Why you have to finish payment before the wedding 'Balance Palava'

It's been a while, yeah I have been very busy working as you all know it's yuletide and this period I guess so many people want to get married and off with being single. Ok let me tell you what I've been doing, I have been doing my jobs of decorating event venues, I have done my own jobs and at the same time working for others and getting paid.

What I'll be talking about here today is so much but I have to make it short. Dear Clients, the reasons why we ask you to finish payment before the wedding proper is so much, you see, Decorators are humans like you and there are deadlines where we get the stuff we use for you, I mean rentage, I am not the only decorator in my area not to start talking about Lagos so how will they reserve a chilvary chair for me without paying just because you want to use it, the reality is, the moment someone who is ready to pay comes around, the chair is given out immediately. Whose fault? You put the blame on the decorator when you pay at the 11th hour when it is not possible to get other options, when you pay on time, if there is any hitch, alternatives would have been provided before the event day.

Blames are traded when a job is done badly, but I don't think the Couples get any because they are not seen any longer. The Decorator or other wedding Vendors get the blames because they are the ones people see and nobody wants to know if you paid late or not.

Decorator please on no occasion should you use 'Oju anu (Pity)' to collect jobs that will not pay you. You will blame yourself if you do. Collect the money that will execute the job then you can dash them your workmanship if you like, that is the only place you can reduce if you want to reduce price for a client.

You see the picture above? That is the many faces of Vendors waiting to get their own share whatsoever,most of the time it is 'Balance Palava'. Most times these vendors have not finished paying up at places where they got what they are using at your wedding and we don't want you to disappear after the wedding, many faces are squeezed, others are happy, others are just pretence because they also want their money but they do not want to embarrass you. This is why you don't know where the queue comes from immediately after your closing prayer and dance. If you pay fully before your day, you save yourself the stress and many other embarrassment because you'll not like to be embarrassed,in fact your mind is no longer at the venue but at your destination where all have to be finalised *winks.

Fairy Light Canopy

A stunning centrepiece to any ceiling is our fairy light canopy with its long stretches of warm white fairy lights which create a magical feel. We can either run the lights from a central point out to the walls or we can run them in parallel to create a wave effect in the ceiling. The reinforced strands mean that the spans of lights can stretch up to 20 meters without risk of snapping.

LED Battens Lighting

LED battens create a richly saturated coloured light and are often used to create glowing mood lighting around the room. The colour can be set or it can continually chage according to your needs. Alternating LED battens and uplighters throughout the room is a versatile and dynamic way of creating mood lighting. This can be done by fading one or both at different points throughout the evening

Table Pinspot Lighting

Pinspot lighting is an effective way of illuminating a dining area.  The soft beams light up the table centres giving a wonderful warm pool of light.  This effect is particularly recommended to highlight centrepieces, as pinspots pick out the detail.

Uplighting

Uplighters can be used to line the walls of your venue to create a simple and sophisticated effect. You can accentuate beautiful architecture or spice up bland walls and drapes with a splash of colour and vibrancy. Uplighters come in warm white as standard but we can use coloured filters to give you a more dramatic effect. We often use LED battens with uplighters to create coloured effects as these are more versatile.

Lighting to suit the mood

Ideally mood lighting will change throughout your event to suit the atmosphere you want to create. For example, during dinner you may like to use a warm white light that creates a glow around the table. Subtle coloured lighting around the room can work nicely in combination with table lighting. For a cocktail party or later in the evening, you may prefer to use exclusively coloured lighting and a few warm whites picking out features.

Mood Lighting

Lighting is an element that will greatly influence the atmosphere of your event. Lighting that is too harsh or bright can make it difficult for your guests to relax. If the lighting is too dark it can discourage communication between your guests.

Wedding Dos and Donts

Your wedding should be one of the happiest days of your life — but it can be hard work. Thankfully, whether you're sparing no expense for a lavish affair with 300 of your closest friends or jetting off for a super-intimate and romantic ceremony, you don't have to spiral into a pit of party-planning misery. Here are some tips for your planning so you can also enjoy your big day.

1. Do be a guest at your own wedding.

Be in the moment the day of. Even though you've been anticipating and planning, don't analyze and fixate on if it's going according to plan or on what's coming next. Be present and enjoy the celebration as it comes. That will make the day stick best in your memory and allow you to actually enjoy it and have fun!

2. Don't procrastinate.

Don't ever let this happen to you, you might pay for it somehow. Putting off your wedding planning is a major don't if you have a specific date or place in mind. Make sure you make an organized checklist of things that need to get done and do them accordingly. Enlist friends and family members to help with the big stuff and remember not to sweat the small stuff. If your seating chart isn't perfect, keep in mind that people will probably only sit for dinner.

3. Do be yourself.

If you're not normally the kind of girl who wears lots of makeup and loves to dress up, that doesn't mean you have to be that way on your wedding. Lots of brides overdo it on the makeup, and become almost unrecognizable versions of themselves on their wedding day. Remember that this is your day and you want to be completely comfortable so you're able to enjoy yourself.

4. Do have a backup plan.

It's rare that a wedding goes perfectly as planned. Always have a backup plan: for example, have an indoor location if you're having an outdoor wedding. If you can't have a backup plan for something, like another wedding cake if yours turns out looking awful, then make a promise to yourself before the wedding to take everything in stride. Who cares if your wedding cake looks horrible as long as it tastes good!

5. Don't put yourself into debt by throwing a lavish wedding:

It's not worth it. If you just don't have the budget for it, have a small party you both will love. Times are changing and having a big, lavish wedding is far from the norm. Debt from your wedding is only going to cause marital tension in the long run. In the end, all that matters is that your close friends and family are present and you have a memorable evening.

6. Do book your honeymoon early for the best value and availability.

Some boutique resorts or unique room categories fill up a year in advance. And the cost of airfare increases as your travel date approaches. So, when it comes to booking your honeymoon, the earlier the better. Many resorts offer early booking incentives and most packages don't require final payment until 6 weeks prior to arrival so you'll have plenty of time to pay off your trip too. Not to mention, that it just feels great to mark things off the list.

7. Don't go DIY crazy.

You know that clever bride who sewed her own dress and designed and made her own invitations? Or the one who baked her own three-tiered cake? Everyone's in awe of the girls who can do these things. Good for them—if they did it because they really wanted to and if they managed not to get stressed out. The point of these projects is to use your skills to save money and to put a one-of-a-kind stamp on some aspect of the wedding. But if you are really not the hands-on type, don't drive yourself crazy hot-gluing tulle and folding fiddly favors until 3 a.m. Do only what you can and beg, borrow or rent the rest.

Getting Paid: I'm in trouble and I made the Bride Cry

In my sojourn in the event industry particularly Decorations, so many things take place,some are meant to make you stronger while some will get you miserable and almost cry. The Event industry is one of the most interesting industry to be, don't worry, we might not be celebrities but in our own way, we rock our own world.

This is an experience I had sometimes ago, the Bride came calling as usual. "Hello, my wedding comes up soon and I want you to be the decorator". I was all jumpy not because I have never had a job for weeks but because I am excited at every job I get even if it's the least, you know it's good to derive joy from whatever it is you do. "Draw your estimate" she continues, I did that and sent to her. She got it and we discussed at length, in addition she wanted me to make the cake and do the engagement a day before the main event. I got over excited. It is good to be wary of your client, do not be suspicious but just be at alert when she start calling the shot.

Getting to the venue with all the traditional wedding decor materials, the creative hands of the girls making the puff, the acrobatic side of the men took to the walls, pleating on and on. The cake stand, the cane chair, the rafia mat, the calabash and the gourds went to their places. The groom came late in the evening around 6pm, the excuse was that he was from Lagos and I was like "so?". The engagement finished late, had to leave the venue late too, decoration for the Reception hall which served also as the church was not opened that evening so we could start working for next morning event because the Couple had not settled the balance.

Work had to start next morning, if you are ever going to start your decoration on the event day especially a hall that will serve also as the church please don't go by 7am, go as early as 5am. Start your work and finish before the guest start coming in, it could be embarrassing when you are working and you are being told to hurry up, even if you are the best and even if it was your client's fault, nobody wants to know any longer, they will put the blame on you. "Those guys are too slow, Pastors are supposed to have been seated"

After the event and all, the Bride had called and called before the event started begged and begged and explained how she will pull out her briefcase filled with so much money to pay up her balance but immediately after the event, I became a stranger and this was when I got to know that even the MC, One Man Band, Cameraman also are in my shoes,they have not been paid, I could not complain because I knew I had messed up in the first instance,the only Vendor who got paid completely was the Hall Manager, the rest made the Bride cry because she could not deal with the fact that this was happening. Please try not to act like me, collect your balance before you start work that morning, that is the only time you have to be in control so as to avoid trouble unless you want to have a promissory note as you will not want to watch the Bride cry continuously just because of you.

|I am D'Decorator- 08137574110

"Is this all I get after all I paid!?"

Coming across Clients is my joy,even when we don't get to work together at the end of the day but I have more experiences built up in every conversation we have. It makes you know quite for sure that some do not really care about what goes on with their decoration at their event while the other type of client will follow with details all you are going to be doing with decorations at their event. Colleague, who would you like to work with in the two category?

Natural instinct would make you want to work for the one who does not give you problem but just leave you to do whatever you like, seriously Dear, this will not help either of you. The client will get laughed at and you will not get referrals after the job. The Client who keeps you up and working gets you better, don't think you are at the peak of the Decoration career yet, even the Pros find it difficult at times when there is no reason to avoid errors, a Client who gives you a reason to avoid errors is only helping to bring out the best in you.

Have you not worked with a Client who tells you "Our color is Cream and Wine Red" and that is the last word you heard after negotiations and the moment comes when you have to start your job, you get to the venue, finished decoration and the Bride's friend comes to check what you are doing and you are asked "Where is the charger plate, or is this how you'll leave the table?" And your response is "That is what we bargained" and God help you if the Bride is the type that will come over to see what you are doing herself, she might embarrass you by shouting your head off. "Is this all I get after all I paid!?"

The problem here is: you did not conclude with Her on what you'll be bringing, many Client thinks that once they pay you, you deliver all just like the way Ada Ada had her wedding decorated. What Ada Ada paid is definitely different from what you paid your decorator. Please let her know what she will get and what she will not get with what she is paying and remember you are not decorating only for your Client, many are going to be in attendant, give your best even when you're paid little. Do not have a shabby decoration for her because she didn't pay you well.

|I am D'Decorator- 08137574110

Why Your Best Client May Be Your Last Client

So I recently had the privilege of hiring a cobbler to do a customized sewing design on an album box I wanted to deliver to a client. I explained to him the design I wanted and emphasised the importance of delivering a neat job.

30 seconds into the sewing, I knew in my heart I would never work with this vendor again. His design was sloppy and neatness seemed to be enemies with him. I had planned to give him about 4 other materials to sew for me and decided right that moment that he will not lay his needle on another of my materials. At the end of his 5 minutes work of technical imperfection, he billed me N100. I hurriedly paid without negotiating; couldn't wait to get him out of my sight.

If only he knew that I had budgeted N2000 for all things I wanted to sow. If only he had asked for my opinion on the sloppy job he just delivered. If only he had been more technically proficient in the carriage of his expertise. He looked at my expression less face and perhaps thought he had secured a great client in me. I thanked him for his time and sent him away.

I immediately summoned my colleagues to share with them a customer-service revelation I had stumbled upon. Sometimes when we deliver our jobs to clients that don't seem to say much (apart from paying and thanking us), we should be a little sceptical. It is important to prod customers that "seemed" to be satisfied and ask what they honestly think of your service delivery or product quality. Sometimes we're happy for the $2,000 we just harvested from our best client without being conscious of the fact that "our best client" might not have been completely satisfied. Hence we ultimately loose out from the $20,000 jobs he would eventually bring our way.

Bottom line is for us not just to be quick to charge and collect money from our clients; we should try to be 100% sure that they are satisfied. For only 100% satisfied customers will help to be your loyal and faithful BRAND MARKETERS

Source: www.elophotos.com

I will get back to you 'ASAP': One of the Sharp Practices of Your Clients.

As a Decorator, I have come to understand two things from the 'I will get back to you ASAP. (ASAP was supposed to mean As Soon As Possible) but in Nigeria, it has been substituted to mean these: 'I am just asking, don't worry' , 'I don't have such money' , 'I am just doing a survey' , 'Chei! You are too expensive' or 'Ok Bye' .

In the our event industry, time is event and event is time. To have an event, we must work with time effectively. We can never give you the event you desire if you don't let us work with your time. You have an event on August 20 and you are still making enquiries till August 10. What time will your vendors have to prepare when you have not paid an advance at least to get started.

As a Decorator, I get calls (on a Tuesday) like "Hello, is this OfficialThing Events? There is an event I want you to decorate on thursday, I want the best, the guest is 1500 and I want the chairs and tables covered, let's talk on phone as it is too urgent to set up a meeting". You immediately make a quote and you give your client a call, "Hello, sequel to our last discussion, the bill is 280,000 (assumed) if you are covering chairs and tables and if you are not covering Chairs and Tables, your bill is 70,000" The next thing you get is 'I'll get back to you asap'.

Event Planners, Managers, Vendors are human too, they reason with you when you tell them what you can afford,it's not enough for you to just 'run-off' but you can still get something if you can say what you can pay or your budget and worse of all, be courageous enough to let the vendor know you aren't going to be using his/her services,it gives you more honour. This is my One Kobo for today.

|I am D'Decorator - 08137574110

Nigerian : Yoruba Traditional Wedding

Date

The choice of traditional wedding date could be very dependant on a number of things but most importantly is the availability of key guests and favoured venue. Even taking into account that it might take place abroad, adequate preparation will need to be put into place.

Venue

Choosing the right venue…but do you really know what you are looking for?

It is best, that before you go dashing off to look around every single venue within a hundred miles, here are some top tips to think about when choosing a venue:

Communication is key

Talk to your other half and be prepared to compromise on some things if you both have different ideas, as this could help with disagreements later.

Decide on a budget and stick to it

Working on a budget early on will help shortlist potential venues and give you both a clearer understanding of how big you want the traditional wedding to be, especially if you will also be having a white wedding too.

Guest numbers – invite only or all are invited?

It is good to have a rough idea of numbers so that it will help with choosing a venue, catering amongst other things. If you will also be having a white wedding, will the traditional wedding just be for family and close friends or everyone? It is worth considering!

Decoration

At the point of choosing decorations you should have already chosen your colour scheme/theme for your traditional wedding. Perhaps you might also have an event/wedding planner or decorator that could help you bring your vision to reality.

Traditional Wedding Cake

This is another essential item that should be decided upon by the couple. There are various designs and the cake can also incorporate the traditional feel of the wedding.

Nigerian : Yoruba Traditional Wedding

12/06/2012

7 Comments

 



Source: hausanigerian.blogspot.com

Date

The choice of traditional wedding date could be very dependant on a number of things but most importantly is the availability of key guests and favoured venue. Even taking into account that it might take place abroad, adequate preparation will need to be put into place.

Venue

Choosing the right venue…but do you really know what you are looking for?

It is best, that before you go dashing off to look around every single venue within a hundred miles, here are some top tips to think about when choosing a venue:

Communication is key

Talk to your other half and be prepared to compromise on some things if you both have different ideas, as this could help with disagreements later.

Decide on a budget and stick to it

Working on a budget early on will help shortlist potential venues and give you both a clearer understanding of how big you want the traditional wedding to be, especially if you will also be having a white wedding too.

Guest numbers – invite only or all are invited?

It is good to have a rough idea of numbers so that it will help with choosing a venue, catering amongst other things. If you will also be having a white wedding, will the traditional wedding just be for family and close friends or everyone? It is worth considering!

Decoration

At the point of choosing decorations you should have already chosen your colour scheme/theme for your traditional wedding. Perhaps you might also have an event/wedding planner or decorator that could help you bring your vision to reality.

Traditional Wedding Cake

This is another essential item that should be decided upon by the couple. There are various designs and the cake can also incorporate the traditional feel of the wedding. 



Source: Sugar Weddings

Photography and Videography

Like any event, you want it to be memorable and capturing those special moments through photos and video is advisable. It would be good to make sure you have a cameraman and video man on either side of the groom and bride as you would want to capture the bride waiting behind the scenes and the groom prostrating flat on the floor with his friends, asking for his bride's hands in marriage.

Aso-Ebi

The term 'aso-ebi' directly translated means "relatives clothes" in Yoruba. Aso-Ebi is a Nigerian outfit made from matching fabric to be worn by a group of people to a wedding or party as a uniform. Fabrics come in different types of colours and textures, ranging from Ankara to Lace being two very popular choices.

Whatever you decide, remember that you are picking fabric for others, so it would be mindful to be flexible.

  Ijoko

The 'Alaga Ijoko' (the sitting MC) is for the brides family and the 'Alaga Iduro' (the standing MC) is for the grooms family.

The traditional wedding always starts off with the 'Alaga Ijoko,' who will introduce the brides  and grooms parents, coordinate the letter reading, introduces the groom to the brides family and makes the groom and his friends beg for the brides hand by prostrating flat on the floor, in front of the brides family. The 'Alaga Ijoko' then ushers the bride in.
The 'Alaga Iduro,' then takes over and introduces the bride to the grooms family and takes her for acceptance. She also coordinates the payment of the bride price, which in some cases is usually returned to the groom's family because they are not selling a wife, they are giving a daughter.  

Response to Letter of Proposal

There is always a beautiful proposal letter from the grooms' family, which is usually read out by the youngest member of the brides' family. Then an acceptance letter is given by the brides' family.

Traditional Wedding List
This is a typical Yoruba traditional wedding list for the groom:

Engagement Bible

Engagement Ring

One Big Suitcase

2 Different Pairs of Shoes and Bags

2 Head Gears (of high quality)

1 Traditional Cloth (Aso- Oke)

4 Other Assorted Clothes

1 Big Dish of Salt

42 Tubers of Big Yam

1 Roll of Sugar

1 Big Bag of Salt

If desired:
42 pcs Obi (Kola nut)
42 pcs Orogbo(Bitter kola)
42 pcs Atare (Alligator pepper)
1 Decanter of Pure Honey
1 Big Dish of Aadun(peppered Corn meal
1 Big Dish of Sugar
42 pcs Big Eja Osan (Dry fish)
Owo Isigba(fee to open the gifts on this list (usually packaged)- 500 Naira
Dowry - 5,000 Naira
Owo Omo Ile Okunrin(Money for all male children) - 500 Naira
Owo Omo Ile Obinrin(money for all female children) - 500 Naira
Iyawo Ile - (money for all wives in the family) 500 Naira
Owo Iya Gbo(money for bride's mother's consent) - 1,000 Naira
Owo Baba Gbo (money for bride's father's consent) - 500 Naira
Owo Ijoko Agba (money for all the elders in he family) - 1,000 Naira
Owo Ijoko Iyawo(Money to bring in bride) - 1,000 Naira
Owo Isiju Iyawo(money to unveil the bride) - 1, 000 Naira
Owo Ikanlekun (Entrance fee) - 500 Naira
Owo Phone(money for phone calls) - 500 Naira
Owo Plane (money for travel to groom's family house)- 500 Naira
Reading of Letter - 500 Naira
Owo Alaga Ijoko(money for MC) - 500 Naira
Owo Alaga Ijoko(money for MC) – 500 Naira
4 Cartons of Five Alive
4 Crates of Can Drinks
6 Bottles of Wine
2 Crates of Can Malt
Umbrella

Article is courtesy of African Bridal

Choosing the Perfect Fabric for Your Wedding Tablecloth

Sheer, matte, chiffon, linen, silk, lace, satin, velvet . . . the list goes on. In choosing the perfect tablecloth for your wedding, you'll be faced with a whole gamut of decisions. Determining the colors is difficult enough, as most event linen rental establishments offer endless variations on a simple color, not to mention prints, patterns, sizes, and shapes. Once you have that down, you'll need to think about what fabric to use, whether or not you want an overlay, whether you want to alternate the colors of your tablecloth rentals, and so on.

Pairing tablecloth fabric isn't as difficult as you might think. Just as you could wear a lacy top with dark jeans, you can add a lacy or filmy overlay to nearly any tablecloth and get away with it. What becomes difficult is balancing matte finishes with the shiny ones. A little shimmer is to be expected at weddings; a lot can look garish. Likewise, matte finishes are elegant, but an event with nothing but matte will look unconscionably boring.

Elements like glasses, plates, and silverware will reflect and refract light, but remember that these will be removed once your guests are done eating. Once you've moved on to dancing, the wedding tablecloth rentals and other elements of décor will still be there, so don't think that you can just keep it safe with matte linen tablecloths and expect your dinnerware to pick up the slack. Either switch it up by adding a touch of shimmer to your tablecloth rentals or add other reflective elements to your table.

Since this article deals primarily with shine, you don't really need to consider the sizing aspects of your venue. You can rent rectangular tablecloths or specialized banquet tablecloths for longer tables, or stick with round or square tablecloths for smaller tables. You don't need to temper or enhance levels of reflection for different table shapes.

You should, however, consider the coloring and lighting of the room. Ideally, the wall will be white and the lighting adequate and not fluorescent, as everybody looks terrible under fluorescent light. If this isn't the case, either switch venues or consult with the owners to replace the lighting with something a little more flattering. You may also consider using candles (or safer alternatives, like LED candles) to add to the level of shine.

As for the fabrics themselves, for the sake of this article, we'll say there are three basic types used in the tablecloth rental industry: shiny, matte, and filmy. We won't discuss color in this article, but you can read my article on color coordination if you need further tips.

Shiny

Here, you have your satins, certain silks, and tablecloths that incorporate sparkly elements like sequins, metallic thread, and so on. Of course, there are different levels of "shininess." You can have a shiny black tablecloth and have it look kind of drab and funereal, or you can add a celestial overlay and make it look magical. It comes down to the difference between gloss (satin) and sparkle (sequins), but the effect is similar in that both will reflect light and add visual interest.

A basic, satiny party tablecloth is hardly overwhelming on its own. The shine is subdued and elegant, meaning that you won't need to worry about adding metallic or glass elements to the table. You'll be able to find satin tablecloth rentals in nearly every color and print, though it should be noted that the shine will be more noticeable on darker tablecloths like cobalt and black. Satin finishes are appropriate for any occasion, no matter how personal or professional.

There are very few drawbacks to using satin, but it isn't without its risks. Food and drink stains are more noticeable on satin, as they can dull its finish. A satin tablecloth shows marks of fraying more than its matte counterpart would, so be sure you've researched your wedding tablecloth rental service to ensure the quality of its pieces beforehand.

Sparkles work best as a highlight rather than as a primary tablecloth, but there are exceptions. It really depends on how sparkly they are. If it's solid gold, be sure to use matte napkins and chair covers, or guests might find the whole look overwhelming.

Matte

There isn't much to say about matte finishes. They include your most basic linen tablecloths and look . . . fine. They form a solid backdrop for the other elements of, including any sparkly and shiny elements. This isn't to say that matte finishes are boring. Like any banquet tablecloth, a matte tablecloth will come in a variety of colors and prints. But since this article is about finishes and fabrics rather than colors, there is really only one hazard to discuss: boredom.

Consider the matte white tablecloth. You'll find it in nearly every restaurant. It's functional, it's elegant, and by itself, it's completely drab. If you're celebrating an important milestone, your choice of wedding tablecloth should reflect the importance of the event rather than banality. This isn't to say that a matte white tablecloth should be avoided, but that it requires a few accessories to be considered festive. This gives you a lot more freedom in terms of choosing sparkly accessories, but it also puts pressure on you to add visual interest.

In short: few items look out of place on a neutral matte tablecloth rental. You'll just need to work a little harder to make the setting look special rather than boring. Look to the photo for an example of how to make a basic, white, matte tablecloth look stunning and unique.

Filmy

These are your laces, your chiffons, and other sheer fabrics. They can exist as overlays or as primary event tablecloths, but they work best as accents. In many cases, they showcase the color beneath to brilliant effect, and form the perfect amount of visual intrigue. That said, filmy tablecloths are not without their drawbacks.

Consider lace—it's elegant, but it can also look old-fashioned. If you've chosen a floral as your primary event tablecloth, the addition of lace can appear nearly Victorian. It's anachronistic and fussy. Conversely, white lace over a shiny white tablecloth can simply appear wedding-appropriate. It depends on the specifics, but you should be careful with lace in general.

Chiffons are slightly transparent, so your only concern should be how the underlying color looks. If it includes detailing like embroidery and other embellishment, just make sure it goes along with the general theme of the event.

Filmy fabrics are unique in that they can comprise of both shiny and matte elements. Though they often serve as accents, they can form a balancing effect as well. Imagine basic white chiffon over a shiny, pale blue tablecloth—it mattifies the portions it covers but still allows for a touch of sheen and color.

Likewise, a lacy overlay with details like sequins and metallic thread will add much-needed visual interest to a matte tablecloth rental. Due to their usefulness and general beauty, filmy tablecloths are becoming increasingly popular—they are almost a "must" when it comes to wedding planning.

Source: Lenard, Wedding Insider

Event Table Setting you'll love

Stage Decoration Setting you can use

Table Setting Idea

Stage Decoration Idea for A Wedding Reception

Understanding 'cool' and 'warm' colors as an event decorator- Color Temperature

Color temperature is the perceived warmth or coolness of the color. Cool colors (with a more blue base) tend to recede while warm color temperatures (in the red and orange families) are perceived as advancing. Knowing these properties can make the world of difference in any design or style you choose.



Understanding tertiary colors when it comes to event decoration

Tertiary colors are formed by mixing primary colors with the secondary color next to them. The tertiary colors include: red-violet and blue-violet, red-orange and yellow-orange, or yellow-green and blue-green. These colors are versatile and just a few of your decorating friends. Do you have a favorite? Think of basing your design plan around those you love.

Knowing your secondary colors in event decoration!

Secondary colors are formed by mixing two primary colors. For instance, red and yellow make orange, blue and green make green, and blue and red make purple. Now we are beginning to make "designer" colors!

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Understanding Primary Colors in Event Decoration

There are three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. These colors cannot be created from the other colors on the wheel, but all the other colors can be created from a combination of these three. They can be hard to live with in their full intensity. A little goes a long way! But a lower intensity version can be calming. Think navy, which is a darker version of blue or cranberry, a darker version of red.


Understanding Event Decoration Color Schemes with the Color wheel

The color wheel is a great tool for event decorating. All color schemes used in design are based on this wheel. Knowing how to use the wheel and pick colors which harmonize and compliment will help you find a color scheme that can create a eye-pleasing design to enhance your event.


Choosing Your Wedding Color Scheme

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event. You can use color in your bridesmaids' dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also consider the following:

Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.

What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.

What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

Although much has been written on how colors effect our moods and emotions, colors mean different things in different cultures, so avoid focusing too much on them. The following two tools can help you choose a coordinated color scheme.

Color Wheel - A color wheel helps you choose coordinating colors. It is made out of three primary colors: red, blue and yellow, plus a blend of in-between colors. Below are three color-choosing strategies that will ensure you pick a well coordinated color scheme. Learn more about color theory or visit Color Scheme Designer to try out some color scheme ideas.

"Complementary" colors means choosing colors that are opposite each other on the wheel, such as red and green.

"Analogous" means the colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange.

"Monochromatic" means variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc.

Color Palette Generator Tool - This handy (and fun!) tool allows you to upload your favorite photo and generate an instant color palette. You can then print and select your favorite colors from the chart. Here are some color charts we created using this tool.

Tips: Try to limit your main colors to two or three so as not to look too jumbled and stay consistent with your colors throughout the wedding site. Use a few subdued colors for an elegant look

Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning (9)!

A sheer overlay with a ruffled train gives off such a romantic vibe.

Photo Credit: Pictillo
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Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning (8)!

Fill mini vases with a single bright flower, like this pink lily, accompanied by greenery and a coordinating ribbon.

Photo Credit: FionaLorne Photography
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Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning (7)!

You don't need to decorate each seat to get a gorgeous effect; try hanging a garland just along the last row. 

Photo Credit: Holli B Photography
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Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning (6)!

Punch up your ceremony décor with bright chair pads that match your color scheme.

Photo Credit: Becca Rillo PhotographyCreated By: Les Belles Affaires
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Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning (5)!

Take your guests on a trip down memory lane by lining your aisle with photos of the bride and groom through the years.

Photo Credit: Mustard Seed Photography
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Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning (3)!

Simple strands of ribbons can give you a luxe look for less.

Photo Credit: Brooke Images
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Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning (2)!

Starfish, grass skirts, and sea green sashes fit perfectly with a beach wedding.

Photo Credit: Minerva Photography
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Making your wedding ceremony chair decor look stunning!

Chair décor is one of the most overlooked details. But with the right embellishments, you can transform even a standard folding chair into a beautiful part of your wedding vision. Here, check out our favorite ideas for your ceremony, sweetheart table, and reception tables.

By Kristen O'Gorman Klein

1. Tie long sashes that coordinate with your color scheme on the chair backs.

Photo Credit: David Schwartz Photography/Sashes by Waterford Event Rentals, LLC./Wedding Planner: Antonia Christianson Events
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Skelewu Video Scandal: Sesan Ogunro Make a Press Release!!

Sesan Ogunro is a UK-based 3D Animator and Music Video Producer and one of the brains behind one of the hottest music videos, MR.Endowed Remix By Dbanj Feat Snoop.

He's a talented 3D Animator who has done several international commercials,and he has also shot award-winning videos for Nigerian artistes. He seems to have taken over the music video production from other video producers here in Nigeria as most of the hot videos topping the chart in recent times are his products.
One of the video he shot of recent (days ago) is the Official Video of Davido's Skelewu which has caused controversies on the social media, Davido went to the extend of saying that The Filmmaker did not do a good job and that was why He is having a reshoot of the video by a Uk Based Film Maker Moe Musa. Here is what Sesan has to say after Davido took to twitter saying the video shot by Sesan was not the Official Video that someone betrayed him by releasing it:

My attention is drawn toward the chaos surrounding the release of the Skelewu video. Myself and my team shot the video for Davido in Nigeria and to the best of my knowledge my client and his team were very happy with the result, when they watched/ and approved the video. If he has since had a change of heart, that is ok. I am not in any way responsible for the release of the video. I believe Davido and myself did a very good job regarding the video production and as a professional of over 10 years. I find it very irresponsible and
immature if my client and his management publicly put out false statements/comments, in an attempt to tarnish my name, credibility and reputation. I remain dedicated, humble, focused and as hard working as ever. Thank you to all my fans and
industry professionals – Stay blessed
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Wizkid Shows off His Son Finally

Wizkid seems to be loving and taking his place as a father hence his public display of his son. The 23-year-old singer posted his first picture of himself and two year old son Boluwatife (whose name is also tatto0ed on his wrist) on social network Instagram.

In 2011, Wizkid had denied impregnating an undergraduate named Oluwanishola Ogudugu. She however continued to claim he was the father and sometime later the buzz only attesting to the fact that Wiz had settled with her
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LINKS FASHION INVASION 2013

PRESS RELEASE: Links and Glitz Concept Magazine
This is a fashion and scout show aimed to showcase the rich cultural dress sense of Nigerians both contemporary and indigenous; this is the second edition of this prestigious show which will take place in the festive month of December 14th
Happening live in Ilorin at the Orient Lounge, GRA Ilorin by 2pm with a red carpet paparazzi/exhibition and main event by 4pm.

Links Fashion invasion is being organized by Links and glitz magazine, a publication of Glo-May Specialties, an event management firm. A newly established magazine firm with a wide range and scope of coverage. Links & Glitz Magazine is a platform for showcasing models, designers, creativity, providing links, networking and celebration of entrepreneurs/skills and talents who stood out in the crowd through dedication, courage, passion and consistency. Also, your one stop store for all your modelling services and for models who want to be seen! Heard! Or Known. This event is a youth empowerment initiative targeted at empowering the youths that have ventured into the fashion industry. The event will be creatively organized to showcase the colorfulness and creativity of our Nigerian youth designers and models, with side attractions like artiste performance, dance and comedy show. It will be a medium for the world to witness first-hand Nigeria's creative prowess because of the media coverage expected to grace the event. This is our way of celebrating creativity and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths. Creating a platform for our young designers to express their ideas/creativity and to meet with the established names in the fashion industry, It's going to be a glamorous event, a gathering of high profile style leaders, politicians, designers, CEOs and media houses;

# A Good platform for networking between fashion designers and fashion conscious individuals.

# Huge marketing opportunities for fashion designers, establishment of good clientele business relationship with guests present and also give them more media exposure courtesy of the various media houses that will be covering the event.

# An avenue for models to display their overall creativity for international scouts/commercial brands for certified open endorsements.

Special guests: Special Adviser on special duties (Mr Yinka Aje) Kwara State, Special Adviser on culture and tourism () kwara state government official......names to be published later.

Music by Dj Lolly Pop. Hosts: Mc Danny, Bizzy Mouth and Mitchelle Owens (Super model/links ambassador). Powered by Links and Glitz Concept/Magazine.Proudly Supported by Orient Lounge, Daily Independent, Acada Mag,Loggtv,Music@loud,HiphopMix Mag, Celebrity Watch Mag, e-hype Mag, botife.wordpress.com, Royhills Fashion House, Afam Flexy UNLIMITED, SANTIAGO, ReelStars TV, Super bold Mag/Online TV, House of Daniel, Kronic Media, Prince Agama Blog, Swagfoto, Damilar Couture, AFYEN,Don Pedro Graphix, Sallys, Houseofmaflax & Abba Creations. More partners.......Loading Forms available for
* Models (Male&Female)
*Designers/exhibitors
*Makeup artist
*Hair stylist

From OCTOBER 3rd- 2nd NOV 2013 this is the final date for casting and fitting.

For designers / exhibitors / models participation, media/sponsorship or for more details on participation, contact: +234-7032225615 ,+2348169221077, +234-8153033160 or pin:273A9B14, 2722861E, 268498A1. Follow @linksandglitz, @linksandmodels
www.facebook.com/linksandglitz or www.facebook.com/linksandmodelsmagazine.
MODELS CASTING: Date: 18 Oct 2013
Venue: 7 Orogun Str, Off Taoheed Road, Basin Ilorin.(KMC Training Centre)
Time: 9am to 1pm (no African time)
Dress-code:
Guys (white tshirt on jean)
Girls (tank-top on jean (with heels)

Get your Audition Form/Accreditation@ the venue for N500 and Come along with your recent 5x 7 (non-photo shop) full photographs

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THE EVIL THAT MEN DO... SAD STORY!

Got this from a Wall on facebook and i kept wondering......
She was just a young innocent girl, She was 18. Her fault some people say because she decided to obey her parent by getting ordinary garri (food) for the whole family in the night. SHE WAS A GIRL. Eight men gang raped her one by one and then strangle her neck and also used hammer and nail to pierce her vagina. They left her to die in by a bush path. Spreading her legs wide!
Wounded! Exposed! Devastated. Her body was discovered in the early hours of the morning after a thorough search was conducted through out the night, what’s more is that when she was discovered, it was a horrible site, as no one could look at the nails in her body. She was confirmed dead already and no one at the crime scene could hold back tears., but don’t worry She wasn't your sister She wasn't your daughter But she could be. The brutality has to stop right here guys These people deserve capital punishment for their cruel, they just succeed in wasting another girl child life through Perverted act. She died ON Friday 5th October 2013. Rest in Peace and I pray that her killers get the WORST punishment possible This doesn't only happen in Anambra State.. But in every State and Country around the world..
Is this how we treat our women? It Makes me ashamed to even live on this planet today where the vulnerable ones are easily exploited.

MAI WORLD October Training!!!

Do you want be a boss? Do you want to make additional income up to 100k-300k every month? Do you want to be independent & control your time? Then be part of Maiworld next Makeup Training.

Training starts 7th of Oct 2013.

Add value to your life,Be part of this life changing opportunity, Learn from the Professional Celebrity Makeup Artist herself.

Registration form is just 1,000 available at our Makeup Studio.

Certificate will be awarded.

For more info,Kindly visit:

Studio Address: No 18,Seidu Ajibowu Street,off Toyin Street, Ikeja Lagos-State.
Whatsapp: 07039045766 or 08177392228.
BBpin:29E35087.
Email: maibeautysch@gmail.com
Twitter: @maimakeover
Instagram: @maiworldmakeup
Or
Pls like our facebook fan page.
http://on.fb.me/19t4p5T
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Photo: Gory sight of the Crash: Corpse extracted from the crash site

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PHOTOS] More On The Plane Crash At Mafoluku, 20 People Confirmed Dead

A charter plane's engine fails and it bursts into flames after coming down near an airport fuel depot in Lagos. 12:51pm. Eight people are said to have died after a charter plane crash landed at Lagos airport in Nigeria shortly after take-off.

The plane came down near an airport fuel depot and burst into flames, officials told the AFP news agency. There were 20 people on board. A spokesman for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency said the plane, owned by Associated Airlines, had suffered engine failure.

It took off at roughly 9.30am local time from the domestic terminal at Murtala Mohammed International Airport and was headed for Akure in the southwest of the country. Ibrahim Farinloye, of the National Emergency
Management Agency, said: "We have recovered eight bodies so far, the rescue operation is still on."

The plane broke up when it hit the ground, the agency said the plane crashed in the part of the airport complex where fuel is stored. The area lies between the international and domestic terminal, he added. It was unclear if any fuel caught fire.

It was initially reported the plane had come down on the runway. Nigerian airlines and airports have a notoriously poor safety record.
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Picture: This is Embarrassing!!

What shall it profit a Man? You know the rest ooo..I don't know if I should feel pity or just keep mute..
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Breaking: Lagos frees 20 more Kirikiri prison inmates

The Chief Judge of Lagos State has released 20 more inmates from the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons.

The figure brings the total of officially released prison inmates to 119.

Earlier, at the Medium Security Prisons, 99 inmates – 54 of them already freed following advice by the Director of Public Prosecution – were released by the Chief Judge.

Earlier: Lagos frees 99 Kirikiri prison inmates

The Chief Judge of Lagos State has released 99 inmates from the Kirikiri Medium Security Prisons.

The release is part of activities marking the commencement of the 2013 legal year of the Lagos State Judiciary.

81 of the inmates allegedly committed major offences while 18 were minor offences.

The event is still ongoing.

Source: Premium Times
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The Nigerian Blog Awards

The 2013 Nigerian Blog Awards will launch on September 9 with the following schedule:

September 9 to September 22
Launch of the 2013 Nigerian Blog Awards! Please review the categories of the 2013 Nigerian Blog Awards.

September 23 to October 13
Nomination period. Everyone is welcome to submit suitable nominees in one or all of the 2013 categories using the NOMINATION FORM.

October 14 to October 20
All nominated blogs will be visited by the Nigerian Blog Awards to ensure that they qualify for nomination. To qualify for nomination, the blog must:

be a blog, according to the Nigerian Blog Awards definition

be written by a Nigerian OR have a primary focus on Nigeria

have been in existence for at least six months (i.e. since March 2013) AND have at least 15 entries. The only exception to this is blogs nominated in the Best New Blog category

have been updated in the last two months (i.e. in July 2013 or more recently)

be public (no locked or private blogs)

be updated by a maximum of six people

October 21 to November 3
The 10 blogs (and 15 blogs in the category Nigerian Blog of the Year) that receive the most nominations in each category will be reduced to five (10 in the category Nigerian Blog of the Year) by the Nigerian Blog Awards.

November 4
The official nominees will be revealed (in alphabetical order).

November 11 to December 8
Voting period. Everyone is welcome to submit one vote per category by filling out the nomination form; this is the popular vote. Judges will also select winning blogs.

December 15 at 4:00pm EST (10:00pm Nigerian time)
The winners in each category (both Popular Vote and Judges Choice) will be revealed during a "live" Twitter event.

December 16
A blog entry listing the winning blog in each category will be posted.
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“My Big Nigerian Wedding” Contest Just Got Tastier as Tosan Jemide of Cakes by Tosan Is Named the Official Cake Maker for the Winning Couple!

Ok! It's getting more interesting, No! Tastier, just like helen put it because this is courtesy of www.helenozor.com

"My Big Nigerian Wedding" Contest Just Got Tastier as Tosan Jemide of Cakes by Tosan Is Named the Official Cake Maker for the Winning Couple!


If you plan on getting married by 2014 and you haven't yet registered for the My Big Nigerian Wedding Contest Season 1, you might miss an awesome opportunity!

In July 2014, WED Magazine in conjunction with a host of unique wedding vendors and sponsors will foot the bill for the wedding of the winning couple to the tune of N15Million. The vendors for this wedding also known as the "Dream Team" are drawn from the best in their fields.

Today, we are proud to announce to you that the official cake maker for the winning couple is none other than cakes maestro, Tosan Jemide of Cakes by Tosan!

The master baker who has been in the industry for well over ten years has made the desires of hundreds of brides come to pass. Tosan has baked cakes for couples, socialites, celebrities and more within and outside the country.

Generally referred to as Nigeria's foremost cake maker, sugar crafter and confectioner, Tosan is the preferred baker for most contemporary Nigerian couples. Cakes by Tosan has earned the reputation of being one of the best cake brands in Nigeria, creating designs that are exclusively qualitative and aesthetically appealing.

Speaking on his announcement as part of the dream team, Tosan said he is very happy to be a part of this unique event."This is an exciting project for the entire Cakes by Tosan team and we can't wait to meet the winning couple and get started."

For Tosan, the desires of the couple would come first in making choices about the look, taste and feel of the cake. "Making the dream of the couple come true is what I am most concerned about. The taste, design and presentation of the cake would have to be about what the couple wants and I am going to work closely with them to achieve that."

If you want to be that bride or groom Tosan is talking about and you have not registered, what are you waiting for? More top vendors who would be members of the "Dream Team" would be unveiled in the coming weeks and they are sure to get you excited.

Registration is FREE and ongoing at www.mbnwedding.com.

For more information, please visit Facebook www.facebook.com/mbnwedding | Instagram www.instagram.com/mbnwedding | Twitter www.twitter.com/mbnwedding | Official Hashtag #mbnwedding

Exclusive radio partners of My Big Nigerian Wedding contest are Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria Info.

Are you interested in being a sponsor or partner or you are interested in taking part in WED Expo, Nigeria's Largest Wedding Exhibition – venue of the finale of My Big Nigerian Wedding? Call 07001111933, 08147790300, 08023188820, 08187357215 | Add BB Pin 2624124A | Email: info@mbnwedding.com

Helenozor.com is an online media partner of 'My Big Nigerian Wedding' contest
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Vote OfficialThing Event's Blog in the Nigerian Blog Awards 2013!

Announcements ::
To my esteemed readers:

Hi peeps, it's the Nigerian Blog Awards, please nominate http://officialthingevents.blogspot.com
in the awards please nominate us in the following categories:

Best Designed Blog
Best New Blog

How To Fill:
Name: Your Name
Email: A valid email address

Visit http://nigerianblogawards.com/register2013.php to Nominate
After nomination, please check your mail to confirm your nomination.

Let's Win This Together!
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Breaking: National association of NIGERIA student (NANS) on protest at UNILAG gate: No entry in and out!

The National Association of Nigerian Students today are protesting at the University of Lagos gate at Akoka, Lagos with a blockage of the gate, entrance and exit are denied to everyone.

Heavily armed policemen have been at the school gate for about two days in readiness for this protest. A.A.B gathered that NANS is tired and can no longer be mute about the state of the continous strike by ASUU which has entered it's 86th day today.
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UPDATED: Tsunami in Oyo as Gov. Ajimobi sacks SSG, all commissioners, advisers

Political appointees in Oyo state woke up to a rude shock on Monday as the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, terminated their appointments during an executive council meeting held with them in his office in the morning.

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES  that none of the governor's aides had any inkling  of the fate that awaited them until their boss made the announcement.

Governor Ajimobi, in a statement signed by the Director of Cabinet in the state's civil service, Dotun Omokemi, confirmed the sack.

It was a total purge as all members of the state cabinet, including the secretary to the state government, Akin Olajide; Chief of Staff, Adeolu Akande; all the commissioners as well as special advisers were affected, leaving only the governor and his deputy, Moses Alake Adeyemo, behind.

The release  by the state government said the governor decided to do away with the former aides in order to create space for fresh blood he intends to inject into governance 'in the quest to serve the state better'.

While thanking them for the services they rendered, Mr. Ajimobi directed all the sacked commissioners to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their various ministries.
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JAMB to be wholly computer based by 2015- Registrar

The JAMB registrar stated this on Monday.

The unified examination into Nigeria's tertiary institutions will be wholly computer-based by 2015, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said.

The registrar of JAMB, Dibu Ojerinde, stated this on Monday.
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ASUU vows to continue strike, blames NUC boss for rot in Nigerian universities

ASUU has been on strike for about 3 months.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has blamed the rot in the Nigerian university system on the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, Julius Okojie, saying his failure to insist on quality has bastardised Nigerian universities.

The lecturers also vowed to continue their strike unless the federal government honours the 2009 agreement it had with the union.

In a statement signed by its University of Ibadan branch chairman, Olusegun Ajiboye, ASUU renewed its call for the scraping or a total overhaul of the regulatory institution if the nation wishes to get it right in university education management.

While calling on the National Assembly to beam its searchlight on the activities of the NUC, Mr. Ajiboye said the recent NEEDS assessment report on universities reflects how much the commission has failed in its duties as a regulator.

According to him, the report undertaken by genuine academics contradicts NUC's accreditation exercises which gave 'controversial' clean bill of health to most universities through "magomago accreditation."

The union contended that only in a society like Nigeria would Mr. Okojie still remain in office after being heavily indicted in the report, saying "in sane climes, the NUC boss ought to have resigned through the revelations made in the NEEDS assessment report."

Mr. Okojie had, last week, absorbed his commission of any wrongdoing in the rot plaguing public universities in the country, particularly as regards undeserved accreditation, blaming members of the ASUU instead.

Mr. Ajiboye, who described the statement credited to the NUC boss as 'careless', accused Mr. Okojie of using his cronies who can do his biddings to embark on accreditation.

He said the success of the 2011 elections was based on the patriotic zeal and contributions of genuine and patriotic ASUU members nationwide saying that was why the election was free of hanky-panky recorded in past elections.

The ASUU statement titled 'Where Okojie Got It Wrong,' insisted that the NUC boss is fond of using his 'yes sir' boys to do hatchet jobs during accreditations, thereby compromising quality most of the time.

The union said its almost three-month-old strike is fully on, adding that the it would not allow itself to be fooled again with 'promisory notes' of the federal government which had never worked in the past.

"ASUU cannot be blamed for NUC 'magomago' accreditations. Rather than blaming the Union, Okojie should take full responsibility for all the fraudulent deeds in the NUC, including the work and eat accreditations.

"The NUC knows the kind of academics they select for their ignoble exercises. These are cronnies of the big man in the NUC. They can never say no to his biddings. Nigerians should be proud of ASUU in it's efforts at repositioning public universities in the country. One of these major efforts is the NEEDS Assessment Document.

"This was a product of a rigorous academic exercise carried out by dependable and credible members of our Union. Unlike the numerous faulty accreditation reports which had given these universities clean bill of health, the NEEDS Assessment Report stands out as a classical document of reference detailing the rot and decay in public universities in Nigeria. All well meaning Nigerians can see the contrast between okojie's 'packaged accreditation reports' and a credible job done by ASUU.

"It has become very clear from the Needs Assessment that Okojie and his cohort of accreditors have fooled this country for too long. Enough they say is enough. Time is now for the Government to beam a searchlight on the activities of the NUC.

"The Education Committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives have an arduous task to do here. Nigerians are calling for dismantling of an omnibus body that has done the country more harm than good. NUC must go.

"Professor Julius Okojie cannot absolve himself from the rot in the university system by regulating quantity instead of ensuring quality delivery," ASUU said.

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BlackBerry Suspends BBM for Androids & iPhones: To Deactivate The Downloaded Crack Versions!

Sunday greetings to you all, just found this and I thought I should share it with you guys..found this on a friend's blog bayyou.wordpress.com..
As many people anticipated the coming of BBM on Android and iPhone..here is what I found:

BlackBerry has suspends its plans to make available its messenger, BBM on Android and iPhones until further notice due to high downloads of the unofficial version of the app by Android users.

BlackBerry in a statement on its official blog Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already – more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official
Android app is incredible.

Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day. Our teams will continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it's ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who
have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit http://www.bbm.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability.
As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone. Please follow @BBM on Twitter for the latest updates and go to http://www.bbm.com to sign-up for updates about BBM for Android and iPhone. These issues have not
impacted BBM service for BlackBerry.
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: How I was lured into the Baraje-led PDP faction — Atiku

n this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, speaks on President Goodluck Jonathan's eligibility to contest the 2015 presidential election ; why he joined seven governors to float the "New PDP"; his presidential ambition, role in the registration of PDM and other issues.

———————————————-

At what point did you decide to team up with the seven governors and others to 'make things right' in the PDP, considering the fact that some of them were never your political associates and had in fact worked against you at some point?

If you dig into the history of how the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was formed in 1998, you will understand that one cardinal objective of the party is to stamp out dictatorship and executive high-handedness in Nigeria. It was commonly agreed upon among the founding fathers of the party that the PDP was going to be a political party that will operate and function by the rules, and that decision-making in the party would comply with democratic norms.

But along the line, and not too long after the party won the presidential election in 1999 and also won the majority of seats in the National Assembly, the PDP began to change in character and in content. The change in character had to do with the fact that some elements in the leadership of the party began to wield an iron fist; and the change in content began when the PDP started to change its own laws to gratify the desires of a few powerful individuals in the party.

So, the effort to correct the wrongs in the PDP didn't just start now. And that is why I will want to correct you on the appellation of 'rebel governors.' Those of us who have come together to champion crusades to return the PDP to the dreams of its founding fathers are not leading a rebellion against the party. What we are doing is to further strengthen the PDP and reconnect it to the Nigerian people.

When did I join the governors? This happened after four delegations, one after the other, were sent to me. I did not give them any terms or preconditions because I believe in their sincerity or purpose.

Some say they saw this coming when some of your associates moved to register PDM and succeeded in doing that. Is it not safe to conclude that you are in this to destabilize the PDP because you now probably have an alternative platform on which you could realize your ambition? Or you are in this because you are not getting fair deal from the party as you complained recently?

Let me correct you on the two notions you have raised here. One is that I do not have a hand in the formation of the PDM. Absolutely none! True, some of the people in the party (PDM) may be my political associates; just the same way they are political associates with other leading members of the PDP. You will recall that the PDM is the very back bone of what we today have as the PDP. If some members of the PDP feel aggrieved about the way the party is being run and then decide to float another party, the best I can do is to persuade them not to go in that direction. I do not possess the right, or even the powers to prevent them from forming and belonging to a political party of their choice. The second wrong notion you raised is to say that I am in this struggle because I am not being fairly treated in the PDP. And then, I should ask you: Am I the only one who is not being fairly treated in the PDP? I can confirm to you that over 70 per cent of members of the PDP also feel that they are not being fairly treated by the party. That is why we are demanding for a change in the way the party is run, and that is why the actions we have been taking thus far enjoy popular support among members of the PDP.

With your action, haven't you betrayed the party leaders some of whom facilitated the waiver granted you only two years ago?

Don't forget that I didn't leave the PDP in the first instance as a matter of choice. There was a process deliberately orchestrated to expel me, alongside some other members, from the PDP in 2005. Do not also forget that I did not return to the PDP at the mercy of any individual. My return to the party was borne out of a genuine reconciliation effort led by a respectable statesman in the person of former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme. I am a loyal member and a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party. I also have personal values. As a politician, my core value is to protect the tenets of democracy. I will never betray my values for democracy to satisfy political conveniences, not even when I could have directly benefitted from such infractions.

Is it that Atiku has not learnt his lessons, some might say? Don't you think some of them might be regretting backing your waiver?

To be honest with you, I do not seem to understand who the "they" you are referring to are. I will probably ask you to explain it further.

In clear terms what is your grouse against Bamanga Tukur? (We understand both of you are from the same locality in Adamawa State).

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is a respectable citizen of Nigeria, who has contributed immensely to the growth of our national economy through his involvement in the private sector. I cannot hold any grouse against such a person, even if we don't share the same kindred. But being successful in running corporate boardrooms does not mean that you can be successful in running a political party. Bamanga Tukur doesn't understand the art of running a political party and a lot of people understand that deficiency in him, but chose to keep quiet about it.

It is believed that the role you have played so far in this saga is not unconnected with your plan to contest the 2015 presidential election. Must Atiku be president?

My presidential ambition dates back to 1992 when I stepped down for the late Bashorun MKO Abiola. Since that time, I have been at the forefront of every presidential contest in Nigeria. I am a democrat to the core and I believe that the only way to earn and run a successful presidency is by a popular mandate, through the mechanisms of a political party. Every democratic government, in the true sense of the term, stands on a tripod: the candidate, the political party and the people. These three cords have to be well knitted before you can campaign for, and win a presidency. So, anybody who wants to be president through the mechanisms of a political party must be interested in reconnecting the party to the Nigerian people.

Must Atiku be President? No. It is not a birth right. The difference I had wished to make when I ran was to give back to a country that has done so much for me. I owe to Nigeria; Nigeria does not owe to me.

A commentator said the other day that this time if you lose the current war you are waging against the party it could deal a deadly blow on your political career. Do you agree?

I don't understand the context under which the commentator made that submission; but I think it is very unfair of him or her to say that I am waging a war in a democratic setting.

You were conspicuously absent at the trouble-shooting meetings so far convened on this crisis. Why? One had expected that you would attend the meetings held last Friday in Abuja between your group and your former boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Were you not invited?

I had foreign engagements lined up for me six months earlier and I was just waiting for the convention to come and go.  These engagements had involved foreign leaders. You will not advise that I stay away from those commitments. As a human being, I cannot be in two places at the same time.

It looks like you and Obasanjo are already finding a common political ground now because some of those governors are Mr Obasanjo's political associates. What is your political relationship with him now? Do we take it that you could work together in the build up to the 2015 polls?

I will work with anybody who has a genuine intention of rebuilding the PDP.

One of the conditions the "New PDP" reportedly gave President Goodluck Jonathan is that he should drop his presidential ambition. Is this true? Isn't that a way of trampling on his right to seek elective office in a democratic environment like ours?

That is not correct. No person has a right to stop the other from pursuing his rights as guaranteed by the law. If President Jonathan doesn't have the rights to contest the 2015 presidential election, only the court can make such pronouncement, not an individual or a group of individuals. It is entirely up to Dr. Jonathan to say he will run or not. My view is that with zoning in the PDP now dead, anyone qualified under the constitution is free to run.

Do you foresee early resolution of this current crisis? Can the PDP be one family again?

A resolution of the crisis in the PDP is in the best interest of all members of the party. But like I said, I will not be a party to any agreement where the values of democracy will be betrayed for political conveniences. The PDP needs to respect its own laws and also honour its own conventions.

In 2011 at ThisDay Dome in Abuja, you reportedly said those who make peaceful changes impossible make violent change inevitable. Do you still stand by this as we approach 2015?

To start with, you will recall that the original copyright of that quote belongs to the 35th president of the United States of America, President John F. Kennedy, during a speech he made in the White House in 1962. I have made reference to that quote as you rightly mentioned in 2011 in protest to the abiding culture of lawlessness and arbitrariness in the PDP.

I have heard people extrapolate that quotation from me and giving it a completely different meaning which, in purpose or by mere conjecture, is outside the ambiance of the norms and values that I subscribe to.

Today, the PDP finds itself in the midst of a mess, largely because the party has refused to retrace its steps to the path of constitutionality and internal democracy. And, to have a situation in which leading members of the party walk out on the president and the party leadership, demanding for internal democracy should itself be considered as a peaceful process of change.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.