Author: Alpha Maidawa

  • Signs that mean you are an introvert

    Signs that mean you are an introvert

    Introverts like to be alone and they don’t even like being with other introverts.

    Here are signs to know you’re one.

    You do your best thinking alone.

    You don’t just spend time alone to be away from people. This is the best time you use in thinking. With people, you feel choked.You appear to be more creative and/or have deeper insights when you’re alone.

    You often feel lonelier in a crowd than when you’re alone.

    Whenever you’re in a group, you feel as though you are alone. You see everyone you know but know no one you see.

    You have no desire to be the center of attention.

    In a room full of people, you prefer to not be called upon even though you know what to say. You prefer to lay your suggestions in a meeting one-on-one rather than communicating it aloud with everyone watching.

    You’re better at writing your thoughts than speaking them.

    You’re actually a good writer but you don’t enjoy speaking. Writing gives you enough time to think through and perfect your words. You may even take up writing as a career.

    You avoid small talk whenever possible.

    You’d rather not walk down to buy food in the next street because you don’t want to talk to make small talk whatsoever. Introverts aren’t afraid of talking, they’d rather not talk.

    You notice details that others miss.

    Because introverts spend less time talking and more time looking, they notice small details that are easily missed by others in the room. You notice faster that you friend’s expression has changed long before others do.

    You like to people watch.

    You like to observe people and things. Sometimes with an earpiece in your ear as you watch around.

    Introverts don’t always want to be alone. So they live in two worlds. One where they interact sometimes and the other of solitude where the voices in their head live.

  • Words every woman wants to hear from her man

    Words every woman wants to hear from her man

    Communication and compliments are key in every relationship.

    Every guy should know to win his woman’s heart over and over again with sweet words and give her the right amount of time without scaring her off.

    Just as the wrong phrase can set your lover off, a perfectly worded sentence can also open unlimited doors for you.

    1. You’re the only one for me

    This phrase will make your woman feel loved, honored and special. It shows devotion and most importantly, genuine love.

    2. Your work is so important

    Women feel proud when their partners motivate them to work harder. Juggling between office work, taking care of your children and managing a lovely home is not an easy job.

    Women want to feel validated that their work is being seen and valued, especially by the person they care about most. Don’t wait for mother’s day before you shower them with gifts and inspire them.

    3. I feel like I can tell you anything

    A relationship without trust will eventually hit the rocks. Women tend to love their partners unconditionally when they openly tell them about their issues.

    Men should have the courage to tell their woman every detail about his cheating scandal. Love is painful. she will forgive and forget because of the marital vows and finds ways to keep her family intact.

    4. Tell me about your day

    Women love men who listen to them talk about everything from her work, an argument with friends to her bad hair day.

    She feels fortunate because she has someone to share her joy and sorrows with.

    5. I’ve got this

    Even the most independent capable woman sometimes wants to turn over the reins. Women want men who will assist her in times of need. Sometimes too, it’s not about making her feel like she can’t do something, it’s about making her feel like you want to help her out.

    6. I love spending time with you

    The more time you spend together, the more time you get to know them. It will help strengthen your bond while making bittersweet memories.

    Knowing that their partner feels that they are a blast to around allows women to feel more confident and more settled in their relationship.”

    7. Can I get your perspective on this?

    Showing your partner you actually want her help and value her opinion is a great idea. It goes a long way toward showing your confidence in her and her abilities.

    8. You are so sexy

    Just as women always compliment their partners when they wear new apparel and show appreciation for a gesture, they also specifically love to hear that you find them sexy inside out.

  • Abia stakeholders reject EEDC’s planned tariff increase

    Abia stakeholders reject EEDC’s planned tariff increase

    Aba electricity consumers have rejected Enugu Electricity Distribution Company’s (EEDC) planned tariff increase in the state, citing the company’s poor management and poor services as reasons for rejection.

    The Customers spoke during a “Stakeholders Consultations on Extraordinary Tariff Review Application” meeting in Aba on Wednesday.

    Mrs Ifeoma Ezeka, from World Bank Estate, Aba, said EEDC has proved to be worse than NEPA in servicing consumers.

    “We only get light by 12 a.m and it is taken by 4 a.m and not in the day so we cannot do anything in the night with electricity.

    “The issue is not about tariff increase, but it is about getting things in order by EEDC.

    “So I do not support tariff increase, but EEDC should recover the lost funds to improve facilities and services and forget the increase,” Ezeka said.

    Mr Johnson Irogbulam from Ogbor Hill area said that considering the activities of EEDC staff, who give single flats up to N20,000 as monthly bills, they should not think of increasing tariff.

    “If people are given a bill of N20,000 for a flat resident, that is more than 50 per cent increase EEDC is seeking, so it does not need tariff increase in Abia,” he said.

    On his part, Mr Jonathan Efiaworia said EEDC is not properly covering Abia resulting in energy waste, stressing that improved management and recouping funds owed would give them the money they seek through tariff increase.

    He said that the increase would not amount to improved infrastructure and better treatment of customers, but would ensure bill-paying consumers pay more for what others steal or is lost on the lines.

    Chief Ike Opiigwe from Ogbor Hill said without the Distribution Company taking responsibility to maintain their equipment, improve their management, “the move to increase tariff will be a Christmas bonus to EEDC”.

    He urged EEDC to stop leakages in finance and power supply to increase their income, noting that the DISCO should check its staff who steal from it.

    “Some EEDC staff have customers who they collect money from and who do not pay their bills so we do not agree to the increase because we are suffering and contributing money to running of EEDC,” he said.

    He however suggested that if they wanted to increase tariff they should not add more that 15 per cent.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of EEDC, Mr Okey Nwosu, said issues for discussion on the tariff was very important to enable stakeholders contribute to the company’s progress.

    He said there was the need for tariff increase now because the cost of doing business had increased for the company, noting that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission will take the discussion back to Abuja.

    Nwosu, represented by Head, CTO, Mr Vincent Ekwuekwu, said their services would improve if tariff is increased, which is the reason for the consultation.

    Mr Emeka Onyewule, the NERC representative from Abuja, said Aba is very important to the business of EEDC, but that it requires money to improve services.

    He said stakeholders should contribute to the discourse to arrive at something better for parties but with the mindset that the government could increase the tariff without stakeholders’ input.

    He said the stakeholders should not allow the DISCOs to shut down because people could run generators. (NAN)

  • Taxation: ZMSG engages cleric on awareness campaign

    Taxation: ZMSG engages cleric on awareness campaign

    The Committee set up by Zamfara government to boost  its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through taxation has engaged the services of an Islamic Cleric to create awareness for compliance.
    The Consultation Sub -Committee on Wednesday in Gusau,  organised an interactive session with small scale entrepreneurs where the Islamic scholar, Sheik Muhammad Sodangi explained the Islamic provisions on the payment of tax by citizens.
    Sodangi, who cited many verses from the Holy Qur’an said: “Allah created the universe for human beings to utilise and this can be done by making the land habitable and contributing to its growth.
    “If a government is financially resourceful, then it will only require human resources, but if it do not have financial strength, then, the citizens will have to contribute in the form of Zakkat, endowment, tax and others that are done fairly.
    “It is compulsory for the rich to help the poor in Islam by giving Zakkat or endowment, it is also mandatory on citizens engaged in businesses to support the government through the payment of taxes so that the government can provide social amenities and security among others,” Sodangi said.
    In his keynote address,  former Head of the State Civil Service, Alhaji Mujitaba Isa said bigger nations were what they are,  largely due to their good IGR mechanism.
    He urged the state to ensure that big business owners were also appropriately taxed.
    Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Rabiu Garba, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Lawal Kaura, assured that under the present leadership of Governor Bello Matawalle, all monies generated as revenue would be judiciously utilised.
    Alhaji Yakubu Haidara, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, who is also the Chairman of the Consultation Sub Committee, informed the gathering that “the need for reforms in the state’s tax laws is imperative because the state  is still operating the laws established by the colonial masters.
    “Even the currency that are used in some of the documents are in pound sterling which is why we need to change and move with modern trends,” he said.
    A communique was expected at the end of the meeting. (NAN)
  • NIMASA seeks support to reposition Nigeria’s blue economy for industrial growth

    NIMASA seeks support to reposition Nigeria’s blue economy for industrial growth

    Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says it is seeking support to reposition Nigeria’s blue economy for the country’s industrial growth.
    The Directors General of NIMASA, Mr Dakuku Peterside  made the appeal on Wednesday in a presentation on ”Cargo and Transport Logistics” during the Agency’s special day at the ongoing 41st Kaduna International Trade Fair.
    Peterside, who was represented by Mrs Marry Harman, Assistant Director, Shipping, noted that the blue economy in Nigeria held the key to Nigeria sustainable economic growth.
    According to him, to unlock the enormous potential of the blue economy, investments in critical infrastructures that have numerous ways and capacities to boost the nation’s economy must be fostered.
    “Let us rise from this fair with renewed determination to fully support the efforts of NIMASA in repositioning Nigeria’s blue economy for industrialization growth,” he said
    He said that the blue economy dealt with the totality of all economic activities associated with the oceans, seas, harbours, ports and coastal zones.
    According to him, the application or exploitation of these elements in a sustainable manner for economic development and wealth creation defines the concept of blue economy.
    Dakuku called on all to close gaps that might be exploited to weaken the efforts of NIMASA and the Federal Government.
    He said that NIMASA would collaborate with stakeholders and governments in the Northern region on transport logistics, cargo handling and improving non-oil export shipping trade with a focus on agriculture and solid mineral.
    He noted that Kaduna trade fair which focused on consolidating interface between industry and agriculture for Nigerian sustainable development would bring on board the maritime component of the opportunities;
    “And linkage between transport logistics, Agriculture, accessible intervention funding for massive industrialization and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria,” he said.
    According to Peterside, it was time that Nigerian cargos are carried by Nigerians in order to promote indigenous participation in the maritime space.
    This, he said, would further promote diversification and increase international shipping and trade.
    He explained that when trade capabilities were fully utilised, it would reduce importation of goods and services, conserve foreign exchange and capital flight which would contribute to GDP growth and economics stability.
    Peterside said the NIMASA Act and the Nigerian Content Development Act were designed to ensure that substantial proportion of activities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry is domiciled within the country .
    “This covers both upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry,” he said.
    He said that the acts and various policies were favourable  to indigenous players in the oil and gas sector, adding that such should be replicated in agriculture and solid minerals,
    which has huge potentials in global trade.
    He explained that the agency is mandated to pursue the development of shipping and regulatory matters relating to merchant shipping and seafarers.
    Other duties include provision of maritime search and rescue services, control and prevention of maritime pollution.
    The fair, organised by the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), commenced on Feb. 28 and will run till March 8.
    The theme of the fair is: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Economic Potential Through Regional Integration.”(NAN)
  • AfCFTA: Stakeholders propose merger of SMEs to harness benefits

    AfCFTA: Stakeholders propose merger of SMEs to harness benefits

    Stakeholders of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have proposed business mergers to maximally enjoy the benefits of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) scheduled to take off in July.

    They made their views known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

    AfCFTA, which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in July, 2019, aims to unite 1.3 billion Africans with a 3.4 trillion dollars economic capacity.

    Speaking, Dr Femi Egbesola, National President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), strongly supported the merger proposition, saying that the more businesses become a coalition, the stronger.

    Egbesola explained that SMEs were unable to do much in the previous opportunities because many business owners were trying to do things on their own.

    He said that the AfCFTA terrain was one which they were not used to and as such, needed to pull energies and resources together to benefit maximally.

    “In many other countries like India, and Ghana, people doing similar businesses come together to form a cluster or a sort of network.

    “This has helped them to address the challenges as a group which yields better results than when it is just one entity.

    “I also advise business membership organisation to also come together to form bigger coalitions with same mind and set goals to achieve greater results,” Egbesola said.

    Also, Mr Solomon Aderoju, President Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), said some SMEs which was lacking or was underperforming in a value chain of production could align with others.

    Aderoju said this was to ensure global competitiveness in the trade agreement.

    He explained that some small businesses that either lacked in finance, research, or marketability could identify their strengths and come together to harness greater benefit in the AfCFTA.

    “If two or three of these businesses, along the same trade line, can come together, then things would be better for us all.

    “If you are strong in trade, another is strong in capital, another in research, then, they can pull resources together and be a greater force in the trade circle.

    “But, the problem is everybody wants to be on their own and as such may not be strong enough to compete favourable when the AfCFTA begins,” he said.

    The NASME president, however, called for a proper legal framework to help address issues of rights, profit sharing and any other challenges to ensure smooth flow of operation amongst business entities.

    He also urged the government to continue to engage factors and policies to address the cost of doing business and improve the nation’s ease of doing business rankings.

    In his remarks, Dr Muda Yusuf, the Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), urged SMEs to factor in business and personal compatibility in taking merger decisions.

    Yusuf said that this was necessary because the merger phenomenon was not popular and akin to the Nigerian business climes.

    “Size matters in competitiveness and competition, but compatibility matters too,” he said. (NAN)

  • PSG crush 10-man Lyon to reach French Cup final

    PSG crush 10-man Lyon to reach French Cup final

    Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Paris St Germain thrashed 10-man Olympique Lyonnais 5-1 on Wednesday to reach the French Cup final and remain on course for a domestic treble.

    Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who will also face Lyon in the League Cup final, prevailed thanks to Mbappe’s treble and goals by Neymar and Pablo Sarabia after Martin Terrier had put the hosts in front early on.

    Lyon finished with 10 men after Fernando Marcal was sent off in the 61st minute for picking up a second yellow card, leaving his team to exposed with the scores level at 1-1.

    PSG will take on holders Stade Rennais or St Etienne at the Stade de France on April 25.

    Terrier put the hosts ahead on 11 minutes when he latched onto Karl Toko-Ekambi’s pass.

    Mbappe equalised three minutes later by deflecting in Layvin Kurzawa’s header for his 28th PSG goal of the season in all competitions.

    Marcal’s handball earned PSG a penalty and the Brazilian defender his second yellow card.

    Neymar converted the spot kick and Mbappe took advantage of PSG’s extra man by adding a third at the end of a dazzling 60-metre run.

    Sarabia rubbed salt in Lyon’s wounds with a fourth from close range and his seventh in the competition this season – before Mbappe rounded it off with another goal in stoppage time.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Aguero sends Man City into FA Cup quarter-finals

    Aguero sends Man City into FA Cup quarter-finals

    Sergio Aguero’s second-half goal proved enough for holders Manchester City to beat second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 1-0, but they made hard work of reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

    It looked like a practice game at times for Pep Guardiola’s side at Hillsborough but they struggled to convert their overwhelming superiority into goals.

    Nicolas Otamendi and Benjamin Mendy were both denied by the woodwork before Aguero finally made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute courtesy of an error by keeper Joe Wildsmith.

    Leicester City beat Birmingham City 1-0 to book their place in the last eight . Ricardo Pereira’s late header sealing a tight Midlands derby.

    Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City were playing extra time after their fifth-round tie ended 1-1. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Liverpool aim to regain momentum as Bournemouth come calling

    Liverpool aim to regain momentum as Bournemouth come calling

    Liverpool Manager, Juergen Klopp, is looking for his defence to regain top form after a third loss in four games across all competitions but Saturday’s Premier League opponents Bournemouth could be more concerned about their own back line.

    Leaders’ Liverpool were expected to respond strongly to last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Watford – their first of the league campaign – but instead were beaten 2-0 at Chelsea in the FA Cup on Tuesday.

    Those results followed last month’s 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champion’s League round of 16 and a tense 3-2 win at home against West Ham United in the league.

    “Usually, you don’t get a lot of chances against us, but now we have to admit that in the last three games, maybe four, we have conceded too many goals.

    “Look, it went our way for so long because we defended outstandingly… the boys are strong, they showed so many times a wonderful reaction and we have to show this reaction again,’’ Klopp said.

    Down in 18th place, Bournemouth have lost their last five league games to Liverpool, conceding 17 goals without response, and will be wary of a backlash that could hurt their hopes of escaping the drop zone.

    With one hand already on the league trophy, thanks to a 22-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, Liverpool will look to regain lost momentum before next week’s Champions League clash against Atletico.

    Manchester United will aim to avoid another dent, in their bid for a top-four finish, when they host City on Sunday and a victory will not only boost their chances but secure a rare league double over the champions.

    United, who defeated City 2-1 in the league earlier in the campaign, have not managed the double over their derby rivals since the 2009-10 season when Alex Ferguson was in charge.

    Despite a 1-1 draw against Everton last time out, United will fancy their chances, buoyed by the form of January signing Bruno Fernandes, who has bagged three goals and two assists in all competitions since his debut last month.

    “He’s lifted the place, lifted everyone around him and it’s still early days.

    “I think he can get even better,’’ former United winger, Ryan Giggs, told Sky Sports.

    City could be missing the services of their own midfield talisman, Kevin De Bruyne, due to a shoulder injury sustained in the League Cup final win over Aston Villa.

    Trying to stay in the race for a Champions League spot, seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur face a stern test at Burnley on Saturday, having lost their last two league matches.

    Fellow contenders, Wolverhampton Wanderers, host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday while third-placed Leicester City takes on Villa on Monday.

    Carlo Ancelotti takes his Everton side to former club Chelsea on Sunday but awaits an FA decision on whether he is banned from the dugout after being charged with misconduct in the last game. (Reuters/ NAN)

  • Shootout win can fuel Norwich survival bid – Krul

    Shootout win can fuel Norwich survival bid – Krul

    Norwich City hero, Tim Krul, said the FA Cup penalty shootout win at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday could spark a late bid to preserve the club’s Premier League status.

    Dutchman Krul saved two spot-kicks in the shootout, the second from Gedson Fernandes to send Norwich into the quarter-finals for the first time in 28 years.

    The dramatic win followed Norwich’s 1-0 victory over Leicester City, last weekend that fuelled belief they can claw their way out of the bottom three.

    Norwich remain bottom, six points below the safety zone, but their attractive style and goal threat offers them hope.

    “Incredible. Maybe this is the turning-point, we believe we can stay up,’’ said Krul, who sent 9,000 Norwich fans wild with his penalty saves.

    Krul used his full range of antics, wasting time and thumping his gloves together as Tottenham’s players prepared to take their kicks and it worked a treat.

    First, he saved from young striker Troy Parrott, then easily kept out Fernandes’s weak attempt.

    “Everyone says I am good at penalties so I knew I did better start saving some.

    “Me and my coach do our homework, I had them on my bottle, it all happens in a shootout.

    “What a place to do it as well and for 9,000 fans to be here on a Wednesday night,’’ he said. (Reuters/NAN)