Biblical Names And Their Respective Meaning.

Here's a list of Biblical names and their respective meanings. So that the next time you wanna name a child, you'll be aware of the meaning before giving such child a name. Enjoy!

BIBLICAL NAMES FOR BOYS:

Aaron (Hebrew) - Ex. 4:14 - a teacher; lofty; mountain of strength.
Abel (Hebrew) - Gen. 4:2 - vanity; breath; vapor.
Abiathar (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 22:20 - excellent father; father of the remnant.
Abihu (Hebrew) - Ex. 6:22 - he is my father.
Abijah (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 7:8 - the Lord is my father.
Abner (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 14:50 - father of light.
Abraham (Hebrew) - Gen.17:5 - father of a great multitude.
Abram (Hebrew) - Gen. 11:27 - high father; exaltedfather.
Absolom (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 15:2 - father of peace.
Adam (Hebrew) - Gen. 3:17 - earthy; red.
Adonijah (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 3:4 - the Lord is my master.
Alexander (Greek) - Mark 15:21 - one who assists men; defender of men.
Amaziah (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 12:21 - the strength ofthe Lord.
Amos (Hebrew) - Amos 1:1 - loading; weighty.
Ananias (Greek, from Hebrew) - Acts 5:1 - the cloudof the Lord.
Andrew (Greek) - Matt. 4:18 - a strong man.
Apollos (Greek) - Acts 18:24 - one who destroys; destroyer.
Aquila (Latin) - Acts 18:2 - an eagle.
Asa (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 15:9 - physician; cure.
Asaph (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 6:39 - who gathers together.
Asher (Hebrew) - Gen. 30:13 - happiness.
Azariah (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 4:2 - he that hears the Lord.

Barak (Hebrew) - Judges 4:6 - thunder, or in vain.
Barnabas (Greek, Aramaic) - Acts 4:36 - son of the prophet, or of consolation.
Bartholomew (Aramaic) - Matt. 10:3 - a son that suspends the waters.
Baruch (Hebrew) - Neh. 3:20 - who is blessed.
Benaiah (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 8:18 - son of the Lord.
Benjamin (Hebrew) - Gen. 35:18 - son of the right hand.
Bildad (Hebrew) - Job 2:11 - old friendship.
Boaz (Hebrew) - Ruth 2:1 - in strength.

Cain (Hebrew) - Gen. 4:1 - possession, or possessed.
Caleb (Hebrew) - Num. 13:6 - a dog; a crow; a basket.
Christian (Greek) - Acts 11:26 - follower of Christ.
Claudius (Latin) - Acts 11:28 - lame.
Cornelius (Latin) - Acts 10:1 - of a horn.

Dan (Hebrew) - Gen. 14:14 - judgment; he that judges.
Daniel (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 3:1 - judgment of God; God my judge.
David (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 16:13 - well-beloved, dear.
Demetrius (Greek) - Acts 19:24 - belonging to corn,or to Ceres.

Ebenezer (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 4:1 - stone or rock of help.
Elah (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 17:2 - an oak; a curse; perjury.
Eleazar (Hebrew) - Exodus 6:25 - the Lord will help;court of God.
Eli (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 1:3 - the offering or lifting up.
Elihu (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 1:1 - he is my God himself.
Elijah (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 17:1 - God the Lord, the strong Lord.
Eliphaz (Hebrew) - Gen. 36:4 - the endeavor of God.
Elisha (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 19:16 - salvation of God.
Elkanah (Hebrew) - Exodus 6:24 - God the zealous; the zeal of God.
Elnathan (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 24:8 - God hath given;the gift of God.
Emmanuel (Latin, Hebrew) - Isaiah 7:14 - God with us.
Enoch (Hebrew) - Gen. 4:17 - dedicated; disciplined.
Ephraim (Hebrew) - Gen. 41:52 - fruitful; increasing.
Esau (Hebrew) - Gen. 25:25 - he that acts or finishes.
Ethan (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 4:31 - strong; the gift of the island.
Ezekiel (Hebrew) - Ezekiel 1:3 - the strength of God.
Ezra (Hebrew) - Ezra 7:1 - help; court.

Gabriel (Hebrew) - Dan. 9:21 - God is my strength.
Gera (Hebrew) - Gen. 46:21 - pilgrimage, combat; dispute.
Gershon (Hebrew) - Gen. 46:11 - his banishment; the change of pilgrimage.
Gideon (Hebrew) - Judges 6:11 - he that bruises or breaks; a destroyer.

Habakkuk (Hebrew) - Hab. 1:1 - he that embraces; a wrestler.
Haggai (Hebrew) - Ezra 5:1 - feast; solemnity.
Hosea (Hebrew) - Hosea 1:1 - savior; safety.
Hur (Hebrew) - Exodus 17:10 - liberty; whiteness; hole.
Hushai (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 15:37 - their haste; their sensuality; their silence.

Immanuel (Hebrew) - Isaiah 7:14 - God with us.
Ira (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 20:26 - watchman; making bare; pouring out.
Isaac (Hebrew) - Gen. 17:19 - laughter.
Isaiah (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 19:2 - the salvation of theLord.
Ishmael (Hebrew) - Gen. 16:11 - God that hears.
Issachar (Hebrew) - Gen. 30:18 - reward; recompense.
Ithamar (Hebrew) - Exodus 6:23 - island of the palm-tree.

Jabez (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 2:55 - sorrow; trouble.
Jacob (Hebrew) - Gen. 25:26 - cheater; that supplants, undermines; the heel.
Jair (Hebrew) - Num. 32:41 - my light; who diffuses light.
Jairus (Hebrew) - Mark 5:22 - my light; who diffuseslight.
James (Hebrew) - Matt. 4:21 - same as Jacob.
Japheth (Hebrew) - Gen. 5:32 - enlarged; fair; persuading.
Jason (Hebrew) - Acts 17:5 - he that cures.
Javan (Hebrew) - Gen. 10:2 - deceiver; one who makes sad.
Jeremiah (Hebrew) - 2 Chron. 36:12 - exaltation of the Lord.
Jeremy (Hebrew) - 2 Chron. 36:12 - exaltation of the Lord.
Jesse (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 16:1 - gift; oblation; one who is.
Jethro (Hebrew) - Exodus 3:1 - his excellence; his posterity.
Joab (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 26:6 - paternity; voluntary.
Joash (Hebrew) - Judges 6:11 - who despairs or burns.
Job (Hebrew) - Job 1:1 - he that weeps or cries.
Joel (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 8:2 - he that wills or commands.
John (Hebrew) - Matt. 3:1 - the grace or mercy of the Lord.
Jonah (Hebrew) - Jonah 1:1 - a dove; he that oppresses; destroyer.
Jonathan (Hebrew) - Judges 18:30 - given of God.
Jordan (Hebrew) - Gen. 13:10 - the river of judgment.
Joseph (Hebrew) - Gen. 30:24 - increase; addition.
Joses (Hebrew) - Matt. 27:56 - raised; who pardons.
Joshua (Hebrew) - Exodus 17:9 - a savior; a deliverer.
Josiah (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 13:2 - the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord.
Josias (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 13:2 - the Lord burns; thefire of the Lord.
Jotham (Hebrew) - Judges 9:5 - the perfection of the Lord.
Judas (Latin) - Matt. 10:4 - the praise of the Lord; confession.
Jude (Latin) - Jude 1:1 - the praise of the Lord; confession.
Justus (Latin) - Acts 1:23 - just or upright.

Laban (Hebrew) - Gen. 24:29 - white; shining; gentle; brittle.
Lazarus (Hebrew) - Luke 16:20 - assistance of God.
Lemuel (Hebrew) - Prov. 31:1 - God with them, or him.
Levi (Hebrew) - Gen. 29:34 - associated with him.
Lot (Hebrew) - Gen. 11:27 - wrapt up; hidden; covered; myrrh; rosin.
Lucas (Greek) - Col. 4:14 - luminous; white.
Luke (Greek) - Col. 4:14 - luminous; white.

Malachi (Hebrew)- Mal. 1:1 - my messenger; my angel.
Manasseh (Hebrew) - Gen. 41:51 - forgetfulness; hethat is forgotten.
Marcus (Latin) - Acts 12:12 - polite; shining.
Mark (Latin) - Acts 12:12 - polite; shining.
Matthew (Hebrew) - Matt. 9:9 - given; a reward.
Matthias (Hebrew) - Acts 1:23 - the gift of the Lord.
Melchizedek (Hebrew, German) - Gen. 14:18 - king of justice.
Micah (Hebrew) - Judges 17:1 - poor; humble.
Micaiah (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 22:8 - who is like to God?
Michael (Hebrew) - Num. 13:13 - poor; humble.
Mishael (Hebrew) - Exodus 6:22 - who is asked for or lent.
Mordecai (Hebrew) - Esther 2:5 - contrition; bitter; bruising.
Moses (Hebrew) - Exodus 2:10 - taken out; drawn forth.

Nadab (Hebrew) - - Exodus 6:23 - free and voluntary gift; prince.
Nahum (Hebrew) - Nahum 1:1 - comforter; penitent.
Naphtali (Hebrew) - Gen. 30:8 - that struggles or fights.
Nathan (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 5:14 - given; giving; rewarded.
Nathanael (Hebrew) - John 1:45 - the gift of God.
Nehemiah (Hebrew) - Neh. 1:1 - consolation; repentance of the Lord.
Nekoda (Hebrew) - Ezra 2:48 - painted; inconstant.
Nicodemus (Greek) - John 3:1 - victory of the people.
Noah (Hebrew) - Gen. 5:29 - repose; consolation.

Obadiah (Hebrew)- 1 Kings 18:3 - servant of the Lord.
Omar (Arabic, Hebrew) - Gen. 36:11 - he that speaks; bitter.
Onesimus (Latin) - Col. 4:9 - profitable; useful.
Othniel (Hebrew) - Joshua 15:17 - lion of God; the hour of God.

Paul (Latin) - Acts 13:9 - small; little.
Peter (Greek) - Matt. 4:18 - a rock or stone.
Philemon (Greek) - Phil. 1:2 - loving; who kisses.
Philip (Greek) - Matt. 10:3 - warlike; a lover of horses.
Phineas (Hebrew) - Exodus 6:25 - bold aspect; face of trust or protection.
Phinehas (Hebrew) - Exodus 6:25 - bold aspect; face of trust or protection.
Reuben (Hebrew) - Gen. 29:32 - who sees the son; the vision of the son.
Rufus (Latin) - Mark 15:21 - red.

Samson (Hebrew) - Judges 13:24 - his sun; his service; there the second time.
Samuel (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 1:20 - heard of God; asked of God.
Saul (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 9:2 - demanded; lent; ditch; death.
Seth (Hebrew) - Gen. 4:25 - put; who puts; fixed.
Shadrach (Babylonian) - Dan. 1:7 - tender, unmentionable.
Shem (Hebrew) - Gen. 5:32 - name; renown.
Silas (Latin) - Acts 15:22 - three, or the third.
Simeon (Hebrew) - Gen. 29:33 - that hears or obeys; that is heard.
Simon (Hebrew) - Matt. 4:18 - that hears; that obeys.
Solomon (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 5:14 - peaceable; perfect; one who recompenses.
Stephen (Greek) - Acts 6:5 - crown; crowned.

Thaddaeus (Aramaic) - Matt. 10:3 - that praises or confesses.
Theophilus (Greek) - Luke 1:3 - friend of God.
Thomas (Aramaic) - Matt. 10:3 - a twin.
Timothy (Greek) - Acts 16:1 - honor of God; valued of God.
Titus (Latin) - 2 Cor. 2:13 - pleasing.
Tobiah (Hebrew) - Ezra 2:60 - the Lord is good.
Tobias (Hebrew) - Ezra 2:60 - the Lord is good.

Uriah (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 11:3 - the Lord is my light or fire.
Uzziah (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 15:13 - the strength, or kid, of the Lord.

Victor (Latin) - 2 Timothy 2:5 - victory; victor.

Zacchaeus (Hebrew) - Luke 19:2 - pure; clean; just.
Zachariah (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 14:29 - memory of the Lord
Zebadiah (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 8:15 - portion of the Lord; the Lord is my portion.
Zebedee (Greek) - Matt. 4:21 - abundant; portion.
Zebulun (Hebrew) - Gen. 30:20 - dwelling; habitation.
Zechariah (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 14:29 - memory of the Lord.
Zedekiah (Hebrew) - 1 Kings 22:11 - the Lord is myjustice; the justice of the Lord.
Zephaniah (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 25:18 - the Lord is my secret.
Zerubbabel (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 3:19 - a stranger at Babylon; dispersion of confusion. 

 BIBLICAL NAMES FOR GIRLS:

Abigail (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 25:3 - the father's joy.
Abihail (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 2:29 - the father is strength.
Abishai (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 26:6 - the present of my father.
Adah (Hebrew) - Gen. 4:19 - an assembly.
Adina (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 11:42 - adorned; voluptuous; dainty; slender.
Adriel (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 18:19 - the flock of God.
Angela (Greek) - Gen. 16:7 - Angelic.
Anna (Greek, from Hebrew) - Luke 2:36 - gracious; one who gives.
Ariel (Hebrew) - Ezra 8:16 - altar; light or lion of God.
Artemis (Greek) - Acts 19:24 - whole, sound.
Atarah (Hebrew) - 1 Chron. 2:26 - a crown.

Bathsheba (Hebrew) - 2 Sam. 11:3 - the seventh daughter; the daughter of satiety.
Bernice (Greek) - Acts 25:13 - one that brings victory.
Bethany (Hebrew) - Matt. 21:17 - the house of song; the house of affliction.
Bethel (Hebrew) - Gen. 12:8 - the house of God.
Beulah (Hebrew) - Isaiah 62:4 - married.
Bilhah (Hebrew) - Gen. 29:29 - who is old or confused.  

Candace (Ethiopian) - Acts 8:27 - who possesses contrition.
Carmel (Hebrew) - Joshua 12:22 - circumcised lamb; harvest; full of ears of corn.
Charity (Latin) - 1 Cor. 13:1-13 - dear.
Chloe (Greek) - 1 Cor. 1:11 - green herb.
Claudia (Latin) - 2 Tim. 4:21 - lame.  

Damaris (Greek, Latin) - Acts 17:34 - a little woman.
Deborah (Hebrew) - Judges 4:4 - word; thing; a bee.
Delilah (Hebrew) - Judges 16:4 - poor; small; head of hair.
Diana (Latin) - Acts 19:27 - luminous, perfect.
Dinah (Hebrew) - Gen. 30:21 - judgment; who judges.
Dorcas (Greek) - Acts 9:36 - a female roe-deer.
Drusilla (Latin) - Acts 24:24 - watered by the dew.  

Eden (Hebrew) - Gen. 2:8 - pleasure; delight.
Edna (Hebrew) - Gen. 2:8 - pleasure; delight.
Elisha (Latin) - Luke 1:5 - salvation of God.
Elizabeth (Hebrew) - Luke 1:5 - the oath, or fullness, of God.
Esther (Hebrew) - Esther 2:7 - secret; hidden.
Eunice (Greek) - 2 Tim. 1:5 - good victory.
Eva (Hebrew) - Gen. 3:20 - living; enlivening.
Eve (Hebrew) - Gen. 3:20 - living; enlivening.  

Faith (Latin) - 1 Cor. 13:13 - loyalty; belief.   

Grace (Latin) - Prov. 3:34 - favor; blessing.  

Hadassah (Hebrew) - Esther 2:7 - a myrtle; joy.
Hagar (Hebrew) - Gen. 16:1 - a stranger; one that fears.
Hannah (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 1:2 - gracious; merciful; he that gives.
Honey (Old English) - Psalm 19:10 - nectar.
Hope (Old English) - Psalm 25:21 - expectation; belief.
Huldah (Hebrew) - 2 Kings 22:14 - the world.  

Jael (Hebrew) - Judges 4:17 - one that ascends.
Jasper (Greek) - Exodus 28:20 - treasure holder.
Jemimah (Hebrew) - Job 42:14 - handsome as the day.
Jewel (Old French) - Prov. 20:15 - delight.
Joanna (Hebrew) - Luke 8:3 - grace or gift of the Lord.
Jochebed (Hebrew) - Exodus 6:20 - glorious; honorable.
Joy (Old French, Latin) - Heb. 1:9 - happiness.
Judith (Hebrew) - Gen. 26:34 - the praise of the Lord; confession.
Julia (Latin) - Romans 16:15 - downy; soft and tender hair.  

Keturah (Hebrew) - Gen. 25:1 - incense; fragrance.  

Leah (Hebrew) - Gen. 29:16 - weary; tired.
Lois (Greek) - 2 Tim. 1:5 - better.
Lydia (Greek) - Acts 16:14 - a standing pool. 

Magdalene (Greek) - Matt. 27:56 - a person from Magdala.
Mara (Hebrew) - Exodus 15:23 - bitter; bitterness.
Marah (Hebrew) - Exodus 15:23 - bitter; bitterness.
Martha (Aramaic) - Luke 10:38 - who becomes bitter; provoking.
Mary (Hebrew) - Matt. 1:16 - rebellion; sea of bitterness.
Mercy (English) - Gen. 43:14 - compassion, forebearance.
Merry (Old English) - Job 21:12 - joyful, lighthearted.
Michal (Hebrew) - 1 Sam. 18:20 - who is perfect?; who resembles God?
Miriam (Hebrew) - Exodus 15:20 - rebellion.
Myra (Greek) - Acts 27:5 - I flow; pour out; weep.

  

 Thanks For Your Time...

9 Secrets Of Longevity.

9 Secrets of Longevity

As Buettner and his team studied the Blue Zones, they identified nine common traits shared by those communities where people live longer. He was surprised that it wasn’t only food and lifestyle, but also creating a most beneficial environment. Here’s a look at these longevity-boosting traits, known as the “Power of 9.:

1. Move naturally. “Do your own house and yard work, go up and down your stairs with your laundry, knead your own dough,” Buettner advises. “Incorporate more movement every hour.”

2. Know your purpose. “Take time to recognize your values, strengths, talents, passions and gifts,” Buettner says. Reflect, and work on yourself.

3. Down shift. Relieve chronic stress by finding time each day to nap, meditate or pray.

4. The 80% rule. Cut 20 percent of your daily calories with proven healthy practices: eat a big breakfast, dine with your family, and begin each meal by expressing appreciation.

5. Plant slant. Eat mostly plant-based foods, and small portions of meat no more than twice a week.

6. Wine at 5. Drinkers live longer than non-drinkers. This longevity tip had one exception: those in the Loma Linda Blue Zone were Seventh Day Adventists, who abstain from alcohol.

7. Family first. Living in a loving, thriving family can add up to six years to your life. Work on a positive, committed relationship and stay close to your aging parents and grandparents.

8. Belong. “Those with the most social connectedness tend to live longer,” Buettner says. Be part of a group of healthy-minded, supportive people.

9. Right tribe. Good friends have a positive effect on your longevity. Support them and adopt healthy behaviors together.

Facts Fathers Never Tell Their Sons About Women.

* You can not chase money and women at the same time - even when so many fathers have made such mistake in their youthful days they still end up failing to tell their sons that one can not hunt for money and women at the same time. It is either one makes money and then start chasing women or the other way round.

* A man gets more respect based on his pocket - This point is not trying to encourage crime and ungodly acts in other to make wealth but facing reality, it is a known fact that both within the home front and the society at large, a man is respected the more according to how comfortable and financially free he becomes.

* Women can make or ruin you - So many fathers even when they know the truth of the power of any woman still shy away of enlightening their sons on the critical hidden powers a woman possesses. From the days of Adam, Samson, Solomon, Abacha and other notable names we have heard, a man can either Rise or Fall through the power and influence of a woman. A man should thread as softly as possible when dealing with a woman.

* A Woman can smell a successful man from miles away - Women naturally have an hidden instinct of knowing a man who is successful or have the tendency of being successful in the future. So many women have stuck to a struggling and upcoming man against their parents wish of marrying an already made man. A woman will say things like "he has a bright future", "he has potentials" or "He will be a great man in future". Ladies who have uttered such words and stuck by their men have never gone wrong. Example is how Michiel Obama stuck with Barack through thick and thin.

* A Woman Doesn't Like A Weak Man - When fathers tell their sons never to give in to a woman's pressure they mostly advice their sons to be physically forcy on issues to prove he is the man of the house. When in reality women prefer men who say less and do more rather than keep talking and do less. The lather is the typical meaning of a weak man but fathers always advice to do such to prove he is the king of the house.

* Women Appreciate Men With Fatherly Character - Most men always miss out in this and as such never advice their sons to be a father figure to their wives. Women are best at doing this but every woman want a man who sits her down to advice her, reason with her, give her constructive criticism and above all, believe in her.

* It Is Easier To Catch A Cheating Man Than Catch A Cheating Woman - Most men till date don't know that it is far easier to get caught cheating as a man than catching a woman who cheats. A Woman can make a man father every single child she present to him as his children but deep inside her she knows who the real father is. While a man can hardly keep it as a secret from his wife when he has a love child outside the matrimonial home.


To Be Continued......

What Every Mother Needs To Teach Her Daughter This 21st Century.

What Every Mother Needs To Teach Her Daughter In The 21st Century

* Strive hard to be successful either Academically or in Business. Every man wants and strives to get a woman who is independent rather than a liability

* Never ever think you can trap a man with your body. A man who begins to dislike you will never want to get intimate with you.

* You can Never get a man to marry by trapping him with pregnancy. Even if he stays for a while, he will eventually run away after a while if he never truly loved you.

* Every man makes up his mind to have found the right wife only when he sees a woman who helps in manages his wealth and advices him on ways to become successful. Men look beyond the beauty of a woman when deciding to marry.

* A Man would always prefer to marry a divorce or widow who is independent and respectful than to settle down with a spinster who is dependent on him and badly behaved.

* If you meet a man who loves his family and friends never try to make the mistake of telling him to choose between you or them, he will always choose them instead of you. Instead try to work you way into the heart of those who he loves. If they love you, it automatically makes him love you more. (Do not try to pretend. People easily detects pretenders).

* You can never get a man to do anything by nagging. Men are like babies, the more you pet them the easier to get them to do favors done.

* A same man of 2,000 years ago is the same today. The only thing that has changed is the man of today is hungrier for success than 2,000 years ago. His love for food, women, sex, and social life is the same.

* Never Ever compare your boyfriend or husband with another man especially when condemning him. It is the fastest way for any man to hate a woman.

* The 2 most important secrets a woman must learn to be able to keep her man is to satisfy his stomach and bedroom needs. He doesn't mind dumping his pretty and gorgeous wife who doesn't meet this needs and settle for the not so beautiful house help who does.

* Every man is unique in his own way, compliment your man on those beautiful traits he has so he can become better on the others.

* Every man wants a submissive partner no matter her status in the society. If a woman doesn't submit to her husband she is likely to lose him faster than she thinks.

* Don't every try forcing any man to pick up home chores he hates or isn't used to. If you need a helping hand, ask him in a very soft way instead of nagging. Nagging never gets a man to do anything.

* Avoid behaviors has much as you can that will see your husband/partner rejecting you food or going to sleep out. Once he does it once, he will keep doing it and that is the beginning of him deciding to have a another concubine to replace the needs you provide to him.

20 Interesting Facts About The Alaafin Of Oyo.

THE ALAAFIN OF OYO

-His Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Dr. Làmídì Oláyíwolá Atanda Adéyemí III 

1-According to him, the Old Oyo Empire existed without break for 600 years. That's quite impressive, you know. Especially when you realize that many of the most popular empires, like the famed British Empire, did not last half of that.

2-He was born on 15th October, 1938, and that makes him 74 years old. He was selected among other contestants to become king in 1968 but the government of the day refused and he was not crowned until January 1971, he was working as an insurance clerk then.

3-Aláàfin means one who owns the palace, aáfin.  It can also mean Lord of the Palace, as it is from the aafin that he lords his authority over his people.

4- In times past, the Alaafin was an absolute ruler. Other names for the Aláàfin include Kábíyèsí (the King No One Can Question) Iku Baba Yeye (One Who Can Command Death or Pronounce It Upon His Father or Mother Or He Who Is Mother & Father To Death), Alashe (He Who Possesses Authority), Ekeji Orisha (Second-in-Command to the gods) NB: Translations can vary slightly.

5-Whoever enters the king's courtyard must remove the shoes. Everyone except the Alaafin must have bare feet in his greeting courtyard.

6-The Kabiyesi's eldest daughter is name Arewa, meaning The Beautiful One in Yoruba.

7-He contested with 10 other people for the position of the Alaafin. The contest started in 1968 and did not end until 1970. That's around the time of the Nigerian Civil War. He was declared winner three times but the government initially rejected the ruling of the Oyomesi on all the three occasions. The Oyomesi advises the Alaafin and is the highest decision-making body in the kingdom.

8-He is a boxer, and was a champion in those days (he still has his punching bag in the courtyard) and his favorite meals are amala (yam flour), iyan (pounded yam), abula soup and ogi (pap).

9-In terms of religion, he is a practising Muslim but describes himself as being liberal and a free mixer who was raised up in a strict Christian home and also went to a Catholic school.

10-He has a pond in the palace where he keeps gold fish, and there is also a tortoise in the courtyard said to be hundreds of years old.

11-At 74, he still does rope skipping. Kabiyesi o!

12-The Alaafin can communicate with the deities like Sango (the god of thunder) in their own language. I wonder how that is done. #Mysterythings.

13-His own father, Adéníran Adéyemí II was the Alaafin for 10 years (1945-1955) until he was forced into exile by the political party of Chief Obáfémi Awólówò, the Action Group in 1956. While his father was on exile, he was sent to live with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oladapo Ademola, the father of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Adetokunbo Ademola.

14-He was the first Yoruba monarch to become the Chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.

15-There are 24 seats in the royal chamber of his Palace, 12 on each side.

16-As at the time of writing this, news streamed in that 21 ancient rooms in the Palace were destroyed by fire caused by an electrical surge. Ile Alaafin to jo, ewa lo bu kun.

17-On his controversial relationship with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, he says: Let me put it this way: My relation with traditional rulers generally is cordial.  But since you singled out the Ooni of Ife, you should have your reasons.  I think he is in a better position to answer the question.  For me, I have no problem with him at all as long as everybody knows his limit of authority.

18. At a point, the Alaafin delayed the appointment of a new Chief Imam for the kingdom because members of the Ajokidero family producing the new Imam were very bitterly opposed and critical of the Alaafin during the conflict between the Oro cult and Muslims in Oyo Town.

19. He is a recipient of a national honour, the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). He installed the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) as the last Aare Ona Kakanfo (Field Marshal or Generalissimo) of Yorubaland on 14th January, 1988 and also the talented singer, Queen Salawa Abeni whom he crowned the Queen of Waka Music (the Golden Voice of Africa) in 1992. Both truly deserve the honours (I'm actually listening to Salawa's Cheer Up writing this...lol!)

20. He is the 43rd Alaafin of Oyo. Alaafins are buried at the Royal Burial Ground called the BARA.

You can enjoy a video of Yoruba traditional dancers here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=790VfEynfSs

You can also enjoy more of his pictures and get more details in this link:
http://iyaniwura.com/20-interesting-facts-about-the-alaafin-of-oyo/
Thanks for your time.

A Short Story In Honour Of Prof Chinua Achebe.

She woke up with a start, and quickly made the sign of the cross. Her face was creased with worry as she recounted the nightmare. In the dream she and most of the villagers were gathered in the village square in deep mourning. ‘Tufiakwa’ she said to no one in particular, clicking her fingers she made a circular motion over her head with her right hand. She increased the flame of the kerosene lamp and went to check on her grandma. It was still dark and the only sounds were of crickets, snores, and night creatures. As she opened the door quietly to avoid the noisy groans from its hinges, the hoot of an owl rang out. The sound was so startling, and she jumped back in fear, evidenced by the ‘akpata oyi’ on her skin. Her grandma hearing the sound first reached for her Rosary under her pillow, and shouted out that all the wandering spirits return to their abode. Her granddaughter rushed into her room visibly shaken. Grandma held her in her arms in a bid to calm her. They all knew the sight and sound of the owl was a bad omen. The younger one tried to find words to narrate her dream to the older, but the older opted for prayer which they did. Sleep eluded them for the rest of the night.
If the coming of dawn did not driver away the fears of the night completely, the feeling of sadness and loss hung over them like a cloud. The clouds were overcast enforcing the feeling of gloom in those who had slept badly. She found to her dismay that the goats had raided the kitchen and eaten not only the yams but the palm fronds she kept aside for the Palm Sunday of today. In a bid to drive the animals out she rushed at them, and inadvertently struck her right leg against a stone. The pain stopped her in her tracks and as she nursed the hurt toe she realised it was another omen. Feeling defeated, as the goats bleated in derision, she set off for the stream hoping the morning exercise would improve things. She was met by her friends who seemed subdued one asked her if she heard the sound of wailing the previous night. Though she did not she explained her experience. They all felt something was wrong, and walked in silence, trying to balance their filled pots, and navigate the path slippery from the morning dew. Despite her best efforts, she lost her balance when an ‘Udele’ flew past them. Her pot slipped from her head and smashed to smithereens. She was a nervous wreck at that point and broke into tears as her friends tried to console her. Something was really wrong, but what?
As the bell for morning Mass tolled she could not help comparing in the bell tolling for the death of someone. The rain had become a downpour, and the villagers employed cocoyam leaves as umbrellas. There would be no Palm Sunday procession, the skies were weeping, for whom? The general mood was somber. When ‘Fada’ faced the congregation , it was obvious he had been crying, at that point people began to whisper, she began to shake, and clutched her Grandma’s wrapper for comfort. ‘Umu-nnem na Christi’, he began, ‘it is a sad moment for us as I have to announce the death of our Father, our Brother, our Voice’… The suspense was broken with the next words, ‘Nna anyi Chinua Achebe is dead’. At that moment time stopped, there was silence, and then a baby wailed, and as though on cue, others followed. Tears rolled down my cheeks, as the Okonkwos shook their heads and gritted their teeth, they were young men not expected to cry. The Ezinmmas wailed openly, after all they were expressive young women. The Unokas struck their walking sticks on the ground as though demanding an answer, they were old and had a right to know. The Ikemefunas looked askance, who would inspire them. The village at that moment realised they had lost He who told their story, our story beautifully and without fear. He who portrayed us as good people, he who pierced the mists of time, and gave us our heritage, told us to find out who we were, who we are, and who we can be. I cried but not incosolabely because there is hope, as He lives in his books, and in our hearts. We can still tell the African story, as he inspired us to. I tried doing so immediately I got home, but my pencil broke, and my pen would not flow. For now we mourn the Storyteller per excellence, the man of integrity. Adieu Pa Chinua, laa n’udo. Ka Chineke Nnna nye ya ezumike, gbaa kwa ezi n’ulo ya na ndi enyi ya ume.


Story by Dr Odocha, S O (An upcoming Novelist and Author)

Things That Mean More To Men Than "I Love You" .

You've heard it before: Men are visual; women are verbal. Men are impulsive; women like to analyze things. Men are from Mars; women are from Venus. So since husbands and wives are opposite in many ways, it makes sense that male and female hearts swell for different reasons. While you probably smile when your mate says, "I love you," those same three words from you may not do much for him. Here, 11 gestures that show you care and why they're more meaningful to the guy in your life.



1. Your Undivided Attention
"When the male brain sees you checking your iPhone during dinner, it interprets that as 'I'm not important,'" says marriage therapist Mike Dow, PsyD. That's because men's brains evolved to do one thing at a time while filtering out all other stimuli, he explains. Even though women function differently (you know firsthand how well you multitask), your man will appreciate you focusing solely on him. "It says, 'You are my priority, and I love you,'" adds Dr. Dow. So make eye contact while he's talking and limit interruptions.

2. His Favorite Meal
That old adage is true: "The best way to a man's heart may be through his belly," says Dr. Dow. "Knowing what he likes to eat without having to ask him demonstrates how well you know him. And the couples I've treated who know small details about each other have the happiest marriages." But maybe your husband likes everything you make! In that case, try breaking out the pumpkin pie. Research by Alan Hirsch, PhD, of the Smell & Taste Research Foundation in Chicago has shown that that sweet scent arouses men more than other aromas.

3. Wearing that Dress He Loves You in
Dolling up sends the message that you still want to look good for him, no matter how long you've been together. "Men's brains are wired to respond to visual cues more than women's brains," says Dr. Dow. "Seeing you in that sexy dress shows him you desire him." And a scarlet number may work best. A study by researchers at the University of Rochester in New York found that ladies in red are an aphrodisiac to men.

4. Taking Care of Yourself
Shedding stress, eating right, exercising, quitting smoking and even pampering yourself may sound like treats for you, but they're also ways to show you love him. "This communicates, 'I want to have a long, wonderful life with you, and I'll do whatever it takes to prevent you from experiencing the grief of losing someone,'" says Dr. Dow. What better motivation is there to get healthy?

5. Complimenting Him
Throughout time, men have had to fight and provide to attract and keep women-and they aren't afraid to pull out the masculinity measuring sticks when potential competitors come around. Let your husband know you think of him the way he'd love to be seen: as a provider, problem-solver, handyman, sex stud and knight in shining armor. "Genuine compliments on his looks and strength confirm that you admire him, which equates to love," says clinical psychologist Andra Brosh, PhD. When he pops the lid on the jam jar with ease, mention that you enjoy having such a strong man around. He'll beam-and chalk it up as a reason you chose him over all those other guys.

6. Encouraging Him to Take Time for Himself
While you may not hesitate to ask for you time, your husband may have trouble verbalizing what he needs. Occasionally, suggest he take a day to relax with friends, play video games, work on the car or just sleep in. "This shows support and allows him the freedom to do what he needs to be his best self," says Dr. Brosh. Your husband will see hassle-free, worry-free, chore-free time as a loving reward.

7. Asking His Advice
Your man wants to feel like an important part of your world. On top of that, he's a hard-wired problem-solver. Ask for his opinion on how to approach the boss for a raise, and you prove you trust and value his judgment. "When a man can fix something, he feels competent and useful," says Dr. Brosh. "Asking for advice shows that you rely on him and that there's a place for him in your life. Need, dependency and love go hand in hand."

8. Thanking Him for the Little Things
Next time your husband drives the kids to school or takes out the trash, express your gratitude. "We're rushing through life, we forget to notice the good deeds and guys forget to say what they need from you, but they have feelings, too. So say, 'I really appreciate that,'" says licensed marriage and family therapist Carin Goldstein, creator of BetheSmartWife.com. Giving thanks will improve his attitude and infuse your relationship with a feel-good energy.

9. A lengthy hug.
Instead of a quick peck before running out the door, choose a lingering embrace. "While women connect verbally, men connect more through touch," says Goldstein. "Hug for at least seven seconds. It's a long time, but there's something about that number where the hold ends up really giving him something." And there's no doubt you'll like it, too.

10. A quickie.
Making love for an hour is nice, but once in a while, Be Intimate for just a few minutes, suggests Dr. Dow. Although women get that loving feeling with a rise in oxytocin (what you release during that post-coital cuddling session), men feel it with an increase in dopamine, the chemical they release during sex which stimulates the mental pleasure-and-reward center, explains Dr. Dow. "I hope that most of the time, your lovemaking is full of pre-intimacy and romance. But other times, just Be Intimate."

11. Letting him vent.
The latest office drama or family fight plays on his emotions more than he'd like to let on. So create a safe space for your guy to let his walls down. "Listen to his worries or problems without trying to fix them," advises Dr. Brosh. "It shows him you don't deem him weak or inadequate and affords him a place in the relationship to share that part of his life. Moreover, it shows you care." If he comes home from work in a bad mood, ask him if he wants to let it out. If not, that's fine-but he may need a prod to open the floodgates.

by Jenna Birch

12 Things Men Want In A Woman.

Freezing temps can leave even the biggest commitment-phobes craving someone to snuggle with. So we got guys to open up about just what they want in a Little Spoon they'd love to curl up with long after the seasons have shifted.

By Lauren Otis



1. A Woman Who Will Let Me Impress Her
"I kind of want the opposite of most guys I know: I'd secretly love a girl that's bad at cooking-all the easier for me to wow her with some of my home-cooked specialties." -Christian B.

2. A Woman Who Can Hold Her Own
"I want to be with a girl who, if she's on a different page from me on something, can hold her own in a debate about it. Disagreements can keep things fun." -Andrew H.

3. A Woman Who Goes With The Flow
"I want a woman who doesn't act like a child when things don't go her way. You've got to be able to lose occasionally and show grace and poise in those moments (And I do too)." -Brady C.

4. A Woman Who Motives Me
"I want to get serious with a girl who pushes me to have a successful career. It motivates me when I talk to my girlfriend about work and she calls me out on being complacent or not doing everything I can to be the best at what I do. It really helps me to stay focused, especially since the whole reason I'm working is to be able to one day provide for a family." -Ryan G.

5. A Woman Who Wants to Try New Things
"I want a girl with a sense of adventure-it keeps things interesting. No matter how fun a routine might be, it can get boring eventually. Whether it's taking a cooking class or going skydiving, it's great to be with someone who's open to new things. Dates with my girlfriend can range from trips to the zoo to checking out musicians at a weird, random warehouse party." -Alex R.

6. A Woman Who Let's Me Have Guy Time
"It's important to me to find someone understanding who realizes and respects that there are certain things that make guys, well, guys. We might not always be interested in the same things as women and might sometimes need our own guy time. As we move closer together in our relationship, certain things will begin to happen as a unit and we'll be a team, but it's still key to me to have someone who allows and understands those differences." -Marlon J.

7. A Woman Who Trusts Me
"I need a woman who's trusting and doesn't get jealous easily. Above all, it shows me that she's confident in our relationship and in herself." -Dennis R.

8. A Strong Woman
"I really fall for someone who has gone through their own trials or tribulations and come out on top as a better person. It's a real test of character." -Oliver M.

9. A Woman My Friends Like
"I want to lock down a girl that gets along with my friends. It's really important because friends can see through the BS that you can't when you're too infatuated with someone. So if she can sway my boys and have them eventually tell me, 'Dude, she's pretty cool,' without my asking them, I would definitely call it a win." -Blake S.

10. A Woman Who Loves Me For Me
"Above all, I want a girl who can deal with my faults and love me for who I am, even on my worst days." -Alan A.

11. A Smart Woman
"Smart is sexy, so knowledge that eclipses my own would be amazing. I want her to humble me in a way that makes me legitimately appreciate her intellect and approach to conversation." -Max S.

12. A Woman Who Supports Me
"More than anything, I want support. I don't need tons of commonalities-I'd rather a woman back me in the things I'm passionate about that she doesn't have in common with me. She doesn't need to love motorcycles and MMA or breakdancing and cooking, but if she understands and gives unconditional support despite our differences, I think that can really make a relationship." -Luan N.

Interesting Things About Monaco.

-Monaco has the lowest unemployment rate in the world at 0%. It also has the lowest poverty rate in the world and has the world's highest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita.

-There are no income taxes on individuals in Monaco (except French citizens) while the business taxes are quite low. This tax policy has attracted some of the richest people in the world to the nation. The principality is a well-known tax haven and a popular international banking center with over €100 billion in funds.

-With an area of just 1.98 sq km, Monaco is the second smallest nation in the world (the Vatican City is the smallest). But with a population of about 36,400, it is the most densely populated country in the world.

-Monaco is located in Europe and is bordered by France.

-Someone from Monaco is referred to as a Monegasque (those born there) or a Monacan (naturalized citizens).

-Monaco has the highest life expectancy in the world -90 years. In 2011, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) calculated Nigeria's life expectancy as 46.94 years.

-The tiny nation also has the world's highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) nominal per capita at $153, 177 while the GDP per capita is $132,571. Interestingly, the only natural resource the nation has is fishing.

-The climate is quite ideal for tourists and travellers. Snowfalls are very rare and can be just one in a decade.

-It is home to the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most glamorous Formula One racing events in the world.

-An interesting thing about its labour statistics is that almost 50,000 workers come from Italy and France every day and return after work.

-Monaco is so small that it does not really have a capital but a small quarter and ward called Monte Carlo (Italian: Mount Charles). Monte Carlo is one of the most popular gambling centers in the world with its Monte Carlo Casino (see picture) but a most intriguing fact is that it is strictly forbidden for any citizen of Monaco to enter any of the gaming rooms of the casino, and this is always enforced.

-Monaco has the most expensive real estate market on earth, with one square metre going for almost $66,000 (that's almost N10.5 million, for just one square metre, shooo! Even Banana Island no reach that level na!)

-Monaco is a special type of monarchy called a Principality, that means that it is not ruled by a king but by a Prince. The current ruler is His Serene Highness, The Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II (Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi) and is one of the wealthiest royals in the world (see picture). He is married to a former South African Olympic swimmer. They met at a swimming event in Monaco in 2000 and married in 2011. His Royal House of Grimaldi has been ruling Monaco since 1297.

-The official language in the nation is French but other main languages are Monegasque, Occitan, English and Italian.

-Even though Monaco is a full member of the United Nations, its defence matters are handled by France. It does not have a naval or air force. It has the largest police force (515 police officers for 35,000 people) and police presence in the world. Monaco has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

-Monaco is not a member of the European Union although the currency is euro.

-There is just one university, one secondary school and seven nursery and primary schools.

-Over 80% of the citizens and residents are Christians. More than 10% have no religion while Jews and Muslims are in the minority.

-There is no airport but there is a world-class heliport, the Monaco Heliport in Monte Carlo. In order to reduce noise pollution, helicopters arriving and departing fly over water. It also has an underground railway station.

-Former Nigerian footballer and African Footballer of the Year, 1997, Victor Nosakhare Ikpeba stayed in Monaco with his wife and kids, where he once played for AS Monaco, a French club. His nickname was 'the Prince of Monaco.' He says: ''I was treated truly like a prince and indeed everyone else in the team was treated alike. It goes to show the value they attach to their players.''

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7 Facts About Northern Nigeria.

(1) Their are about 73 DIFFERENT languages in Taraba state alone,48 in Plateau,60 in Bauchi,58 in Adamawa,57 in Kaduna,38 in Niger,29 in Nasarawa and 28 in Borno.

(2) Apart from Sokoto and Zamfara state, EVERY other state in the north has indigenous Christian population.

(3) Except Benue,kogi,plateau,Niger and Borno,the remaining 14 state's heads of traditional councils are all Fulanis.

(4) The sultan of sokoto is the only traditional leader that occupy's the highest number of offices in Nigeria:head of sokoto state traditional council,head of northern traditional council,chairman of the traditional council of Nigeria,head of Nigeria's muslim umma(congregation) and co-chairman of Nigeria's interfaith council.He also functions in various offices common with Nigerian traditional and religious leaders.

(5) A traditional Tiv man allows his "special" visitor or relation to make love to his wife.

(6) After "sekin uku",i.e third divorce,a northern muslim can remarry his divorced wife only if she (a) marry's another man,(b)Be Intimate with him atleast once and (c)get a divorce from that man.

(7) Boko haram was founded and being run by Kanuris (not Hausa/Fulanis)

Palm Sunday: Pope Francis Preaches Humility.

Pope Francis celebrated his first Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, encouraging people to be humble and young at heart and promising to go to a youth jamboree in Brazil in July, while the faithful enthusiastically waved olive branches and braided palm fronds.

The square overflowed with a crowd estimated by the Vatican at 250,000 people. Pilgrims, tourists and Romans jostled each other in an eager effort glimpse Francis as they joined the new pope at the start of solemn Holy Week ceremonies, which lead up to Easter, Christianity’s most important day. Keeping with his spontaneous style, the first pope from Latin America broke away several times from the text of his prepared homily to encourage the faithful to lead simple lives and resist the temptation to be sad when life’s obstacles inevitably come their way.

“Don’t let yourselves be robbed of hope! Don’t let yourselves be robbed of hope!” Francis told the crowd, in an apparent reference to the economic difficulties people are grappling with as they try to find adequate work amid a poor job market in much of the world. At the end of the two-hour Mass, Francis took off his red vestments, and wearing his plain white cassock and skull cap, climbed into an open-topped popemobile to circle through the excited crowd.

He leaned out to shake hands, kissed and patted the heads of infants passed to him by bodyguards, and often gave children the thumbs-up sign. His security detail seemed to be reluctantly dealing with this get-close-to-the-people pontiff, scrambling around the vehicle to pick up this child or that one.

WEST AFRICAN UNIVERSITY GAMES 2013 TO BE HOSTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA.

Arrangements are in top gear as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN)prepares to host the West African University Games (WAUG) competition in football and hockey, tentatively scheduled to take place in the month ofMay 2013.
Speaking in an interview with staff of Public Relations Unit in his office, the University Director of Sports, Mr. Godwin Ogbobe, said that the University administration was working round the clock to ensure that standard facilities were put in place for the competition.
“The Local Organising Committees are working hard to ensure that at least five standard hockey pitches are provided for the game, the main bowl stadium will be re-grassed, electronic boards will be made available and lots more,” he said.
The Sports Director explained that the right to host WAUG competition was attracted to the University because of the dynamic approach and passion of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof, Bartho Okolo, for sports, which he manifested when he served as the Coordinator of the 2008 NUGA competition hosted by the UNN. The game, according to him, was unprecedented in the history of NUGA competitions and was widely adjudged to be the best ever hosted in the country.
Also he said that the hosting right was granted to the University because of the availability of sporting facilities, including a good stadium with tartantracks, standard hockey pitches and a swimming pool, which he said were very rare to find in other universities in the country.
Further, Mr. Ogbobe said that apart from the 145 universities in Nigeria, about 53 to 70 other universities, drawn from both Francophone and Anglophone countries in West Africa, are expected to participate in the competition, which will officially last for 10 days.
According to him, while only male teams will participate in the football competition, hockey will be open to the participation of both male and female teams.
On the readiness of UNN teams for the competition, the Sports Director said that the teams were currently undergoing intensive training exercise,with coaches already on ground to groom the players. He added that although equipping a hockey team was cost intensive, UNN had a formidable hockey team with complete kits.
The Director noted that the University of Nigeria, which will be hosting the WAUG competition for the first time, had come a long way to take its pride of place in NUGA medal table. He expressed belief that the winning spirit would be sustained in the up-coming WAUG competition.
To equip the players with the rules of the game Mr. Ogbobe said that arrangement had been concluded to bring coaches with international experience to lecture players on the international rules governing the games of football and hockey.
The Director assured that the university administration was committed to giving the UNN teams the needed support and motivation to excel in the competition. He therefore urged the university community to give the teams the moral support they will need to make the University proud.

Oma Ekwueme and Inya, Agha E.

CHINUA ACHEBE DIES AT 82.

Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian novelist seen by millions as the father of African literature, has died at the age of 82.

African papers were reporting his death following an illness and hospital stay in Boston this morning, and both his agent and his publisher later confirmed the news to the Guardian.Simon Winder, publishing director at Penguin, called him an "utterly remarkable man".

"Chinua Achebe is the greatest of African writers and we are all desolate to hear of his death," he said.

A novelist, poet and essayist, Achebe was perhaps best known for his 1958 novel Things Fall Apart, the story of the Igbo warrior Okonkwo and the colonial era, which has sold more than 10m copies around the world and has been published in 50 languages. Achebe depicts an Igbo village as the white men arrive at the end of the 19th century, taking its title from the WB Yeats poem, which continues: "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."

"The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers and our clan can no longer act like one," says Okonkwo's friend, Obierika, in the novel.

Achebe won the Commonwealth poetry prize for his collection Christmas in Biafra, was a finalist for the 1987 Booker prize for his novel Anthills of the Savannah, and in 2007 won the Man Booker international prize. Chair of the judges on that occasion, Elaine Showalter, said he had "inaugurated the modern African novel", while her fellow judge, the South African Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer, said his fiction was "an original synthesis of the psychological novel, the Joycean stream of consciousness, the postmodern breaking of sequence", and that Achebe was "a joy and an illumination to read".

Nelson Mandela, meanwhile, has said that Achebe "brought Africa to the rest of the world" and called him "the writer in whose company the prison walls came down".

The author is also known for the influential essay An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness (1975), a hard-hitting critique of Conrad in which he says the author turned the African continent into "a metaphysical battlefield devoid of all recognisable humanity, into which the wandering European enters at his peril", asking: "Can nobody see the preposterous and perverse arrogance in thus reducing Africa to the role of props for the break-up of one petty European mind?"
According to Brown University, where Achebe held the position of David and Marianna Fisher university professor and professor of Africana studies until his death, this essay "is recognised as one of the most generative interventions on Conrad; and one that opened the social study of literary texts, particularly the impact of power relations on 20th-century literary imagination".

Photos: The Most EXPENSIVE Nigerian Wedding So Far This Year.

On Saturday 2nd February 2013, an esteemed guestlist of family and friends gathered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Victoria Island and then Eko Hotel to celebrate the wedding of Gozy Ekeh and Tolu Ijogun. We have to say that Gozy & Tolu’s wedding was absolutely magnificent!
The bride Gozy was a couture princess in her exquisite all-lace wedding dress custom-made by Phillipa Lepley. With crystals encrusted all through the dress, it glistened in the sunlight streaming through the glass windows of the church as Gozy walked down the aisle to meet her groom Tolu who looked handsome in his bespoke blue suit paired with a gold bow-tie.  Following the nuptial ceremony at church, as soon as guests arrived at the reception, they walked through a decadent entrance tunnel towards the Expo Centre of Eko Hotel.
In keeping with the wedding colours, a royal purple carpet was laid out while heart-warming gold-framed pictures of the couple from pre and post engagement eras adorned the walls. It was instantly clear that this wedding would be all about personal touches, after all, love is in the details!
Everyone was greeted at the reception area with refreshing cocktails and a saxophonist playing sweet melodies. On entrance into the hall, the decor proved to be nothing short of spectacular! Guests had entered into Gozy and Tolu’s gorgeous Modern Italian Garden. Gold satin and purple table cloths and runners spread across tables including napkins with the couple’s ‘GT’ wedding logo, the showpiece garden was simply unique complete with exotic  flowers, plants, Roman inspired statues and the couple’s all-white multi-tier cake.
While their bridesmaids and groomsmen paved the way as they danced in anticipation of the couple’s arrival, Gozy and Tolu emerged from the glass staircases on opposite sides of the hall, as they descended, waved and danced to their specially housed Gazebo across the hall, they were all smiles and certainly weren’t shy of showing off their dancing skills.  After a scrumptious meal, guests were treated to a truly touching video documentary entitled ‘A Lifelong Journey’. The video included loved ones relaying their feelings about Tolu and Gozy, individually and as a unit, giving loving anecdotes and offering well wishes. The documentary outro presented a mini making-of-the-wedding video, which was a true testimony to all the hard work that was put into this momentous day.

Music performances by Tiwa Savage, Naeto C and Iyanya added even more flavour to the festivities as everyone got up and grooved along! Irrespective of the wedding being over 1000 people strong, what stood out most was the intimate feel and a true sense of love and unification was in the air as the university sweethearts entered the next chapter in their lives.
BN wishes Gozy and Tolu a very blessed and joyful life together as one.
White Wedding

Traditional Wedding