I know what some of you are thinking already: She must be single, lonely and bitter! Well, you couldn’t be more wrong! I hate Valentine’s Day because of several other reasons. So I’m going to attempt to write this post without coming off as an angry woman.

As we all know, it’s the Love Season. A lot of single ladies feel worthless and unappreciated because their friends who are in relationships will not shut up about what their partners will be buying them on Valentine’s Day. Some of you fail to realize that some of these people are not even in happy relationships. But it’s the “season of love” and everybody wants to feel special so they hold on to nothing, hoping to get that nice gift, and after rubbing it in your single friends’ faces, you cry yourself to sleep at night because your life sucks.

 This is the time when females call up their loser ex-boyfriends, hoping to get back together because they don’t want to be alone. You know he’s still the jackass that cheated on you, probably with one of your home girls but you don’t care. You just don’t want to be alone on Valentine’s Day. I call this time of the year “The Or Else Season.” I know it sounds cheesy but whatever. Guys feel the need to buy something expensive for their partners not because they want to. They just have to do it, or else they will get in trouble. As a female, you know there are no emotions attached to the gift. You know he didn’t put any thoughts into it but it’s better than nothing.

A friend of mine was complaining bitterly about how he has to spend money anytime it’s his girl’s birthday or when it’s Valentine’s Day. I know there are other guys out there just like that who only do things for their partners on their birthday or Valentine’s day. SHAME ON YOU! See I don’t have a problem with buying gifts for your partners. But what happened to just showing your affection for someone without waiting till Valentine’s Day? You don’t have to wait for it to be your partner’s birthday or Valentine’s Day before you do something special.

I don’t hate Valentine’s Day because of the gifts, come on, women love gifts! I guess you can call me “old-fashioned” but I like spontaneity. Make everyday a Valentine’s Day. NO! This doesn’t mean you should buy me a gift every single day. Whatever you do, put a little romance and some thoughts into it. Don’t do something nice for me just because it’s my birthday. You don’t have to go to Wal Mart to get a card. Why don’t you make one and write your own words into it. It means a lot more and it’s memorable. Occasionally surprise me because you want to, not for any particular reason.  I like simple things like that. But I’m only speaking for myself here. Most females these days don’t even take it easy on the men. You know how big your man’s bank account is but because it’s Valentine’s Day, you want him to buy you that big diamond, so you can show it off to your single friends and make them feel like crap.

This is the time of the year when people talk about how much sex they are going to have. So what happened to the other 11 months in the year? Are you saying you have not been getting any? So you only get to have sex on Valentine’s Day? I mean what makes the sex on that day so special?

And we have the females who buy gifts for themselves, take pictures of the gifts, log on to facebook and then post the pictures with captions like “awww my boo got me these. He loves me so much” News Flash: Everyone knows you’re single! The only person you’re fooling is yourself. And that’s just pathetic!

People fail to realize that it’s just ONE DAY! It’ll be over before you know it! So you decided to make other people feel like shit because your “boo” got you a bunch of roses and some expensive chocolate. Guess what? The roses are going to die in about a week or two. You will eat the chocolates, gain at least 10 pounds, and he will dump you because you got fat! Who’s laughing now?! How’s that for a Happy Valentine’s Day?!

These are the reasons why I cannot stand Valentine’s Day. LOL. BYE!

British Supermarkets are known to have economy branded products that act as cheaper options for people who can’t afford expensive things. But it must have come to a surpose to many when ASDA, a supermarket chain  in the UK launched a valentine card that cost 7p (Approx 20 Naira).

To make things worse, The card has  the words ‘Be My Valentine’ feature on the front, and the ‘Smart Price’ logo is inside a heart shape.

SMART OR DUMB???: Some lovers might not see the funny side to been presented a card worth N20 on Val's day

The cut-price cards proved a big hit on internet forum hotukdeals.com, where one user wrote: ‘I think it should come with a warning on the packet – guaranteed to get you a quickie divorce.’

Another user wrote: ‘Excellent, now buy myself as many as I like – never get any! Best start practicing writing left-handed!’

It remains to be seen if people will be bold enough to buy such a card and present it to their partners.

You must have heard people wrongly pronounce the ‘ru’ of “February” i/juː/ you rather than /ruː/ roo, as if it were spelled “Feb-u-ary,” or maybe you wrongly pronounce it yourself. I’ve actually heard people pronounce it “Feb-ry.” Now, here’s the right pronunciation (click)

Apart from the Valentines’ day and being the shortest month in the year (Julian and Gregorian Calendar), with 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years, here are some other interesting facts about FEBRUARY.

In common years, February starts on the same day of the week as March, and November, but on the same day as August in leap years, like 2012.

Horoscope: February 1 to 18th falls under Aquarius, while the rest of the month, Pisces.

Symbol

• Its birth flower is the violet (Viola (plant)) and the common primrose (Primula vulgaris).^[4]
• Its birthstone is the amethyst. It symbolizes piety, humility, spiritual wisdom, and sincerity.
• Its Zodiac signs are Aquarius (until February 18) and Pisces (start at February 19)

February is the only month of the year that can pass without a single full moon. It is also the only month of the calendar that once every six years and twice every 11 years, will have only four full 7-day weeks. Where the first day of the month starts on a Monday and the last day ends on a Sunday, this was observed in 2010 and can be traced back 11 years to 1999, 6 years back to 1993, 11 years back to 1982, 11 years back to 1971 and 6 years back to 1965; and so on twice 11 years consecutively and once six years either forward into the future or back into the past. This works unless the pattern is broken by a skipped leap year, but no leap year has been skipped since 1900 and no others will be skipped until 2100. (Years that are evenly divisible by 100 are not leap years, unless they are also evenly divisible by 400, in which case they are leap years.^[2][3]) A year of this kind would be a common year starting on Friday. It cannot happen in a leap year.

Events and Holidays

• Black History Month (Canada and United States)
• LGBT History Month (United Kingdom)
• National Bird-Feeding Month
• Parent Leadership Month
• Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius:February 1
• St Brigid’s Day: February 1, Ireland
• Groundhog Day: February 2, United States and Canada
• Imbolc: February 2
• Independence of Sri Lanka: February 4
• 1917 Constitution of Mexico: February 5
• Waitangi Day in New Zealand: February 6
• Slovenian Cultural Holiday: February 8
• National Foundation Day in Japan: February 11
• Abraham Lincoln‘s birthday: February 12, United States
• Valentine’s Day: February 14
• Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre: An infamous mafia attack. February 14
• Flag Day of Canada: February 15
• Kosovo‘s Independence Day: February 17
• Presidents Day (United States, third Monday)
• International Mother Language Day: February 21
• Independence Day in Saint Lucia: February 22
• George Washington‘s birthday: February 22, United States (often coincides with President’s Day, see above)
• Flag Day of Mexico: February 24
• Independence Day in Estonia: February 24
• People Power Revolution (Philippines) February 25
• Liberation Day (Kuwait) February 26
• Dominican Republic Independence: February 27
• Leap Day: February 29 (Every four years, with some exceptions)
• National Day of the Sun (in Argentina)
• National Wear Red Day (in the US and the UK)

A Nollywood movie producer, Dickson Iroegbu is ready to release his latest movie that tackles the issues of Gay rights in Nigeria. The foremost Nollywood producer has promised fans that ‘Law 58′,  will be a movie about homosexuality in Nigeria and its consequences. According to him,  the cast will include the likes of  Kanayo O Kanayo, Clarion Chukwurah, Halima Abubakar and will be released next month.

In a statement , the producer said:

“When I saw the National Assembly debate on Gay Marriage, I thought it was prophetic because at the time, I produced the movie, we hadn’t engaged ourselves constructively on how to address the issue of gay. We pretended then as if it didn’t exist in our society.  Not knowing that it was gradually eating into the fabrics of the society.”

CONTROVERSIAL: Dickson Iroegbu is set to release a movie that tackles the issue of Gay Rights in Nigeria

“So, one saw it at that time and set out to discuss it via the tube. I may sound very judgmental about it but I have no apologies whatsoever. Homosexual is an evil act that our culture and religion as Africans prohibits,  and so, speaking against it as a film maker is to re-echo what my society has been saying about the ugly practice.”

“At the time, I was shooting the movie, most of my colleagues frowned at the project because it was rumour then that some of them were involved in the act. I thought it was time to take a stand, given the fact that I was once called a gay, just to discredit my personality”

Facebook announced on Tuesday that the company’s Timeline feature will be forced on users “over the next few weeks.” Facebook introduced the Timeline feature last year, which transforms a profile page into a timeline of a user’s life, highlighting photos, posts and life events that help tell the user’s story. Once activated, people will have seven days to preview the Timeline content before it goes live on the account.

FORCED CHANGE: Users of Facebook will be forced to upgrade to the new Timeline look over the next couple of weeks

Last week,  Facebook added a feature that enabled apps to populate timelines with new information, such as a virtual passport to share a user’s favorite locations.

Read Official Facebook release about timeline implementation HERE

Police  in the city of Burbank, California have arrested a woman outside a McDonald’s, after she was caught offering to have sex with a customer in exchange for his chicken McNuggets.

NOT FOR TOODLERS: Khadija offered to have sex for Chicken Nuggets, a popular Kids meal at McDonalds

The Lady known as Khadijah Baseer, supposedly opened customers’ car doors near the drive-through window on Jan. One man called police after Khadijah said she would have sex if he gave up the Chicken Nuggets that he had just purchased. The man allegedly turned down the proposition. Police in Bubank arrested Khadija for suspected prostitution, media reports say.

Earlier this week, it came as a shock to most of us when we found out that the National strike due to the Fuel subsidy removal was cancelled and the fuel price went down from N141 to N97. So the government pretty much made the protest all about the Fuel Subsidy removal, ignoring other crimes & corruption.

Before the strike got cancelled, Nigerians protested all over the world, including musicians likeBanky W, IBK, Bouqui, Ego, Tiwa Savage, Rugged Man and several others, even Dele Momodu protested in London.  But the Nigerian Youth Ambassador D’Banj and Don Jazzy were nowhere to be found.  We didn’t hear a word from either of these guys until the strike got cancelled, which caused quite an uproar on twitter and luckily, I was there to capture every moment. Take a look at the screen shots below.

Do you guys think the fans misplaced their priorities by attacking Don Jazzy instead of the government? Remember, Don Jazzy didn’t force us to vote for Goodluck Jonathan.
But other Nigerian musicians protested and they didn’t get “snipped” so why was Don Jazzy no where to be found through out the protest? Would it make any difference if he participated during the protest? As a youth ambassador, shouldn’t D’Banj address the youth instead of ignoring the protest? Let’s talk about it. Follow me on twitter @OluwaSparkle

The OccupyNigeria Protest in at the UN headquarters in New York, Jan 14, 2012

Jan 14, New York – The OccupyNigeria protest keeps spreading – this time the place was the UN headquarters. With the temperature hovering between 16°F and 19°F, the turnout was impressive as Nigerians came out to make their grievances known. Grievances which erupted as a result of  the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Goodluck Jonathan administration on the first day of the year. A cruel new year gift many might say.

Among the protesters was R&B singer, Banky W, who also took part in the protests in Lagos, days earlier. Like many of the protesters, his frustrations transcends the subsidy removal – “the wasteful spending, 1billion naira ($6.25million) to feed the president and his family…the 2012 budget is just a joke with some of the line-items such as 250 million naira for scanners and printers…” He also referenced recent studies that suggests that Nigerian are among the happiest people in the world, “not anymore,” he declared. A lot was said by everybody who got on the mic and in front of the cameras, but they all demand change!

Click here for pictures from the protest

The protest started from the Nigerian House on 2nd  ave before moving to the UN around 2pm, and ended sometimes between 3:45 and 4pm as the blistering cold crept in.

photo: UnderDaRock 

Nigeria is currently in a difficult phase, one that if not handled well, threatens the very existence of the Nation. Everyone is affected; even the little ones know something is definitely wrong somewhere because mom and dad keep complaining in the house. You and I know what I mean.

The fuel subsidy has caused a lot of national concern. Just yesterday, thousands of Nigerians across different states, marched in unity in protest against the federal government’s removal of the subsidy, which escalated the price from N65 to N140 (In some states, it even goes higher than that). That makes at least a whopping  115 percent increase – bad, bad news for the average Nigerian worker.

Let’s do a simple calculation. If Mr. A earns N80,000 and spends N10,000 per month on transport fare, with this development, the cost will now be at least N20,000, since almost the cost of everything has doubled (even the tomato seller tells you “Na fuel, no be me“). It will not be surprising to see less cars on the roads as many will now find it more economical to go with public transport. Of course, that does not mean there will be a corresponding increase in salaries as Organisations too will be working on cutting costs.

MIRACLE NEEDED: Since Water is not Petrol most Nigerians will find it hard to adjust to the sudden sharp rise in price

According to the federal government, the money realised will be used to improve public amenities, which will favour the majority poor, but Nigerians do not want to be fooled anymore, because of the unfulfilled promises of the past and it seems they are ready to fight this course to finish.

But, one thing keeps boggling my mind – “Are Nigerians united to win this?” Time will tell. If this happens, it will be the greatest revolution in recent Nigeria.

While we wait, share your experience of how the removal of fuel subsidy has affected your work and personal life. Opinions must be constructive and add value to the lives of other readers. Cheers!

Written by Arowolo Anuoluwapo  SOURCE JOBBERMAN.COM

Nollywood Actress Tonto Dikeh tweeted a few pictures of hers laying a wreath on late music star, Dagrin’s grave in Atan Cemetery, Lagos as a mark of respect to her late star.

Tonto Dikeh at DaGrin's grave

It’s nice to know that she cares about the deceased, but I think it’s wrong for her to have it photographed. We don’t need to know that you visited his graveyard! This should be one of those things you do in private and just let it stay that way, but she decided to pull this cheap publicity stunt. All the same, it was a nice gesture.

What do you think of this photography???
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Here is a video in remembrance of one of the greatest rappers in Nigeria

R.I.P DaGrin

This is an ongoing battle between Nigerian parents with kids abroad. Love is universal and shouldn’t be boxed down to “culture” however most Nigerian parents think differently on this issue.

We are ALL "ONE" but don't tell that to a NIGERIAN PARENT SHA!

Even when a Nigerian finally finds another Nigerian to marry then the issue of “TRIBALISM” raises its head. I just think people should be allowed to marry whomever they please.

Below is a video of some Nigerian parents sharing their thoughts on the subject matter. What’s your take?

lets talk about it!

Senators were, yesterday, divided over plans by President Goodluck Jonathan to remove subsidies from petroleum products in January 2012. The division came to the fore during the consideration of the 2012-2015 Medium Term Fiscal Frameworks (MTFF) sent to the National Assembly by President Jonathan, even as the Senate plans to extend the 2011 budget to March, 2012.

Senate President, David Mark who presided over the session decried the high cost of running the executive arm of government even as the senators faulted the revenue projection of government in the MTFF. While some of the senators believed fuel subsidy removal will trigger development and national growth, others contended that subsidy removal will compound the economic woes of the masses.

Some of them urged government to be cautious in its approach to removal of subsidy, while others held the view that government cannot continue to fund subsidies in the oil sector that does not have direct benefit on the masses. But the senators were, however, unanimous in commending the Federal Government for its foresight in developing a long term fiscal development strategy for the nation.

JOKING WITH A SERIOUS MATTER: Fuel Subsidy is an issue affecting all Nigerians

Senator Emmanuel Paulker, PDP, Bayelsa Central, lauded government plans to deregulate the downstream oil sector.

He said: “Deregulation is a very good policy as far as I am concerned. If one quarter of budgetary provision is going to one sector and we are not seeing the benefits, then it is not good enough. It is my view that government cannot continue to spend resources for Nigerians to get fuel at N65 per liter to the detriment of the poor.”

Senator Hope Uzodinma, PDP Imo West, who was in support of fuel subsidy removal called for prudent management of the resources upon the eventual removal of oil subsidy.

According to him: “The planned removal of fuel subsidy in 2012 is part of the fiscal strategy. The plan envisages that this will free up about N1.2 trillion in savings in 2012 alone. Emphasis should be placed on core areas of national needs especially on security and agriculture.”

But speaking against removal of fuel subsidy, Senators Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, PDP, Niger East and Babayo Gamawa, PDP, Bauchi North both said government has lost sense of direction in the management of the nation’s economy.

Kuta in his argument against subsidy removal said: “Unfortunately for us, we do not know where we are and it is difficult for us to know where we are going. We pumped a lot of money into the power sector without any result. Everything is geared towards removal of subsidy. I appeal to government to please look at this approach again. If they have to remove subsidy, let it be gradual. It will be too negative, too sudden and our masses will suffer.”

We need to be cautious — Gamawa

Gamawa in his contribution said: “One of the major components of the policy of physical consolidation is government’s intent to phase out subsidy beginning from 2012. And this subsidy removal, Nigerians are still very unclear on how it is going to impact on their lives so we need to be very cautious.

“My colleagues will agree with me that right now we have problems all over in every sector, health, education roads, security things are not right. We have these problems especially this issue of subsidy; enlighten our electorate on how subsidy removal will impact on their lives. I am not in support of subsidy removal anyway until we are satisfied on how it will impact on the lives of Nigerians.”

Senator Sani Stores, CPC, Katsina kicking against subsidy removal said: “I am surprised that people are saying this is a good document. When you are planning, you need to plan 10, 15, 20 100 years ahead, this is just two years or three years from 2012-2015. That is a short term fiscal policy. If we recall, the price of oil used to be nine dollars per barrel; as of today, it is over 100 dollars per barrel.

“The budget is set between $70 per barrel to $75; there is an excess of over 25 per cent per barrel. We produce over 2.5 million barrels a day. Where is that excess money? Before our late president died there was over $20 billion in our foreign reserve, where has that $20 billion gone to? It would have been used to cushion everything we need without the removal of fuel subsidy. In my opinion, failing to plan is planning to fail; we have four refineries none of them is working.”

Senator Mark while ruling on the debate dismissed misgivings about the MTFF, noting that it is just mere government intentions for the four year period.

Senator Mark also said the MTFF is a good replacement for the yearly budgetary process which has failed in terms of development and transforming the economy.

His words: “I will like to sum up by saying that I think the paper is just a framework at this stage and for all intents and purposes the figures are preliminary figures; they are not fixed. There is no doubt that a paper of this nature will not capture everything, there will be omissions and by going to the committees, the essence is for the committee to take a better look at the details of the paper that has been submitted to us.

“It is based on the four year rolling plan or budgetary plan. I think we are agreed that this yearly budgeting system has not worked, if we have a rolling plan it is easier for us to see at a glance what we are looking at for the next four years.

“However, even as a person, I am a bit worried that the capital increase is just per N170billion from 2011 to 2012. How will a mere increase of N170 billion really be a projection. So, when the paper gets to the joint committees, I think these are the areas they may want to look at. FG should trim workforce — Mark

Critics say removing Fuel Subsidy will affect ordinary Nigerians hard

“The Federal bureaucracy obviously is over bloated, how has it been captured? What have we done in this paper to ensure that this over bloated Federal bureaucracy is not continued? In fact, we should make every effort to reduce the federal bureaucracy. At the moment we simply cannot sustain it. It is not only over bloated it has got a very high consumption rate and national consumption rate too. These are some of the areas that when we refer them to the committee, the committee will have to look at properly.”

Meanwhile the Senate also referred the ambassadorial screening to the committee on foreign affairs.

SOURCE: VANGUARD