10 People Who Are at Every Christian Conference Read more at http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/10-people-who-are-every-christian-conference#2P5T0DwxZEV5Jjpl.99

Christian conferences are great places to get spiritually recharged, glean some valuable insight from well-known leaders and, of course, meet a lot of interesting new people.

But, as anyone who has ever attended one of these gatherings knows, along with van-loads of pastors and enthusiastic believers, Christian conferences attract a few, very specific types of attendees.

Whether it’s a Charismatic worship gathering, a youth rally, a leadership conference or a Christian social justice meeting, it’s not uncommon to find these individuals throughout the crowd.

Here are 10 types of people you may bump into at your next Christian conference.

The Rogue Shofar Player

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No one asked this individual to bring a traditional shofar ram’s horn (typically reserved for Jewish religious celebrations) to the event—most likely a Charismatic leaning worship conference—and blow it at random times. However, it’s likely been happening for thousands of years at Christian gatherings, so you're just going to have to deal with it.

The Networker

Image: Shutter Stock

While most attend the Christian conferences for spiritual guidance on topics like leadership, community or social justice, the networker is there to connect. Have you heard about his blog? Do you follow him on Twitter? She's working on a book/CD/social network/app/Christian Shark Tank idea she'd love to talk to you about! If you have a minute, he’s got a great new product that can really help your church. They are one of the only people at the conference who is not a speaker that is also wearing a suit.

The Swag Bag Enthusiast

Image: The Office

This attendee paid good money to be here, so you better believe they are going to load four tote bags with every sticker, free book, coffee mug, rubber bracelet, worship music demo tape and mousepad the conference has to offer.

The Unauthorized Percussionist

Image: Shutter Stock

Like the rogue shofar player, the unauthorized percussionists likely smuggled their instruments of praise into the worship gathering covertly. Just because they are not formally part of the praise team doesn’t mean they aren’t going to join in the music with their assortment of tambourines, egg shakers and rain sticks.

The Patriot

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If you didn’t notice from the over abundance of American flags incorporated into their outfit, this attendee is extremely passionate about Jesus and America. They also may have brought some political literature that they’ll be handing out—with or without permission. This is, after all, America.

The Flag Waver

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They arrived early to get a seat up front with their glittery banners of praise adorned with doves, flames and royal crowns. Just enjoy the show.

The Coffee Sipper

Image: Shutter Stock

This individual looks like most of the other attendees, except they are never, ever seen without a cup of coffee in their hand. You can likely find them chatting it up with the Networker at the coffee bar between sessions.

The Stressed Out Youth Pastor

Image: Wet Hot American Summer

This poor soul just drove a filthy van filled with teenagers 11 hours to get here. Not only do they now have to worry about logistics like food money and meeting times, they also (and primarily) have got to make sure kids from their youth group aren’t responsible for the shenanigans back at the Comfort Inn tonight.

The Hippie

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Why isn’t this individual wearing shoes? Are they in a Passion play, or do they just naturally look like Jesus? Did they pick the flowers that are in their hair from the landscaping display outside the convention center? Are they sitting crossed legged on the floor for a reason? Because there are plenty of open seats. So many questions.

The Gadget Guy/Girl

Image: Shutter Stock

Their first words upon entering the conference is this phrase, directed to a volunteer: “Excuse me, what’s the Wi-Fi password?” With their array of gadgets, they planned on getting involved in every hashtag discussion, posting live Tumblr updates, streaming a Meercat feed and uploading YouTube videos, but unfortunately, they spend most of their time hunting for a place to plug in their eight devices, which are constantly in need of recharging.

6 Ways to Avoid Toxic Relationships

Dating is hard. Given the casual, predominantly Internet and app-based approach available to singles today, there is no denying it can be difficult to know what the other person expects, or even what one’s own expectations should be.

Yet, for most people, dating is a necessary part of trying to find the person they want to spend the rest of their lives with.

But between the weirdness that often surrounds dating in the Church and the unrealistic expectations portrayed in Hollywood’s romantic films, it can be difficult to find good examples of healthy dating relationship.

There is no exact formula for relationship success, as every relationship is different. But In trying to lay some sort of general framework, it’s important to recognize some of the patterns that lead to the toxic relationships that are doomed to fail:

Recognize the Rebound.

There is no exact formula for relationship success, as every relationship is different. But it’s important to recognize some of the patterns that lead to toxic relationships.

The worst time to make important decisions is when you’re going through extreme high or low points in life. During these times, your guard lowers, increasing the likelihood of latching onto the nearest available person. After enduring loss or a crushing breakup, you are vulnerable to make decisions or compromises you wouldn’t ordinarily make.

The desire to have others reciprocate kindness, love, companionship and understanding is normal, but it is always best to take time—or give the person you’re interested in time—to evaluate mistakes made in previous relationships in order to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

Avoid Controlling and Possessive People.

Those closest to you should encourage you to pursue your goals and dreams. God created marriage to ultimately glorify Him—husbands and wives should lift each other up and point each other to Christ. A relationship that tears you down goes against the nature of God’s intent.

Healthy connections should always be centered on giving others freedom instead of confinement. If you see someone manipulating others to get their way, it should be a big red flag.

Don’t Tolerate a Flake.

Anyone who has been married for any length of time can attest to the reality that feelings are as unreliable as the weather forecast. People can bring us euphoria one moment and despair the next.

Feelings are not only fleeting but they can also prompt unrealistic expectations. Obviously, a relationship built on false expectations can easily fall apart because those in the relationship can’t live up to those expectations.

Biblical relationships are saturated in devotion, allegiance and loyalty to the person—not to flaky feelings. They endure even when things are hard.

Abolish the Myth That Physical Chemistry is Everything.

Contrary to popular belief, satisfaction and completion are not based on sexual fulfillment. Relationships built on this myth are destined to crumble as couples grow older and physical beauty fades. Attraction is necessary in a relationship, but true attraction can be found beyond physical beauty. While cliché, there is truth to the statement, “Beauty is only skin deep.”

It is important to remember that genuine love is based not on what you can gain from someone but what you can give. Lasting relationships are built on giving without the expectation of receiving in return.

Read more at http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationships/6-ways-avoid-toxic-relationships#QwvdubmlpcVgl5rI.99

3 Things Guys Can’t Resist in a Woman

Every man wants to be wanted. If you are trying to gain the affection of a particular gentleman, there are certain aspects of your personality that will pull him towards you. After all, you want to pull a man to you, not push him away. A woman who is comfortable in her own skin and knows how to treat a man is invaluable. When a man finds a woman who possesses all of the right qualities, he will find himself in a state of bliss.

Confidence

If you know who you are as a woman, this is the first step of getting the man of your dreams. By conveying confidence in how you talk and walk, your love interest will notice that you are strong. If you can stand on your own without him, he will want to stand beside you. Because you do not need a man, you will become more attractive. A confident woman can handle any situation because she knows her worth. When a woman is insecure, a man can see it in her facial expressions, choice of words and how she treats the people around her. However, when a woman knows what she wants, men will find her irresistible.

Affection

Being an ice princess will get you nowhere near a man's heart. Men are attracted to women who know how to open up emotionally. Despite the misconception that men hate mushy women, men like to be taken care of. They enjoy hugs, kisses and many other signs of affection that only a woman can offer. The softness of a woman's body and words drive men crazy. If you are interested in a guy, be sure to show your softer side. Being affectionate does not mean hovering or acting clingy. Demonstrate your interest through encouraging words, pet names and slight touches, and he will not be able to stop thinking about you.

Admiration

Men like to feel admired by women. A woman who is able to show her man how proud she is of him through her words and actions will win over his heart. A man will not choose to be a woman who does not respect or admire his efforts. If he does not feel good about himself when is with you, then you do not stand a chance. Show him how much you admire his mind, and he will be yours before you know it.

As a woman, you are armed with all of the qualities that could make a man happy. However, seduction starts in the mind. Attraction is derived from a mixture of emotions, which can be stirred by another human being. In other words, you have more power in attracting the person who you desire than you may think. If you show a man how much you understand his needs through your actions, he will gravitate towards you.

10 Things Guys Wish Women Knew about Men

Having a hard time relating to your partner? Our mentors are here for you. Request a mentor today.

It is likely no surprise to you that God has wired women and men differently. We all recognize some of these differences, but others often hide in plain sight. Shaunti Feldhahn, a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, author and speaker recently wrote a fantastic book, For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men. In it, she recounts the surprising truths she learned about men after interviewing more than one thousand of them.

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to interview Shaunti for our radio broadcast, HomeWord with Jim Burns. In our discussion, we spoke about ten things guys wish women knew about men. I think you’ll find these ten things fascinating! Even more, I believe that in understanding these issues, you’ll be equipped to lead your marriage to a better place!

1. Men would rather feel unloved than inadequate and disrespected. Husbands need to know that their wives respect them both privately and publicly. Men thrive when they know that their wives trust them, admire them and believe in them. Shaunti Feldhahn’s research indicated that men would rather sense the loss of loving feelings from their wives than to be disrespected by them.
2. A man’s anger is often a response to feeling disrespected by his wife. When a husband becomes angry with his wife, he may not come out and say, “You’re disrespecting me!” But, there is a good likelihood that he is feeling stung by something his wife has done which he considers disrespectful and humiliating.
3. Men are insecure. Men are afraid that they aren’t cutting it in life — not just at work, but at home, in their role as a husband. They may never vocalize this, but inwardly, they are secretly vulnerable. The antidote? Affirmation. To men, affirmation from their wives is everything! If they don’t receive this affirmation from their wives, they’ll seek it elsewhere. When they receive regular and genuine affirmation from their wives (not flattery, by the way), they become much more secure and confident in all areas of their lives.
4. Men feel the burden of being the provider for their family. Intellectually, it doesn’t matter how much or little a man makes, or whether or not his wife makes more or less money in her career. Men simply bear the emotional burden of providing for their family. It’s not a burden they’ve chosen to bear. Men are simply wired with this burden. As such, it is never far from their minds and can result in the feeling of being trapped. While wives cannot release their husbands from this burden, they can relieve it through a healthy dose of appreciation, encouragement and support.
5. Men want more sex. Everyone’s natural response to this is probably, “Duh!” But, that response is probably for the wrong reason. We primarily assume that men want more sex with their wives due to their physical wiring (their “needs”). But, surprisingly, Shaunti Feldhahn’s research showed that the reason men want more sex is because of their strong need to be desired by their wives. Men simply need to be wanted. Regular, fulfilling sex is critical to a man’s sense of feeling loved and desired.
6. Sex means more than sex. When men feel their wives desire them sexually, it has a profound effect on the rest of their lives. It gives them an increasing sense of confidence and well-being that carries over into every other area of his life. The flipside of this coin also carries a profoundly negative affect. When a husband feels rejected sexually, he not only feels his wife is rejecting him physically, but that she is somehow rejecting his life as a husband, provider and man. This is why making sex a priority in marriage is so incredibly important!
7. Men struggle with visual temptation. This means the vast majority of men respond to visual images when it comes to women. And, this doesn’t just mean the guys with wandering eyes. Even the most godly husband cannot avoid noticing a woman who dresses in a way that draws attention to her body. Even if it is just a glance, these visual images are stored away in the male brain as a sort of “visual rolodex” that will reappear without any warning. Men can choose whether to dwell on these images and memories or dismiss them, but they can’t control when these images appear.
8. Men enjoy romance, but doubt their skills to be romantic. True, many men appear to be unromantic clods, but it doesn’t mean that they want to be that way! Men want to be romantic, but they just doubt their ability to pull it off. They are plagued by internal hesitations, perceiving the risk of humiliation and failure as too high. Wives can do a great deal to increase their husbands’ confidence in their romantic skills through encouragement and redefining what romance looks like. For example, a wife may balk when her husband asks her to go along to the hardware store, but it’s likely that he’s asking because he sees it as a time they can get away as a couple and hang out together. What’s not romantic about that?
9. Men care about their wife’s appearance. This isn’t saying that all men want their wives to look like the latest supermodel. What men really want is to know that their wives are making an effort to take care of themselves (and not letting themselves go) because it matters to them (the husbands!). Husbands appreciate the efforts their wives make to maintain their attractiveness.
10. Men want their wives to know how much they love them. This was the number one response of men. Men aren’t confident in their ability to express this, but they love their wives dearly. Men want to show how much they love their wives and long for them to understand this fact.

“I MISS FALLING IN LOVE” - YVONNE NELSON

Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson woke up Tuesday morning with this confession.

The movie producer shared with her community on twitter that she misses falling in love and can’t remember the last time she was truly in love.

Nelson is notorious for getting in and out of relationships and had dated Nigeria’s Iyanya and Ice Prince exclusively sometime in the past.

She has been single since she broke up with Iyanya and the actress is pretty nostalgic.

Hope she finds the man who understands her for who she is and stands by her in all things.

YEMI ALADE REVEALS HOW ARTISTES LOBBY FOR AWARDS

Effyzzie Music Group queen, Yemi Alade, broke through barriers to become one of the leading artistes in Nigeria with her hit track, 'Johnny' and she has not looked back since.

The successful singer, who released her album some months back titled, 'Kings of Queens' has revealed that some artistes lobby and pay their way to win awards in the music industry.

She revealed this while dedicating an award she grabbed as 'Best artist in West Africa' in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso some days ago.

"On behalf of my team Effyzzie Music Group, I would like to dedicate this award for ‘Best artist in West Africa’ to the few artistes that do not go about lobbying for awards or buy their way to success," she said.

Tale of 3 Nollywood damsels who dumped their boyfriends - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/tale-of-3-nollywood-damsels-who-dumped-their-boyfriends/#sthash.Rpy37ygd.dpuf

Beautiful, chic, talented and sexy, are the words to describe these three Nollywood damsels, Lizzy Gold Onuwaje, Chiamaka Nwokeukwu and Peggy Onah. They have absolutely nothing in common except for their passion to make names for themselves in the make-believe world. So strong is their passion they would not allow anything to stand in their ways – including love! Hear their stories:

He said girls in Nollywood don’t stay in marriages — Lizzy Gold Onuwaje

Lizzy Gold Onuwaje isn’t new to the world of show business.  Her foray into the make-believe world started in 2006, when she won the Delta State Pageant as Miss Delta State. Then she tried her hands at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant (MDGN) where she emerged as the second runner-up.

Like most of her peers who had the undying passion to get into acting, Lizzy had hers too, but it didn’t go well with her boyfriend at the time.

“Initially, he was very skeptical about it. He said girls in Nollywood don’t stay in marriages. To me, it depends on individuals. I don’t think it’s true, because so far, some people like Omotola have kept their marriages. But he saw that I was very passionate about it when I went as far as attending an acting school in Lagos, so he let me be. I told him, it’s either he allowed me do my acting or he let me be. So he allowed me do my acting” she said.

But Lizzy was quick to add that it wasn’t really her acting that made her drop the guy, rather because he was not measuring up to her standard as a man.

“The affair didn’t crash because I went into acting;. The basic truth is he doesn’t have money; so I decided to end the relationship. I dumped him in 2013 because he didn’t have much in terms of money and he didn’t have any push for my kind of man”.

He believed I would be snatched from him — Peggy Onah

Peggy Onah

Pretty, sexy and busty Peggy Onah, has come to find her place in the competitive movie  industry by sheer hard work and talent. Unlike most ‘wannabes’ in the  industry, who would pull off their clothes to flaunt what mother nature has endowed them with at the drop of a hat, Peggy would rather want to keep them on. Though she’s heavily endowed in the chest region, the Enugu State University graduate of Mass Communications believes her boobs shouldn’t be her calling cards.

Though not yet what you would call a popular item but Peggy has  got it going and hardly stays out of jobs. She opened up to Potpourri recently that her boyfriend almost chequered her ambition but she resolved to follow her heart and what her heart told her was “ run, run, run”.

“ I don’t know how most men perceive the world of  acting. It isn’t the way they see it. They believe anybody going into acting would be soiled by greed and wantonness. My boy friend believed I would be snatched away from him. He asked me to quit and I was just beginning to pursue my acting career. I  couldn’t quit, besides, if he really loved me, he would have stayed. I can sacrifice my career when I’ve   achieved my  dream  in the industry. But now that I’m still striving  to hit the top, I can’t sacrifice it,” she said.

He was scared I would become wild – Chiamaka Nwokeukwu

Vulnerably beautiful and sexy, Chiamaka Nwokeukwu, isn’t a household name in Nollywood. But the fair-complexioned actress is very much on her way as she is having the best run of good streak in her career. Her top draw performance in the film, Chinelo, The Shy Virgin, opened not only another vista in her career but also earned her an AFRIFIMO awards in the United States of America.

She is, as they say, on the easy street, but this would probably not have come her way if she had listened to her boyfriend who tried all means to dissuade her from going into acting.

Chiamaka

Chiamaka once told me in an interview, “Yes I dumped him for Nollywood because he doesn’t want me to be a star. He doesn’t want me to follow up my career and he has not proposed to me. The guy can leave me tomorrow and now that I have the opportunity, I need to follow up. God blessed everybody with talent. It’s not easy to have talent, most people cannot act and when you have the zeal and you can do something, you have to use it well. It’s normal for a boy and girl to meet and if you really love your girl, you would let her go into what she wants. When I get married, automatically, if my husband says he doesn’t want me to act again, I will not act again, as long as he’s taking care of me” she said.

Continuing, “He was telling me that he doesn’t want me to act, that I’m a very nice person, I’m humble, that when I go into the industry, I’ll meet big people and I’ll become wild and be doing different things. He didn’t even want me to  start. Immediately I went for my first shoot, he said, `I think you don’t like me’. I said, I like you but let me try it first. This might be where God wants me to be”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/tale-of-3-nollywood-damsels-who-dumped-their-boyfriends/#sthash.Rpy37ygd.dpuf

Ink Eze: The Nigerian Men we are Raising

This is not a Nigerian man-bashing article.

My father and brother are Nigerian. My husband most likely will be Nigerian too. I really love Nigerian men, but I think they are sort of a ‘special breed’. Why? There are so many negative traits and behaviours that seem unique to our countrymen.

I’ve reflected on them and I think a lot of it has to do with how we raise our men. Because many Nigerians are ‘religious’, we raise our sons in a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ type of way. You might be telling your son one thing, but what he observes is another. The sins of the father (and mother) then become the sins of the son.

From impatience to infidelity, here are some of the ways I’ve noticed men are raised differently, and how they manifest in later life.

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Violence
Domestic violence can be found in most cultures in the world. But that’s not the only kind of violence that can happen at home. There’s what I call ‘depraved’  violence.

I know of a very wealthy man. One day my friend was in his house, hanging out with his son and other friends. Next thing, they heard a gunshot from downstairs and got scared. When their friend, his son came back upstairs, he told them his father had shot one of the ‘MoPol’s (mobile policemen) in the leg, because the man annoyed him. After arguing with the MoPol for a trivial reason, the chief grabbed a gun from another armed employee and just went ‘Bam’! The son shrugged and added, “this is like the fourth time”. They were shaken, but after a few ‘wow’s and ‘mmm’s , went back to enjoying their hang out.

In Nigeria, we all know money talks. I’m sure this man wasn’t questioned, arrested, or cautioned in any way. How then will his children, especially that son, ever learn this is unacceptable behaviour?

Now back to Domestic Violence
I’ve heard of soo many mothers who pushed their daughters into rushed marriages. When a man starts hitting her daughter, the mum feels guilty, and she can’t advice her child to withdraw from the marriage. The mother, depending on her experience, can also rationalize it, “You sef don’t annoy him all the time” or “Your daddy used to beat me when we were younger. He will grow out of it.”

One of my friends, when she was about 11 years old, witnessed all the women in her family counsel her cousin whose husband had beat her several times, to kneel down before him to apologize for ‘upsetting him’. She did … and they reconciled.

My friend, who had been peeping at her aunties and mother, because their voices were so loud, was traumatized, and vowed that day never to marry a Nigerian man … today she is married to a non-Nigerian.

Now, imagine if my friend was a boy. What impact would this have had on him? Would he have been disgusted? Or encouraged to think women are always in the wrong and ‘deserve’ to be physically hurt for their mistakes or even just because he feels like letting out his anger on her?

There’s a common mentality amongst some, if not most Nigerians, that in marriage, we must ‘die there’. If you ask your mother, why doesn’t she (the abused relative/friend) leave, many would say, ‘leave to where?’

Cheating
The stories I could tell you about Nigerian men’s sexcapades are too many and it seems they get more twisted every day. Pastors have even told young men in my generation, “guy, this your own dey too much o”.

I’ll just share one today. A woman in a long-distance marriage, her husband flew from Abuja (where he worked) to Port Harcourt every weekend. The man then got the house girl in Port Harcourt pregnant. If a man can impregnate the domestic help under his wife’s roof, then he most likely had numerous mistresses in his work base! But even that wasn’t enough for him. The woman then ‘threw’ her husband out of the house and counseled the lady to get rid of the child – ‘he wants to spoil your future! we will not let him!’ she said. The girl cried and went ahead with an abortion … a few days after, after the last drug had been swallowed, the lady threw her out of the house, and said ‘daddy said you forced him’, and welcomed her husband back with open arms.

There are so many men that take their sons to see their girlfriends, discuss their girlfriends, even make their sons (and daughters) pay for their girlfriends’ rent, tickets and bills!

A son who sees his father do all this (and see his mother take him back), how will the son do any better?

If he cheats, society won’t frown on it, his family would understand, maybe only his religious place of worship will give him any grief, if at all.

Domestic Skills (or lack thereof)
It’s one thing not to teach your children how to cook, or clean up for themselves. It’s another thing to make your son believe it is only a woman’s role to cook or clean up after him.

I’m talking about men who will come back from a trip a week before their wives, and leave their suitcases unopened – with the melange of dirty clothes, underwear and the like, and wait for their wife to return to sort it out.

I’m talking to men who want their wives to be their mothers!

A lot of guys make their girlfriends their maids. They believe women belong in the kitchen. Some men cannot eat re-heated food from the freezer, they only want ‘fresh food’, even sometimes with wives with very demanding jobs like those at the bank. Imagine living on the mainland, waking up at 4am everyday, and coming back at 9pm, and your husband demands a freshly cooked meal … only in Nigeria.

Correcting/Shaming Women (in public)
My friend shared on Instagram how a man was using his phone on a domestic flight – taking calls and texts thousands of feet above ground! A woman asked him to put it off. He did so. Then another man came to “correct” her that he’s her elder, so she had no place to do so. His wife stayed there silently while he berated her. The woman held her own, but no-one came to her defense. This is a woman who was looking out for all their safety, and no one said a thing.

Also, what is about Nigerian men and YELLING? MUST YOU SHOUT?! IS YOUR WIFE/CHILD/DRIVER DEAF?

Impatience and Entitlement
One day I was at Mr Biggs. Yes, I love their meat pie and doughnut (when there’s a generous dollop of jam) *covers face*. Anyway, if you’re familiar with the eatery, you will know there are usually two lines. One for the hot ticket items and another – sometimes for cake, ice cream etc. A woman walked in with her son.“I’m waiting here o” she shouted at the attendants, who were hurriedly packing and serving us. “I’m coming ma,” one of the two cashiers replied. After waiting less than two minutes, the woman huffed, puffed and hissed away, as she called them ‘useless’ and other names. Right next to her, watching all this was her little son. If that isn’t an imprint, I don’t know what is.

Nigerians! We don’t queue properly for anything. From bank lines, to NYSC, orderliness doesn’t seem to be in our DNA.

I’ve been in the front of a long line at a supermarket where a man emerged behind me, flashed his Durex condoms, and threw a 500 Naira note at the attendant, as he stuffed the condoms in his pocket. The irritated woman pointed out I was first in line, as I said it was ‘OK’ if he went in front of me. As he was waiting for his receipt, she pointed out again that she had to scan the item first. So with a grumble, he brought it out and she scanned it. I shook my head as his wedding ring flashed before me. I can bet you those weren’t for his wife…

Impatience/entitlement & Ego/pride/control
There are too many examples to mention, but I have to give a special shout out to my Igbo brothers on this one. I’ve never met so many people who feel the ground they walk on should be worshiped, and their decisions and ideas shouldn’t be questioned as much as my clansmen.

I know a man who slapped his son – on his wedding day!

What could a groom possibly do to anger his father so much? Why is the need for control so great? Wonders shall never end…

Their Way or the Highway!
This is a road pun because a lot of men ‘take the piss’ on the road, and don’t admit they are wrong.

My friend was in the “7-Up” area late at night. She was emerging from a narrow street on to a T junction. As she wanted to leave, a man blocked her (he wanted to enter the narrow street) from the main road. She had two options. Either stay and wait for him to give way, or reverse to the end of the dark, pot-holed filled street.

So she decided to wait. The man was clearly enjoying her frustration. He was dancing ‘shoki’ with his hands, covering his eyes and all, showing he wasn’t ready to place them on that wheel to move his car, any time soon.

She was waiting so long that three cars, also people who wanted to leave the street, came to park behind her. The man behind her, then left his car to talk to the man blocking them all. It was evident they were friends, as they started‘gisting’ and laughing. A few minutes went by, and the man left the ‘blocker’ to knock on her window and ask her to ‘wind down’. It seemed he was going to tell her to reverse. My friend said she didn’t know when she started raining reasoning and insults at the man. He was so shocked, that he ended up not saying a word, and calmly walked back to his car.

The ‘blocker’ saw all this go down, chuckled, stopped ‘shoki’ing and reversed for them all to pass.

She had been waiting for 30 minutes.

Now imagine if his child was in his car and had witnessed all this. What a legacy to leave!

***

This is by no means a comprehensive list, and as I said it’s very subjective, but in general I do think Nigerian women and men can raise their sons better.

‘What would you do if you find out your partner owns a secret phone?’ Watch this Week’s Episode of Ariyike’s Vlog

On this week’s episode of the weekly vlog by media personality Ariyike Akinbobola, she talks about the scenario where one finds out that their partner owns a secret phone.

What will your reaction be?

Watch her talk about it below.

HOME NEWS FEATURES EVENTS MUSIC MOVIES & TV STYLE BEAUTY WEDDINGS CAREER RELATIONSHIPS LIVING INSPIRED! Queen Latifah Talks Homosexuality in the Black Community & What She Would Have Asked Bill Cosby as She Covers Uptown Magazine

Singer, actress and former talk show host Queen Latifah is on the cover ofUptown magazine’s latest issue and inside the 45-year-old talks about her first nude scene, homosexuality in the black community and what she would have asked Bill Cosby.

Read excerpts from her interview below

On her nude scene in HBO’s Bessie: “I’ve never done that before. It was a little odd but it was also a quiet, relaxing thing. Sometimes she was so alone, and it was a moment for Bessie to acknowledge her vulnerability, which I can completely relate to … I don’t find [this nude scene] any more uncomfortable than kissing a girl in Set It Off and sticking to the script. You have to take your mind off of yourself and honor that character. Respect Cleo, respect Bessie.”

On marriage equality: “Who you choose to marry is really up to you and it’s not something you should be judged on. I don’t find being gay or lesbian to be a character flaw. Couples should be protected under the laws of this country period. It actually angers me.”

On her talk show, The Queen Latifah Show, being canceled: “Obviously it was disappointing but I don’t look at these things as catastrophic failures. We have a lot going on in our company alone, so I’m not worried about my next job opportunity.”

On Bill Cosby amid the rape allegations: “It’s unfortunate because he has done so much in terms of entertainment, culture and black folks. But right is right and wrong is wrong. All these women, all these stories, it’s just – what a big stain on such an amazing career.”

On homosexuality: “People’s ideas in general are antiquated when it comes to who you love. We haven’t moved as quickly as we probably should. And the reality is that there’s always been gay people in the black community, so it’s not foreign to us. And not just as a black community but just a society as a whole.”

BREAKING: Troops Storms sambisa forest Rescues 300 Girls, 93 Women

Reports reaching us inform that the Nigerian troops have stormed the Sambisa Forest and rescued about 300 women and girls.

PRNigeria gathered that at least, three major terrorists camps have been destroyed in the well-coordinated attacks that included the destruction of the notorious Tokumbere camp in the Sambisa Forest.

While confirming the operation, the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said he could not confirm the identity of the freed victims and their origins and he could not state if any of them was from Chibok until after thorough screening and proper investigations.

Reports reaching us inform that the Nigerian troops have stormed the Sambisa Forest and rescued about 300 women and girls.

PRNigeria gathered that at least, three major terrorists camps have been destroyed in the well-coordinated attacks that included the destruction of the notorious Tokumbere camp in the Sambisa Forest.

While confirming the operation, the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said he could not confirm the identity of the freed victims and their origins and he could not state if any of them was from Chibok until after thorough screening and proper investigations.

He said: “I can only confirm the rescued this afternoon of 200 girls and 93 women in different camps in the forest.

“We are yet to determine their origin as all the freed persons are now being screened and profiled. Please don’t misquote me on their origin. We will provide more details later.”

Last week Friday, it was reported that the military had attacked the last known hideout of the Boko Haram terror sect, the Sambisa forest with theuse of warplanes.

Meanwhile earlier today, report reached us that indicated that another set of soldiers may have arrived Sambisa Forest in Borno State as part of the ongoing military bombardment on the Boko Haram militants. 

Hull City vs Liverpool, Premier League: live

Ups and downs: Hull need three points to battle the drop while Liverpool need to win to boost hopes of finishing in top four Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Rob Bagchi

8:42PM BST 28 Apr 2015

This page will automatically update every 30 secondsOn Off

• Hull City vs Liverpool, match preview
• Rodgers: I can still bring league title back to Anfield

HULL CITY 1 LIVERPOOL 0

50 min

Coutinho, the hotstepper, travels 20 yards on a dribble in from the left but the final ball is poor and he doesn't spy Sterling's run round the left-back.

48 min

The ref spots N'Doye's wardrobe error and tells him to go and get it changed, which he does with a smile.

46 min

What I don't understand about the way Liverpool are playing is that they had a perfectly serviceable right-back in Martin Kelly and yet keep using the inadequate Manquillo there or Can, who is a central midfielder. Now Can gives away a corner when Aluko tries to find N'Doye, who is now wearing Hernandez's shirt.

Half time

Entertaining game so far with the defensive frailties of Liverpool at full-back and at tracking runners when the ball is in the air exposed. But with Coutinho, Ibe and Sterling linking up well they look like scoring, too.

Here's Dawson's tungsten-neck header:

Shane O'Leary writes

You're in the loop, so please tell Brendan that if he's serious about bringing silverware to Anfield, he's going to need a stripey jumper and a bag marked 'Swag'.

Me, loop? Touché, Shane.

45+2 min

Tremendous run from Johnson down the left, past Chester and to the byline. He scoots towards the near post and taps the ball through Harper's legs but Balotelli is a split-second behind the ball as it scoots across goal about a foot out. As soon as it goes beyond the far post the referee blows for half-time.

45 min

Going forward Liverpool have looked fine, particularly when Coutinho has the ball but Balotelli has twice gone for the more difficult pass and lost possession.

44 min

Actually, scratch that. Lord knows what system they're playing at the moment.

42 min

Rodgers, the Tinkerman, has changed his system with Ibe as a right wing-back and Can in central midfield.

40 min

Cross from Ibe after good work from Balotelli, driving on a diagonal run and knocking the ball out to the right. Ibe cut it back towards Henderson who met it on the volley and hit it straight to Harper's right and he easily smothered it. The Hull crowd was booing because it came after they were given the advantage following Lovren's foul but the initiative switched in a heartbeat and Liverpool countered.

GOAL!! Hull 1-0 Liverpool (Dawson) Hull win a corner because Can can't play as a right-back in a four and Aluko forces him to concede it. It's taken long from the left, headed out and Elmohamady picks it up 25 yards out and chips a diagonal cross over the top of the defence and Dawson, played onside by Balotelli, nodded a firm header past Mignolet.

35 min

Tenacious defending from Jordan Henderson stops Quinn, who has peeled off to the left, getting past him as Quinn tried to out-lollipop him with a sequence of turns. After the third he just watched the ball and booted it out. Good work from Huddlestone to distribute it after reading Quinn's run.

32 min

Hull have a bank of five and a bank of four when Liverpool have the ball which makes them very difficult to get through though Can almost pulls it off when he spots Ibe's dart between Brady and McShane but overclubs his pass and sends it skipping beyond the sprinting winger and into touch.

29 min

Dawson catches Henderson late and with snide force - though it looked accidental. Altogether now: 'He's not that sort of player.' The ref gives him the benefit of not even whistling it as a foul.

27 min

Managers' disdain for orthodox full-backs is almost shown up again when Brady roasts Can and spins in a terrific cross that Aluko directs towards goal, Mignolet claws away and N'Doye's effort from the rebound.

25 min

Sterling manages to draw Chester out to the right where he exposes his lack of pace with a spurt past him to the by-line. He drags back a low cross to Balotelli who has his back to goal about 12 yards out and he gives it the power back-heel - neat improvisation that almost comes off but Harper gets down to catch it despite the surprise element.

22 min

Liverpool have wrested the upper hand with penetrating runs from Coutinho and Ibe around the back, the latter getting on the end of a long cross from the left, taking it on the volley wide of the far post and hooking it into the box past Brady who failed to block it but McShane whips it away a yard infront of Balotelli.

20 min

Coutinho gets away with a studs-up tackle on Aluko and then gets on the end of a training-ground corner as he peeled to the nearpost and shot on the half-volley. Harper saw it late as it flashed through the box and palmed it away.

18 min

Hull free kick 40 yards out, taken by Brady with his left foot from the right. The ball is over the heads of Dawson and N'Doye but Skrtel either didn't get a call or hear it so decides to backhead it out for a corner, which is well defended.

16 min

That's Coutinho at his best, darting on a diagonal run from the left towards the middle of the park he clips a pass down the side of Chester for Johnson's run into the box. The stand-in left-back shanks his shot as he slips and gives Harper a cricked nec as he looked up to see where it landed at the back of the stand.

14 min

Rather odd pass from Balotelli almost puts his side in danger when he clips it right back to Can instead of Allen and it takes the midfielder's watchfulness to stop Brady when he intercepts.

12 min

Ball up from Can is taken by Ibe 20 yards inside his own half with his back to the Hull goal and Brady leans into him to shove him over. The free kick is worked up the Liverpool left but Sterling cannot find Coutinho because Huddlestone has tracked back to bolster the defence even more.

10 min

Ibe is playing wide right with Can at right-back and Johnson at left-back. Twice he wins the ball back and has a run at Brady but Hull have their defence lined up in a five rather than three at the moment and they squeeze any space very quickly.

8 min

Up come the centre-halfs, Brady takes it and it's headed back out. Hull recycle it out to the left where Aluko beats Can and stands up a cross towards the penalty spot and N'Doye meets it crisply and directs a header to Mignolet's right. The keeper dives across to save.

6 min

Aluko is playing off N'Doye and when a long ball up to the centre-forward was blocked, he won the second ball 30-odd yards out to the left of centre and Allen takes him down.

4 min

Balotelli takes the free kick himself, strikes the wall and the ball is deflected out for a corner that is wasted and easily cleared by Hull.

2 min

Elmohamady again makes a run forward from the throw and squares it but the pass is intercepted and sent out to the left where Ibe takes it 15 yards and plays it inside to Balotelli whose heels are clipped 35 yards out by Huddlestone. Balotelli raises his arm to remonstrate with Huddlestone and touches him.

1 min

Hull begin with an attack up the right, Elmohamady chiping it into the box for Livermore's run past Aluko and N'Doye but Skrtel hets there and whacks it out for a throw.

7.44pm Rodgers and Bruce embrace. It's on.

7.41pm The teams exit the tunnels. Steven Gerrard has been rested so he can play at the weekend, according to Brendan Rodgers.

7.35pm A lifelong Hull fan gets ready for the match.

7.30pm Mario Balotelli warms up. It's always him etc. I like him but think he's in the wrong country and playing for the wrong club.

7.17pm Who do you think dances better? Ahmed Elmohamady or the Liverpool quartet?