSO READ: Was Blanca Blanco wrong to wear red?

Black-tie attire is recommended, but black gowns are optional this time around. The women behind Time's Up against sexual harassment aren't planning an organised demonstration prior to the Oscars, but undoubtedly, all eyes will be on the Academy to address the allegations that have plagued Hollywood over the last few months and acknowledge the culture of sexual harassment in Hollywood and the Oscars, designed as a big commercial for Hollywood glamour, will be expected to address systemic problem of sexual harassment in show business.

''We think we have figured out a way to do it all," said Jennifer Todd, one of the lead producers of the show. In other words, the show must go on but we look forward to seeing how such a delicate issue is addressed over the course of the entire show.

ALSO READ: The Duchess of Cambridge wore green instead of black and it had people a little confused

The gentlemen of the red carpet

With all eyes firmly placed on men in Hollywood for all the wrong reasons, we take a look at the few good men who walked the red carpet, impressed us with their sartorial choices and reminded us that not always do a few bad apples, spoil the bunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oscars 2018: Best dressed men on the Academy Awards red carpet

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Daddy Freeze: 5 things we learned from controversial OAP’s latest interview

The convenor of the free the sheeple movement had some interesting things to say in a recent interview with Sahara Reporters.

Daddy Freeze sits down for an interesting interview with Sahara Reporters.

In it, the convenor of the free the sheeple movement shares his thoughts on modern Christianity in Nigeria.

Here are five things we learned from the  new interview, published on Youtube on March 1, 2018:

Monetisation is the biggest problem in Nigerian churches: According to the OAP, pastors have ruined the church by monetizing it.

In his words, “They’ve taken a spiritual and eternal doctrine and they made it a carnal, monetized doctrine and we are all the poorer for it.”

The solution to Nigeria's poverty crisis does not lie in the hands of God: “God has given has natural resources, God has given us land…., we have water, we are blessed with human resources…..” he said.

It's time for Christians to put the blessings aside and start working.

Nigerian Christians need to rebel: Daddy Freeze said: “The time now is for the rebellion because they are not going to change. They are not ready, do they have the attitude? If Adeboye last year was recorded saying that read the book of Malachi, if you don't pay your tithe, it is a curse. If he is still saying that in 2017, they are not ready to have a referendum.”

Nigerian churches have removed Jesus and replaced Him with brands: According to the Radio Presenter, the church has been overtaken by materialism.

Check out the video above to see the full interview.

Daddy Freeze: 5 things we learned from controversial OAP’s latest interview

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MLS transaction tracker: All of the latest trades and transfers across Major League Soccer

Goal keeps you up to date with all the moves going on around Major League Soccer during the offseason

MLS transaction tracker: All of the latest trades and transfers across Major League Soccer

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Guy Smarts: Here's the truth about stem cell penis enhancements

According to British tabloid the Sun, the latest penis enhancement craze in the U.K. is a "natural" procedure by a company called Stem Protect that uses stem cells and fat from a patient's body to increase the size of their member by as much as 3 inches.

Let's be honest: News of an easy way to have a bigger penis tends to make guys' ears perk up. But the reality behind enhancing the size of your natural endowment is often messy, dangerous, and complicated.

According to British tabloid the Sun, the latest penis enhancement craze in the U.K. is a "natural" procedure by a company called Stem Protect that uses stem cells and fat from a patient's body to increase the size of their member by as much as 3 inches.

What role do the stem-cells play, exactly? Stem Protect did not immediately respond to our request for more information on the procedure, and the details in the Sun's article are a little bit fuzzy. They say the "stem cells bond with existing penis content to create [a] longer, fuller look," but they also suggest the stem cells are only there help the fat implants heal.

For help sorting out what's really going on here, we turned to a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York. Dr. Darren Smith, a surgeon at Rapaport Plastic Surgery, tells Men's Health the procedure seems to be a routine existing method of performing a penis enhancement. What's more, Smith says adding stem cells to the mix wouldn't really make much of a difference, size-wise.

The Sun's report is mostly based off of a Stem Protect blog post, which states that "a combination of fat collected via liposuction, and healthy stem cells from a patient's own body, can provide a new form of penis, breast and bottom augmentation that far surpasses any kind of enhancement surgery available before."

Doctors harvest fat from a patient's belly, then use a machine to isolate and concentrate stem cells in it. That stem cell-fat combination is injected into the penis to make it bigger.

This isn't a new procedure. Dr. Smith noted that we've been doing penis enhancements using fat injections for years. It's less invasive than other procedures, which sometimes peel back the outer layer of penis skin and use medical-grade cadaver skin to increase the penis's girth, but it also has the potential to come out lumpy or uneven.

"The only thing that's at all novel about it in this context is separating out stem cells from the fat," Smith said. "I've certainly heard of it in a lot of other contexts."

If the Sun's graphic is to be believed, the stem cells contribute to a "longer, fuller look" in the penis. But Smith says that's not really what stem cells would do at all. The main benefit of stem cells, and why they're used in so many other medical procedures, is that they dramatically improve the body's ability to heal. Smith said that using stem cells in the process would improve patients' skin quality he compared the process to something called a "vampire facial," where blood platelets are used to rejuvenate skin on people's faces but wouldn't really have an affect on their size.

"Stem cells aren't particularly useful for adding volume or length to an area," Smith said.

The takeaway? Stem cells may help make the skin on your penis healthier, but any size increases would come from the injected fat. If you're thinking of getting an upgrade, Smith offered a few words of caution.

"Before engaging in anything like this it's important to see if there's any data or reputable experts behind it," he said. "And two, make sure you're going to somebody who's well qualified to do this."

Guy Smarts: Here's the truth about stem cell penis enhancements

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'Mourinho is still special' – Matic a big fan of demanding Man Utd boss

The midfielder says the Portuguese’s record speaks for itself, with there every reason to believe he will deliver more success with the Red Devils

'Mourinho is still special' – Matic a big fan of demanding Man Utd boss

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Oby Ezekwesili: Ex-minister says she may run for a political office

Ezekwesili had launched a campaign called 'Red Card', which she said is aimed at completely getting rid of the PDP and APC.

Former Minister of Education and co-coordinator of the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has said she may be running for a political office.

Ezekwesili has constantly criticised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, especially over the remaining abducted Chibok girls still in captivity.

Ahead of the 2019 election, the ex-minister had launched a campaign called 'Red Card', which she said is aimed at getting rid of the two major political parties – PDP and APC – from Nigeria's political space.

According to her, leaders of the two parties who have ruled Nigeria for over 20 years have failed the country, a view many Nigerians also share.

ALSO READ: Ezekwesili questions Buhari's silence over 94 missing girls in Yobe

Speaking in an interview on Channel TV, she said she is thinking about running for a political office but did not specify which position she might be interested in.

Watch the interview below:

 

Oby Ezekwesili: Ex-minister says she may run for a political office

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Pulse List: Five natural remedy for oily skin

Sebum is an oily substance made of fats. And it is believed that oily skin is the result of overproduction of sebum from sebaceous glands.

Sebum is an oily substance made of fats. And it is believed that oily skin is the result of overproduction of sebum from sebaceous glands.

Although sebum help protect and moisturize the skin, yet an overproduction of it may lead to oily skin which can lead to clogged pores and acne.

And studies have shown that stress, fried food, processed food, and sugary substances are among the factors that increased the production of sebum.

However, when sebum is caused by genetics or hormones, it becomes very tough to prevent.

 

Be that as it may, there are natural remedies that can help reduce the symptoms of oily skin without the use of drugs or expensive skin-care regimen. Read on to see the natural remedies for oily skin.

Here are five natural remedies for oily skin

1.  Aloe Vera

The usefulness of Aloe Vera cannot be overemphasized. Widely known for soothing burns and other skin conditions, Aloe Vera is very useful when it comes to reducing the symptoms of oily skin.  

As a matter of fact, there’s good scientific evidence that it helps treat flaky skin caused by oily patches.

Procedure for reducing the symptom of oily skin with Aloe Vera

Apply a thin layer to your face before bedtime

Leave it on until morning

Rinse face with water

 

Note

It is believed that Aloe Vera triggers allergic reaction on sensitive skin. So, it is, therefore, advisable to test a small amount on your forearm if you have not used aloe vera before.

If no reaction appears within 24 to 48 hours it should be safe to use.

2 . Orange

Orange peels are rich in astringent properties which restrict the excess oil secretion. The vitamin C present in it prevents wrinkles and makes your skin fresh and soft.

Procedures for reducing the oily skin with orange

Let the orange peels dry under the sun until crisp.

Blend them into fine powder.

Combine orange peel powder and rose water to make a paste.

Spread a layer of the paste on the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes.

Rinse off with water and pat dry.

Extra tip

The application of orange juice to the body help provides fair and younger looking skin. And for effective result, apply orange juice directly on the skin or mix it with any other natural ingredients.

 

 3. Tomatoes

Though this might seem ridiculous, but it is true. Tomatoes contain salicylic acid, a common acne home remedy.

The acids in tomatoes does not only help absorb excess skin oils, it also help unclog pores.

Procedure for reducing the symptom of oily skin with tomatoes

Combine one teaspoon sugar with the pulp of 1 tomato.

Apply to the skin in a circular motion.

Leave the mask on for 5 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly with tepid water and pat dry.

4. Honey

When it comes to skin remedy, honey is one of nature’s most revered agent. With its antibacterial and antiseptic abilities, honey is great for oily and acne-prone skin.

As a natural humectant, it helps keep the skin moist but not oily. And this is because humectants draw moisture from the skin without replacing it.

Procedure for reducing the symptom of oily skin with honey

Spread a thin layer, preferably raw, onto your face

Let it dry for about 10 minutes

Rinse thoroughly with tepid water.

 

5. Wash your face Tomatoes

Though this might seem ridiculous, but it is true. Tomatoes contain salicylic acid, a common acne home remedy.

The acids in tomatoes does not only help absorb excess skin oils, it also help unclog pores.

Procedure for reducing the symptom of oily skin with tomatoes

Combine one teaspoon sugar with the pulp of 1 tomato.

Apply to the skin in a circular motion.

Leave the mask on for 5 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly with tepid water and pat dry.

Obviously, many people with oily skin don’t wash their face daily. As a matter of fact, it is expected of you to wash your face, at least, twice a day if your skin is oily.

However, it important that you avoid the use of harsh soaps or detergents when you do.

Pulse List: Five natural remedy for oily skin

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LIVE: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid

Five points separate the top two sides in La Liga as the title race hots up in Spain – follow all the action LIVE!

LIVE: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid

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