Stunning!! Mr and Mrs Peter Okoye look fab on the cover of Genevieve Magazine

Awww! they look beautiful together...

Hello,December!

Happy New Month! may this month be filled with blessings, joy, laughter and happiness

Consumerism: The world’s global language.

Consumerism: The world’s global language.

If there is one tendency that most human beings seem to share, it is the attraction to material possessions; early humans simply grabbed what they wanted. However, as societies evolved, a more cultured way of acquiring things also developed: the art of buying and selling. The history of trading is almost as old as human civilization, and has continued to change as societies grow more sophisticated.

Today, with help from the media, shopping has now become a way of life. Affluence has become a birthright. It is no longer the product that matters; it is the kind of person a product promises to make you feel. The media has trained consumers to continually desire things that are not needed. Today, America is labeled the highest consumerist society. A consumerist society is a society in which a lot of time and effort is put into purchasing a product or service. Shopping has become an exciting recreational activity. Manipulations through adverts promote false needs, promises and regular feelings of insecurity.

The urge to acquire more and more things may not necessarily be negative because a positive view of consumerism is the function it performs as a stimulant to a country’s economy. In the long run though, the negative aspects cannot be denied because consumers are manipulated through adverts. In the same vein, the constant drive to buy more and more has had harmful effects on the environment as a lot of natural resources are being used to design and manufacture products.

Consumerism has been associated with the belief that personal wellbeing and happiness is highly dependent on personal consumption of material goods. The general view of consumerism in a consumerist society is that consumption is good. The more you spend on material goods, the happier and better you feel as a consumer or an individual. People are constantly bombarded with adverts urging them to buy different things. These adverts no longer promote specific products but promote the vision of ‘The Good Life’ and what you need in order for you to be happy and fulfilled.

Hallmarks of consumerism are very evident in Nigeria today. People now want to own multiple cars, houses, electronic gadgets, jewelries and even private jets. Illustrating the problem of consumerism in Nigeria for example is very evident in the sense that the international trade system has made it possible to buy every kind of product and have it delivered to your doorsteps almost effortlessly. In response to my enquiries about what the following items were associated with, these were the results I got: car equals individual freedom, owning a blackberry with designer clothes equals being cool, etc.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, when measured by expenditure, household consumption is the largest component of GDP in Nigeria. Consumers spend on material goods they can comfortably live without. Good food and health is no longer a priority as consumerism has made it possible for the burger in the United Kingdom, United States of America, China and Nigeria to taste exactly the same.

It is worrisome that in order to meet with increasing consumer demands, organisations are no longer ethically responsible. What drives them is the profit motive which multiples when consumers buy more and more products. Innovations are now driven by the desire to make people buy products – whether they can afford them or not. In a way, the current global financial crises can be attributed to consumers who were using money they didn’t have, to buy things they didn’t need, through bank loans the banks shouldn’t have given them in the first place.

Though most consumers caught up in the snare of consumerism simply buy things because they have been conditioned to buying through being bombarded by adverts, the dangers of consumerism must be pointed out. Most consumers may not realize the negative impact of their choices not only on the environment, but even on their personal and family finances. This can be achieved when government, together with organizations identify and label socially responsible or environmentally friendly products and services.

Some may argue this precaution may not yield the desired result of breaking out of the consumerist trap because governments cannot determine or control personal choices and preferences. However, responsible ethical behavior on the part of producers and advertisers can be ensured through efficient and effective regulation and others policies to induce personal and societal change.

As a final word, while the world is caught up in the global language of consumerism which everyone seems to understand intuitively without recognizing the dangers associated with it, we should ourselves: What is the point of buying things you don’t need, or crave things you can’t afford? Do you really need two dozen pairs of shoes? Do you need that extra designer handbag or dress? Do you really need a third car or a SUV when you hardly leave the city? How many wristwatches can you wear at once? Do you really need a dozen sets of eye glasses? Can you really afford to speak the language of consumerism which only has one word: buy, buy, and buy?

 

The Ever 1st Miss Baze Pageant

BAZE UNIVERSITY

Thursday, 31 October 2013

A beauty pageant or beauty contest is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests also incorporate personality, intelligence, talent, and answers to judges questions as judged criteria. Baze university took it further by introducing to the world it new beauty pageant. 

In the Baze beauty pageant all you need to do is register and put down your payment and later ask you to submit your mission statement in order to be considered and approved to enter. 

The Five judges are:

George Okoro

MBGN 2012

Jide of Stola

Nana Kusherki & Mamza Beauty

When the beauty pageants began, they were viewed as "trivial events whose interpretation required no scholarly effort. 

The Baze beauty pageant show consist of four different rounds which consist of modern attire, professional attires and the cultural or traditional attire and lastly the gowns show then rounded up by question and answer session from the group of judges.

The 1st round.

The 2nd round. (Professional costume)

Adama Goya was awarded the best Profersional costume ( Cabin Crew). 

The 3rd round. (Cultural or Traditional costume)

Vanessa was awarded the best costume.

Final round. (Dinner gown)

Hafsat was awarded the best Dinner gown.

 

Top 3 finals

Top 2 finals

The Ever 1st Miss Baze University

Miss Baze, 1st runner & 2nd runner up

Show organizer. Miss Rukaiya

Miss Baze beauty pageant was a night of reunion, a beautiful memory for every person who was present. I saw lots of people over joyed and having fun. it was really a mind blowing event and a night...

Woman Caught Trying To Dispose Dead Baby In Sack

A 40-year old widow was caught on Wednesday trying to dispose of a dead day-old baby she hid inside a sack.

A community elder High Chief Babatunde Balogun caught one Mujidat, mother of seven, when she was  trying to dispose the baby at about 5pm around her residence at 2, Reverend Alimi Street, NEPA Phase I, Ijagemo in Iba Local Council Development Area of Lagos.

When questioned on the content of the sack, she claimed she was coming from the market where she bought some household items.

However, on a closer look, Balogun discovered that the sack contained a dead day old baby whom the woman allegedly had just delivered.

He then called the attention of the other residents. After Mujidat’s husband known as Baba Mushin died about three years ago, they have seen men visiting her residence, the house built by her late husband.

When asked if she planned to throw away the baby because of an alleged paternity mess, she denied, claiming  that a welder turned block maker near her residence was responsible for the pregnancy that resulted in the birth of the dead baby she was caught with. .

She claimed she took delivery of the baby by herself because she found it easy and therefore did not go to any hospital or sought anybody’s  help.

Officials of the Community Development Association, CDA, in the area later accompanied the woman and her sack of baby to the Isheri-Oshun Police Division where the matter was reported.

Happy New Month

Wishing everyone the best that November has to offer. Cheers!

Nigeria and the 90/10 Principle

Farida A. Aminu.

Ninety per cent of life is decided by how you react. The remaining 10 per cent is what we don’t have control over. Recognized as one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Americans, Stephen R. Covey, author of the 90/10 principle dedicated his life to demonstrating how every person can truly control their destiny with profound, yet straightforward guidance.

Stephen Covey gives an example on this and reiterates that we actually determine the whole 90%. HOW? By our reaction! This is how it works; you cannot control a red light, but you control your reaction. So basically, we can’t escape a lot of things that happens to us, but the end product is determined by our response or action.

This is how it happens: You are having breakfast with your family in the morning before work, you daughter knocks up a cup of coffee onto your perfectly ironed crisp white shirt. You totally have no control whatsoever over what just happened, but what happens after this will finally be based on your reaction.

You curse you little daughter, yell and walk out. She breaks into tears, and you blame the mother for keeping the cup too close to the edge of the table. You both argue extensively, and you storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter too busy crying to finish up her breakfast, and getting ready to head to school, she misses the school bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work.

You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive at 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-inute delay and throwing some amount of traffic fine away, you arrive at school and your daughter leaves without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you just realize you have forgotten your briefcase back at home.

Your day has started very terribly, and as it continues, it sees to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home after work, but when you arrive, you find a little wedge with your relationship with your wife and daughter. WHY? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why exactly did you have a bad day? (a) The coffee caused it (b) Your daughter caused it (c) The police caused it? Or (d) you caused it. The answer is ‘’D’’. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds was what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened: Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: ‘’’it’s okay honey, you just need to be more careful next time.’’ Grabbing a towel, you go upstairs and change your shirt. You grab your briefcase, and come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff.

Notice the big difference? They are two different scenarios. Both started the same, but both ended differently. WHY? Because of the way you reacted. You really have no control over the 10% of what happens in your life. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Now you are aware of the 90/10 Principle. Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, unnecessary tension, trials, problems and headaches, just because of a simple reaction that was not in place. We can actually determine a lot of things that happen to us and the effects or influence that will result aftermath. Things happen, and some of the times awful incidents tense us up and turn us into slaves of our own hearts. If you let this in, then your reaction a lot of the times will be based on the state of mind you find yourself, being inclined to let out your inner hulk which can be damaging to the situation.

Our reactions have to be carefully thought about, before action. Words especially, once uttered can never be retracted, leaving either a scar or a little delight on the recipient. Staying positive is always the best way to handle even difficult and negative situations. Negative reactions will only build up more negativity in the long run and make circumstances even worse. We need to always battle with our minds when we find ourselves in an antagonized spot.

Which brings me to the crux of the matter: No doubt, Nigeria faces monumental economic, social and political challenges. But what has been the reaction of our leaders? How have they reacted to our security challenges? What are they doing about the 20 million Nigerian youth who have no jobs? What is government reaction to Boko Haram, falling standards of education, deteriorating health and decaying infrastructure?

Considering that things seem to get worse every day, it clear that Nigeria’s political leadership have never heard of the 90/10 principle, or have chosen to ignore it. This is why governance in Nigeria seems to be a knee-jerk reaction, instead of the result of considered policies and actions.

Is Nigerian all about gloom and doom?

Hidaya Harazimi.

Since the amalgamation of our nation, along our journey through time and history, destiny has led us to many, seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Many did not see a future for us as one nation, but thanks to our strong will, unity and faith we are still here today as one. True, we find ourselves in times of drastic changes; things are not as they were and will probably never be. Yet it is on the winds of uncertainty that our wings of faith must fly.

These are very trying for us as a people. There seems to be imminent collapse in the framework of our existence as a nation! From unusual bombings to baseless massacres; decline in our education systems, leaving our infant youth to feed themselves with crude education since the government has failed them; to vile politics and chronic corruption – on and on one can go, listing those things that do weaken the heart of the patriot. Yet again, one should take a second look at the state of things and realise that it is not the beginning of the end.

What destiny asks of us now is that we unite under the grief and tribulation of the surrounding events so we may rise in peace to prosperity. Some people whose patriotism is not as firm or has been shattered by recent events, think it is best we break up into different countries. NAY! Why should we break apart what God Almighty has made one? It is better for us and in the interest of future generations to remain as one nation. Many see miracles as our way of doing things but I think we cannot survive on mere probabilities, luck, or fortunate coincidence. So we should adhere to realistic voices.

Therefore, dear compatriots, our fate solely depends on us. More like simple mathematics: you work you eat you live, you desist you starve and simply seize to exist. Beloved Nigerian youth, I remind you, that you have the power, you ARE the power. Remind yourselves that this is a democracy, your government, by you and for you. So for change to occur it must start with you! You are a great people, of great wealth and great talent. Once a great philosopher used a simple metaphor to explain such an events, saying ”do you expect the armed robbers and thieves to be where there is no wealth of any kind? No, of course; they only visit those places where there is certain presence of all sorts of treasures.

Nigeria is a land of great treasure. And it is the responsibility of those who possess those treasures to protect them”. In our case it would be our responsibility to protect ourselves, our people, for more than anything, we are the treasure. Do not think that our current leaders are enjoying these times any more than you are. In fact if truly they are leaders, it ought to hurt them much more. It is clear that our local government chairmen are worried, our commissioners are worried, the governors are worried, and so are the ministers, the parliamentarians are agitated and the president, I must say I have no word for what he should be feeling.

The little we can do to help them help us help ourselves is that we give them our humble cooperation without demur. We must also help them with some words of encouragement. The little ‘Thank you’ and once in a while ‘God bless you’ go a long way in boosting the morale of such public servants. Furthermore, we should pray for them, so they become less servants of themselves and more servants of the nation. So they become less of victims of corruption and more of those who strive to rid our society of it.

An important aspect of our society and our security is the police. We are all in a way policemen and women. After all it is our responsibility to maintain security and order in our homes and surroundings. The police force only exists for little extra support. It is our civic responsibility that we help them and of course their right that they are helped in all ways.  Certainly together, we can easily curb crime in our communities, from the smallest petty thieves to the most advanced organized crime and terrorism. It is very sad to watch our beautiful, beautiful country in such a state.

Here we are in the in the west of Africa blending the tropic and savannah, uniting the Benue and the Great Niger – full of amazing views of savannah, valleys, plateau, mountains, rivers and falls. Containing every mineral gift of nature, natural gas, coal, the rocks of all kind including uranium, gold, both the black and the white! Oh how can one deny such a blessed people the right to enjoy the Almighty’s blessings? It is indeed humbling.  It is said that after every violent storm comes cool winds. That is why Nigerian youth must keep hope alive.