andy, Author at NairaBrains

In General

How to Move to British Columbia (Canada) as a Foreign Worker / Entrepreneur

March 15, 2022 No Comments

British Columbia is Canada’s third most populous province after Ontario and Quebec, with a large portion of its residents living in the Lower Mainland, which includes the coastal city of Vancouver and surrounding municipalities. The province attracts newcomers from all over the world with its cultural diversity, career opportunities, and enjoyable temperate climate.

Canada provides many opportunities for newcomers to work, raise a family, and be part of a community. Depending on your work experience and education level, there are several ways you may be able to immigrate to Canada. One of those is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each province and territory in Canada is unique; similarly, each PNP program has its own eligibility criteria and application process.

With its relaxed west coast lifestyle, and breathtaking scenery, British Columbia (B.C.) is a popular choice for newcomers moving to Canada. Vancouver is the biggest city in B.C. and is an economic centre for construction, technology, digital entertainment, and the green economy. The capital city of Victoria, on Vancouver Island, is a smaller, more laid-back city. One of the appealing features of B.C. is that the population is around 28% per cent newcomers, mainly from China, India, the Philippines, Iran, and South Korea.

Newcomers wishing to settle in B.C. can apply through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).

How to apply for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

British Columbia’s growing economy requires skilled workers in high-demand occupations and the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an avenue for foreign workers with those skills or experienced entrepreneurs to move to the province as a permanent resident.

There are three pathways newcomers can take to apply for the BC PNP:

Skills Immigration (SI): for skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations. Applicants to the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled categories require previous work experience in B.C.
Express Entry BC (EEBC): a fast-track for eligible skilled workers to immigrate to the province. This stream uses a points-based invitation system and connects to the federal Express Entry system.
Entrepreneur Immigration (EI): for experienced entrepreneurs looking to manage a business in B.C. This is a point-based invitation system.

How to qualify for a British Columbia PR nomination through BC PNP

Depending on your qualifications, education, and work experience, there are multiple streams under BC PNP that individuals can apply for.

Requirements for categories under the Skills Immigration (SI) stream

Requirements for Skilled Worker

Accepted a full-time, permanent job offer from a B.C. employer in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) Type O or Skill Level A or B occupation.
Be qualified to perform the job
At least two years of relevant work experience
For NOC skill level B, meet the minimum language requirements
Proof of funds to support you and dependents
Salary must be in line with B.C. wage rates for occupation.
Employer must support your application
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Requirements for Healthcare Professional

A full-time, permanent job or support from a public health authority as physician, specialist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, nurse practitioner, or allied health professional.
Midwives require confirmation from established practice group
Be qualified to work in your occupation in B.C.
At least two years of directly relevant work experience
For NOC skill level B, meet the minimum language requirements
Proof of funds to support you and dependents
Salary must be in line with B.C. wage rates for occupation.
Employer must support your application
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Requirements for Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

Accepted a full-time, permanent job offer from a B.C. employer in an occupation in tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or food-processing industry.
For Northeast Development Region of B.C., apply in any NOC occupation (skill level C or D)
Have been working full-time for your employer for minimum of nine consecutive months
Meet minimum language and education requirements
Be qualified to do the job
Proof of funds to support you and dependents
Salary must be in line with B.C. wage rates for occupation.
Have legal immigration status in Canada
Employer must be willing to support your application

Requirements for International Graduate

Accepted a full-time, permanent job offer from a B.C. employer in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) Type O or Skill Level A or B occupation.
Qualified to work in your occupation in B.C.
Have completed degree, diploma, or certificate from eligible post-secondary institution in Canada in past 3 years
For NOC skill level B, meet the language requirements
Proof of funds to support you and dependents
Salary must be in line with B.C. wage rates for occupation.
Employer must support your application
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Requirements for International Post-Graduate

Have completed a valid masters or doctorate degree in natural, applied, or health sciences at an eligible post-secondary institution in B.C. in the last three years
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
Demonstrate intent and ability to live in B.C.

Requirements for categories under Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream

Requirements for EEBC Skilled Worker

Must have valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code from the IRCC Express Entry system.
Accepted a full-time, permanent job offer from a B.C. employer in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) Type O or Skill Level A or B occupation.
At least two years relevant work experience
Meet the minimum language requirements
Proof of funds to support you and dependents
Salary must be in line with B.C. wage rates for occupation.
Employer must support your application
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Requirements for EEBC Healthcare Professional

Must have valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code from the IRCC Express Entry system.
A full-time, permanent job or support from a public health authority as physician, specialist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, nurse practitioner, or allied health professional.
Midwives require confirmation from established practice group
Be qualified to work in your occupation in B.C.
At least two years relevant work experience
Meet the minimum language requirements
Proof of funds to support you and dependents
Salary must be in line with B.C. wage rates for occupation.
Employer must support your application
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Requirements for EEBC International Graduate

Must have valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code from the IRCC Express Entry system.
Accepted a full-time, permanent job offer from a B.C. employer in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) Type O or Skill Level A or B occupation.
Qualified to work in your occupation in B.C.
Have completed degree, diploma, or certificate from eligible post-secondary institution in Canada in past 3 years
Meet the minimum language requirements
Proof of funds to support you and dependents
Salary must be in line with B.C. wage rates for occupation.
Employer must support your application
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Requirements for EEBC International Post-Graduate

Must have valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code from the IRCC Express Entry system
Have completed a valid masters or doctorate degree in natural, applied, or health sciences at an eligible post-secondary institution in B.C. in the last three years
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
Demonstrate intent and ability to live in B.C.

Requirements for categories under the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) stream

EI Regional Pilot

Demonstrate at least 3+ years experience as business owner or 4+ years as senior manager or combination of both within the last 5 years
Net worth of at least $300,000 CAD
Have post-secondary education or experience as active business owner-manager with full ownership for at least 3 of the last 5 years
Submit a business proposal to establish a new business in B.C. and be referred by regional communities participating in the program
Invest minimum of $100,000 CAD and own 51% of the business
Engage and visit a participating community for support before registering
Minimum of CLB 4 in English or French
Interview is required

EI Base Category Program

Demonstrate at least 3+ years experience as business owner or 4+ years as senior manager or combination of both within the last 10 years
Net worth of at least $600,000 CAD
Establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business in B.C.
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
Invest minimum of $200,000 CAD and own at least one-third of the business
Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Minimum of CLB 4 in English or French
Interview is required

Step-by-step application process for British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

To follow are the steps involved in applying for BC PNP:

1. Confirm you qualify

Once you have identified which stream you’d like to apply under, it’s important to make sure you meet all the mandatory requirements for that stream before completing your application.

2. For Express Entry streams only, applicants must submit a profile online through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile.html) and meet the requirements for one of the following federal programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class

You will then receive an EE profile number and Job Seeker validation code.

3. Register with the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

Regardless of which category you apply for, you’ll need to register with BC PNP:

Create a profile online at https://www.pnpapplication.gov.bc.ca/user/sign-in
Complete all sections of the registration
Submit your registration online

You will then receive a registration score based on various factors (such as work experience, education, language) and go into a selection pool for up to 12 months for your chosen category, or until you receive an invitation to apply.

4. Invitation to apply

Skilled Worker, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled, or International Graduate categories: Eligible individuals will receive an invitation to apply under the Skills Immigration stream.

EEBC Skilled Worker and EEBC International Graduate categories:

Eligible individuals will receive an invitation to apply under the Express Entry BC steam.

All applicants will have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit your complete application through BCPNP Online (link above). Applicants will also be required to pay a processing fee of $1,150 CAD.

Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot scheme: Eligible individuals are required to provide:

Net worth verification report
Comprehensive business plan
Pay a non-refundable application fee of $3,500 CAD.

5. Apply for permanent residence

If your application is successful, the last step is to apply for permanent residence through IRCC. It will be up to the Government of Canada to make the final decision on your permanent residency.

What comes after BC PNP approval?

Once your BC PNP application is approved, you’ll receive a nomination to apply to the IRCC for permanent residence. You’ll need to apply for a PR visa within six months after receiving a confirmation of nomination.

While you wait for a decision on your permanent resident application, you are required to maintain the conditions of your nomination, such as a valid job offer, etc. In cases where your situation changes or if you’ve accepted another job offer with a Canadian employer, you must inform the BC PNP. In the time being, you may be eligible to apply for a work permit to start or continue working for your employer in B.C.

If you’ve applied for immigration under the Express Entry BC stream, a BC PNP approval will add 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to your IRCC application. This will almost guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next IRCC Express Entry draw, provided there are no material changes to your situation.

Does BC PNP require a job offer?

Except for the Entrepreneurship streams and the International Post-Graduate categories under the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC streams, all other BC PNP streams require a valid job offer or existing job with an employer in B.C.

Changes to BC PNP due to COVID-19

There have been several changes to the BC PNP due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some changes include:

The BC PNP Vancouver office is temporarily closed to in-person visits.
Inquiries should be made by email to [email protected]
Staff will continue to respond to email and telephone inquiries within five business days.
Applicants to the Skills Immigration program whose employment has been affected by COVID-19 can request to withdraw their application. A refund will be issued if the application assessment has not begun.
Changes to employment due to COVID-19 (such as lay-off, a new job offer, reduced hours or reduced salary) will be taken into consideration by the BC PNP when assessing your application.
If you cannot provide documents from third-parties due to COVID-19, you will need to provide a written explanation and evidence that you have requested the documentation.
Applicants to the EI Regional Pilot stream must still complete a mandatory pre-visit and comply with travel restrictions imposed by federal or local governments.
In-person interviews for the Entrepreneur Immigration stream have been postponed and will be rescheduled.

For more information on program updates because of COVID-19, visit the BC PNP website at https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/B-C-Provincial-Nominee-Program/COVID-19-Updates

Where to get more information on BC PNP

For more information on the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP):

Website: https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/B-C-Provincial-Nominee-Program
Phone: 604-775-2227
Fax: 604-660-4092
Write: BC Provincial Nominee Program Office: 450 – 605 Robson Street. Vancouver, BC, V6B 5J3
For Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC, email: [email protected]
For Entrepreneur Immigration, email: [email protected]
For BC PNP Tech, employers in B.C.’s technology sector can email: [email protected]

The BC PNP process may seem daunting, as there are many options and steps involved. However, if you follow the instructions provided by the provincial Government and consult with authorized immigration representatives, you’ll be able to realize your dream of settling in British Columbia.

In General

Most in-demand Jobs in British Columbia (Canada) for Foreigners

March 15, 2022 No Comments

If you are planning to move to British Columbia in Canada, knowing the jobs in-demand can help you. The government of British Columbia periodically invites newcomers with the skills and experience to meet the province’s growing labour requirements to work and settle in B.C. as Permanent Residents (PR) through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).

What are the top industries in British Columbia?

Services industry: The services sector is the largest contributor to the province’s GDP and the biggest employer in British Columbia. Some key service industries include real estate, construction, banking and financial services, health care, entertainment, retail, education, and professional, scientific, and technical services.
Manufacturing industry: Top manufacturing industries include aerospace, clean technology, life sciences, information and communication technology, and paper.
Mining and natural gas industry: B.C. has more than 700 mining and mineral companies, and employs over 25,000 people in mining and natural gas extraction and processing. The province is rich in precious metals and non-metallic minerals.
Agriculture, aquaculture, and food processing industry: A wide range of agricultural and seafood products support a varied food processing industry in the province.
Forestry: B.C. is one of the world’s largest exporters of wood products and the industry employs over 55,000 people.

Which cities have the most job opportunities in BC?

Lower Mainland, including Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and Richmond: The most populous area in all of B.C., the Lower Mainland region offers ample job opportunities in services, trade, technology, film and television, tourism, natural resources, and construction.
Victoria: The capital city of Victoria has large industries centred around advanced technology, tourism, education, health, retail, construction, and agriculture.
Abbotsford: Abbotsford is known for its large agribusiness industry. It also offers employment opportunities in technology and aerospace industries.
Kelowna: Kelowna has a diverse economy with opportunities in agriculture, health care, manufacturing, tourism, and service industries.

What jobs are in demand in British Columbia?

Here are some of the highest-paying in-demand jobs in British Columbia, Canada for 2022.

Construction and engineering jobs in British Columbia.

Construction managers (NOC 0711): To get a job as a construction manager, you may require a management degree and can expect to earn a median income of $41 CAD per hour.
Civil, electrical, electronic, and mechanical engineers (NOC 2131, 2133, 2132): These in-demand jobs in B.C. pay between $36 CAD and $43 CAD per hour. However, you’ll need an engineering degree and a provincial licence to work as an engineer.

Technology jobs in British Columbia.

Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171): IT analysts and consultants earn a median income of $36 CAD per hour.
Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174): As a programmer or developer, you can expect to make around $43 CAD per hour.
Computer network technicians (NOC 2281): Technicians make a median income of $28.85 CAD per hour in B.C.
Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173): Software engineering jobs in B.C. are highly paid, with a median hourly pay of $52 CAD. You’ll need an engineering degree to qualify.

Business and administration jobs in British Columbia.

Administrative officers and assistants (NOC 1221 and 1241): These roles typically pay between $23 CAD and $26 CAD per hour.
Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 1111): For finance and accounting roles, you’ll need a graduate degree or diploma in relevant courses. Auditors earn an average salary of $28 CAD per hour in B.C.
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 1311): Bookkeepers are paid a median hourly wage of $24 CAD.

Health care jobs in British Columbia.

Specialist physicians, general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3111, 3112): Most of the in-demand occupations in health care require a provincial licence. To practise as a physician in B.C., newcomers also need to take a qualifying examination. Physicians, depending on their specialization, make a median annual income between $164,237 CAD and $256,202 CAD in British Columbia.
Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012): Registered nurses earn a median income of $41 CAD per hour and require a provincial nursing licence.
Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233): This in-demand occupation pays a median wage of $29 CAD per hour.
Medical sonographers (NOC 3216): Sonographers make between $35 CAD and $39 CAD per hour in B.C.
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413): Nurse aides and orderlies earn between $18 CAD and $25 CAD per hour, depending on their experience and seniority.

Education and social services jobs in British Columbia.

Social and community service workers (NOC 4212): These jobs pay around $21 CAD per hour in B.C.
Educators for universities, colleges, vocational institutes, and early childhood education (NOC 4011, 4021, and 4214): University and college professors and lecturers require a provincial teaching credential to work in BC. The median hourly pay for these occupations is $43 CAD. Early childhood educators earn a median income of $19 CAD per hour.

Sales and services jobs in British Columbia.

Retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621): Managers in trade earn a median hourly wage of $30 CAD in BC.
Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631): The median hourly wage for these positions is $26 CAD.
Corporate sales managers (NOC 0601): Managerial jobs in sales make an average of $31.25 CAD per hour.

How do I move to British Columbia?

In addition to the federal Express Entry program, the province also invites skilled immigrants to come to B.C. as permanent residents through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).

To work in B.C. temporarily, you’ll require a work permit. You’ll also have a better chance of finding a job if your skills match the province’s in-demand occupations. British Columbia is also home to some of the best universities in Canada, which welcome thousands of students each year. After graduating from your study program, you may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and can gain valuable work experience that will make it easier for you to settle permanently in Canada.

In Business

How to Check if a Company is Registered in Nigeria with CAC – Corporate Affairs Commission

February 21, 2022 No Comments

Verifying the existence or authenticity of a registered company in Nigeria used to be a timing consuming and daunting task requiring you to visit a CAC office to fill paper forms. However, it is now very easy, this write up will show you how to check if a company is registered in Nigeria with CAC – Corporate Affairs Commission and FIRS (Federal Inland Revenue Service).

There are several reasons for verifying the registration status of a company, maybe you want to go into business with the company, apply for a job in the company or patronize the business online. Whatever the reasons, you can now check the registration status of a company anywhere and anytime using your mobile phone or computer.

The process requires just two steps, first step is checking the registration status on CAC website and the second step is verifying the Tax registration status on FIRS website.

How to Check Company Registration Status with CAC

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is an autonomous body charged with the responsibility to regulate the formation and management of companies in Nigeria.

To check if a company or business is registered, follow this simple steps:

Visit CAC website by clicking here,
Type the company name in the field provided without “Plc”, “Limited” or “Ltd”.
Click on Search .

If the company exists, you will get a result with (the RC Number, Company Name, Address, Status and Date of Registration). However, if the company doesn’t exist you will get an empty result. Sometimes, you will get many results if the company has other companies bearing similar name, just scroll down to locate the company with matching name. Sometimes, a company might still be undergoing registration, in that case you won’t see it’s RC Number, you will see Undergoing Registration.

How to Check Company Registration Status with FIRS or Joint Tax Board

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is the institution saddled with the responsibility of collection and payment of Federal government taxes in Nigeria. After getting the company’s RC Number using the steps above, you can check a company’s TIN and registration status on the FIRS website using the following steps

Option One

Visit the FIRS Official TIN Verification page by clicking here
Scroll down to the Search form
Select CAC Registration number in the search criteria dropdown list
Enter the CAC Registration Number preceded by the corresponding alphabets (RC for Corporate entities (public/limited liability companies) and BN for Enterprises (Sole proprietorships or partnerships)) in the search value field. E.g RC11111111 or BN1111111. Note the RC Number you get from the CAC website doesn’t bear the prefix letters RC or BN you have to append it.
Type the correct Captcha Image text and click on the search button

If the Number is correct the name of the company will be displayed with details shown below (remember to scroll down to view results)

Option Two

Visit the Joint Tax Board TIN Verification page
On the TIN Registration Search Panel enter company registration date (You can get this from the CAC step above)
Select Search Criteria (TIN/BVN/Company Registration Number (RCxxxxxx or BNxxxxx) or Registered Phone Number
Check the “I am not a robot” CAPTCHA box
Click submit .

If the information is correct the name of the company will be displayed with details shown below (you can also get the details emailed to you).

In General

Nigerians on Social Media Discuss Reasons for Sudden Rise in Ritual Killings and Illegal Hustle

January 30, 2022 No Comments

2022 started with more stories coming up in various social media of very young boys (sometimes as young as 17) being caught in the act of carrying out ritual killings.

A particular story broke of three young men caught with the head of a girl (thought to be the girlfriend of one of them) as they planned to cook it in a pot as part of their money making rituals.

Nigerians discussed the matter on social media as the term – yahoo yahoo – trended.

See below some of the posts on the matter

In Life

Top 10 Nigerian Songs of 2021

January 1, 2022 No Comments

[VANGUARD] The Nigerian music landscape has produced a range of records that have rocked us into moments of ambiance, where we felt good and was loved. In a place where we gathered together and danced through the spectrum of these moments wishing they lasted forever and never collapsed, we enjoyed these set of records the creators offered us, with glee and without regrets either we still want more.

This list comprises of those records that have set the pace for us in 2021. They’ve been carefully arranged in no particular order, but has been selected due to reasons of influence they’ve curated and how fans connected with them. Majority of them have stayed on the music charts and have allowed us rock the good moments.

Joeboy – Alcohol:
Joeboy’s “Alcohol” is one of those records that everyone found solace in and was strongly connected with during 2021. Alcohol is like a place where Joeboy finds his peace of mind accompanied with rounds of sipping the liquor, he kept requesting for more consistently as he also began influencing his fans to take some alcohol particularly. Although, he advised them against the intake of alcoholics and the song continued creating more impact.

Omah Lay – Understand:
Omah Lay’s Understand is another record that made a huge impact in the Nigerian music soundscape and beyond. Recently, Omah Lay had a successful home concert in his city and has been set aside to break limits with his debut studio album “Boy Alone”, which he anticipates. He also released the catchy “Free Mind” that has currently been doing numbers on all streaming platform both locally and internationally.

Ruger – Dior:
From the success of Ruger’s “Bounce” during pandemic and in the lock down till after the lockdown, Ruger took over the airwaves and was consecutively spotted amongst the Top 10 most buzzing creators in his home country alongside his label mate, Rema. Currently, his “Dior” has replaced Bounce while the magic of his success lies on his recently released sophomore extended play “Second Wave”, alongside between his consistence and ability to deliver expansively.

Kizz Daniel – Eh God:
After the success of Kizz Daniel’s “Lie”, he orchestrates an EP which arrays his love life and proclaimed his place as the King of Love once more. “Eh God” becomes a special cloth cut out from the project as it could soundtrack a new dance wave in pop culture if Kizz Daniel applies careful intentionality to the wave which the record is currently creating. Ever since his exit from G-Worldwide in 2017 till date, he has been following the wave of the Nigerian music industry, now he is making several attempt to create one.

Adekunle Gold – High featuring Davido:
AG Baby doesn’t have a single disappointment in him, you must confess that you believe in him now, so well. So far, he opened the year with the cadencing pop “What It Is”, and accompanied the lush R&B and pop “Sinner” featuring British singer, Lucky Daye. Currently, Adekunle Gold has had several featured tracks, however, he hasn’t failed to resume to duty fully introducing us with the revelers most favorite track on a joint with Davido titled – “High.” The record kept revelers together in one piece as everyone vibed and rocked the juice non stop, even took liquor to make the fun a fair exchange accompanied with hedonism.

Fireboy DML – Peru:
Fireboy DML has currently raked a huge success in the year 2021. Recently his monster hit Peru, has fully broken into the British market with the help of Ed Sheeran on the remix, which has expanded DML’s marketability and access into the UK music scene. He is doing huge numbers on all DSP’s and is rocking ambiance in full.

Wizkid – Essence remix featuring Tems & Justin Bieber:
From the box of his fourth studio album, Wizkid made an official remix of Essence which appeared on the deluxe version of the album the following year. It featured Justin Bieber and recounted a massive success in America, stayed on the top of the charts for weeks and connected the world together even as it became the song of the summer in 2021.

Ladipoe – Feeling featuring Buju:
Feeling has become the record that everyone have found pleasure in. Topping music charts both locally and in the continental hemisphere, the record has kept listeners in a shape that relates with everyone’s emotion. Feeling has a strong connection with it’s listeners, even as the record is perfect to fit for song on the year conversations. It is worthy enough to bag an award if not for the power of Joeboy’s “Alcohol”

Simi – So Bad featuring Joeboy:
This record is beautiful, at the same time it is a hit record that was wheeled out seamlessly, perhaps for the cause of Joeboy’s assistance. She released “Woman” earlier before “So Bad” assisted as she adulates women and gives them everything they deserves including a voice to speak for themselves through the record. Now, “So Bad” could be referred as the track that made Simi earn a breath taking career in 2021.

Burna Boy – Kilometer:
Kilometer is a strong reflection of Burna’s transition from a nobody to a someboy in the Nigerian music industry. He focused on connecting the dots of both his lifestyle and experiences together which connected the minds of listeners in one piece, even as he stories the plethora of experiences and the likes to his current state of greatness as the African Giant. Kilometer was a hit and it was carefully assisted by his second single this year titled, “B.Dor” featuring Wizkid.Burna Boy has had a successful year in review, his 2022 promises more even as he is getting set to headline a show at Madison Square Garden, which is one of the biggest arena’s in the world.

Gyakie – Forever remix featuring Omah Lay:
Ghanaian’s most beloved Gyakie’s mild tempo “Forever”, not only originally become one of Nigerian’s favorite track in 2021, but with Omah Lay’s effort on the remix laid side by side with Gyakie’s stint, emboldened the love Nigerian’s have for Gyakie and her music. The record not only raked huge amount of streams across digital platforms, but it also strongly connected the hearts of many love birds together.

Source: Vanguard

ALSO SEE

Top 10 Tourist Destinations Around the World

In Life

List of African Countries With Currently Active Separatist Groups/Movements

December 13, 2021 No Comments

This is a list of separatist groups in Africa that are currently active. Despite the fact that independence is the primary goal of many separatist movements, separatism can encompass autonomism and secessionism. Religious, racial, socioeconomic, and cultural differences between specific peoples and the majority or ruling elite in a country sometimes lead to separatist movements. It’s often debatable what makes an autonomist or secessionist movement; entries on this list must be verified as involved, separatist, and made up of inhabitants of the country from which independence is sought.

Below is a list of African countries with currently active separatist groups/movements

Algeria
Angola
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Comoros
Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
France
Ghana
Kenya
Libya
Mali
Morocco
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
South Africa
Spain
Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

ALSO SEE – 10 of Africa’s largest companies by valuation

In Life

10 Common Bad Habits That Slowly Kill You

November 10, 2021 No Comments

Habits may make or destroy a person’s life.

So, for the best functioning of our body, health, and mind, we all attempt to adopt healthy and excellent habits. We make every effort to engage in good habits of living, from feeding well to exercising every day.

However, we occasionally overlook trivial behaviours that affect our health in the long term. Consider them unhealthy or poor habits, but these ten activities you do on a daily basis may not be beneficial to you.

It’s past time you noticed and changed these 10 common bad habits that slowly kill you.

#1 Inappropriate Body Posture

People with poor body posture suffer from a variety of health issues. Deformities such as spine curvature, neck discomfort, fat buildup, breathing issues, and more are caused by slouched shoulders, bent backs, and other postures.

They have an effect on both your health and your looks. It can also have a negative impact on your health over time. For a healthier lifestyle, work on improving your body posture and aligning your sitting and standing routines.

#2 Snacking Too Much

One of the biggest issues of a contemporary lifestyle is consuming unhealthy foods and eating seldom. The availability of junk meals and rapid delivery services has further fueled the habit of indulging in unhealthy eating whenever and wherever possible.

Overeating or indiscriminate eating can lead to a variety of significant health problems, including heart disease, obesity, stress, digestive problems, mental illness, and more. Your body needs both nourishment and relaxation. It’s also important to eat on time and provide enough time for digestion.

#3 Long Stretches of Sitting

A sedentary lifestyle is prevalent today.
Because of the need of continuing to work in cubicles, the majority of individuals sit at their workstations for about 8 to 10 hours every day (often even longer!).

Obesity, heart disease, elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, stress, and other health issues have been linked to lengthy durations of sitting, according to research.
One of the most prevalent problems among those who work at a desk is excess waist fat.

Sitting for lengthy periods of time in women has been linked to coronary heart disease, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and a variety of other female health issues.
If you can’t ignore the demands of your job, practice taking short breaks during the day to counteract the effect.

#4 Indulging in excessive drinking

Alcohol is one of the most dangerous addictions that individuals have nowadays. While a small quantity of alcohol might be beneficial to your health, excessive use can be highly detrimental.

It is common knowledge that drinking harms your liver. However, alcohol consumption can have negative health consequences such as cancer, hypertension, mental problems, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and so on.

Drinking too much alters the fat-burning process, making weight reduction more difficult.

#5 Cross-legged sitting

Surprisingly, our bodily postures, particularly our seated and standing positions, have an impact on our health. Sitting cross-legged on a sofa may appear to be a natural way of resting, but it might be hazardous to your health.

Sitting cross-legged compresses the veins and significantly raises blood pressure. It can put unnecessary strain on the hip and joints, resulting in joint aches, hip displacements, obesity, breathing issues, blood clots, and other health issues.

#6 Restricting to Specific Diets

We’ve arrived at a point in history when food has become glamorized.

People can choose from a variety of diets such as vegan, Keto, gluten-free, sugar-free, and so on, depending on their lifestyle and preferences.

While some people are advised to follow limited diets due to health concerns, others find that indulging in them is highly beneficial to their health.

However, blindly adhering to fad diets depletes their body’s nutrients. You do not need to follow a gluten-free diet if you are not sensitive to gluten since protein from wheat, barley, and rye is just as necessary to you as protein from other foods.

#7 Having Coffee in the Morning

Coffee may provide you with daily motivation, but it’s also a major health risk first thing in the morning. When you sleep, your body dehydrates, and grabbing a cup of coffee first thing in the morning exacerbates the problem.

To put it mildly, it causes indigestion and slouching in the stomach. Coffee boosts blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels, especially if it contains sugar.

It’s fine to have your coffee fix, but postpone it for a better lifestyle! If you’ve been oblivious to the impact these small behaviours have on your health, now is the moment to make a difference.

#8 Too little or too much sleep

For a healthy lifestyle, sleeping is necessary. To replenish and revitalize our bodies and minds, we require an average of 8 to 10 hours of sleep every day.

Sleep deprivation results in lethargy, sloppiness, weariness, and exhaustion, all of which contribute to mental and physical illnesses. Oversleeping, on the other hand, can help with depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, one must maintain a balance of sleep and wake hours.

#9 Excessive Use of a Computer or Mobile Device

The digital revolution has led us down an unhealthy road, whether it’s swiping through photographs on a phone or typing on a computer.

We keep yelling at the bright screen with all our strength in an attempt to connect to the wide world of the internet. However, they pose the same physical and mental health risks as any other habit.

While social media creates social anxiety, required validation, poor influence, and other negative effects, the hazardous radiations emitted by these gadgets also affect our health.

If not entirely, one should strive to exclude these gadgets from one’s life as much as possible.

#10 Inadequate Water Consumption

Given that water makes up 60% of our bodies, it’s no surprise that drinking water is beneficial to overall health. Keep your memory sharp, your mood constant, and your motivation high by staying hydrated. Keeping your fluids up to date helps your skin keep supple, your body cool down when it’s hot, your muscles and joints perform better, and your kidneys clear toxins out of your body.

So, how much water should you drink on a daily basis? Adult men require around 13 cups of liquids per day, whereas adult women require approximately 9 cups. Foods provide roughly an additional 2 1/2 cups of liquids. Because one size does not fit all, the easiest method to tell if you’re properly hydrated is to check the color of your urine: if it’s light yellow like lemonade, you’ve had enough to drink.

In Life

5 Oldest Bridges in the World Still Standing

November 10, 2021 No Comments

Reminders of the past rest across most landscapes providing a fantastic insight to the way people once lived. Bridges can be used as a perfect example only that instead of linking the past to the future, it links communities or cities to each other. Many Bridges have crumbled while some still welcome tourists to this day.

1. Dezful Bridge

It was commissioned in 260 A.D and has stood the test of time. The bridge was designed with 14 arcs spanning over 1,148 feet. Legend says the bridge was constructed by prisoners of war after the fall of the Roman Empire. It has issues with flooding in the past so it’s now used as a pedestrian bridge only.

2. Pons Fabricius, Italy

This is the oldest bridge that is still in use within Rome. It was built in 62 B.C and stretches over 200 feet in length. The pedestrian bridge welcomes travelers and showsno signs of abandoning it’s taskany time soon.

3. Shaharah Bridge, Yemen

This bridge may not be as old as the others that were earlier mentioned, but it still stands to be as impressive as any of them. It is heavily trafficked by locals and tourists.

4. Alcantara Bridge, Spain

Not many Bridges contain predictions etched into their design, but this one does. It was completed in 106 A.D reaching a total of 630 feet. It has played it’s role in history at the same time standing tall through centuries and wars that have already taken chunks of the bridge.

5. Qiancheng Bridge, China

Qiancheng deserves a special mention because it was entirely made of wood, constructed since 1127 A.D. Its fragile state has meant that repairs have been required from time to time. The method for the construction was such that didn’t involve nails or adhesives. It is simply wondrous to have survived from its point of construction till date.

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In Life

5 Strangest Towns on Earth

October 29, 2021 No Comments

Everyone at some point loves mysteries and enjoys the effort in trying to solve them. The planet is dotted with places of such mysteries some having a logical explanation while others just remain unsolved.

Read along as we consider some of the worlds strangest sites.

1. Bermuda Triangle

It covers around 500,000sq miles between Bermuda, Miami in Florida and San Juan in Puerto Rico. The spot has seen more than 20 plane crashes and about 50 ship wrecks without an obvious explanation, some just “vanish” completely. Theories have ranged from supernatural activities to a logical hypothesis pointing to a magnetic compass variation or rougue waves.

2. Stonehenge, England

The circle of rocks has been one of UK’s well known alongside mysterious sites leaving historians baffled as to how it’s builders were able to transport the monoliths 5,000 yers ago. Students of the New Castle University in 2019 attempted to solve the riddle saying humans may have dragged the rocks using sledges lubricated with pig fat.

3. Eternal Flame Falls, New York USA

The bewitching orange-red glow flickers behind a waterfall in New York’s Chestnut Ridge Park. The flame is most times estinguished by splashes from the waterfall but tourists bring it back to life with a lighter.

4. Magnetic Hill , New Brunswick Canada.

This is one of several hills around the globe where what looks like an uphill incline is. Cars roll backwards and upwards after driving to the bottom of this hill. Research shows that it isn’t actually defying the laws of gravity.

5. DevilsD Bridge, Germany

The actual name of the bridge: Rakatzbrücke derives it’s name from supernatural associations. It is a looping structure in the German town of Kromlau that forms a perfect circle with it’s reflection in the water. It is so pretty it could be reffered to as a fairy tale bridge.

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This Town is the Twin Capital of the World

In Mobile/Gadgets

5 Smart Watches You Can Get for Improved Lifestyle

October 29, 2021 No Comments

Smartwatches have become the in thing and due to their numerous functions, a lot of people have tossed their old, mechanical wristwatches aside and strapped these smartwatches onto their wrists. These smartwatches are used to serve a variety of purposes and can be used as a powerful health and fitness tool.

Here are some smartwatches that’ll monitor your health, track your efforts when exercising which leads to an improved lifestyle.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a smartwatch that had a lot of hype around it. For this smartwatch we see Samsung return to Wear OS, having used Tizen for recent models. But this isn’t only Wear OS, it’s has a new take on the operating system, designed alongside Samsung, and with a very Tizen-like skin on the top.

It also has a comfortable fit, a lightweight build, interesting body composition measurement tools, and add to its great performance, which makes for a top smartwatch, especially for those interested in tracking their health and fitness for an improved lifestyle.

Fitbit Versa 3

If you are on the lookout for a smartwatch that is not from either Samsung or Apple. The Fitbit Versa 3 may be the best choice for your wrist, and it is a great companion for those who want to focus on fitness.

It has a built-in GPS, a comfortable design and the display is easy to view with a crisp image. It has numerous basic functions as all-day tracking (e.g., calories burned, step count), heart-rate monitoring, automatic exercise recognition for 15 exercises, and Alexa integration. Also, the Fitbit Versa 3 introduced a new function like the Active Zone Minutes which alerts you mid-workout to increase your tempo to get the most out of your exercise. This watch is a great choice for those who are advocates of healthy living.

Honor Magic Watch 2

If you’re a fond exerciser or a fitness buff, then the Honor Magic Watch 2 might be the right smartwatch for you.

The Honor Magic Watch 2 tracks a wide range of sporting activities which includes providing detailed information about your exercise, providing workout advice and giving feedback for certain activities.

The watch also lasts for a long time, so you don’t need to charge it all the time, and it has a pretty sleek look also.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

Samsung merged the best parts of the Galaxy Watch into this sportier smartwatch that’s slimmer, lighter and, arguably, more comfortable and also included a few coveted features, including a rotating digital bezel and LTE version.

It comes with fitness features like the 39 workout modes, a heart rate and ECG sensor, and a health app with stress and sleep monitoring. You can even monitor your blood pressure while using this smartwatch.

Fitbit Versa Lite

The Fitbit Versa Lite has a good range of fitness features, a long-lasting battery, and a body that’s quite small and light, and will fit on your wrist easily without you noticing it most of the time.

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