Russia begins withdrawing forces from Syria

Russia began withdrawing its forces from Syria on Tuesday in a move that will leave behind both significant destruction and a Syrian regime to fend for itself to a much greater extent.The first group of Russian planes left Hmeymim air base in Syria on Tuesday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Russia's surprise announcement Monday that it would withdraw from the conflict came as suddenly as its devastating airstrike campaign that started in September.

But Syria's government was not caught unawares by the move, a senior official told reporters.
"We knew beforehand that this is what was going to be announced because the Russians came here to achieve certain jobs, and we and they agreed that most of the jobs have been achieved."

My Wild thoughts

                                                       Elsie Oluku

I often wondered if Nigerian's youths are cursed or just plain stupid...? I was appalled and greatly distraught to read a seemly "harmless"  broadcast advocating for the return of corruption? . My head reeled with questions,  my mind twirling with runs and reruns of the years gone by and looming feeling of doom for my beloved country! A country embroidered in plots and counter plots. A country where leaders with no vision no mission...  Oppssy.. ..  Sorry there is a mission...  Loot and let's Loot !  My country where to be honest. Is a sign of stupidity and to a rogue is a sign of a "sharp guy" but I say to you in this country are a thousand and more Good people who believe in the right things and the right way of doing things.  They say "you can fool some people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all of the time!" I say to you arise Nigerian's!  Stand up! Stand Tall! Fight for your Nation! Make the change count! Do your part!

Written by Elsie Oluku
 Elsieoluku@gmail.com

Jungle justice VS The face of Change

I remember it like yesterday; pictures and videos being shared of Ugonna Obuzor, Toku Lloyd, Chiadika Biringa, and Tekena Elkanah as they were brutally murdered by a mob on October 5, 2012 in Aluu, a village in Rivers State, Nigeria. The young men, all friends, first sons of their parents and students at the University of Port Harcourt,were accused of theft.

Those images still haunt me today. Women, men and children on the side cheering, and some helplessly looking on, to the merciless jamming of hard wood into the skulls and bones of a defenseless group of young men who were never given the chance to speak for themselves or the option of an arrest.

It is appalling how unbothered we all are despite the countless mob lynching that occur in our country. The seeming lack of political will to address this grave issue which has taken the life of so many of our loved ones and our collective silence is, in my view, an endorsement of widespread vigilantism.

Chiadika, Toku, Tekena and Ugonna were, like you and I, young people with dreams of living life to its fullest potential and contributing greatly to Nigeria’s development. They, their families and loved ones would never envisage that their young lives would be snuffed out by stick and stone-wielding vigilantes. Never for a second would they have imagined being stripped naked, beaten, dragged through mud and have concrete slabs dropped on their heads as a spectacle of people’s idea of justice in a village whose name (Aluu) in Igbo, loosely translates to “abomination”.

This morning there was another grotesque post on Facebook about a young man who was lynched in Ondo State, in South-Western Nigeria. The author of the post called it the “End of a Gay” as if to justify the senseless and savage killing of his fellow compatriot because he was or was perceived to be non-heterosexual. It seemed that his post was a warning to other gay, lesbian and bisexual people in Nigeria who should know that homosexuality is criminalized up to 14 year jail sentence and, he will therefore exact his own form of justice.

These stories expose the crisis of jungle justice that is prevalent in many communities across Nigeria. They, in part, point to a situation of people taking justice into their hands because of, inter alia, the lack of trust in the law enforcement and justice systems.

As a child growing up in Lagos, the sight of people being wounded/harmed without hesitation at a mere scream of the word OLE (thief) is not new to me. This has traumatized me and brings back those frightening experiences every time I see pictures and videos of someone being lynched. At the time, you were only left with the gory images in your mind as you try to recollect and narrate the incident to your friends. Unfortunately, I didn’t realise the psychological harm witnessing these incidents can cause.

The level of impunity that the perpetrators of these mob violence enjoy is worrying. You would think there would be more arrests and charges being handed down given that evidence of these incidents is so readily accessible. Why has justice not been served on the perpetrators of the Aluu lynching and many others? I worry that this might be the case of Akinifessi in Ondo State as well. Sadly, these incidents have not had much impact on us. Consequently, rather than cause empathy and sympathy the perpetrators are often feted with endorsements such as the attracted vitriolic comments suggesting that Akinifessi deserved to die for presumably being gay.

It is high time we accept that jungle justice on any ground affects all of us. Anyone can be the next victim. You might be caught in a situation like Tekena’s sister who watched her brother being murdered right in front of her while her scream and pleas for mercy yielded no effect on the angry mob that killed him.

It is time for President Buhari to address this issue. He must deal with the challenges of the law enforcement and justice systems. We cannot continue to watch families and communities being torn apart. Buhari, as a champion of change, needs to lead an effort to improve the necessary systems and protect the sanctity of life.

 Written by Stephen Chukwumah

Gay man beaten to death in Ondo State

I have given up on Nigeria because Nigeria is now an animalistic lawless nation,that is why the whites see us as apes because we behave like that.it is written,thou shall not kill but in Nigeria,we kill and maim.Blood of the innocent is crying against our nation day and night.if a thief is caught,inhumane people will come out and beat the person to death and if possible,burn the person to death. Recently at Ondo State,Nigeria,a young man was beaten to death because he is gay,are we not murderers?that is one of the reason why Nigeria can never move forward.The man he slept with escaped so he was the one that was caught.a person looted the treasuries of the nation,he is not dealt with but a person who stole meat is treated worse that a criminal.
 The perpetrators gathered at the scene engage in victory chants. "Yes! We have win! Thank God we catch am! That one never die o, beat am well! God will punish you today"
You may not be part of the angry mob,but when you see such news on social media,you are always happy because to you,they are Aliens and to you,homosexuals must die.
Nigeria is a religious nation but filled with hypocrites.We are quick to judge others but we ourselves,we are beasts and monsters inside.
I noticed that many self professed pastors and Christians on social media were in support of those who killed the gay man.
While they jubilated, You'd think their lives are perfect.
Look at our nation,we have been brainwashed and it is so sad.There are issues affecting us as a nation but the youths are not talkjng.
Instead of us as youths to organise a protest, storm governor/local government Chairman's office for not providing the basic social amenities! You voted them in so you deserve better, don't you?
Let us grow up, find something to be really angry about, besides two consenting male adults having sex.Homosexuality is not the problem of Nigeria,corruption and irresponsibility is.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

I remain yours
Dipo Olatade

6 Tips to Becoming a Millionaire

Many people have been writing me with the notion that it's an impossible task. They say, "It's pure luck. You have to be born into a rich family. You'll have to win the Lotto. Your parents have to help you out a lot."
A single mother with five children wrote the following, "Daniel, I read your article and I believe in what you're saying. However, I'm 50 years old and work long hours at two dead-end jobs. It's Christmas time and I barely have enough money to buy gifts for my children. What should I do?"
 Another man wrote, "Well, if you work for the government or a non-profit, you cannot expect to become a millionaire. After all, you're on a fixed salary and there’s little time for anything else. By the time you get home, you've got to play with the kids and entertain yourself."
The truth is that all of us can become as wealthy as we decide to be. None of us is excluded from wealth. If you have the desire to receive money, whatever the amount, you have all of the rights to do so. There's no limit to how much you can earn for yourself.
Money is like the sun. It does not discriminate.

Here are 6 tips to becoming a millionaire: 

1. Change Your Thinking:You have to see the bigger picture. When most people see just trees, you need to look at the entire forest. This way, you'll be able to chart your own course and get to where you want to be. By having a vision and the goals to attain that vision, your possibilities are endless.You'll have to go through plenty of self discovery before you earn your first million. Knowing the truth about yourself isn't always the easiest task. Sometimes, you'll find that you're your biggest enemy and best friend -- even in the same day! Nonetheless, changing your thinking is a requirement for wealth.

2. Save Relentlessly:This will address the queries that I've recently received. For many individuals, there's too much month at the end of the money. However, you'll have to make your best effort to save as much as you can, even if it's a ridiculously low number. There are many techniques for saving money. You need to find your own system and start building your wealth. Even if you're on a fixed income, you need to find the discipline necessary to save. Whether you start out with saving $50 or $500 per month, do the best you can and invest this money in the best way possible.

3. Learn from Millionaires:Most people are surrounded by what I like to call "Default Friends." These friends are acquaintances that we see at the grocery store, gym, school, work, and other places. We naturally befriend these people as trust grows. However, in most cases, these people aren't millionaires and cannot help you become one either. If you truly desire and aspire to be a millionaire, these people may tell you that it's impossible. They'll tell you that you're living in a fantasy world and why you'll never be able to make it happen. Instead, learn from millionaires. Let go of these relationships and seek new ones that can help you get to the next level.

4. Indulge in Wealth:To become wealthy, you must first learn about wealth. This means that you'll have to put yourself in situations that you've never been before. For instance, you can test drive a new car, get a realtor to show you an expensive home, or get a brownie from the finest bakery in town.Most of this will not break your bank. In fact, some of it is free. You'll have to go where 97 percent of people aren't willing to go if you want to make your financial dreams happen. Are there luxury golf courses, spas, or museums in your area that will allow you to indulge in wealth? If so, take advantage.

5. Believe It's Possible:If you believe that it's possible to become a millionaire, you can make it happen. However, if you've excluded yourself from this possibility and think that it's for other people, you'll never have money. Also, be sure to bless rich people when you can. Haters of money aren’t likely to receiving any of it either.The best way to do this is to learn relentlessly about yourself and money. You can do this by reading books that have been written by millionaires themselves. By gaining a well-rounded education and staying inspired, you'll be able to get the wealth you've been looking for.

6. Seize ALL Opportunities:In every neighborhood, no matter where you are, there are always opportunities to do good. Your community desperately needs your help. If you would only open your mind and heart to these opportunities, you'll find that they will be ready to reward you in due time.

:Furthermore, you cannot say "no" to opportunities and expect to become a millionaire. You must seize every opportunity that has your name on it. Sometimes the monetary reward will not come immediately, but if you keep planting seeds, eventually you'll grow your fruitful crop.
Money is the harvest of your production. Everything that you have is in direct proportion to your actions. If you've done everything that you can do and have a purpose leading your life, you can expect to become wealthy. You must desire wealth and eventually the money will come when you are ready for it.
The more seeds (service) you plant, the more plants (money) you'll have.

Written by Daniel Ally
Daniel Ally is an international business expert, three-time best-selling author and keynote speaker. As the founder of The Ally Way and Dignify Designs, he has helped business leaders establish their brands, authors develop and publish their books, and hundreds of audiences fill up their notebooks as they giggle their way to freedom and success. Ally became a self-made millionaire at 24 years old.
 www.facebook.com/daniel ally,twitter.com/theallywayint

Stop Comparing Yourself to Competitors.Start Perfecting Your Craft.

We’re hard on ourselves professionally. Competition is fierce in the business world. We compare ourselves to the competition every chance we get.
But I’m here to tell you to stop. Stop the comparisons. They’re doing nothing to your competition. Much like disliking a person that doesn’t know you exist, it only hurts you.
 Emotional energy is what makes us great. It is the blood, sweat and tears that we experience when pursuing our deepest passions and dreams. The smile that comes when you get the sale or the tarnished ego that ensues when you don’t. It’s the yearning desire to want more and to keep pushing.
 It can also be very draining and damaging if you don’t focus on the necessity of positive emotional energy. Do not sabotage yourself by draining your emotional energy on what everyone else is doing better than you. Your craft needs that emotional energy much more than your competition. Your craft needs your passion, your fire and your creative genius to push forward. Your competition is draining you of your competitive edge, and they’re not losing sleep over it -- you are.
 Yes, it’s important to know your market well and the others competing in your space, but keep it there. Have a concrete knowledge, but don’t worry about their quarterly sales, their new endorsements, how big their holiday party was, what media slots they are securing or what new clients they’ve gotten. The reality is that there is enough business out there for everyone. If you don’t believe so, ask yourself -- how you are going to solicit a larger consumer base?
 They are out there. This is where your energies need to be spent. This is where focusing on your craft comes in. Focus on the value that you, your product or your service brings to the industry. Spend time listening to what your loyal customers and clients are saying so that you can consistently perfect what you do. Focus on innovative marketing strategies, closing sales, satisfaction guarantees and new business outreach.
 Most importantly, undergo the positive mind shift that is needed to protect your emotional energies. An attitude of gratitude is a foundation to win. Seeing the glass half full is half the battle. Think about what you do have and what you do exceptionally well. Focus on the consumers that already love what you do, and show them how much you appreciate them.
 One thing I decided to do in the professional speaking world is that I reached out to everyone else in my industry that does what I do. Both new comers and heavy hitters. It definitely takes some guts to do. It’s very humbling, but it’s worthwhile. I introduced myself, congratulated them on their success and asked for a phone call at their convenience.
A few actually went on to become mentors to me. I strongly advise others to do the same. It is worth the time to reach out to people who have been there. You would be shocked at how many people will extend a hand to you. Your competition is curious about you as well.
Think about my alternative option. I could have spent the same, if not more, amount of energy on looking at everyone in my industry and assessing how I can beat them, surpass them or solicit their business. This idea would not have allowed me the important guidance and advice I received along the way. It also makes you a bigger target to take out. In business, you must strive to build bridges to success -- not barriers to opportunity.
Because of this outreach, I’ve been invited to events to hear my mentors speak where I could learn valuable insights to incorporate into my own business. I have also had speakers who were unavailable to give a certain keynote due to prior bookings, refer me as the person to take their spot.
 It doesn’t matter what industry you occupy -- focus on what you do well. There is enough business to be had by all. Focus on forming allies and perfecting your craft rather than overthrowing your competition. Your craft needs your energy much more than your competition.

Written by  Matt Mayberry
As a former NFL linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Matt Mayberry is currently an acclaimed Keynote speaker, peak performance strategist and writer. As the CEO of Matt Mayberry Enterprises, a training and consulting company, he specializes in maximizing the performance of individuals and organizations all over the world. Mayberry is writing his first book, The Gift of Failure, planned for release in 2016. You can contact him and learn more at www.mattmayberryonline.com.