So, you know how you are supposed to go to school, get good grades, get a good job… and so on? We have all heard that mantra before but we also know how Nigerian schools actually are. In this article, I’m trying to stick mainly to a tertiary institution setting. A typical Nigerian university is not a place that will prepare you for life outside school.
In Nigeria, learning is mainly aimed at passing exams and not actually acquiring knowledge, you have lecturers who don’t care about students getting an A in their course any more than they do students learning.
So, you know how to define the ‘Theory of special relativity’ but do you understand it in depth? Of course, not. That question is not in the past questions for the last 5 years, they probably won’t ask it and even if they do, you can answer the other 4 questions whose answers you have crammed.
Nigerian schools are so far away from the level of education required academically that the Nigerian schools on any list of ‘best schools’ are there in spite of the Nigerian system rather than because of the system. You have final year students in schools doing the projects done by students of other schools with all confidence because ‘they can’t know’ or just grab the whole thing online, it is not like they check for plagiarism (public universities mainly).
Okay, you kill yourself in school doing a program in school that you would rather not do but you have done JAMB thrice and you just take any program given to you, you work extra hard because you have no flare for the said course, you do extra research online in your spare time into what you’re being taught and find out your lecturer is teaching the wrong thing but you can’t tell him because he will think you are acting like ‘you know more than him’ and you sure as hell know we can’t have that.
You finish school with a good grade and want to get a job but they won’t hire you without an NYSC certificate, so you go to the other end of Nigeria to spend a year and you are posted to a secondary school where the students can’t spell the subject they are having but the principal tells you that you have to help them during exam periods because ‘they are your younger ones’ but even though you know that your younger ones are at home, you help them because your principal said so and that’s what everybody is doing. You finish your NYSC and the students’ situation haven’t improved but you convince yourself that it is the work of the government and that you can’t really change anything.
You go back home and start job hunting, you apply for 20 jobs a day and you are not called for any interview because they are looking for 23 year olds with 5 years of work experience, after 3 months, your friend/uncle/aunt hooks you up with someone who asks you to come for an interview, you are so happy that things are finally looking up, it doesn’t matter that you studied engineering in school and the job has to do with accounting, why? you convince yourself that you can adapt, you get to the interview and find you are competing with 37 other people.... continue reading here http://thengmag.com/blog/2016/12/what-is-the-value-of-education-in-nigeria

What’s going on with Simi and Falz? And where does Adekunle Gold fall in this equation?

Brethren, like it or not as Nigerians we all have been racking our brains for a while now trying to find the answer to this imperative ‘jamb question’-- ‘Are Simi and Falz an item? No doubt we’ve all noticed the ‘chemistry’ between these two and recently the pair debuted a couple of wedding themed photos which had the entire nation even more excited about their supposed love. The pictures spent no time in causing social media uproar.

Some unauthentic sources claimed the pictures were from their pre wedding shoot. Days later however, the duo announced that the pictures were actually promo for their upcoming EP ‘Chemistry’. Even after their announcement twitter was still not letting go of the false buzz. Instead they had as much fun with it as they could. Memes upon memes were tweeted and some of them are admittedly hilarious.





The pair was even tagged as the official sweethearts of the Nigerian music industry. However, according to many sources, Simi and Adekunle Gold are currently in a solid 5 year relationship. So what’s the dealio? Are Falz and Simi pulling a ‘Jhene Aiko and Big Sean’? Does this mean there's trouble in paradise for Simi and Adekunle Gold? And if not, how is Adekunle Gold comfortable with all this? There are so many questions we need answers to!

Folarin Falana who goes by his popular stage name ‘Falz the Bahd Guy’ quickly rose to fame after his popular ‘ello bae’ skits on Instagram. Eventually we got to know him better as a rapper and he blew our minds with many hits like ‘Karashika’ and ‘Marry Me’. He later collaborated with Simi for the hit ‘Jamb Question’ and then did it again with ‘Soldier’, now they have an EP called ‘Chemistry’. Jhene Aiko and Big Sean also have an EP… hmm is this a sign? Nevertheless these two undoubtedly make crazily beautiful music.

All of their songs amazing in their own rights have caused the media to ask a lot of questions. Are they dating? One might argue that the reason these two are always seen around each other is because of their multiple musical collaborations however, it can only explain their ‘chemistry’—yes I did it again, sue me. Lol—to an extent. These two seem to genuinely love each other’s company. They are constantly filmed and photographed together laughing and having fun. You would most likely see the pair headlining events together rather than separately. So, are they friends with benefits or is it all strictly business between the two songbirds? This question begs for an answer most especially because Simi is rumored to be YBNL-signed Adekunle Gold’s bae. You just read that last word in Falz’s voice didn’t you? LOL.

Continue reading here http://thengmag.com/blog/2016/10/falz-and-simi-simi-and-adekunle-gold----a-love-triangle-we-cant-seem-to-understand

The 3 Thrones Concert took place on the 23rd of October. The Game Of Thrones Themed event was headlined by Davido, Tiwa Savage, Phyno, and of course we were there. We really want to give a brief description of how the event went down but we can't... We however have photos from the event, make of them whatever you may.

See the rest here http://thengmag.com/blog/2016/10/we-attended-the-3-thrones-concert-and-left-with-a-loooooot-of-photos

Most of us strive to always showcase a pearly-white smile to the world, but sadly, the cost of achieving that in the dentist’s chair can easily blow your budget to kingdom come.

The good news is that there are a lot of cheaper and gentler approaches that you can use to achieve a whiter set of teeth. In this post we’ll be showing you how to easily whiten your teeth at home, using products that might already be lurking in your kitchen cupboards!

Number One - Brush With Baking Soda

Baking Soda (bicarbonate of soda) is a stock pantry item, but have you ever considered using it for more than just a meal prep ingredient? Baking soda can clean your teeth, sure, but it also has the ability to tackle stains that have built up on the teeth due to caffeine and smoking. The reason why baking soda can help clean up surface stains from the teeth is because it’s abrasive. Because baking soda’s crystals dissolve in water, it can penetrate deep into crevices that most other abrasives cannot reach.
Heads Up: Since baking soda is a powerful abrasive, it should only be used once or twice a month until you have the results you were aiming for. You can also mix it with Activated Charcoal for an even more effective teeth whitener.

How to Use: Simply mix a teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste to a toothbrush and then proceed to brush your teeth for about two minutes before rinsing and brushing a second time with regular toothpaste.

Number Two - Delight in Dairy Products

You might have thought of “drinking milk for strong teeth” as nothing more than an old wives tale. Sure, adults don’t actually absorb calcium from milk in order to promote the good health of their teeth, but dairy products may actually help whiten up your teeth. Dairy products are crammed full of lactic acid, and it has been found that this substance has the ability to restore teeth strength and might also be able to prevent tooth decay. Since the lactic acid strengthens the enamel on your teeth, it can actually help preserve the white glow of your teeth.

Number Three - Try Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is recorded as an ancient Ayurvedic tooth-whitening method because it has been used to promote oral health and general dental hygiene over the ages. This method of whitening hasn’t been confirmed by clinical studies, but given its long history, you really have nothing to lose.
All you need to do to try this method is to swish a teaspoon of oil (choose between coconut oil and sesame oil) around in your mouth for about a minute each morning. Coconut oil has been reported to be the most effective when it comes to whitening power (since it contains lauric acid), but oil pulling, in general, can help rid your teeth of plaque and other grime, which makes teeth appear yellow.

While you can use those three methods to help brighten up the appearance of your teeth, you need to keep in mind that these are not instant fixes, and that they’ll take some time to show a remarkable difference. While you’re working towards achieving the results you’d like to see, there are a few things that you can start doing to ensure that your teeth don’t yellow any further.

How to Prevent Teeth from Turning Yellow... continue reading at http://thengmag.com/blog/2016/10/3-natural-ways-to-whiten-your-teeth

Did you know the recommended sugar intake in a day is 70g for men and 50g for women yet a normal bottle of coke yes I am talking about that plastic bottle one you buy for N150 contains 65g of sugar, that is 17 and a half cubes of sugar.

I understand why people love Sodas; they are everywhere, convenient, tasty, cheap, and that caffeine addiction hits you from nowhere all you coke addicts. Soda companies also pump billions into advertisement and promotions but trust me Shakira did not get that flat tummy from drinking one Pepsi a day.
For every reason you love to drink Soda, I can give you three reasons why you should stay away from them.

Firstly, Soda is useless

Containing no nutritional value whatsoever, it is made of filtered water and refined sugar. This is almost as good as drinking a bottle of water and popping sugar cubes into your mouth.

Weight Gain and Obesity

The link between soft drinks and weight gain has been scientifically proven. One of the first guidelines my gym instructor gave me was never drink your calories, rather eat them. A can of sprite contains 140 calories in comparison with a roasted chicken leg that has 45 calories, or even a banana, which contains 89 calories and costs a lot less.
Drinking one can of cola a day for four weeks is equivalent to ingesting 3,920 extra calories, or a gain of 1.1 pounds if the calories are not burned. A 160-pound person must walk for 27 minutes at 3.5 miles per hour to burn off the calories in one can of cola, according to the calorie-expenditure analysis provided by the MayoClinic.com. Now do you really want to be that person?

Diabetes

Linked to number #2. Consumption of sugar on such a high level increases your risks of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes, or type 2 diabetes. Keep in mind artificially sweetened beverages are not healthy alternatives to sugar sweetened drinks for the prevention of diabetes. Best to just grab a bottle of water with your lunch.


continue reading here http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/10/soda-the-sweet-poison-thats-going-to-kill-you

Yo broheims! It’s another instalment of the ‘Guy Code’. If you didn’t already know, the GUY CODE is that most sacred rulebook that ensures guys act like “guys”. First carved on stone by the cavemen and passed down from generation to generation, this most revered book has guided guys’ action in major things like World wars and even little things like cheating on a test. It’s next after whatever holy book you hold dear and if you’re atheist; well this is your Bible.

So you’ve just had an awesome night at the bar and have outdone all your bros by drinking the most but now nature’s come-a-calling and you’ve gotta go. Here’s what the Guy Code says about ‘going’ in a public urinal.

Rule 1: Do Your Business Quickly
Unless, you’re having sex in a public restroom (which I highly recommend), on no account should a guy spend extended periods of time in there. This is what makes us guys and not women. Since there’s no sex at urinals, folks should get in and out of the restrooms and help prevent a line in front of the door.

Rule 2: No Talking
Chatting is for the bar. Political and sports debates are for the living room with your boys. Public urinals have the strictest “no talking” policy no matter who you meet there. The brief “Hey” or “Hi” upon entrance to acknowledge the fellow male is permitted but that’s where it ends. Unless the guy next to you is about to have his penis bitten by a snake, you do not need to communicate. Any similar life or death situation is also an exception.

Rule 3: Eyes Front!!
This is the golden rule of the public urinal: Never, ever, ever, ever look sideways. That’s just plain weird. Eyes forward always and even in the event of an emergency, communicate without making eye contact.

Rule 4: Use the Urinal Properly
It may come across as a bit of a shock but ‘real men’ are clean men. Make sure to urinate inside the bowl and not on the wall or the sides. Urine art is NOT a thing!! Also, don’t ever shit in the urinal just because the stalls are full. Hold it till there’s a free stall; like a man!
Don’t ever forget to wash your hands after use. Only cavemen use toilets without washing their hands. You are NOT a caveman!

Rule 5: Keep the Margin of Error
Forget my use of superfluous words. This simply means there should always be the space of at least one bowl between each man. If the urinal is well under-utilized, then the maximum space possible between each other should be observed. It might be a public restroom but everyone still needs their privacy. Make sure to put the spacing into consideration when choosing a spot if the urinal is empty or largely empty.

Rule 6: What happens in the Restroom Stays in the Restroom
No matter what you see – awkward, violent, sexual, etc. – in the public restroom while at the urinal, Guy Code says you take it to your grave and never speak of it with another soul. Unless you are required to provide a police statement or are subpoenaed for those details, never tell.
Don’t forget to zip up after guys. This is not a rule but definitely a major key.
Well, that’s all for now folks. We hope this helps you handle yourself better at public urinals in the future.

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/10/guycode-urinal-etiquette

Getting your business right is paramount in today’s economy which is why Chase Executive Business Service, Nigeria’s pioneer provider of serviced office space is organizing a day seminar for Entrepreneurs, Start-Ups, Business Managers, Sales and Marketing Teams, etc tagged “Getting Your Business Right”

Every entrepreneur should know the value of information in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and in other to thrive in whatever field you desire to operate in, you need to know what is expected of you.

Having observed that starting a business is a big achievement for many entrepreneurs and startups but maintaining and stay afloat profitably is the biggest challenge; we have put together salient topics and facilitators to accelerate business growth.

We want our participants to explore the options and possibilities the various topic for the seminar provides to ensure a thriving and rewarding business and also be well informed and equipped on these topics.

We at Chase Executive Business Services hope to use this seminar to connect with Entrepreneurs, Start-Ups, Business Managers and Developers on our affordable office spaces which are tailored to suit various needs and budget.

Admission is free but a confirmation mail is required to book a seat and receive an invite.

Email: dejia@chasexecutive.com Phone Number: ‪09028599822‬

Date: Friday, October 7th 2016
Time: 9am – 12pm
Venue: 2nd Floor Oakland Centre, Plot ‪2940 Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja‬


source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/10/this-free-event-is-where-you-should-be-if-youre-a-young-business-owner

Not so long ago, I noticed this new trend which obviously received a lot of critique, as most people are not inclined to accept change with open arms but being the conservative yet fashion-forward individual I am (yes, I like to call myself that), I decided to take a second look at it and analyse it carefully and I thought to share it with guys who are just as stylish as I am, or who at least aspire to it. *wink*
There are those who may probably think that tailoring with trainers is as stylish and trendy as sandals with socks. Well, you’re not alone. I mean, it was once reserved for guys who valued comfort over style, but it is now in vogue, after quite a lot of people discovered that being comfortable can actually look pretty stylish.
But while the socks-and-sliders thing is left to rail-thin models and young university undergrads, suits and sneakers is much easier to pull off while maintaining that classy and mature look.
I guess it’s safe to say if you follow these guidelines, you will look quite stylish and less like that guy in the office who switches to gym shoes for the journey home.
The street style goons have spoken, trainers and tailoring are now sartorial, not scruffy. Here’s your guidelines for bossing the look.
Do Keep Things Classic
…and by classic, I mean simple. You are already making a statement with your shoes, so your suit shouldn’t. This is no time to be revealing that banana-coloured three-piece or that custard yellow double-breasted jacket.
Start with a slim-cut, navy suit and white trainers – the more minimalist, the better. Make sure your trousers are slim –or skinny fit; flared or boot cut will simply not work. With trainers, or, frankly, anything else.
Don’t Cheap Out
As with your regular brogue or oxford shoes, quality counts. Premium materials, traditional construction techniques and details such as hand-stitching allow you a little more aesthetic wiggle and confidence than rolling in some kicks you’ve had for years.
Link Your Look With Colour
The more links you can create between top and toe, the more these seemingly disparate fashion elements gel. Colour is an easy way to pull your trainers into the rest of your look, but please keep it subtle; if your suit is black or navy, a pop of the same in the logo or the lace is better than an all-black or blue trainer.
More subtle is pulling out a shade from your sneakers in your shirt or tie, or even choosing to echo a suede trainer’s soft nap with cashmere around your neck. That would definitely leave a lasting stylish impression.

DON’T EMBRACE THE RAINBOW
To the previous point, there’s a limit. Neon trainers are tough to wear if you’re in all-black sportswear. With a suit they just look like your proper shoes got coped at the gym.
As a rule of thumb, it shouldn’t even be an option to exercise in the kind of trainers you wear to work and vice versa.


read more guidelines here at http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/10/guidelines-to-wearing-suits-with-trainers

Men and women are biologically, sexually and psychologically different and those are facts, facts beyond human argument. Coming down to economical, mental and political aspects which is in human reach, men and women still aren’t the same but the difference is they could be and they should, which leads us to the feminism movement purely centred on the equality of rights politically, socially and economically between men and women. Women have fought for feminism for almost 200 years with little or no help from men. But this article isn’t for women and it’s not for the ignorant men who have willingly refused to understand feminism, this is for the men who want to understand more and the men who are scared to be labelled feminists. This is what feminism means from the views of a man.



Gender Expectation



Male roles are centred in strength, honour and action, which are healthy themes, but they have all evolved as humans do to concepts such as arrogance, lack of conscience, violence, hyper aggression, objectifying sex and restricting emotions which all fall under the umbrella of hyper masculinity. Young boys are wounded by a world that demands them to be this invisible concepts but ever-present concepts. Emotional neglect is what lays the groundwork for emotional numbing which later explodes into a wild ego of hyper masculine misbehaviour i.e. rape, brutality, rage, discrimination, arrogance and wilful ignorance which are all normalized by people with phrases like “boys will be boys”. These boys become men and these men become responsible for the world. Feminism is a breath of fresh air, a window into the spectrum that gender roles fall into.



Rape Culture And Mental Health



3 out of every 10 men were molested as little children, 1 out of every 10 men has been raped and just 14% of men raped share their experiences. In 2014, 75% of suicides were committed by men, male to female teenage suicide is currently 3:1 and less than 40% of men who died of suicide ever had psychiatric help. Feminism is restructuring gender roles and helping us fine tune what masculinity is defined by. Current male gender roles force a man to always be strong even when he isn’t, to uphold the masculine themes of strength, power and impregnability. But that is a lie, sometimes men are weak and vulnerable and they need help. Vulnerability has been made to look like a limitation but it is purely a symptom that something needs to be handed more delicately. Feminism is also taking men to a higher standard. Women are inherently wrong when raped, wrong for being a woman, wrong for being at the wrong place at the wrong time but why are men allowed to be such savage animals, why aren’t their morals immediately questioned as opposed to the victim? Instead of attacking the dress codes and morals of women, why do we not attack the vile behaviour of a man to defile a woman? If men take up the role of provider and protector why do we irrationally and unconsciously protect guilty men? Let the standard of feminism teach us better.



Income Inequality



Money is what gives us men the power that we have, it used to be physical power but now it is economical power and giving the right opportunities and a fair playing ground economical power is up for grabs to anyone. In Nigeria, statistics have shown that for every 1 naira made by a woman a man makes 1.08 naira more, though there have been a continuous increase in women who are now in the labour force there haven’t been an increase in women going to school which can be argued that men are encouraged and sponsored more to go to school than women are. Men with children are significantly paid more than women with children in fact statistically their pay reduces after childbirth. Tinuke (2013)

As fathers, brothers and sons we want the best for the women in our lives especially the women who sole breadwinners. Do not handicap women because in this time they carry the same economical and family burden a man carries but are still not eligible for the full economical profits. Let my mother, sister and daughter get what they deserve let them be able to support themselves and the men in their lives not because they have but because they want too. So many men have been forced into a life of crime because of the burden of responsibilities both men and women can share.



Parental Roles



gender roles proposed the current day roles and stereotypes when it comes to parenting. Women were boxed into the role of a domestic caregiver and housekeeper, which left men to be the provider and protector of the family. Thanks to feminism, women can strive to be just more than someone’s wife and someone’s mother, she can aspire to be anything under the sun though, yes, she will still have more obstacles than men would. Nonetheless there is still a stigma on single fathers and stay at home fathers. Fathers who question the idea of the sole custody of their children belonging to their mothers in a divorce, husbands who choose to sacrifice their careers to be a stay at home parent not because they have too but because they want too, fathers who have lost their wives and are pressured to remarry because only a woman can raise a child. Historically speaking yes women do make the best parents because of responsibility was forced on them and it is woven into how they are raised but if we can start to decimate the stigma of men taking on more domesticated paternal roles years to comes things would be much different.

This also applies to single mothers who are looked upon as incapable of keeping a man or labelled a careless slut, which in effect psychologically harms the sons they raise. As they see people subject their mother to stigma and pressure that impairs the way they view themselves and other women. Let feminism embolden men to not also be boxed into categories and stereotypes.



Feminism brings to the table the idea and notion that spectrums exist in the way we identify ourselves. There are no two sides to anything when it comes to human behaviour, there are 7 billion people on this earth and no 2 people act the same way so why do we let culture categorise people before they are even born, before they can even experience life. Human nature isn’t stagnant it is dynamic so social politics should be dynamic also. Feminism is the notion, which highlights that men are from earth, women are from earth deal with it and let everyone live

source http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/8/why-men-desperately-need-feminism

From the cultivation of the first grain of coffee bean in Ethiopia in the 11th century, its most common product; coffee - a brewed drink prepared from its roasted form- has grown to become the world’s seventh largest legal agricultural export by value (according to reports in 2005). With consumption rate standing at 141.6 million bags of beans this year, this value is expected to rise by 25% over the next five years because of the westernization of societies in India, China and Latin America according to International Coffee Organization (ICO) Director, Roberio Silva.
Besides being a beverage used to deduce if a society is westernized, it’s become a habit for countless people worldwide as they cannot help but start the day with a jolt of caffeine (Coffee’s most popular constituent). A habit that is still being debated if to be classified as good or bad due to the fact that caffeine albeit “Generally recognized as safe” by the food and drug administration has been discovered to have negative effects coupled with its constant medical and performance enhancing uses. It can be used medically to prevent Parkinson’s disease, gallstones, type 2 diabetes and in the treatment of ADHD, obesity and low blood pressure. A central nervous system stimulant, caffeine reduces physical fatigue, prevents drowsiness, increases focus and can delay sleep.
Negative side effects of coffee consumption include

Caffeinism

Somewhat related to the addiction, this effect occurs in adults who consume more than six cups daily making them totally dependent on coffee consumption along with symptoms such as anxiety and agitation.

Digestion

Consumption of coffee on an empty stomach leads to the production of Hydrochloric acid which is an essential part of the digestion process. Its early production due to coffee consumption may reduce the amount produced when a meal is consumed thereby delaying food digestion.
Mineral Absorption
Coffee may affect the kidneys ability to retain calcium, zinc, magnesium and other important minerals therefore making it difficult for heavy coffee drinkers to get enough materials from their food and even supplement.

Acrylamide

A potential carcinogenic substance formed when coffee beans are roasted at high temperature, acrylamide has been shown to be a product of
coffee. Its level is dependent on how dark the roast it

Tension and Stress

Although drinking coffee can make us productive, lots of it will increase the release of stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body. Chemicals that increase the body’s heart rate, blood pressure, tension level and have long term health implications.
Most of the aforementioned side effects of coffee are results of excessive consumption. It is therefore advised that for long term productivity, coffee consumption should be at most four Cups daily.


source http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/10/is-your-coffee-killing-you

Yoga has been around for more than 5000 years, with more than 100 different yoga forms. Yoga has been described as "the union of mind, body, and spirit," which addresses physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions towards an overall harmonious state of being. The First Lady, Aisha Buhari described it as ‘’A gift from India to the world’’ encouraging Nigerians to practice in order to enhance their well being. With the hustle and bustle of Nigeria, the benefits of adopting yoga seem even more attractive, imagine that annoying Bus Driver shouting over your head and having the will power to block him out. Yes! Yoga does that and many more.

A few of the benefits of yoga are:

Improves your flexibility
Builds muscle strength
Perfects your posture
Betters your bone health
Increases blood flow
Drops your blood pressure
Makes you happier
Improves your balance
Helps you sleep deeper
Peace of mind
Form of meditation
Encourages self care and the list goes on

So this is where we come in. How can you practice Yoga at your own leisure, at your own pace?

Check out the Nigerian Yoga Foundation to see for yourself just how yoga is making its presence felt in Nigeria.

If you live in Lagos, have you heard of Chi’s Yoga Classes? Chi’s Yoga was born of the idea of procuring space for healing in Lagos, Nigeria. They offer single and small group morning sessions in the comfort of private homes, hotels and health centres for beginners as well as advanced yoga practitioners. Other places include Spa and Fitness at Four Points by Sheraton, Yoga with Stacy at Garden Pearls, 1 Vanni close off Universal road, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja and Proflex Fitness Center at 20-24 Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.



In Abuja you have The Yoga Room and can join them on Facebook to participate in classes, even better call them on 08168054715. You also have the Cevenés Spa on Obafemi Awolowo Way (0809 971 3501), and for those closer to the Airport Oasis Stayfit Gym at Gwarimpa will do the trick (0803 600 0283).



If you find the centre’s too expensive and have mildly fast internet at home, learn online at Do Yoga With Me, all you have to do is register and follow for free yoga tutorials. Learn on YouTube with Yoga Vidya and yes, even Wikihow has Yoga training for beginners.

If your commitment is at an all time high, why not download the apps?

-Yoga Studio at just £2.99

-Daily Yoga- Lose Weight, Get Relief for free (but I warn with in-app purchases)

-5 Minute Yoga for those in a haste And

-Simply Yoga Free for the most passionate but broke of us.

Yoga has undergone much scientific study, with various psychological and physical theories suggested. In human research, yoga has been shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, increase breath holding time and lung capacity, improve muscle relaxation and body composition, cause weight loss, and increase overall physical endurance. Yoga may positively affect levels of brain or blood chemicals, such as monoamines, melatonin and stress hormones. Changes in several mental functions, including perception, attention, cognition, processing of sensory information, and visual perception, are described in human research.It is proposed that health may be affected by mind-body interactions that occur through techniques such as yoga, and that daily practice of yoga may help to maintain wellness.

So although you might not have a yoga centre near you, the benefits of trying on your own seem too attractive to pass by.

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/10/yoga-its-benefits-and-where-to-find-yoga-classes-in-nigeria

Starting your own business can be exciting but it’s easy to get carried away. The title of “Founder, CEO”, the fancy business meetings, it’s so easy to get caught in the idea of success that you actually fail to put the necessary work in. The grit and grind behind the impeccably tailored suits is what discourages most people from starting their own business but don’t be deterred. This is your chosen path now and your chosen lifestyle so you need to find a way to make the most of it.
Experience is crucial in keeping a business afloat but it doesn’t always have to be your experience. Don’t shy away from asking for advice from those who have threaded a similar path with outstanding success. Ask the questions even the journalist never thinks to ask the successful businessmen about what made their companies profitable. Obtain the right information from the right people. Every business is peculiar to its location and market so find out how to adapt your knowledge and acumen to suit your locality and consumer base.
For you to successfully build a business from start-up to a profit generating entity, understanding some basic ideas is necessary. Even though every business has its own unique business model, there are certain common denominators across all business and it is up to you to continually assess the situation and take several bold decisions. No matter how little you start with, every business has the capacity to grow once you do the right things at the right time. To help you on your journey, here are a few things you should take into consideration.

read all our tips for entrepreneurs in our free monthly magazine for young entrepreneurs.
We can help you promote your small scale business for free.

continue reading or download pdf here.
http://thengmag.com/Magazine/2016/september

When you talk about music icons in Nigeria, you wouldn’t be wrong to put Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade in the same class. Last week Thursday, a Nigerian music icon clocked 70.

Sunday Adeniyi or KSA as you know him as was born on the 22nd of September 1946 and the self acclaimed King of fuji who is better known as the minister of enjoyment did his bit in ensuring the music scene can become what it is today.

King Sunny Ade has spent the better part of 5 decades doing what he loves best which is singing and dancing. As part of the celebrations, there was a party last Saturday just for the celebration of the Nigerian legend who the president saluted by saying “King Sunny Ade’s love for humanity, especially the less privileged, by setting up a foundation that caters for the needs of others.’’
Chief Tony Okoroji, the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), described him as a trail-blazer in the Nigerian music industry and The COSON chairman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that even at 70, Sunny Ade remains “an icon“, whose success should spur parents to support their children interested in making a career in music.

More praise followed on Saturday where Sunny Ade was celebrated and present that day was fellow music icon Ebenezer Obey.


more photos at http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/photos-from-king-sunny-ade-at-70

Saying power supply has increased over the last few months is an understatement. Areas where there has been little or no electricity supply all year have witnessed some of their finest power moments in years.

I stay in an area in Lagos where we average about 20 hours of light every week but all that has changed... There’s light on an almost constant basis and we now average 18 hours of electricity ever day.

It is safe to say that before May 2016, majority of us spent more time in the dark with the ever increasing fuel prices and the ever present power outage.

Over the years, one of the problems we faced as a nation was the issue of electricity. If all else doesn’t go right with Nigeria and we don’t have jobs to keep us busy, the least we can do is stay home and enjoy some decent television – we couldn’t do that before with the kind of power situation we had to endure.

There has been so much light over the past months, I have had to continue paying for my DSTV; something I considered a huge waste of cash back in February, and if things stay like this, I might just get myself the recently released play station 4 (If the dollar says so).



So now that there is so much light, if you’re wondering what you should do with it, here are a few suggestions... If you don’t have job, that is.


Video Games

This one can really ruin you so before you decide on this path, you have to make absolutely sure that you have no job, commitment or any(thing/one) depending on you for food or basic shelter. Video games are amazing when there isn’t NEPA to cut your joy in half just when your autosave is autosaving. There has been an amazing stream of video games this year alone and with the new play station 4 on the way, combine the 4k resolution with FIFA 2017 and you have yourself a My-Life-Is-Finished cocktail.


Watch Television

This sounds like a regular advice but chill... There’s so much good stuff on DSTV these days (If you pay for it). If you watch cartoons, there are new episodes of Regular show, Adventure Time, Gumball, and Clarence to start your day. I wouldn’t advice to switch over to the movie stations (There’s laptop for that) but if your DSTV Catch up works, you can binge watch TV shows and re-watch every gruesome minute of Arsenal’s win this weekend.

Ps, if you didn’t get the memo, with 6,000 you can watch all the football you want and in HD too if you buy a Zapper decoder for 9,900.


The Only Thing You Need Friends For Is To Collect Movies

Since there’s almost always light, your PC never really runs low so the best thing you can do for yourself is to stock up on motion pictures... Movies, shows... Anything that works for you. The worst thing that can happen to you is to have a fully charged PC that cannot deliver simple entertainment. If you need a list of movies to see check this compilation http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/6/pulp-fiction-and-20-other-intriguing-movies-to-see-before-you-die but if you’re a series person, check this http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/10-awesome-shows-to-keep-you-busy-during-the-long-sallah-break


Start A Blog

If there’s one thing you’d quickly realize, it’s that boredom is just boredom regardless of how much fun things you think you’d rather be doing. Sometimes, the best way to handle it is to write down your thoughts and a very productive way of doing that is by starting a blog. Take this serious and you might just become the next Linda Ikeji.


You’ve Been Using The Internet Wrong

If all you do with the incredibly cheap internet we have today is tweet, snapchat and whatsapp, then you’ve been using the internet wrong. The most fun you can have online is on YouTube. Head on to YouTube and enter the keywords “Honest Trailers”, “Elders React”, “Teens React”, “How It Should Have Ended” and be marvelled by the amount of great stuff you’ve been missing on.


Find A Way To Pay Your Bill

If you’re living with your parents, this might not be for you but if you don’t then you probably should think about finding a way to pay for all the electricity you want to blow on playing Video games, Binge watching shows, and watching YouTube funnies all month.

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/who-needs-friends-when-nepa-is-giving-us-light-like-this

Dating back to 2737 BC and originating from China, Green tea is the healthiest and oldest beverage on the planet.

Green tea was used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding, heals wounds, improve heart and mental health, aid digestion and many more. Made from un-oxidized leaves, it is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have positive effects on the body.

Here we take a look at the benefits of Green tea that have been confirmed in recent human research studies, maybe they can convince you to ‘’go green’’.
Fat Burner

If you look at the ingredients lists for any fat burning supplement, chances are that green tea will be on there. Green tea has thermogenic and catechins properties that increase fat oxidation and raises metabolic rates. However, some studies don’t show any increase in metabolism, so the effects may depend on the individual. Don’t be too sad about this regular green tea is 99.9% water and provides 1 calorie per 100 ml serving, just replace your sugary drinks for green tea anyway.


Cancer Fighter

According to the National Cancer Institute, the polyphenols in tea have been shown to decrease tumour growths. Researchers believe that it is the high level of polyphenols in tea can help kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. The direct mechanism of cancer prevention hasn’t yet been fully established but the good news is there is a relationship between cancer prevention and tea consumption.

Dr Katherine Crew, assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at Columbia University, also conducted a study in men with prostate cancer and found that green tea drinkers had markedly lower prostate-specific antigen, which is linked to prostate tumour growth.


Oral Health

Streptococcus mutans is the primary harmful bacteria found in the mouth. It causes plaque formation and is a leading contributor of cavities and tooth decay. The Catechins in green tea inhibit the growth of bacteria, which lowers the risks of infections and improves dental health. The antioxidants also work as anti-inflammatory on the gums and help reduce the chances of oral cancer while reducing bad breath.


Diabetes

Type II diabetes is a disease that has been affecting more people in the past decade with about 300 million people worldwide having blood sugar problems. Some controlled experiments have shown that green tea can cause mild reductions in blood sugar levels, which lowers the risk of developing type II diabetes in the long term. One study in Japanese individuals found that those who drank the most green tea had a 42% lower risk of developing sugar related problems.


Heart Health

A 2013 review of studies found that green tea helped prevent a range of heart related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure and even strokes. Green tea also dramatically increases the antioxidant capability of the blood, which protects the LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway towards heart disease. Given the beneficial effects on risk factors, it is not surprising to see that green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the Harvard Heart Letter doctors found that those that drank green tea had significantly wider arteries, meaning lower risk in heart diseases like atherosclerosis.


Nectar of Youth

Of course, we all have to die eventually. That is inevitable. However, given that green tea drinkers are at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, it makes sense that it could help you live longer. As mentioned earlier, green tea is packed with antioxidants, and one major cause of aging is oxidation by free radicals. According to the San Francisco Gate, a study from the University of Campbell found that Japanese practitioners of a green tea ceremony showed longer life spans. If you think that’s the best part green tea can also make the skin more resistant to premature skin aging due to the catechins found present in it.


Anti- Anxiety and Relaxation

Have you ever heard Sheldon from big bang theory say the best thing to offer a stressed person is a cup of tea? Well he’s not too far from the truth, offer them green tea and marvel at the results.

A study published in the Journal of Trends in Food Science & Technology by Dr.Juneja and team states that theanine acts as a neurotransmitter that increases alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves are considered to be an indicator of relaxation. Human volunteers were given 50-200 mg of l-theanine and were shown to have increased alpha waves without drowsiness.

So it appears you can drink green tea to help mellow you out, without falling asleep.


Anti Bacterial

Green tea contains other antioxidants called catechins. According to a study published in the Food Science Technology Bulletin, these catechins specifically epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) and epicatechingallate (ECG), can hinder development of many bacterial species. These catechins can stick themselves into the films that cover the bacteria. By lodging into the outside layers of bacteria, EGCG and ECG may upset the bacteria from doing what it is supposed to, which is making you ill.


Brain Enhancement

Green tea does more than just keep you awake; it can also make you smarter. Green tea contains amino acid L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects. It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain

A research team said their findings suggest that green tea could be promising in the treatment of cognitive impairments associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as dementia.


Anti oxidants

Well, when we eat, our bodies have to turn food into energy. As a result, this generates some by products within our bodies called free radicals. These chemicals are pretty awful, and can severely damage our bodies through a process called oxidation. Free radicals are also, theoretically, the main driver in aging.

But have no fear, we can combat the negative effect of free radicals by consuming antioxidants, and one great way to do this is by drinking green tea. It is loaded with polyphenols like epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants. These substances can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage.

Try to choose a higher quality brand of green tea, because some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive levels of fluoride. That being said, even if you choose a lower quality brand, the benefits still far outweigh any risk.


Memory

Green tea boosts the neural juice that fuels memory. Well according to a study from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Basel Switzerland, sipping on green tea enhances memory. Until last year, the effects of green tea on cognitive function were speculative, but with the improvements in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Dr. Stefan Borgwardt could view the increased connectivity in the cortices of the brain after consumption of green tea. Specifically, green tea drinkers showed increased connectivity in key parts of the brain associated with memory. It’s important to underscore that the researchers used green tea extract, and you’d have to drink several cups of regular green tea to get the same amount of the active ingredient that’s most likely responsible for the effects which is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).



If green tea were a celebrity, it would already sit near the tippy top of the A-list. Its active ingredients have been linked to an array of health benefits. Definitely worth going green.

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/11-incredible-benefits-of-green-tea

BoJack Horseman
Bojack Horseman is a Netflix original that focuses on the life of a humanoid horse – BoJack who is famous for a TV show he did in the 90’s. Drowning in a puddle of self hate and emotional ruins, BoJack is forced to confront his past mistakes one after the other.
The shows starts off like the regular satirical cartoon but slowly turns into this very deep show about a horse whose childhood was a mess and his 15 minutes of fame filled with regrettable decisions and no regard for the next person.

Stranger Things
Another Netflix original, Stranger Things is a must watch for you.
Set in 1983 and filled with popular culture, Stranger things enters the minds of four or would I say three geeky high school kids considering that one was abducted 15 minutes into the first episode by an alien from an alternate dimension opened by the scientists at Hawkings. This alien drags Will into a different dimension the kids call the “Upside Down” and they are left with trying to find a gate to the other dimension and save their friend who somehow still communicates with his mother Joyce.

Narcos
Yet again, Netflix.
Narcos follows the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and his ordeal with the Drug Enforcement Agency behind his tails. A definite watch if you love movies like American Gangster.

Silicon Valley
HBO’s Silicon Valley is a pretty lovely show about tech entrepreneurs trying to build a brand in the very dense Valley filled with hugely successful companies modelled after real life organizations. As nerdy as this might sound, it isn’t BBT nerdy and can be enjoyed by tech noobs too.

Lucifer
Lucifer on FOX, I’m sure you’ve seen that somewhere. Lucifer which was a DC Comic book for as long as I can remember has recently been turned into a show with the leading role played by the elegant and charming Tom Ellis.
Lucifer follows the life of Satan in L.A. living undercover with his sidekick Mazikeen and his brother trying to get him back to hell. The second season kicks off in a few days and oh God, how excited I am for this. You can watch the trailer here.

The Preacher
When Seth Rogen decides to direct anything, you can expect weirdness. The Preacher follows the life of a preacher and his search for God in a world inhabited by “holy, hellish, and everything-in-between characters”.
Jesse Custer fulfils his late father’s wish and decides to take over his church but this soon becomes difficult when his body becomes home to a dark and cryptic force.

Rick and Morty
Take away all the unnecessary Pop Culture iterations from your favourite cartoon show. In fact take away all of it and fill it with absolutely anything you think up, mash it up with an incredible plot and science-y things; that is Rick and Morty.
Rick and Morty is a show about genius outlaw Rick Sanchez *burp* who moves into his daughter’s *burp* *burp* home and decides to use their garage as his laboratory. Follow Rick and his grandson Morty as they go on insane, mind bending and time looping adventures. *burp*

Madoff Miniseries
Richard Dreyfuss plays the role of Bernie Madoff in an absolute rocker of a 4 episode show. The show shows the rise and fall of Bernie and captures everything about his personal life including his family’s battle with cancer.
Madoff's Ponzi scheme, which had global consequences, is considered the largest financial scam in the history of the U.S. as the former investment adviser stole 50 billion dollars during his time of operation. He is currently locked up and serving a 150 year jail time with no hope of release.

The Get Down
The Get Down is a music-driven drama that documents the emergence of a new art form. Set in the late 1970s, when New York was at the brink of bankruptcy and disco was dying out, the rise of hip-hop is told through the lives, art, music and dance of a group of young people in the South Bronx.
Behind the show is the multi-talented Baz Luhrmann and a team of collaborators -- Oscar-winner Catherine Martin, legendary MC Nas, Grandmaster Flash, Pulitzer-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis, and hip-hop historian Nelson George.

Billions
U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades goes after hedge fund king, Bobby "Axe" Axelrod in a battle between two powerful New York figures. The show which is somewhat based on the activities of crusading federal prosecutor of financial crimes in the southern district of New York, is a high intensity drama between two men who try to use their intelligence, resources, power and influence to outsmart each other.

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/10-awesome-shows-to-keep-you-busy-during-the-long-sallah-break

From the sharp dressers in Suits to the far less self conscious men in Silicon Valley, we decided to give a critical look into some of your favourite TV shows to reveal things you probably never knew about them.
Silicon Valley’s Peter Gregory
We all know Peter Gregory, the billionaire angel investor who saved Pied Piper from the Hooli crisis. Well, as we all know, Peter was played by Christopher Evan Welch who didn’t make it to the second season because he died. What we do not know is that Christopher Welch had been battling lung cancer since 2010. Just a day after receiving information that he landed the Peter Gregory role, he got news from his doctor that the lung cancer had spread to his brain and would eventually kill him.
If you knew about the show back then, this shouldn’t be news to you but if you’re late to the party, you probably aren’t aware of this.
Welch went on to shoot five episodes before he died in December 2013. Unsurprisingly, his character, Peter Gregory also died and left HBO to figure out how the show would proceed... As it turned out to be, they did a good job with that.

Game Of Thrones Loves Cameos
Everybody watches Game of Thrones. All through the six seasons so far, the show has drawn millions of viewers who manage to miss every hidden cameo appearances of their favourite artists. Asides Icelandic bands Sigur Ros, and Of monsters and men appearing on the show, Will champion of Coldplay played a part entertaining the guests at the famous red wedding. The show also has seen show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss appear. David Benioff’s parents also took some time off to act in the show.

The Walking Dead Has Some Interesting Stats
In a post Zombie apocalypse world, the word Zombie is never mentioned and up until I gave up on the show, no one ever called zombies zombies instead they call them walkers, lurkers, roamers, floaters.... you know, anything goes, just not zombies.
Actors who play zombies on this show have to go to zombie school to learn how to move and act like one. And after each show, the zombies have lunch/dinner together away from the actual people.

Modern Family Has Quite The Cast
The acting on Modern Family is probably one of the reasons why I fell in love with the show. The cast features some pretty interesting people playing pretty interesting roles. Take for example, Luke Dunphy. Luke is portrayed by Nolan Gould who surprisingly is a boy genius. Hard to believe yeah? Well, Gould has been a member of Mensa since he was 4 years old (Mensa is the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world). He has an IQ of 150 and graduated from high school when he was 13 years old.
Another thing you might not know is that Cam isn’t gay. Eric Stonestreet who plays the role of Cam is straight in real life. Julie Bowie (Claire Dunphy) who gives 100% energy in her acting wears a pacemaker. The actress has been wearing one since her 20s because of heart problems while Gloria (Sofia Vergara) was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 when she was 28 years old, but had a full recovery after treatment.

Homeland
Obama’s favourite Tv Show, Homeland has quite the opening credit... Some of the images used are actually photos of Claire Danes as a kid. The fictional character Carrie Mathison was actually supposed to be Claire and was supposed to be played by Halle Berry but after she turned the role down, the writers had to change the fictional name because Claire Danes got the role. She also told the Entertainment Weekly that she was the one who decided Carrie had Bipolar 1.
The show is based on an Israeli show called Hatufim which is Hebrew for Kidnapped or Adbducted.

Family Guy
Family Guy, a franchise worth over $2billion was the first animated program to earn an Emmy nomination for best outstanding comedy since the Flinstones. The show focuses on Peter Griffin and his family of 5 if we include his Dog and his baby Stewie for whom the writers pick when they want him to be heard by other family members.
Quagmire who was modelled after Bob Hope is actually 68 years old in the cartoon according to his license which revealed that Quagmire is born in 1948.
In every episode, someone yells What The Hell. This is part of a running joke by the writers and most of the time, Lois always ends up saying it to Peter.
Family Guy creator, Seth MacFarlane had a ticket for Flight 93, the plane that was heroically reclaimed from hijackers and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania on the famous 9/11. Seth MacFarlane was supposed to be on board that plane. His agent mistakenly told him the wrong boarding time and he got to the airport too late. Waiting for the next plane, he saw the news that the flight had been hijacked and crashed and turned to the guy next to him and said: Oh my god, that was the flight I was supposed to be on.
The show has gathered a lot of hate and has been cancelled multiple times. Along with that, it has been named worst TV show of the week at least 44 times by the Parents TV council.

Narcos
According to producer Eric Newman, Narcos was supposed to be a full-length feature movie but when they began talking about how in-depth they wanted to get into the backstories of the main characters, the team knew straight away there will be way too much content to pack into a 2 hour screentime.
Brazilian actor Wagner Moura had to learn Spanish to play the Escobar role so he took classes at a local university and read everything that had ever been printed about Pablo Escobar.
Escobar used $2,500 worth of rubber bands a month just to keep his money in bundles and although 10% of his hidden cash was eaten by rats, he lost billions in dollars but that never made a difference in his overall worth. He made so much money that he had to buy a private jet specifically to transport money. It is believed that while on the run, he had to set fire to $2 million just to keep his cold daughter warm... I think I’ve made my point on how rich he was.

Suits
Every single suit Harvey wears is designed by Tom Ford and he wears up to 10 looks in every episode. The women wear Dior, Victoria Beckham, Prada, Zac Posen and Burberry.
The show was originally called A Legal Mind and if you ever wonder why Harvey and Donna have such amazing chemistry, that’s because they have known each other for over 20 years and it was upon Harvey’s recommendation that Sarah Rafferty got to play Donna.


source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/interesting-facts-about-some-of-your-favourite-shows

It is expected for Sony to roll out almost identical, much slimmer version of each PlayStation it puts out. Yesterday at the event in New York, Sony revealed that the slimmer version of the PlaySation 4 will cost you $299 (117,000?) and should be available on the 15th of September in most stores.

In functionality, the newer PlayStation 4 version doesn’t differ much from the previous version but with the new sleek design, it does look a lot compact and more appealing. The major difference comes in shape of the redesigned light bar of the DualShock 4 which is now visible from the front.

Now for the big news, there is going to be an upgraded PS4 console ready to ship November 10. The next generation PlayStation 4 is a huge upgrade on the former with a faster processor, better graphics, and support for 4K resolution. Although the gaming company will still continue production of every other PS4 version, the PlayStation Pro is specially designed for Pro gamers and is powered by an upgraded GPU and comes with a 1TB hard drive. This PlayStation version will feature better graphics for games which will be released for all PlayStation 4 versions. If you’re a Pro gamer, $399 (151,000?) shouldn’t be too much for all of this.

A new firmware update that allows HDR display is coming for all PlayStation 4 users and will be available. The PlayStation Pro will support HDR gaming and video playback but nothing has been said for regular base models. Either way, you'll need a television that supports HDR if you’re going to view the improved images.

No telling when these new consoles are going to hit Nigeria but I presume we should be seeing both by December.


source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/the-new-playstation-4-models-are-simply-gorgeous

Apple took the wraps off its next-generation iPhones at today’s product event, and it turns out all our predictions were right – Well most of them.

The iPhone 7 and 7 plus are almost exactly what the rumours said they would be. Maybe except for a few additions and uh, subtractions. Starting at $649 and $769 (we would do the math, but it’s getting pretty unpredictable these days) for the 32gb base model, the iPhone 7 and 7 plus feature quite a number of improvements and new features too.

At first glance, it may not be obvious to the eye, but Apple has redesigned its signature home button. Perhaps a much needed change, the Home button features the same pressure sensitive technology as the ones on the new MacBooks, with taptic feedback too.
The cameras come next in line; both models feature a 7-megapixel FaceTime (front facing) camera. Things get pretty interesting at the back, with the 7 spotting a 12MP rear camera, and the 7 plus, two: a wide-angle and a telephoto camera. Both cameras also come with optical image stabilization and a quad-LED True Tone flash bundled in.
Apple also launched a set of wireless headphones called the “Airpods” which contain built-in sensors to detect when a pod is in your ear, and play music. Music won’t play otherwise. Apple is also including an adapter for older 3.5mm headphones, just in case you’re still stuck in the past.


SOURCE: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/apple-introduces-the-iphone7-and-iphone-7-plus

Does success come with a “Best before date”? If so, when exactly am I regarded a lost cause?
Success usually comes quick for those who put themselves in the right position for great things to happen to them. It usually is advisable for you to begin early. By begin early, I mean gather the right skills early enough. It is believed that new languages cannot be learned without an accent once you’re over the age of 16. Whether you believe it or not, the habits we form during our early years go a long way in determining how far we go.
By the age of 10 (1994) Mark Zuckerberg had taught himself how to use a computer, by 11 he developed a program that connected his father’s home and office computers, and later went on to build Facebook in 2004.
Elon Musk however started reading 10 hours daily at the age of 8 and in two years had read everything he considered interesting in his neighbourhood library, by 11 he learned BASIC by completing a 6 month course in 3 days, and by 15 (1986) he decided his life mission was to save humanity.
Once you’re a certain age, you begin to think “Can I still do this? Is this entrepreneur life even for me”? Well, according to the Forbes List, 35 is the most common age to start up a business that would eventually grow into a multi-million dollar company. The future doesn’t look so gloomy now yeah?
While I cannot explain why this is so, I can come up with a theory which suggests that contrary to what we believe, desperation and the sheer need to succeed can indeed inspire you to make some live changing decisions which most times turn out to be good if you just have the courage to believe.
“There is creativity for validation, and there is creativity for survival” Macklemore.
Pardon the hip hop reference but that could just work out as well in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Creating because you need to and creating because you can are two different things.
People who start companies early enough often do so because they want to and rarely because they need to. Usually they go on to build empires for themselves. On the other hand, late bloomers often have a stronger cause which is the “need” factor. Wanting to do something and needing to do something are two different things because of the level of urgency attached. More often than not, the urgency that comes with age inspires us to do great things we never thought possible during our early years.
Graduating from the university, with a lot of expectations from your parents, you could begin to lose hope when you turn on the TV and see young CEOs doing big things and making huge impacts in the world around.
So what if you’re 27 and you don’t have your life in order just yet? Did you know that ‎Charles Flint founded IBM at 61? A platform which might have had a direct or indirect impact in Zuckerberg’s life. Success is relative but you have to admit, whether you’re a Zuckerberg starting Facebook at 19 or a Flint starting IBM at 61, you’re a success regardless.
Here’s a list of people who founded multi-million dollar companies at a much older age than you are now.
Cher Wang – HTC 39
Masaru Ibuka – Sony 38
Liu Chuanzhi – Lenovo 38
Reid Hoffman – LinkedIn 36
Gordon Moore – Intel 39
There could be several reasons why you’re a late bloomer. It could be that the platform required for you to create your breakthrough business just hasn’t been created yet or the market you’re going to dominate isn’t big enough to be noticed just yet.
Whether you’re a Gordon Moore or a Charles Flint, there’s no reason to feel out of place in this world, keep believing and keep getting better.

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/success-how-old-is-too-old

We all hear news regarding various stock exchanges and come across stock market terminology like IPOs, wall street, stock, dividend, market value, etc. every once in a while. I’m also pretty sure we’ve all seen ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ at least once. Do you however know what goes on in the stock market and the basics of trading stock? No? Then this is for you.

We cannot get into the basics of the stock market without first gaining a little knowledge on stock. A stock is basically a document representing a share of ownership in a company. It signifies a claim to a company’s assets or earnings.

The stock market is therefore a platform or a trading ground allowing individual members of the public to receive part ownership in a public company of their choice in exchange for a price of course. It allows for the buying and selling of stock. Offering up a company’s stock for sale is generally a means of raising capital.

So how does it operate? Before a company can be listed or qualified to trade publicly on the stock market, depending on the governing body, there are criteria that would have to be met. The company in question will then put up an Initial Public Offer (IPO) where the company first issues out its shares to the members of the public for sale.

Imagine a company called Sam’s Hair Co. Ltd, which has recently met all the listing requirements to trade their shares publicly and issue an IPO. This would mean that shares of Sam’s Hair Co. would be open to general members of the public to buy and sell. As long as Sam’s Hair Co. remains profitable, the shares of stock bought will most likely increase in value and can be sold on the stock exchange.

So how can you make an investment in a profitable company and how do you even know if a company is going to be profitable? The answer to this is a STOCK BROKER. Brokers are agents charged with the responsibility of buying and selling shares on behalf of clients for a fee/commission.

There are typically two kinds of stock brokers; high-end brokers who offer investment advice and are relatively expensive and discounted brokers whose services are generally more affordable but do not come with investment advice. More recently however, there online brokers that work through online brokerages; they provide investment database information for their clients. Brokers trade stocks for their clients through a brokerage account. With a little research you can find brokerage firms and agents that best suit your needs and begin investing.

There are 60 major stock exchanges in the world. The largest of these is the New York Stock Exchange, which is home to quite a number of leading firms in the world such as Ford Motors, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, etc.

Investing in stock is generally risky as there is no certainty of a company’s profitability or appreciation in value of its shares. However there are those who have made millions by making the right investment. With the right brokers and right information you too can cash out from trading stocks.

source http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/stock-market-101

Click on the link

Here’s a little treat for the Game Of Thrones fans. All the characters you love, have a positive and negative shade to them. You love them at times, you even hate them at times, but no matter who lives or dies, you want to keep watching the TV Series that has broken all barriers of being the Best TV show ever and you waiting for the next episode.

The performances make you so engrossed in the story that you often forget that there are real people hiding beneath Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow and Cersei Lannister. Often these actresses and actors have appeared in many other productions prior to their appearance on HBO’s most popular series. Check out the actors of the greatest show before they became a part of this historical phenomenon.

Take a look at the list and see if you can find your favorite GoT character before they arrived in Westeros

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/9/game-of-thrones-characters-then--now

more photos in the link

Following up on our previous story, Mark Zuckerberg did spend a couple of hours checking out what the folks at CoCreation Hub were up to, he shared some intelligent thoughts to some of the younger ones and did a little motivational talk before leaving.
Here are the coolest photos from his visit taken by our very own creative director.
Check out more photos from our source.

SOURCE: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/8/the-coolest-high-resolution-photos-from-mark-zuckerbergs-visit-to-co-creation-hub
PHOTO SOURCE: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/8/the-coolest-high-resolution-photos-from-mark-zuckerbergs-visit-to-co-creation-hub

Gynecomastia or ‘man boobs’ is a very common condition that occurs in growing boys and much older men. It is signified by a prominent increase in one or both breasts and could be caused by several reasons; some physiological and others pathological. Pathological causes involve an imbalance between the activities of androgens and oestrogens.

Epidemology

• At least 50% of adolescent boys will experience gynecomastia.
• It is a common condition thought to be present in a third of men in the course of their life.
• It is a non-cancerous condition. Breast cancer is detected in only 1% of male breast enlargement.
• Prevalence of asymptomatic gynaecomastia is reported as 60-90% of neonates, 50-60% of adolescents, and 70% in men aged 50-69.

What Are The Signs?

If the name ‘Man boobs’ is any indication, gynecomastia signs vary from sightings of extra tissues around the nipples or other parts of the breasts. These tissues can be tender or painful. Dimpling of the skin and retraction of the nipple are not typical findings. Milky discharge also isn’t a prominent feature except for individuals with prolactin secreting tumor.

Causes

Oestrogen stimulates breast tissue growth whilst androgens inhibit it. The moment there is an unhealthy imbalance in the ratio of oestrogen to androgens, gynecomastia is around the corner. The ratio can be altered by the action of testosterone or enhanced oestrogen or both and therefore, it may be caused by:
• Conditions which cause raised oestrogen levels
• Conditions which cause low testosterone levels
• Conditions which cause androgen resistance
• Conditions which cause an increased conversion of androgens to oestrogens.

Gynecomastia arises solely from hormonal imbalance but here are some factors could contribute to this development.

Obesity

When you are overweight, you can’t escape from breast fat but not all of them are due to obesity, so trying to lose weight might not help you. The reason is simple; being overweight can increase your oestrogen levels and cause breast tissues developing.

Puberty

During puberty, hormone levels in teenage boys usually vary. Many teenage boys have some degree of gynecomastia. This is due to the fluctuation in the testosterone level, if the testosterone level drops, oestrogen can cause breast tissues to grow but that usually clears up over time when the hormones become more stable.

Older Age

As boys become men and men become even older men, they produce less testosterone which causes hormonal imbalance and could lead to the development of breast fat. Another contributing factor is the fact that as men get older, they develop more fat because of a less active lifestyle and this can lead to more oestrogen been produced.
This isn’t worth mentioning but for completion, newborn baby boys also experience gynecomastia because oestrogen passes through the placenta from the mother to the baby. This usually clears up within a few weeks.

Other causes include:
• Infection in the testicles
• Side effect of medication like anti-ulcer drugs or drugs for heart diseases.
• Cannabis or anabolic steroids
• Too much alcohol
• Kidney failure or liver disease

Treatment
• Medication to resolve hormonal imbalance
• For severe cases, surgery is needed to remove excess breast fat.
If you are worried about your breast growth, see your GP. Your GP will tell you everything you need to know (most of which can be found here) and further indigenous treatment options you can’t find on the internet.

source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/8/everything-you-need-to-know-about-gynecomastia-or-man-boobs

Just like any other relationship you have, your relationship with God needs to be nurtured in order for it to grow.

In our various relationships, there are many things we do to nurture them to avoid our relationships from dying and not being uninteresting. We call one another, send pictures to ourselves, go out, and spend quality time discussing matters of the heart. The irony of all these things we do is that the most important relationship we need to have is often neglected because of flimsy excuses like “I am too busy” or “this relationship with God is not for me.” God is always ready to listen to us, to protect us, provide for us, and build a relationship with us but we always build a wall that separates us from Him. I believe it is high time we made sincere efforts to nurture our relationship with God because we may not have the opportunity to do so again. In a relationship with God, the basic things matter and discussed below are five ways to pursue and nurture your relationship with God.

1. Surrender To God.
This is all about accepting Christ and declaring your true love for Him. Before a person becomes your friend, you have to like and accept that person for who they are and this is exactly what you need to do when pursuing your relationship with God. You need to acknowledge that Christ died for you and is your king.

2. Find a Church and Fellowship with Other Believers
Now in pursuing this unique relationship, you need to find a place where you can fellowship with other believers of Christ. Just like with our friends, we usually have that one place we love to go during the weekends but with God, the difference is the purpose of the place we usually go to and the consistency involved. We go to church regularly to listen to the word, rekindle our faith and to fellowship with one another. The purpose of the church makes it more than a casual place to visit but a place of worship.

3. Study the Bible
In order to have a good relationship with God we have to know His word. The bible tells us that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. If we do not know what God likes, dislikes, and loves, there is no way we will be connected to Him. As friendships involve spending time with one another to further understand ourselves, we also need to do the same with God. God is so powerful and loves us so much that He desperately wants to speak to us through His word.

4. Pray Fervently
Prayer is communication with God in heaven. Prayer is the master key to having a fulfilled relationship with God. Spending some time with God on our knees is a powerful thing to do and this puts us in a position of stewardship because we surrender to listen to God’s instruction to Him. Prayer is also the manner through which we present our supplications to God and also offer thanksgiving. It is also a way to reach God to ask for forgiveness of sins. Prayer is a major element needed to stir up our relationship with God. It changes all things. You need to constantly pray as it protects you from the enemy’s plans.

5. Join Small Bible Groups
Finally, after practicing the above-mentioned steps, there is no guarantee that you will not fall out of your relationship with God because you are not perfect. Since you are aware of your weaknesses, you need to find a small group where you can worship, study the word, pray for one another, and be accountable to one another. With this group, you are sure that when you fall off from Christ, you have brothers and sisters in the Lord who will help you get back with God.

As you have read, these are just basic steps but they are really important. Pursue your relationship with God as you would pursue your relationship with your best friend. This is the most important relationship we need in our lives and the earlier we realize this, the better for us all.

source:http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/8/five-ways-to-pursue-your-relationship-with-god

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream, a dream you dream together is reality” John Legend.

Just like every business, the music business follows similar protocol; to turn a dream into a reality takes talent, time, determination and the right team. If you’re an up and coming artiste and you think of music as a 100 meter dash, you need to banish that thought. Behind every successful artiste, there is a cast of equally important people who play vital roles in keeping the artiste afloat. Think of it this way, there’s only so much an artiste can do, if you need to stay in the right frame of mind to make decent music, you need people handling the things that normally will get in your way. The simple truth is this; you’re only as good as your management team because if you begin your career alone, there will come a time you wouldn’t be prepared for the next level.

We all know the Iyanya story. He announced on the 11th of July that he was leaving his record label. A label which he co-owns by the way. He set up Made Men Music Group MMMG in 2011 but due to problems with his manager and friend Ubi Franklin he decided to leave which confirms that no matter how big you get, the wrong team is the wrong team... Iyanya moved his business to a music management company named “Temple Management Company” much later.

And then there is Skales; the second half of the EME hopeful twins a couple of years ago. Late in May, Skale's Record label accused his manager of fraud. His Manager allegedly made off with 13 million naira. That’s what you get for doing business with the wrong set.

What exactly does a music management team do for you?

Having studied a handful of artistes, I noticed a trend; a lot of artistes would rather have a personal manager than have a team of fully committed members. That could work for you if you don’t have the platform to get into a music management company but it is very inefficient and rarely yields result... If you fall into that category, you could always build your own team.

As mentioned earlier, a personal manager is a good idea but here is why you need a team. A music management team assigns a personal manager to you based on their analysis of you, your music and its needs.

A music management team also provides you with all the required publicity you need. They have the capacity to help with social media adverts, online promotions of your songs and shoots. A concert promoter if you get big enough to perform at specific gatherings is also provided for you.

Retail sales managers work or have the capacity to link you up with major music distribution means like the popular major markets that supply music. If you ever wonder why you see Wizkid’s albums or Davido’s music on the streets, this is the guy responsible and this guy will work closely with your management team.

A major part of any business is the money making part of it. The only way to test the profitability of your trade is to evaluate the amount of money it rakes in. When you do begin to make money, you have to keep making money faster than you spend it or end up like M.C. Hammer. A management company handles the business part of your work as they handle your finances and predict new ways to make more for you. Another really important thing to take away from this is the fact that they handle the legal aspect of things which saves you a lot.


source: http://thengmag.com/Blog/2016/8/youre-only-as-good-as-your-management-team