Category: Featured

11 mobile apps for small business
These days, technology has become vital for almost every human activity, which makes it almost impossible to separate humans from technological devices such as smartphones.
One of the many perks of smartphones is that you can use it to grow your business through the use of mobile apps.
Specifically, you can use mobile apps to help your small business grow and most of these apps are free.
We have listed below a few apps that can help your small business grow;
1. Enterprise-Specific Apps
These are business-specific apps that can be downloaded based on the type of business you do.
For example, if you are a trader, you can easily download an app such as VIX Index trading instead of using a laptop or a desktop to do the same.
With such apps you can leave your laptop behind as you can get some of your job done while on the move.
Apps like professional video and graphics editing apps as well custom apps that are customised to help you perform certain tasks more efficiently or to engage better with customers and potential customers fall in to this category.
2. Planner Apps
While doing business you have to plan your entire week as there are a lot of activities that would require your attention whereas the time frame to execute is limited.
This is why planner apps are crucial for scheduling and time management. They can be used to schedule meeting and tasks for yourself, members of your team, or your employees.
Planning apps can be as simple as a calendar app, which is now built into most smartphones these days, or apps for creating and organising to-do lists.
Project management apps also fall into this category, since they help in planning and executing project of varying sizes for your small business.
3. Communication Apps
In business, you will need to be in touch with representatives in various locations but for a small business to bear travel expenses would not be feasible and thankfully it is not necessary as there are so many communication apps in play store.
These apps will enable you easily communicate with your teams or employees as well as enable customers easily get in touch with your small business.
Communications can be done using text or multimedia messaging as well as video calls and conference calls.
Depending on the needs of your small businesses, you may consider communications app like Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, Slack, Telegram, Skype, etc.
4. Mobile Payment Apps
These days it is all about cashless transactions which means you need not waste time in banks and utility offices, instead, download useful payment apps and make electronic payment.
Mobile Payment Apps like PayPal One Touch, Google Play, and Apple Pay can help you easily receive and make payment.
5. Project Management Apps
Project management apps are planner apps, but are more versatile. They provide a centralised platform to enable you manage your teams.
Teams can communicate progress and collaborate via a project management app. These tools also enable clients keeps tabs on the progress of their projects. Monday.com and Asana are some cool project management apps to consider.
6. Automatic Social Media and Email Posting App
To do effective digital marketing, you need to pre-plan your posts. You would be posting on different marketing channels. You can craft and schedule posts.
With tools like this your can schedule your post to be shared when your fans and followers are most active. That way you get more engagement on your post.
Some popular apps for scheduling social media posts include HootSuite, CoSchedule, and Buffer.
7. Analytics App
It is one thing to engage in marketing, it is another to access the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. But, how do you know if your marketing is effective? Simple, download an analytics app to do the same.
There are apps like Buzzsumo to help you see how well your social media marketing is going. Apps like Facebook and Twitter also offer analytics to help you see how things are going.
If you own a business website or an online store, Google Analytics can help you see how well your website is doing. Diib is an app that combines data from Google Analytics and Facebook with artificial intelligence to offers useful insight on how to grow your business.
Analytics apps in general provides you with useful data that will help you determine which medium is giving best marketing results and which channel needs improvement.
8. Accounting Software
Keeping proper financial records is key for business success. An accounting software will help you keep proper records of your income and expenses.
Keeping proper financial records will make it easier to attract funding from investors or securing bank loans.
9. CRM Software
A CRM Software can help you manage your marketing and customer relationships. With a customer relationship management software you can better handle customer data and create a more personalised experience for your customers.
10. Invoicing Software
Keeping tabs with your invoices and payment is key if your small business will succeed. An invoicing software will help you track customers owing you for easy reminder. They can also come as part of your accounting software.
11. LinkedIn
Apart from all the above apps, you also need to be updated about the latest trends in your business which can be done by using LinkedIn. Not only that, this app will connect you to people running a similar business which will give more insights into your industry.
Small businesses need to limit their expenditures which means limiting resources. While you cannot control expenditures on a few aspects of the business, why not limit spending on the areas which can be done for free using such apps? This will reduce the need for large investments, and you can utilize most of the capital in generating leads.
October 14, 2019
Medvedev mauls Zverev to win Shanghai Masters
By Our Reporter
Russian Daniil Medvedev pulverised Alexander Zverev of Germany 6-4 6-1 to lift his fourth title of the season at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
Zverev started the match with a 4-0 head-to-head record in his favour against Medvedev, but had conceded that his opponent was
“probably the best player in the world” at the moment.
U.S. Open runner-up Medvedev, playing in his sixth straight final, broke Zverev twice to close out the opening set in front of a packed crowd.
The 23-year-old was at his ruthless best in the second set as he raced to a 5-0 lead before Zverev finally showed some resistance to hold serve.
Yet Medvedev then served out the match with an emphatic ace to claim his second consecutive ATP Masters 1000 crown following his triumph in Cincinnati.
When asked why he does not like celebrating his victories on court, Medvedev quipped: “I said it after Cincinnati I think that everyone has been talking that they want to see something new. So, I don’t celebrate my wins. Just get the win and it’s done.”
Medvedev enjoyed a near-flawless week in Shanghai —- claiming the title without dropping a set all week —- as he continues an incredible second half of the season.
The world number four improved his 2019 win-loss record to 59-17, including a Tour-leading 46 victories on hard courts this season.
He has already qualified for the season-ending ATP Finals in London, alongside Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Among the next generation of players coming through, Medvedev is widely tipped to break the stranglehold of the “Big Three’’ —- Djokovic, Nadal and Federer —- at the top of the sport.
He is also tipped to become a regular Grand Slam contender next season.
“It is outrageous what I have done in the last few months,” Medvedev said. “I have worked for it and I hope I’m gonna do much more.”
With two spots in the London finals still up for grabs, Zverev is in pole position to qualify as he currently occupies seventh spot in the qualification race.(Reuters/NAN)
October 14, 2019

Ways on how to stop Auto-renew on MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, and Glo

Sometimes your account gets debited for a data plan you didn’t plan for. This is mostly due to the auto-renewal feature of network provider’s data plan.

Thus messages like; ‘Congratulations! Your Monthly 1.5GB data plan has been successfully renewed’ can be vexing.

Anyway, the auto-renewal feature was added to automatically renew your expired data bundle plan and ease you the stress of subscribing manually.

But most times, you don’t want it that way, right? All you want is to subscribe anytime you want to.

Follow the procedures below to opt-out of auto-renewal on any network.

How To Cancel Auto-Renewal On MTN

First, dial *123*5*1# and reply 2 to check your existing plan.
Now check out the list of MTN data plans in Nigeria and copy the subscription code.
After that, send the No+Subscription code to 131.

For example, to cancel auto-renewal on MTN daily plan (50MB), SMS NO114 to 131.

MTN has a variety of data plans starting from hourly plans, daily, weekly, monthly data plans and so on.

All you need to do is add “NO” before its activation code, send it to “131” and you are good.

Use the below code to deactivate auto-renewal on MTN.

Data Plan	Price	Cancel Auto-Renewal (SMS to 131)	Validity
25MB	N50	NO114	24hours
75MB	N100	NO104	24hours
1GB	N350	NO155	24hours
200MB	N200	N0113	48hours
2GB	N500	N0154	48hours
350MB	N300	NO102	7days
750MB	N500	NO103	7days
1.5GB	N1000	NO106	30days
2GB	N1200	NO130	30days
3.5GB	N2000	NO110	30days
6.5GB	N3500	NO107	30days
11GB	N5000	NO116	30days
25GB	N10000	NO117	30days
60GB	N20000	NO118	30days
100GB	N30000	NO138	30days
120GB	N50000	NO133	90days
150GB	N70000	NO134	90days

Daily Plans:

25MB for N50 – NO114 to 131

75MB for N100 – NO104 to 131

1GB for N350 – NO 155 to 131

2-Day Plans:

200MB for N200 – NO113 to 131

2GB for N500 – NO154 to 131

Weekly Plans:

350MB for N300 – NO102

750MB for N500 – NO103

Monthly Plans:

1.5GB for N1000 – NO106

2GB for N1200 – NO130

3.5GB For N2000 – NO110

6.5GB For N3500 – NO107

11GB for N5000 – NO116

25GB for N10000 – NO117

60GB for N20000 – N0118

100GB for N30000 – NO138

3-Months Plans:

120GB for N50000 – NO133

150GB for N70000 – NO134

MTN GoodyBag Data Plan

This is a data plan launched by MTN Nigeria for you to browse and chat on your favorite social media platforms with little money spent on airtime.

To cancel auto-renewal on this plan is simple.

Just send STOP+Subscription Code to 131.

See the deactivation codes below:

WhatsApp:

Daily – send STOPWAD to 131

Weekly – send STOPWAW to 131

Monthly – send STOPWAM to 131

Facebook:

Daily – STOPFBD

Weekly – STOPFBW

Monthly – STOPFBM

Twitter:

Daily – STOPTWTD

Weekly – STOPTWTW

Monthly – STOPTWTM

Instagram:

Daily – STOPINSD

Weekly – STOPINSW

Monthly – STOPINSM

WeChat:

Daily – STOPWCD

Weekly – STOPWCW

Monthly – STOPWCM

Eskimi:

Daily – STOPESKD

Weekly – STOPESKW

Monthly -STOPESKM

2GO:

Daily – STOP2GOD

Weekly – STOP2GOW

Monthly – STOP2GOM

NimBuzz:

Daily – STOPNIMD

Weekly – STOPNIMW

Monthly – STOPNIMM

You can also see that the MTN GoodyBag social data plan has different codes to deactivate autorenewal. Just attach the word “STOP” to the activation code.

MTN XtraValue Plan

In case you don’t know, the XtraValue is divided into two (2) which is XtraTalk that offers more airtime for voice calls than Data Volume and XtraData bundles that offer more data volume that airtime for voice calls.

Whichever plan you choose, below is how to opt-out of auto-renewal.

XtraData Bundles

N300 – NOD300 to 131

N500 – NOD500

N1000 – NOD1000

N2000 – NOD2000

N5000 – NOD5000

N10000 – NOD10000

N15000 – NOD15000

N20000 – NOD20000

XtraTalk Bundles

N300 – NOV300 to 131

N500 – NOV500

N1000 – NOV1000

N2000 – NOV2000

N5000 – NOV5000

N10000 – NOV10000

N15000 – NOV15000

N20000 – NOV20000

MTN BlackBerry Data Plan

Of course, you know that BlackBerry plans are usually cheap and affordable.

Remember back then, when you can subscribe to the blackberry daily plan for just N100, browse and download large files online without worrying about data exhaustion (lol 😆).

This plan also has auto-renewal activated, use the shortcode below to deactivate the feature on this plan.

Kindly send NO to 21600.

You should receive a confirmation message telling you how successful the operation was.

MTN International Calling Bundles

This is a bundle that allows you to make calls with people in different parts of the world from Nigeria based on the international voice minutes you paid for.

MTN gives you access to 18 international destinations which are:

Canada
China
Germany
India
Ireland
Malaysia
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States
Sweden
South Korea
Israel
Hong Kong
Romania
Denmark
Cyprus
Malta
Luxembourg

Here we have the N300 plan which is for 20minutes, N500 for 40minutes and N1500 for 150 international voice minutes.

To deactivate auto-renewal on this plan, send NO+Bundle code to 131.

For N300 Plan – sms NOIDB300 to 131
For N500 Plan – sms NOIDB500 to 131
For N1500 Plan – sms NOIDB1500 to 131

MTN Callertunez

Callertunez gives you the opportunity to customize your ringtone. You can change the default “PIN – PIN” tone to the latest song on trend in order to entertain your callers.

Visit callertunez.mtnonline.com/user to subscribe.

To deactivate auto-renewal on MTN Callertunez:

SMS NO to 4100 and you’re good.

“IN GENERAL, YOU CAN SMS STOPDATA TO 131 TO CANCEL AUTO-RENEWAL ON ALL EXISTING DATA PLANS ON MTN.”

How To Cancel Auto-Renewal On Airtel

Airtel has got cheap data plans for users to subscribe and stay connected with friends online. Kindly select one of the available data plans right here.

After successful activation, it’s time to turn off the auto-renewal feature so that Airtel doesn’t tamper with your airtime when the data bundle expires.

To opt-out of auto-renew on Airtel:

SMS STOP to 141. Or
SMS STOPAUTORENEW TO 440.

If you subscribed to a Blackberry plan, SMS DEACTIVATE to 440 to opt-out.

Alternatively, you can contact the Airtel customer care for help.

Call the customer care line: 111
Send a direct message on Twitter: @airtel_care (if you have a data-enabled device).

How to Cancel Auto-Renewal on 9mobile

9mobile (Formerly Etisalat) made it easier for their customers to cancel the automatic renewing of data bundle plans on expiry.

See the 9mobile 4G and 3G Data bundle plans on-trend.

With a short USSD Code you dial on your phone, auto-renewal will be cancelled permanently for all active data bundles on your line.

Simply dial *229*0# to deactivate this feature.

Alternatively,

SMS STOP to 229 and you will receive a confirmation message from 9mobile.

How To Cancel Auto-Renewal on Glo

There is no doubt that Glo Nigeria offers huge data volumes for less pay and at the same time they try to relieve you the stress of subscribing to their data plans manually.

Glo added the automatic re-subscription feature just in case your existing data bundle expires, it gets renewed automatically.

Sounds cool but not everyone values that, so I’ve given the simple method to deactivate autorenewal on your glo line below:

Kindly Send CANCEL to 127

You will receive a confirmation message from glo informing you that the operation was successful.

You can as well call the Glo Customer Care line, just in case the above code didn’t work for you.

Simply dial 121 and lay your complaint.

Conclusion

I know how to sweet it is to recharge your line and subscribe to a new data bundle.

Yeah, you’ve received your requested bundle and it’s time to start browsing.

Now, what if your data expires and you don’t want to subscribe at the moment.

This article shows you how to cancel auto-renewal on MTN, Airtel, 9mobile, and Glo.

Make sure you bookmark this page for later use.

October 14, 2019

Kosgei smashes women marathon’s world record
By Our Reporter
Brigid Kosgei broke the world record at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday to complete a sensational weekend of road running.
She won the IAAF Gold Label road race in two hours 14 minutes and four seconds (2:14:04).
Kosgei’s run came a little more than 24 hours after fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to cover 26.2 miles within two hours, clocking 1:59:41 in Vienna.
Unlike Kipchoge’s performance though, Kosgei’s mark was set in an official race on a record-eligible course, even though it will still await the usual ratification procedure.
Kosgei, who won in Chicago last year in 2:18:35 and improved her personal bet (PB) to 2:18:20 to win in London earlier this year, set out at a blisteringly fast pace.
She covered the first five kilometres (km) in 15:28.
Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh was dragged through the section in a swift 15:36, with Gelete Burka a further 27 seconds in arrears.
The Kenyan’s pace dropped slightly after that initial enthusiasm, but the 25-year-old settled into regular 16-minute splits for each five-kilometre segment.
She went through 10km in 31:28, 2:12:26 marathon pace, and 15km in 47:26.
At that point she was almost a minute ahead of Yeshaneh, who herself was on schedule for a 2:16:00 finish at that point.
Kosgei’s half-way split of 1:06:59 suggested a finishing time of about 2:14:00.
Fewer than five kilometres later, her lead over Yeshaneh had grown to two minutes, reaching 25km in 1:19:33.
As she continued to run behind two male pacemakers, Kosgei added another minute to her lead, thanks to a 15:45 split between 25km and 30km.
Another sub-16-minute five-kilometre segment followed, this time 15:56.
Her 35km split (1:51:14) still indicated a finishing time about a minute inside Paula Radcliffe’s world record of 2:15:25, set 16 years ago.
Given the speed she was going and how far into the race she was, she looked relatively comfortable too.
Nearly four-and-a-half minutes behind, Yeshaneh had a 33-second margin over Burka but both women were also on course for a personal best.
The race, though, was all about Kosgei’s world record attempt and she showed no signs of fading in the closing stages.
The pace makers peeled away before the final two miles as Kosgei forged on alone.
With about 20 seconds left of running, she couldn’t help but smile as she realised the magnitude of what she was about to achieve.
Moments later, she crossed the line in 2:14:04 to take 81 seconds off the longest-standing marathon world record —- men’s or women’s —- in the post-war era.
Lawrence Cherono, winner of this year’s Boston Marathon, won a close men’s contest in 2:05:45.
Ethiopia’s Dejene Debela was second in 2:05:46 and Asefa Mengstu was third in 2:05:48.(NAN)
October 14, 2019
Super Eagles showed they can face world’s best with Brazil draw, football enthusiasts say
By Our Reporter
Some football enthusiasts on Sunday described as commendable the performance of the Super Eagles against Brazil, saying the team showed it can play against the best in the world.
The Super Eagles drew 1-1 with five-times world champions Brazil in a pulsating encounter at the Singapore National Stadium in Kallang.
The three-times African champions took the lead after 35 minutes.
That was when Joe Aribo found space in a packed penalty box to rifle in a low shot and grab his second goal in two international appearances.
Brazil equalised three minutes into the second half when Casemiro fired home from close range after he was the quickest to react when a Marquinhos header came back off the woodwork.
A cross-section of football enthusiasts who spoke to NAN in Abuja in separate interviews after the match noted that they were lots of positives for the Super Eagles from the match.
Super Eagles had also recorded a 2-2 draw against hosts Ukraine in an international friendly at Dnipro on Sept. 10.
Ex-international Nduka Ugbade said the Super Eagles showed enough for everyone to be excited with what was to come from them.
Ugbade added that with more high-profile friendlies such as this the team could stand tall with the best in the world.
“The exciting young names in action today (Sunday) have once again produced a performance that shows lots of promise for the new era.
“Aribo, the midfielder who was making only in a second appearance for the Eagles, once again caught the eye with his energy, drive and penetrative runs into the opposition penalty box.
“Victor Osimhen also gave a good account of himself and showed he could be Super Eagles’ number 9 for a long time.
“Though he was unable to find the net, he tormented the defence all through his stay on the pitch with his pace, movement and hold-up play.
“Even more exciting was the fact that he was part of a fluid front-four that included Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon,” he said.
Emmanuel Babayaro, also an ex-international, was full of praise for goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye, adding that they both put up a strong, competent and world class performance in-between the sticks.
“Uzoho showed excellent agility in cutting out the occasional threats posed by the Brazilians and was also alert to foil several goal-bound attempts.
“It was indeed a shame that he had to leave the scene after twisting his leg as he went for the ball from a Brazil corner kick. I wish him quick recovery.
“His replacement, Okoye, also put in a good shift and was not much troubled as he showed calmness inbetween the sticks for the Eagles.
“I think with what I have seen today, I can confidently say our goalkeeping problems have been almost, if not completely, taken care of,” the former goalkeeper said.
Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter, said the result against Brazil would boost the morale of the Eagles to achieve even greater results for the country.
“The boys’ overall performance is worthy of commendation. They indeed proved to the world that they are no push-overs as they started the game with good pace, passion and intensity.
“Uzoho was brilliant in the game. His best in the Super Eagles shirt. But, ultimately, it is the performance of the front-four that has had me excited with what’s to come.
“Chukwueze was also a thorn in the flesh of the Selecao throughout, and created lots of goal-scoring chances for the Eagles.
“Of course, they are far from the finished product. Still very young and raw, and Iwobi, Chukwueze, Moses and Osimhen could make occasional errors against experienced and top opposition.
“But, as they showed against Brazil today (Sunday), they possess the skills and talent to do great things with the Super Eagles.
“As for their inexperience, coach Gernot Rohr has the time to work with them.
“With no major tournament until 2021, the Super Eagles can keep finetuning with good friendly games like the one against Ukraine and Brazil,” he said.
The result was a huge confidence-booster for the Super Eagles, who begin their race to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Lesotho next month.
It was also a huge improvement from Nigeria’s 0-3 defeat to the Selecao in a friendly match in Abuja in June 2003. (NAN)
October 14, 2019
NAF to wing first female fighter pilot and female helicopter pilot
By Samuel Itsede
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will on Tuesday, 15 October 2019, decorate 13 young officers with pilot wings after successful completion of flying training.
Among them is the first NAF female fighter pilot, Flying Officer Kafayat Sanni, and the first NAF female helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile. The first airwoman to attain the rank of Air Warrant Officer, Grace Garba, will also be decorated with her new rank during the ceremony.
Both events, according to Airforce Spokesman Ibikule Daramila, will go down in history as major achievements of the Nigeria Airforce under the leadership of the current Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
October 14, 2019
Emulate women achievers for successful life, Lawmaker urges female students
By Our Reporter
A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Ayotunde Fatokun, has urged female students in the country to emulate women achievers so as to be successful in life.
Fatokun, who represents Akinyele constituency I in the Assembly, gave the advice on Sunday during a sensitisation programme on healthy living for the girl-child.
The sensitisation programme, tagged ‘Health Promotion: A Tool for Brighter Tomorrow’, was held at Pade Community High School in Ibadan.
The lawmaker urged female students to plan well for successful career journey by facing their studies and refrain from any act that could obstruct their ways to success.
Fatokun noted that the country had records of many women who had made marks in their respective endeavours and were doing the country proud, both at home and abroad.
He urged the female students to look up to those achievers as their role models, study well and be determined to become successful like them in future.
The lawmaker further stressed the need for the students to create healthy minds that would aid their psychological and emotional wellbeing.
Fatokun said that he realised the need to sensitise the female students on some basic health-related issues during the tour of his constituency.
Mrs Oluwatobi Olaniyi, a medical practitioner, sensitised the female students on the need to have attitudinal change on their ways of life, particularly as regards health issues.
She called for proper awareness by the students on healthy habits, social relationship, cervical cancer prevention, unwanted pregnancy, health insurance and breast cancer prevention.
Over 1,000 female students, drawn from some secondary schools in the constituency, attended the programme.
Among the schools were Pade Community High School, Ikereku Community Grammar School, Community High school Atapa, Anglican Grammar School Agbirigidi, Community High School, Community High School Otun-Agbaakin and Community High School, Iyana-Offa.
Fatokun distributed some items like toothpaste, toothbrush, hand-sanitizers, soaps, mosquito nets and teaching/learning materials to the students.(NAN)
October 14, 2019
Unemployment: Look beyond white-collar jobs, marketing coy urges youths
By Our Reporter
A multi-level marketing and manufacturing company, Norland Nigeria, has advised unemployed youths in Nigeria not be fixated on white-collar jobs, but explore other means to make a living.
Mrs Anthonia Ibekwe, Co-founder of the organisation, gave the advice on Sunday in Lagos while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the Norland’s 2nd anniversary celebration and awards.
Ibekwe said that the number of formal jobs was shrinking in the country, urging youths to explore many opportunities outside the formal settings to be engaged and lead productive lives.
”Many youths are unemployed today, because they believe they must work in offices, and so they are searching endlessly for white-collar jobs.
”’There is nothing wrong in looking for jobs in offices, but the reality is that the jobs are no more there.
”Our youths should explore many opportunities outside the formal setting, instead of remaining unemployed, looking for what is not sure,” she said.
The Norland co-founder said the organisation had touched the lives of many in various ways since it came to the country two years ago.
Ibekwe said the company, through its health and lifestyle products, had improved the wellbeing and living standard of many Nigerians.
She said that many distributors of the company’s multi-marketing network had been impacted and empowered through generous rewards.
”Norland is a registered multi-level marketing and manufacturing company that has come to empower Nigerians and promote their health and wellbeing.
”We are encouraging more Nigerians to key into our products and multi-level marketing network as we are for health, wellbeing and prosperity,” she said.
Ibekwe said that the anniversary and awards was to mark the ”phenomenal strides” of Norland in just two years in the country and reward distributors.
Also, Mrs Amaka Success, another Co-founder of Norland Nigeria, urged youths to be focussed and be determined to actualise their life goals.
Success said that the company had empowered many of its distributors across the country .
”I don’t think lack of education and others should be barrier to one’s quest for success.
”What matters is determination and hardwork. We have empowered many of our distributors of different classes and backgrounds.
“We are here for wellbeing and prosperity; we don’t see barriers,” she said.
Success said that achievements the company had recorded were as a result of the confidence Nigerians reposed in it, calling for more support for the organisation.
Also, Mr Kenny Chen, Vice-President, Norland Africa, said that the company was present in 20 African countries with two offices in Nigeria.
Chen explained that the company was not only involved in multi-level marketing, but in the production of lifestyle and health products like herbal tea, pants liners and others.
He said Nigeria was one of the biggest markets of Norland and that the company had recorded great strides since it came into the country.
In her remarks, Mrs Asi Emmanuel, a top distributor of the company’s products, said she had made great fortunes marketing Norland’s products.
No fewer than 40 SUVs were presented to top distributors by the company.
Some other distributors also went home with items such as LED TVs, refrigerators among others as rewards for high performance. (NAN)
October 14, 2019
Aisha Buhari Returns to Nigeria After Holiday in UK

Williams Anuku Abuja
Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari returned back to Nigeria Sunday morning after what her media aide, Suleiman Haruna, described as “a long holiday in the UK.”
Haruna who announced her return said she arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 4.30am via a British Airways flight.
Speaking to reporters on arrival, Mrs. Buhari said she was happy to be home after a well-deserved rest, the statement said.
The First Lady also confirmed that she was fully rejuvenated to continue the work of improving the health and well-being of women, children and other vulnerable Nigerians.
Aisha according to Haruna, “she used the opportunity to thank her husband, family and well-wishers for their support and encouragement.”
On hand to receive her were wives of present and former and governors and many associates, Aisha’s media aide said.
Aisha returned two days after social media reports of President Buhari’s plan to take a serving minister as his second wife on Friday turned out as a monumental hoax.
Haruna’s statement confirming the return of the first Lady reads, ” the wife of the President Her Excellency Mrs. Aisha Buhari has arrived back in the country. She arrived at approximately 4.30am Nigerian time on a British Airways flight.
At the airport, the President’s wife reacted to her long holiday in the UK, saying I stayed away for so long, because before the advent of this administration it had always been the custom for me to take a long vacation with her children, but since the president was elected and due to exigencies of duty it has not been possible.
“This year I decided to break the jinx and spend time with them, especially since Mr President has graciously appointed Special Advisers and Personal assistants for me.
Present at the airport to meet her were the First lady of Kogi state, Mrs Rasheedat Bello, Wife of former Governor of Nassarawa state, Mrs Mairo Al Makura. Chairperson of National centre for Women Development Joy Gene Nunieh, wife of Minister for Niger Delta Affairs Mrs Ekaetae Unoma Godswill Akpabio, D.G. Womens development centre, Mrs Mary Etta, and Senior Special Assistant office of the wife of the President, Dr Hajo Sani.
She has since returned home to the villa to meet Family and friends waiting.
October 13, 2019
President Xi’s visit to Nepal opens new chapter of China-Nepal friendship

By Hou Yanqi
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Nepal at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari. It is his first state visit to the country, and also the first one paid by a Chinese President in 23 years.
President Xi’s visit, eagerly anticipated by the Nepali people, has led to a jubilant atmosphere across the beautiful country known for its snow mountains. As the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, I feel excited and proud to have witnessed and participated in this historic moment.
China and Nepal are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. For thousands of years, the two peoples have opened up roads on the mighty Himalaya mountains and left numerous great stories of friendly exchanges.
Eminent Chinese monks Fa Hien in Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420 A.D.) and Huen Tsang in Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) had both visited Nepal to study Buddhist doctrine and culture, and ancient Nepali King Amshu Varman married his daughter, Princess Bhrikuti Devi to the then Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
It is also known that more than 700 years ago, famous Nepali architect Arniko came to China and directed the construction of many buildings including the famous White Stupa in Beijing’s Miaoying Temple.
These stories have been inherited from generation to generation, witnessing the development of China-Nepal friendship.
China and Nepal have maintained frequent high-level exchanges and constantly enhanced political mutual trust since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1955.
The two countries show mutual support on issues concerning the core interests of each other. Nepal has a long-term stance of adhering to the one-China policy, and China has unswervingly supported Nepal in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, and national dignity.
Over the years, China and Nepal have worked hand in hand on the paths of development. China has tried its best to support Nepal in its social and economic development, helping with the construction of many projects conducive to the improvement of the Nepali’s livelihood, such as the construction of roads, schools, hospitals, and hydropower plants.
The two countries have also maintained close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, sparing no effort to jointly safeguard international justice and defend the rights and interests of developing countries.
In recent years, China-Nepal relations have enjoyed sound momentum of development under the earnest efforts and personal guidance of the leaders of the two countries.
This April, President Bhandari made a state visit to China and attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the opening ceremony of the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition.
During her stay in Beijing, President Bhandari and President Xi held a cordial meeting, having in-depth discussions on China-Nepal relations and pointing the way for the future development of their bilateral ties.
Under the frame work of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China and Nepal have achieved remarkable fruits in their mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as connectivity, trade and investment, and energy, and the Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network has taken shape covering highway, railway, port, aviation, and communication.
China is now Nepal’s biggest source of investment and second largest trading partner, as well as one of the latter’s most important cooperation and development partners. Last year, the two countries witnessed a bilateral foreign trade volume of $1.1 billion.
Today, Chinese companies can be seen everywhere across Nepal. There, they have successfully completed irrigation and highway projects such as the Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project and the first phase of the Ring Road Improvement Project in Kathmandu. In addition, they are also currently working on the international airports in Pokhara and Lumbini.
Besides, the people-to-people bonds between China and Nepal have been increasingly enhanced with each passing day. The genuine friendship has been greatly treasured and become even more precious in trials and tribulations.
For the past 20 straight years, China has been sending medical teams to Nepal and endeavoring to help alleviate Nepali people’s pain and suffering.
The immediate help offered by the Chinese government and people after Nepal was hit by a mega earthquake in April 2015 has become an unforgettable memory for the Nepali. A series of post-disaster reconstruction projects were gradually completed with the assistance from China.
Today, as Nepal is striving to realize its vision of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali,” China is ready to share its development experiences and dock development strategies of the two countries for common development.
China and Nepal have also enjoyed increasingly closer people-to-people exchanges and varying forms of communication activities.
As the second largest and fastest growing source of tourists for Nepal, China has seen more than 150,000 tourists traveling to Nepal the last year. The figure represented a 46.8 percent year-on-year growth.
Meanwhile, a great number of Nepali students have studied in China with scholarships offered by the Chinese government. After returning to their motherland, these young talents have grown into experts in various fields and contributed to the social and economic development of their home country.
Moreover, a series of such cultural activities as Chinese Film Festival, China Festival, and Happy Chinese New Year have achieved success in Nepal. The two countries are also seeing frequent mutual visits and exchanges among the youth, media, and think tanks.
With the ever-growing “Chinese fever” in Nepal, over 100 Chinese volunteers are teaching Chinese in Nepali primary and secondary schools, enjoying broad popularity.
Today, as President Xi and President Bhandari chart a new course for the bilateral ties between the two countries in Nepal, China-Nepal friendship has been brought into a new historic starting point, which is believed to mark the beginning of a new period of rapid development of bilateral relations.
We believe President Xi’s visit to Nepal will be an important milestone in the history of China-Nepal relations, which will bring the evergreen traditional friendship between the two countries and their comprehensive cooperative partnership to a higher level, and thus creating greater benefits for the two countries and their peoples.
(Hou Yanqi is the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal.)
Source: People’s Daily
October 13, 2019