Grammys 2014: Winners list

Daft Punk and Pharrel Williams  Pix: Grammy.com

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

The 56th annual Grammy Awards was held in Los Angeles on Sunday night with performances from Lorde, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Jay Z, Beyonce and more.

Take a look at some of the top winners below:

Record of the year
"Get Lucky" -- Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers -- WINNER
"Radioactive" -- Imagine Dragons
"Royals" -- Lorde
"Locked out of Heaven" -- Bruno Mars
"Blurred Lines" -- Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell

98% of Global Marketers Increasing or Maintaining Digital Spend

Pix: Talentcircles.com

The most comprehensive marketing report of 2014 is  finally here. ExactTarget surveyed over 2,600 marketers to identify the major challenges, areas of potential growth, and channel-by-channel strategies that marketers must know in 2014. That research is now available at their 2014 State of Marketing report.

THE 6TH FLOOR: THE PRICE TAG (2)

Money.

 By Olumide T. Agunbiade

I checked my watch for the umpteenth time as our Honda finally eased its way out of the chaotic Lagos traffic on to the expressway en route Ibadan. As planned, a man named Daniel came to pick me up the next day. Daniel was hired by Jibola Akinyemi to drive me to Ibadan.

I became perturbed when I began noticing road blocks at every 300 metres, but I breathed a sigh of relief as Daniel--who was very friendly—assured me that it was just the Nigerian Police mounting the blocks as checkpoints for security purposes.

WHY DO WE GROW OLD AND DIE?

B y Olumide T. Agunbiade

The question why humans grow old and die is one that scientists have been trying to answer for decades. The Bible also has much to say on the subject. By examining what science has learned about it in light of the Bible we can get a much better understanding of the cause of aging and death.

2014 REAL ESTATE FORECAST: WHAT TO EXPECT

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

Whether you’re buying, renting or selling it out this year, here is what’s ahead across the globe.

In Nigeria, the trend in 2013 and with notable projects still in the pipeline, professionals within the real estate sector have expressed optimism that there would be increased investments and consequently activities within the industry in the year 2014.

  The Mortgage Refinancing Corporation (MRC), launched by the government and its prospective impact on housing provision and home ownership in Nigerian has further strengthened the position that the sector will boom in the coming year. 

 The forecast, notwithstanding, the seeming parlous state of the nation’s economy, would be more visible in some states like Lagos, Port Harcourt and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. 

 Besides, they hinted that there is so much interest in the sector from foreign investors especially in the commercial, retail, leisure or hospitality. The service sector is not left behind in the flurry of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). There is this anticipation that capital transfer into the sector is expected to be in billions of dollars.

 One of the areas where exponential growth is expected is Lekki corridor, situated along the Lagos–Epe expressway, an area that has being touted as the fastest growing location in the sub-Sahara West Africa.

  This axis is still going to be the haven of a bubbling real estate sector this coming year, they say, citing the huge on-going infrastructural development, namely, the expansion of the expressway and the ambitious Lekki Free Trade Zone, where a new sea port and an International Airport are in the offing.

JOIN ME IN NEW YORK CITY FOR THE REAL ESTATE CONNECT 2014

                                                                                  Pix: eaglesville

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

In a world where people are closer to one another than ever before, how will our industry adapt? When our connectivity is redefining what it means to work for and with one another, how can agents and brokers make the most of the opportunity?

There is no better conference than Real Estate Connect to identify, dissect and apply the new guidelines of the partnership economy and determine what those changes will mean for the real estate industry. Come meet the change makers, find kindred spirits, and rewrite the rules of engagement right before our very eyes.

Is 38 years in prison appropriate for a teacher who slept with her 12-year- old student?

Ethel Anderson sentenced.                                  Pix: www.latimes.com

Former teacher Ethel Anderson, 31, was found guilty and sentenced to 38 years in prison in December 2013 for having sex with her 12 year old student.

The married mother of one had sex with one of her students, whose identity is being kept secret because of his age . The alleged abuse started in 2011 just one month after the teacher and the minor started a tutoring session in her home.

Pastor who steps on his congregation and makes them eat grass!

South African Pastor, Lesego Daniel stepping on his members.  

Pastor Lesego Daniel ,the head pastor of Rabboni Center Ministries, Pretoria, South Africa is under fire as images of him stepping on his church members have been tagged abusive by South Africans and human rights groups.

THE 6TH FLOOR: THE PRICE TAG (1)

                                                        Source: Sunonline

  By Olumide T. Agunbiade

           

IT happens a lot these days in Nigeria. Homeowner falls on hard times and has to move from his home, selling or renting it out to make ends meet. But, if that house happens to sit on a few acres in Ikoyi area of Lagos, there may be one difference. The rent is N2.5million. A month.

That was what chief Korede, a politician and socialite--his close friends includes Senators and Ministers—was asking for his Bourdillon Palace, as it was called. In the year since he moved, he already had two tenants. One a Russian oil tycoon and the other an Italian interior decorator. They were the sort for who price hardly matters. What they want instead are security, the location and the experience.

HOMES AND THE HOMELESS

A homeless mother & child

By Olumide T. Agunbiade |Nigerian writer

IT rained heavily on Wednesday, July 10, 2011. On that day, nine-year-old Sarah Adubi was searching for an alternative shelter after an ill-wind had blown away her carton and Cardboard made home. Unfortunately, she didn’t succeed in getting one, even though she tried to.

 About 12 metres away from her home, she needed to get past one of the erosion-created gullies that transverse her neighbourhood but she couldn’t get past the gully. Her small feet slipped and she fell into a four feet deep gully while the treacherous flood swept her at top speed, smashed her against several objects and finally deposited her at the foot of a banana tree near a carpentry workshop. By the time she was found later that evening, her clothes were in tatters and she was unconscious.

THE PASTORS THAT I SAW IN HELL

By Brother Sadiq

I decided to share this controversial “revelation” for one simple reason:

"While I was growing up in Port-Harcourt here in Nigeria, a Pastor with spiritual gift made some very worrisome exposé about one of the late Pastor’s that was mentioned in this latest revelation. What was said about his “secret dealings” has troubled my heart for many years because I know the Pastor who made the exposé personally. He is not one who talks anyhow."

PLEASE READ THE SCARY REVELATIONS BELOW…..

THE PEOPLE IN HELL

By Emmanuel Agyarko

GOD SHOW ME A REVELATION WHICH I MUST WARN PEOPLE ABOUT

FOOTBALLERS AND FANS GOING TO HELL, MUSICIANS, PASTORS WHO DO NOT PAY TITHE, SOLDIERS, SMOKERS, ETC

PEOPLE I SAW AND PEOPLE THAT WILL END UP IN HELL

COL. MUAMMAR GADDAFI AND GENERAL SANI ABACHA IN HELL
PEOPLE WITH TATTOOS
MALES WITH EARINGS
CHRISTIAN BOOKS
SOLDIERS IN HELL
SMOKERS
PEOPLE WHO CALL ON SAINTS
ALL THOSE WHO PRACTICE MARTIAL ARTS WOULD END UP IN HELL FIRE TOO.

Wealth Inequality is Destroying Economy

·     Top 100 Billionaires Could End World Poverty Four Times Over

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

The top 100 billionaires added $200 billion to their wealth in 2013- enough to end world poverty four times over. This diverse bunch enjoys a unifying characteristic: Most spent the year making more money. Their collective fortunes have soared $200 billion to $2.1 trillion.  

Warren Buffet’s Secret to Wealth – the Bible?

Mr. Buffet

Most people know Sean Hyman from his regular appearances on Fox Business, CNBC, and Bloomberg Television, but what they don’t know is that Sean is a former pastor, and that his secret to investing is woven within the Bible.

Perhaps that can explain why, despite his uncanny ability to predict precise moves in the stock market, Sean is often laughed at for his unique stance on investing.

MANDELA: THE TRUTH, WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

We live in a world of very many uncertainties. For example it is uncertain that a new born baby will one day become a father or a mother of children. Though we say that the young shall grow, we are not sure; because the young may die young, only God knows tomorrow.

Tourism As Revenue Driver: How Committed Is Nigerian Government?

Minister of Culture, Tourism & National Orientation, Mr. Edem Duke

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

Nigerian governments at federal and state levels are increasingly realizing the huge potentials of tourism to galvanize economy and create new jobs. And at every opportunity, they never fail to share this ‘discovery’ with the public. But what actions are being taken by the governments to translate this promise into reality? 

Recently, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mr. Edem Duke announced that Federal Government has been planning to diversify Nigerian economy from oil to tourism.

PASTOR ADEBOYE: My Successor is Still Drinking in a Beer Parlour

Pastor Adeboye

By Olumide  T. Agunbiade

Humble preacher and General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has declared another shocker over those jostling for his exalted position.  He said his successor is still drinking beer at a beer parlour.

 Daddy G.O, as he is fondly called, disclosed this to some of his inner caucus that everybody should focus on their God given assignment and not lose focus on who will succeed him.

Fashola, Jakande & others honoured at ERCAAN AGM/Conference 2013

·        Sterling Bank, LASRETRAD, NIESV commends ERCAAN

·        F ashola charges ERCAAN on residency registration 

·        Jakande harps on importance of housing, hard work and honesty

Standing L-R: Lagos State chairman of ERCAAN, Hon. Godwin Alenkhe & former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the 17th Annual General Meeting of ERCAAN held at Alausa, Lagos recently. Pix: Akinsanya Kayode

By Olumide T. Agunbiade & Hon. Abayomi Olayoriju
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) won the maiden edition of the Prestigious Integrity Award during the 17^th Annual General Meeting / Conference 2013 of the Estate, Rent and Commission Agents Association of Nigeria, (ERCAAN), held at Adeyemi Bero auditorium of the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa on Wednesday 30 October, 2013.

The event which  had an Effective System and Service Delivery of Real Estate in a Mega City as its theme also had in attendance  as guest speakers, the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; the Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Housing, Mr. Jimoh Ajao who also represented Governor Fashola; the General Manager, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), Ms. Yinka Fashola; Mr. Kayode Ogunnubi, General Manager, Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD) and Mrs. Ndidi Obi, a representative of sterling Bank Nigeria Plc.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMME IN NIGERIA

Global warming.

   

By Olumide T. Agunbiade 

A typical driving trip consists of idling, accelerating, cruising and decelerating. The proportion of a trip spent in these different stages will depend on the driver’s behaviour, the road and the level of traffic congestion. As traffic congestion increases, so do fuel consumption, carbon emissions and environmental damage.

FALOMO ON-RAMP: CONNECTING THE CITY

The Falomo On-Ramp bridge.

By Olumide T. Agunbiade  

Unlike the Pyrenees, which separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe, the Falomo On-Ramp Bridge connects two areas of Lagos metropolis—Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The Bridge was jointly financed by the state and private sector in consonance with the Lagos State government’s Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model on infrastructural development.

The facility which stretches some 115m in length, features a post tensioned (or pre-stressed) ramp sited on five piers, each resting on four piles was constructed by Lekki Concession Company (LCC) and provides a dual purpose of highways and walkways for road users.

Before the bridge was constructed, Ikoyi bound motorists from Lekki had to undergo the torture of the traffic congestion before making a left turn at the busy intersection leading to Adeyemo Alakija street and then make a right turn to connect the Falomo bridge.

THE 6TH FLOOR: BLOOD IN THE BATHROOM

The Bathroom.

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

AT about 11am on one of those days that was both beautiful and excruciatingly sunny, my typical impulsive schedule led me to one of the Real Estate Marvels in the city of Lagos. Comparable to some enviable destinations in the world, say Beverly Hills Estate, for example, Osborne Foreshore Estate is an array of high end architectural masterpiece in design and finishing, even Donald Trump would fancy a place right here!

It was no surprise that I had to undergo a lengthy security procedure at its main gate. I did get slightly impatient having to go through the same procedures on arriving my destination but the sight of several edifices all beautifully laid out, a well paved road and the beautiful landscape  made it worthwhile.

As I was ushered into the magnificent mansion at Osborne, my eyes took in the gardens below with a conscious pleasure. Palm trees waved in the slight breeze, water gurgled in the fountains, and the scent of mimosa was heavy in the air, it was exquisite!

I had been informed that the client I came to see just came back from London and her friend who introduced me to her insisted I pay her a visit. When I finally set my eyes on  her, she turned out to be the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

Woman suffers terrible headaches after fixing human hair weave 'taken from a CORPSE!

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

A woman claimed she was plagued with blinding headaches after she was fitted with a human hair weave reportedly filled with flesh-eating maggots that burrowed into her head.
Irene Myangoh, a personal assistant at a law firm in Nairobi, Kenya, paid a salon for the hair piecewhich doctors believe may have come from a corpse.

THE 6TH FLOOR: FANNING THE FLAME (3)

   By Olumide T. Agunbiade

MRS. Labi was inconsolable as she continued to cry. Hot tears continued to flow down her cheeks and her beautiful figure was shaking vigorously as she wept. As she continued to weep, deep in thought, I   remembered an incident that happened few months back at the hospital where I took my family for medical check-up.

On that memorable day, the scenario was quite different between other couples. As I sat at the reception on that day, I saw a man walking up and down the hospital corridor, deeply worried. He had brought in his heavily pregnant wife, just a few minutes before. She was due to deliver and had been wheeled into the labour room. He was quite anxious and disturbed as he paced up and down the hospital corridor.

               “Oga, come and sit down,” one of the nurses had said rudely, “you are disturbing others with the way you are walking about. Are you not a man? People bring their wives here to deliver everyday and they don’t disturb us like you are doing now.” She concluded her verbal outpour with a contemptuous hiss.

THE 6TH FLOOR: FANNING THE FLAME (2)

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

 THE lady that walked into my office was drop dead gorgeous. She walked in with an air of confidence, smiling and greeting me and Mr. Raymond but we did not reply her immediately because we were too busy staring at her  as if she was an alien from another planet. Honestly, she looked exactly like a gorgeous lady should -- natural, sexy and extremely beautiful.

She seems to be used to getting this kind of attention from men. Still smiling, she greeted us again and this time we responded.

THE 6TH FLOOR: FANNING THE FLAME 1

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

I was busy checking my mail on my laptop at about 10am on that day when he entered my office on the sixth floor of a 10 storey building at Ikeja and settled his bulk on a couch beside me.

He looked every inch a comfortable man. He was around 65 years old and had a belly on him that could have been mistaken in the dark for a pregnancy. He was tall dark and shy handsome, he wore a buba and sokoto a white cap and a white pair of shoes that shone even in the office.

HOW TO REDUCE HOUSING DEFICIT IN NIGERIA

      By Olumide T. Agunbiade 

In development terms, the last few years of the 20^th century and the first few years of the 21^st century have been a total failure. Housing is one of the basic of human needs. The provision of houses through the creation of mortgages is taken for granted in developed countries; however, remains a major challenge in developing countries, especially in Nigeria.

                                                                

DEFICIT SPECIFICATION
YEAR	FIGURE	POPULATION	PERCENTAGE	CAUSE
1993	8M	98M	8.06%	Mortgage
2007	12-14M	143M	9.79%	Low supply
2010	16M	156M	10.25%	Overcrowding
2011	17M	160M	10.62%	Population
2012	18M	167M	10.77%	Slum housing
				Poverty

SOURCES: PROPERTYMAX DATA & STATISTICS

      IMF

                    CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Policewomen Delivers Baby at Oshodi Bus Stop!

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

Four Nigerian female police officers did not let the location, the crowd and no medical experience get in the way of stepping in to help deliver a woman's baby at Oshodi bus stop yesterday.

Islamic Clerics Who Died Decades Ago Appear On A Wall Of A Mosque In Lagos!

By Olumide T. Agunbiade

Barely a year after a child was reportedly born with a copy of the Holy Quran in Lagos and another born with an Islamic rosary, (Tesbah) in Sagamu, Ogun State. Last Tuesday, another amazing event occurred at Owode Onirin, Ikorodu, Lagos; as images of some clerics who died decades ago were believed to have made sudden appearances on the walls of Dawiz Central Mosque in the area.

Shocking Testimony Of A Former Devil Worshiper !

By Nonkoliso Ngeleka

I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ. My name is Nonkoliso Ngeleka. I'm from Nzimakwe and I was a graded in the space for 12 years. I was born in 1988, I'm 22. I worked in space since childhood and I climbed the ladder all the time. There are different ranks in space, there are devil worshipers in churches who do not know they represent the devil, and there are devil worshipers who can leave their physical bodies to go around in the spiritual world; I was in this second category.

Nigerian Woman commits suicide Because of Ipad!

A 41-year-old woman, Mrs Catherine Sefunmi Urouna,  committed suicide by drinking substance suspected to be chemical in protest of her husband's refusal to buy her a ipad device. The family of five was thrown into mourning, even as the neighbours were shocked that a woman who was happily married could take such a nasty decision to take her own life over an ipad. The police in Ondo State are, however, investigating the actual cause of her death.

Brazilian Girl Swallows Mobile Phone!

Adriana Andrade, 19, who was cheating on her boyfriend has swallowed her phone to prevent him from reading her text messages. Her boyfriend demanded to see her phone but she refused and swallowed it instead just to keep her secrets. They had to operate the her to remove the mobile phone.