Shadows, shadows All I see
A combination of light and some little darkness
Locked up, the passions of my heart
Left out, the vision of my mind
Hindered, the motions of my feet
I breathe, but not alive
I move, but not progressing
I laugh, but not happy
I wanna live my dreams
The more I rise, the more I fall
I live not my dreams, I live another’s
Held down by traditions
Pulled back by expectations
Pressed down by customs
Rising out of the ashes
Today, I refuse to be pulled back
Today, I refuse to be boxed up
It’s yours not mine
The dreams I’ve been living
No more, now mine I live
Author: weddypen
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Yours Not Mine
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New But Old
Life is full of ups and downs, reasons to give up and at other times, reasons to hold on and be strong. But in all, one thing remains constant and that is change. Everyone experiences change at some point in time.The kind of change experienced however is determined by the individual. There are some who change in the negative sense of it but there are some who are blessed to experience positive change.The decisions of each individual determines the resultant effect of the change a man experience. Change in the negative sense is synonymous to recycling the same bad actions of the past.Beginning a new year with fresh hopes is one thing, but pursuing the same with renewed energy and passion is another. The reason why people keep experiencing the same old results as previous years is because while physically, things seems new but in their mind, they are not renewed. They still carry the same old mindset that is responsible for the negativity they’ve experienced thus far and if questioned about it, you see a jealously guarded treasured garbage.If the coming year is going to be productive and positive, it has to start with a renewed mindset ready to take on the challenges, make adjustments where necessary and work hard for the best. Don’t enter a new year with an old mindset. Take time off activities and look deep down to see what needs to be changed! -
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune Returns To Algeria

Two months after testing positive to coronavirus and receiving treatment in Germany, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune returns to Algeria.
The President’s absence had increased doubts over his ability to finish his first term. It will be remembered that his last public appearance was his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian on 15 October.
Upon his return, the 75-year old was quoted as saying, ‘It is hard to be far from one’s country’. On 24 October, he was admonished to self-isolate, considering a member of his close staff testing positive to the dreaded Covid.
However, his health deteriorated and he was flown out to Germany on 28 October for treatment.
Following continued fears over the President’s health, he was seen posting a video on social media on 13 December promising to return in few weeks.
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The Land of Ajiun 2

People were worried, no one could tell where Adio is. Adigun still looked troubled and his countenance was not favorable. Adio had asked his workers to immediately plant cassava stem after the harvest. Everything had seem to be going on well, but why would Adigun be this worried? Adio was already thinking of getting more land to start cocoa farm also once this new harvest of cassava sells well as projected.
She was at home, cleaning the house, washing her husband’s clothes and gathering sticks to prepare food for her husband when suddenly Adigun ran in seeking for Adio, this frightened Asunke, the wife of Adio who answered in fear that he wasn’t at home, immediately Adigun ran out of the house again.
Adio had gone on a trip, after he set up his goods in the market and put one of his boys in charge. He went to Itedo to conclude a business deal with his new partners who were willing to buy cassava in large quantities to process into garri. When he came back, he couldn’t understand what was happening and what people were saying. At first, he didn’t know what to do but later summoned courage and went to his farm.
Ajiun was a village with none of the social amenities that makes life comfortable. People were seen carrying buckets of water running towards his farm. From afar, one could see smoke rising up in the air. The farm had a farmstead with lanterns kept to lighten up the place at night. Inside the lanterns was kerosene to keep the fire burning. Adio’s farm had caught fire and his storage ban and farm land had been up in flames. It took the help of some of the villagers to help put out the fire to the level that Adio met it.
He couldn’t believe what his eyes was seeing, all his investments were up in flames. How would he start again? How could he ever survive the impact of this wreckage? At the sight of this, he slumped and was rushed to the native doctor who helped to revive him. After he got home, his wife made sure he got some rest, but she also was down in thoughts and was saddened.
The villagers held a meeting as to how they could help Adio. They all decided to contribute a sum of money to help him revive his farm and business.
The year after this incident, Adio was up again and his business was gradually flourishing once more. One thing that the Land of Ajiun was known for was their ability to help each other when in need. This singular act has made them the talking point among many surrounding villages. Their population increases yearly because many people get to make the Land their home as a result of this love they shared!
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The Land of Ajiun

It was a calm morning, the sun had already risen, and people were already at their various businesses, it was their market day in the Land of Ajiun. A typical African village buzzing with palm wine tappers showcasing their products for sale, and cassava farmers ready to sell their freshly harvested farm produce. It was a busy day and Adio was very involved with business, trying to make ends meet for his family. The other day, he had already told his friend who was an hunter to help him keep a bush meat for his family to have dinner with on the market day. Surely, it was going to be a busy day and he needed something to reward himself for all the stress he would go through. But little did he know what the day had planned for him differently.
Alamu, the first son of Adio was also busy. He is a palm wine tapper, and had gone early enough to tap some palm wine for market and for them to take at dinner also. Market has not been so favorable in recent times for him. It seemed as if people had given up the idea of drinking palm wine and would only prefer to take water. Nevertheless he still had hope and kept on giving his best, his father had assured him that once he kept on being consistent with what he does, a time will come that his effort will pay off. Akanni his junior brother has been learning the art of furniture making, getting perfect at his craft. Their father, Adio was a very popular and wealthy man in Ajiun, a cassava farmer who sells not only within the land of Ajiun but also exports his produce to lands beyond who deal more with processing the produce into gaari.
Adigun, the head of workers in Adio’s farm had been running in search of Adio. He got to market, he didn’t find him, again he ran to the house but never met him there, with the look on his face, it’s as if something very bad happened, he looked so sad and tensed. But where could Adio be? What could it be that is making Adigun run that way? It was unusual for him to be in that posture, once he looks for Adio in the market and couldn’t find him, he would have waited till when he is able to see him but this time was not to be so. It’s like a do or die affair. The Land of Ajiun is tensed. Rumours already spreading.
To be continued…
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Dangote to Buy back 85million Issued Shares Of the Company.

Dangote Cement Plc has announced the commencement of its share buy-back programme, under the approval granted by the Company’s shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting of DCP, held on 21 January 2020.
This announcement was made in a notification issued this morning, the 21 December, before the opening of the stock market. This is also the first share buyback in Nigeria’s stock market history, according to Nairametrics checks.
According to the notification, the Share Buy-Back Programme is in line with the framework provided under Rule 398 (3)(xiv) of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Rules and Regulations (as applicable) and in accordance with Rule 13.18 of the Rulebook of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (“The NSE”).
Key highlights from the notification
Based on the aforementioned shareholders’ approval, the number of shares to be repurchased under the Share Buy-Back Programme will not exceed 10% of DCP’s issued capital.
The Programme will be effected in tranches, as the first tranche under the Company’s share buy-back programme will commence on the 30th of December 2020, and will be completed on the 31st of December 2020.During this period, the approved brokers of the company would purchase up to 85,202,537 fully paid-up ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each, representing 0.5% of the entire current issued shares of 17,040,507,404 ordinary shares.
The first tranche under the Company’s Share Buy-Back Programme will be executed by Meristem Stockbrokers Limited and Vetiva Securities Limited, the appointed stockbrokers of the Company under the programme. The stockbrokers will at their discretion purchase DCP shares in the open market between 30th and 31st December, subject to prevailing market conditions and under the current daily trading rules of the NSE.The shares being bought back by the Company under the Share Buy-Back Programme will be held as treasury shares, and may subsequently be cancelled. Execution of this Tranche I is not expected to have any material impact on the Company’s financial position.
What you should know
Nairametrics reported a year ago that the Board of Directors of Dangote Cement Plc announced it would convene an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) of shareholders for January 22, 2020, in a bid to obtain shareholders’ approval to amend its Articles of Association, which would enable the Company to undertake a share buy-back of up to 10 percent of its issued shares, in line with the concluded arrangement.What to expect
Shareholders seeking to participate in the first Tranche under the Share BuyBack Programme are hereby advised to contact their stockbrokers or any other independent professional adviser registered as a capital market operator by the SEC for further guidance on the submission of trades.
Dangote Cement will provide weekly updates on the progress of the First Tranche of the Programme on its website over the duration of this tranche.However, the Company will continue to monitor the evolving business environment and market conditions, in making decisions on further tranches of the Share Buy-Back Programme.
Upon the completion of this programme, an announcement will be published on the website of the company and issued on the website of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, in line with the exchange and the company’s policy on full disclosure.By Omokolade Ajayi @Nairametrics
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SEC, FSD Africa begins Review of Capital Market Masterplan

The Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria (SEC Nigeria) and Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Africa have announced the commencement of a joint review of Nigeria’s 10-year Capital Markets Master Plan (CMMP) in line with current realities. This is aimed at supporting the country’s economic growth amid the devastating effect of the COVID-19 crisis and fallen oil prices.
The synergy would enable SEC Nigeria to work with FSD Africa’s regulator support programme to develop a revised 10-year CMMP to strengthen Nigeria’s capital market and its capacity to mobilise funds. The CMMP provides a vision for Nigeria’s capital market, as well as a roadmap with objectives to meet it.
According to the Commission, the process will involve an assessment of progress made since the plan’s implementation to date and engagement with stakeholders for input.
This would also result in the introduction of more stringent tools to measure the plan’s progress against objectives and the inclusion of new challenges, opportunities and risks related to the current environment into the plan.
SEC explained that the review of the CMMP is in response to changes in the economic realities upon which the plan was anchored when it was launched in 2015.
The Director Capital Markets at FSD Africa, Evans Osano said: “This review will give market stakeholders in Nigeria a unique opportunity to not only take stock of the plan’s results so far but also grow and respond to previously unforeseen economic developments.
“As FSD Africa works to support and regulate financial markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are excited to be partnering with SEC Nigeria to enable them to strengthen the country’s capital markets during a time of immense upheaval.”
Director-General of the SEC, Lamido Yuguda said the implementation of the CMMP would deepen and improve the capital market’s contribution to the nation’s economy.
By Helen Orji @The Guardian
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Between Now and Future

For most people, if not all, they are always concerned about what the future holds which is further compounded by the fact that the present does not look like what they had envisioned in the past. As a result, some tend to give up when after few trials, their present situation refuses to conform to the future they saw.
Like somebody said, the difference between ‘here’ and ‘there’ is ‘T’ which symbolises Time. In the same vein, the difference between Now and Future is Time.Time is the allowance given to you most importantly to invest the kind of values and virtues that will translate into the kind of future you desire for you now! While you may be there grumbling and complaining about your present challenges and tough times, why not turn them into raw materials by putting your time into good use, equipping yourself, learning valuable skills, picking up lessons from your mistakes, forgiving yourself, moving on, growing and rising.
Understand, you can either spend time or invest time, the choice is yours. When you spend time, you have no assurance or hope of having it back but when time is invested, it returns to you as value! What makes some persons more valuable that others is the amount of time they’ve invested in adding value to themselves! Every great man you admire and wish to be like today didn’t reach their greatness all in one day, one week, one month or even one year. They kept growing silently but surely, and it came to a point where their success could no longer be hidden, they became sought after. Meanwhile during the period of dryness, where no one knew them or paid attention to them, they were not deterred but kept building up themselves.
If those great men could do it, then you can do it also. Keep at it. Between now and the future you desire is time, use it wisely: your life depends on it.
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Becoming Confident

It happens severally that walking through a new environment, I suddenly lose my legs temporarily, I just wouldn’t know how exactly to walk especially when there is a cluster of unfamiliar faces probably just having fun or discussing a serious issue as it concerns them. It often seems as if all eyes are on me and no one could help me out of this difficult zone! I know I’m not alone on this and many have wondered if they can ever get themselves to be confident among people, especially strangers. Well, you don’t need to be shy anymore if you could just follow these simple steps to be shared below.
What exactly is shyness? I’m not going to bore you with too much talk but go straight to the point. To be shy is to be in an awkward, unpleasant, uncomfortable situation or among unfamiliar faces that one can’t behave normal. It has been reported that shyness is a sign of people with low self-esteem. It is also said that fear of what people may think or say caused by ego is also a major characteristic of shyness. How then can we improve our social relations and stop being shy?
1.) Act Confidently
One major rule when in public space is don’t behave like a coward. Don’t let people see you as an adult with baby’s feeder in your mouth. Be confident in your actions! Understand that no one can do things the way you do, you have the Midas touch.
2.) Get Involved
Be involved in what’s going on. Don’t just stand unconcerned. If someone needs help, offer to help. If an issue needs to be settled probably a quarrel between two individuals, offer your assistance in settling the quarrel. Engage!
3.) Discuss
The more you talk, the more you get better and confident at talking. No man brought it all from up there, it is developed and nurtured. What you don’t nurture, gets to die eventually. Start practicing the art of talking to people more. Talk to your family more, talk to your friends some more, then go further by learning to pick up a conversation with a stranger. Perhaps you are scared of what to say, you can start by asking questions. Don’t just stand there, looking, talk! If asking questions, please make it open ended, that way you give room for the person to express himself/herself more than just giving a yes or no answer and also it gives you time to think and come up with an appropriate point of discussion.
4.) Let go of Past Failures
Shy people tend to hide more because of past failures. Something they did and didn’t work out according to plan, especially when the expectation from people was already high and yet they failed to meet up. The feeling of disappointment, failure, rejection, and frustration pushes them to run inside and refuse to ever come out. Failure has never been the fault of any man, it is only an event that has to occur so as to show how better you could handle same thing and achieve the best result. Never hold on to your failures, everyone fails at some point, you won’t be the first, neither will you be the last. You are not a failure, cheer up and go out on a date, picnic or something, enjoy yourself, discover and explore the world!
5.) Appreciate Yourself at Every Opportunity
Little drops of water they say makes a mighty ocean. You may not have gotten there yet but each step is taking you closer to your goals. Therefore take time out to appreciate yourself. You are making progress, it may not be as fast but you are not on the same spot, be happy!
6.) Watch Others Relate with Confidence
Although there may be circumstances where imitation could be harmful but not in every case I believe. If you are finding it hard to confidently relate with people, then watch how others do it effortlessly and try imitate them. Watch their actions, their tone when speaking, their eyes, and all other stuffs that help them be confident in approaching others publicly. If they can do it, you can do it too.
7.) Dress Smart
It is often said that the way you are dressed is the way you will be addressed! Well, whatever issues you may have with that statement, the truth is there is a level of confidence that dressing smart gives. You can’t dress shabby and still expect to exude out the kind of confidence you need in public, not possible. Learn to dress smart!
8.) Believe in Yourself
No one can believe in you if as a matter of necessity you didn’t first believe in yourself. When you doubt yourself, your abilities, you make it hard for others to believe in you. Shyness like said earlier is one of the signs of low self-esteem. To overcome this,trust and believe in yourself more than anyone else. Don’t let the opinion of others be more important than your own opinion about yourself. Take you more seriously!
9.) Smile More
Going out with a hard face, as if your bread was taken from you obviously sends potential friends and helpers far away from you! There is no normal human being who has a resistance to smile! It is the most easy gift among men to give and yet the scarcely given gift. The gift of a smile could lighten up someone’s day and also your own day. Smile daily, smile every hour, smile every minute, smile every seconds. Just don’t stop smiling!
10.) Meet New People More Often
As difficult as that sounds to a shy person, it is a very effective means of improving your communication. The more you meet strangers/new people, the more you become less shy. Challenge yourself to meet at least a new person each day for the next 30 days and see how greatly you’ll have reduced your shyness.Now, next time you are in the public, don’t feel awkward, the same way you relate with your family members is how you should relate with strangers. They are no different, they are all men. You can’t keep losing important appointments, business deals or contracts all because of shyness.
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You Are Not Alone!
You are not alone!
I know how difficult it is to get a place over your head, I know
I know how unbearable it is to earn a living each waking day, I know
I know how hard it is to put food on the table, I know
I know that feeling of failure when despite all your efforts, nothing works, I know
I know how easy it is for people to ignore, neglect and look down on you when no results is in view, I know
I know how tough it could be to have no one to talk to and reason with, I know
I know how it kills having loads of debts around your neck to pay off, I knowBUT;
No matter what it is now, you are not alone!
It may be hard but it is not impossible
People may not believe in you, but I believe in you.
It may be all dark now but there is light at the end of the tunnel
You may have come this far and be tired of going further but you are closer to the finish line than you think
Hear the voices of the generation gone past and those coming behind you cheering you on
You can’t give up now!
It is too soon to let go!
Hold on, the wait is almost over
You are the hope of generations to come
They believe in you, they trust in you
You can’t fail them
For the sake of your pains, don’t give up
For the sake of years of labor, don’t give up
For the sake of your secret tears, don’t give up
For the sake of your past failures, don’t give upPeople may desert you, but know that you are not alone
You are not alone, your years of trying and failing are your companion, urging you not to let go
You are not alone, your days of hunger is right beside you to testify soon of how you remained steadfast
You are not alone, your nights of sleeping in the cold is right beside you to tell the world how your dreams refused to be frozen
You are not alone, your weeks of earning little or nothing stands with you to share the story of how your vision refused to lack provision
You are not alone, your months of loneliness desires to tell of how your discomfort became your closest companion that will never let you give up!You have come this far to go further
It may be lonely but you are still not alone!
Keep striving, you’ll soon arrive at the finish line!
I know how it feels right now, I know
But you are not alone!

