ASSURANCE

Inspired by @Davido's assurance to his boo, @chefchioma, a 9ja banker @remixoba gifts his wifey @omongien (who is also his colleague) a car during their baby - Adesuwa Michelle's dedication. 

Lol!!!! Na even Davido Assurance DJ dey play background (fan things). This is not a Porsche but the guy try!!! If OBO @Davido, fit just top am for this couple now n bless them with a Benz, Choi him go Baddest!!! #runsaway

Chei!!! (in OBO's voice) see machine with customized plate number IKUKU'M this one sha burst my brain.  Dear reader If you see IKUKU'M anywhere abeg stop am tell am say e don too blow plenty (ya ku la ta ) 😂😂😁😁😁😆😆😆 onye nwe ya n'acho ya.

Baba God everyone of us believing God for our own Assurance(s) be it car o, job o! money!! man o!!! to run comot from this country!!! etc e no go pass us by this year IJN 😄😄😄😄. 

Zhalee my brother your lil princess is truly adorable. Her light will shine brighter and brighter and daily will the lord load her with benefits. God bless your home dear and please if you see this machine anywhere, tell the driver that one of the stakeholders said you are entitled to one free ride....#runsaway!!!!

EUROPE'S BEST CASINO

Why an online Ponzi scheme when one could actually enjoy the colorful ambiance in a casino, it’s theatrical production and the victory that comes with each fleeting moment.

I moved to Budapest, Hungary in 2017 and to hear the chattering of people throwing down money, the clacking of chips and the dinging of slot machines, my friends and I have decided to visit three of EU’s best casinos during our EU tour with the hope that we do not get lost as well. 

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·         Casino Baden – Baden

Casino Baden-Baden is located in Germany a Western European country with Berlin as its capital. However, the casino itself is situated in Kurhaus, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.[1]

Photocredit: Casino Baden-Baden

Distinguished by its design and from an artistic point of view, Casino Baden-Baden which dates way back to 1809 with over 140 slot machines and 20 popular table for games, has been described as the most beautiful casino in the world.[2] Asides from looking forward to the turns of the wheel, I am also eager to experience the spa services and horse racing.

Travel tips: asides from trying not to forget your cash at home as you need to pay €5 entrance free and minimum bet is €2, if male and intend visiting make sure you dress like a gentleman with your jacket and tie while the ladies are expected to wear an appropriate attire preferably a gown.[3] In addition to the above, one of the laws and gaming regulations requires admittance based on a valid passport or ID card which does not include driver’s license.[4]

·         Casino De Monte Carlo

Casino De Monte Carlo Located in Monaco a sovereign state in Western Europe and the capital of Monte-Carlo is said to include the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, and the office of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo.[5]

Photo credit: Casino De Monte Carlo

Princess Caroline was the brain behind the casino as she saw it as a way to deliver Monaco from the financial crisis, therefore, Monaco gaming law forbids locals from gaming.[6]

Photo credit: Casino Monaco

It is one of the oldest casinos in the world as it has been in operation since 1863, it also prides in having the royal family of Monaco as its majority stakeholder, with over 1000 slot machines the highest in EU.[7]

Travel tip: if you are a lover of food, I hear this place holds the surrealist dinners to celebrate the art of the game.

·         Las Vegas Casino

Located in the heart of Budapest, my attention was easily captured by the colorful ambiance which could only be compared to colors of a garden full of butterflies and flowers. The casino happens to be the only casino in Budapest with different branches in Sofitel Budapest, Tropicana, Altlantis, Atrium Eurocenter, Corvin sétány.[8]

photo credit: Las Vegas

The casino which opened in 2015 with a concession contract for of 22 years is by law only open to visitors above 18 with appropriate means of identification which does not include a driver’s license.[9]  

The 7,000,000 Huf prize pool was one that tourist really looked forward to during the summer. However, my travel tip for tourists is that they should be smart enough to walk away even from a winning streak!!!

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[1] Casinoapp.com, “Discover Europe’s 5 finest land-based casinos” https://www.casinoapp.com/app-news/discover-europes-5-finest-land-based-casinos, accessed 28^th October 28, 2018. 

[2] About time magazine, “About time you tried: the best casinos in Europe”, https://www.abouttimemazine.co.uk/travel/top-3-best-casinos-europe accessed 28^th October 28, 2018

[3] Independent, “Baden-Baden’s casino: taking a gamble”, https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/baden-badens-casino-taking-a-gamble-9743278 accessed October 28, 2018

[4]  Casino Baden-Baden, “Conditions for admission”, https://www.casino-baden-baden.de/en/the-casino/conditions-for-admission accessed October 29, 2018

[5] Wikipedia, “Monte Carlo Casino” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Carlo_Casino accessed 29 October 2018

[6] Gambling Judge, “Monaco Gambling Sites and Laws” https://www.gamblingjudge.com/monaco-gambling-sites-and-laws accessed 29 October 2018

[7] Id.

[8] Las Vegas Casino, https://lasvegascasino.hu/en accessed 29 October 2018

[9] Id.

NIGERIA @ 58

ARISE O COMPATRIOTs !!!

• I pray for a country where our leaders will be able to provide the necessary social amenities needed for its citizens. That the benefits accrued to taxpayers would be seen and not just heard of or photoshopped to prove a point.
• I pray for a country where the educational system is stable, of a high standard and affordable to its citizens.
• I pray for a country where we will no longer have to outsource to other countries.
• I pray for a country where justice would not only be heard to be done but also seen to be done.
• I pray for a country where our leaders, politicians and my fellow citizens will realize that you do not need to tarnish your opposition, opponent and the next person's reputation(s) before you can succeed in life. One can also rise by lifting others. That the leaders will see themselves as 'servants' called to serve its people and not just to wield power as it pleases them.
• I pray for a country where the youths will no longer allow themselves to be used as pawns for one's selfish ambition(s).

• I pray for a country where its youths will be more focused on how best to change the country instead of spending their time on social media looking for who to troll and vent their frustration(s) on.
• I pray for a country where leaders will have the initiatives on how best to provide employment for its citizens, a conducive environment for entrepreneurs and investors.
• I pray for a country where foreign investors will see CSR as a business strategy.
• I pray for a country where parents will domesticate their children irrespective of the gender. Parents and the society at large will learn how not to put unnecessary pressure on one.
• I pray for a country where S.A.D will be a thing of the past and people will not be scared to seek for help. Terrorism and tribalism will end.
• I pray for a country where its citizens can see themselves as ONE irrespective of color, religion, race, tribe, social status etc and let LOVE lead.

Finally my brethren I pray for the day that we will no longer be judged by the colour of our passport, skin, and country. Above all, Lord I am grateful for thus far you have helped Nigeria.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY NIGERIA

IMAGE CONSULTANT

Mirror Mirror on the wall

(My struggle with my image and reality in a vain world)

I know you are a bundle of self-control, and you’re a conscientious person. You are neither moved by the new iPhone Xs advert or the Samsung Galaxy 8. That new apparel on the boutique window as you passed by is not appealing to you, and the watch on your friend's wrist is not quietly shouting your name. (lol)

In this society now vanity is the air we breathe. Every corner of your life you are being made to see things that are supposed to help you appear better than you currently are. The advertisement industry has succeeded in making us somehow hungry for a better version of everything. Something you got 6months ago is now regarded as old and outdated let alone what you bought 5years ago.

Our image, value, and worth is now directly tied to things we have and can display. The intangible things of life have been relegated to the background, the concept of hard work and sweat equity is no longer fashionable. The society is controlling the image of who we are.

This demand on our image is so subtle, we sometimes don’t see it. I will give a few examples.

A little time ago it was a thing of pride to say my shoes have lasted for 2years and see how new and comfortable it still feels, but now that comment would be greeted with laughter and comments like. “Haba those shoes are old throw them away”, “did this shoe swear for you”. Durability is no longer a prized asset in this vanity society. A demand has been placed on your appearance.

 The new demand on women is how the society defines being beautiful and sexy, the new criteria are hips and boobs that are astronomical in size, people who are not “Hippy” are no longer tagged as sexy or beautiful. A demand has been placed on the image of a “young lady”.

Daily in my gym sections, I see men who will kill themselves on the bench press all in the bid to have the coveted 6packs some are now hooked on weed, steroids etc. because it is believed to make the process faster. A demand has been placed on the image of a “young man”.

You read blogs every day, of what a man should at least have before you should go out or even consider to marry him, a car, a house, a job, a fat bank account. Etc. A demand on the image of a successful man has been placed.

If the mirror you use to appraise yourself is the mirror the society has given to you, the mirror that spells conformity, the mirror that spells show off, the mirror that spells pride, the mirror that spells sex, the mirror that spells THAT YOUR WORTH IS IN WHAT YOU HAVE NOT WHO YOU ARE. Then you are in a big trouble.

Whenever I catch myself trying to drift away into looking at my image through the mirror of the society, I quickly remind myself that it is not what I have that makes me valuable, it is who I am. I was created valuable by God in His own image. He loves me even when no one does, He loves me even when I don’t have new shoes and clothes to go out with, and he loves me with my pot belly and fat arms. 

The mirror of your value and worth should stem from the knowledge that God is your father and he loves you. It does not matter if I am wearing the best clothes or driving the best car. He is my father and He is working all things out for my good.

When this world of vanity and cares tries to rear its ugly head up again at you, when you feel you have to break the bank to impress your Instagram followers, when you feel you just have to move to bigger apartment to show you have arrived even when you can’t afford it, pause and tell yourself JESUS LOVES ME JUST AS I AM and I need not prove anything to anyone.

SWEAT EQUITY

It is becoming a normal line in our lives, people use it in ways, places, and conversations when they are looking for a word to describe that they are too lazy to do what is required. 

Amongst ladies, it is seen as tush thing to avoid the stressful part of life and among men, it is used when the guy feels the work/job is beneath him and that the stressful things are left for the lower men.

When did this notion become a part of our culture? When did working hard become stressful? Most times when they say that the youth of nowadays are not employable people tend to think it is because of certificate and qualification but most times it is because of lack of sweat equity. 

Anyone asking us to work hard is seen as the enemy and someone who does not know what the job entails. Anything that will make your sweat pores do what they were created for is now seen as evil. We follow up with our already created reply “pls don’t stress me or I am under a lot of stress”. Simply put we are a lazy generation.  

I have learnt that every dream has a sweat equity and till you are willing to put in the sweat equity you are not worthy of that dream. I know I am talking to myself as I write this piece but then it has to be said. What we call stress now these days is just life. So brace yourself and face it, next time when the opportunity comes for you to cover your laziness with the word stressful just get up and get on with it.