Who do you think wore it better? See pictures of Tiwa Savage and Oluchi Orlandi in the same look. Also, would you ever try anything so crazy?
Former Victoria secret model, Oluchi’s look was featured in her interview for Vogue.com.
Tiwa Savage wore hers for an awareness campaign with Paul Psquare. See what her fans had to say about the outfit below:
Short film titled ‘Sacrifice’ starring Nollywood actress Meg Otanwa was created and shot during the Ebola crisis in honour and recognition of the healthcare workers who gave their best and carved their names in the rocks of time.
Other stars in the movie include Shawn Faqua, Ijeoma Agu Oriahi, Rita Edward, Leelee Byoma, Richard Brutus and Theresa Dickson and the film was directed by Didi Cheeka.
Watch the trailer below:
Honourable Moji Lawal is a legislator in the Lagos State House of Assembly. She was the first ever female aspirant in Apapa constituency, and emerged their first female representative on May 29, 2015. There were over 100 delegates in the primaries before she emerged her party – All Progressive Congress (APC)’s candidate.
The Honourable was reportedly the last ‘single’ legislator in the house before she got married this week. As of May, her and husband John Paul had done their ‘introduction ceremony’, and had gone to the registry, but hadn’t had their Nikkai or engagement.
Here’s a picture of Honourable Moji and her husband, John Paul:
Her husband, John Paul, is a businessman. In an interview conducted with Punch earlier this year, Moji stated she was up to the challenge of entering marriage with a demanding career.
We definitely wish them untold success in this union in all the years to come.
Culled from lindaikejisblog.com
Coldplay have revealed their seventh album, A Head Full of Dreams, will be released on 4 December.
The band have previously hinted it could be their last, with Chris Martin describing it as “the completion of something”.
The upbeat, summery first single, Adventure Of A Lifetime. premiered on BBC Radio 1 and 2 on Friday.
Speaking to breakfast show host Nick Grimshaw, the band dropped hints about a headline appearance at Glastonbury.
“We’d love to do it. That’s our spiritual home, as a band,” said Martin.
“Maybe we should have called ahead and asked them,” he joked.
All of Coldplay’s previous albums have reached number one in the UK. Last year’s intimate and melancholy Ghost Stories was the fourth best-selling record of 2014 worldwide, shifting 3.7 million copies in total.
The band say they “have never enjoyed making a record more than this one”
The band went straight back into the studio after its release to record the follow-up, which Martin described as “a more colourful, more joyful sort of thing”.
“It’s the sound of us being free and happy and very grateful to be in our group.”
Recorded in Los Angeles, Malibu and London, A Head Full of Dreams will feature guest appearances from Beyonce, Noel Gallagher and Tove Lo.
Martin said the record had been “handed in” three weeks ago, after the band set themselves a deadline of finishing it before the end of the year.
“It gradually moved later and later – but we came in relatively on time,” he said.
“We’d still be working on it if somebody said we could be,” joked drummer Will Champion.
The band are also planning to tour “early next year”, after only playing a handful of low-key shows to promote Ghost Stories.
Speaking to the BBC last year, Martin suggested the new record could be Coldplay’s swansong.
“It’s our seventh thing, and the way we look at it, it’s like the last Harry Potter book or something like that,” he told Zane Lowe.
“Not to say that there might not be another thing one day, but this is the completion of something.
“I have to think of it as the final thing we’re doing. Otherwise we wouldn’t put everything into it.”
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to create barriers that will check the use of phones and other devices for pornographic, homosexual and immoral materials.
This is as the House urged telecommunication service providers to develop or acquire software that will block content that violate moral and religious values.
These resolutions by the House followed a motion entitled: “Call for censoring of the social media,” sponsored by Hon. Johnbull Shekarau.
Moving the motion on the floor, the lawmaker said all social media platforms have a self imposed minimum age of not less than 13 years for the setting up of profiles but that certain individuals and organisations have taken advantage of lapses on social media to post and download pornographic content.
Shekarau said that the hosting of inappropriate materials portend grave danger to the long term survival of the nation’s moral values adding that it is a systematic mode of brain washing that is going on in the social media.
Also contributing to the motion, Hon. Obinna Chidoka said the motion is porous adding that there is a need to look at the issue closely viz-a-viz the cybercrime law.
Truth is we can’t always choose who we love. Sometimes, it’s just not as simple as that. Sometimes you fall in love with the wrong person at the right time and you can’t do anything about it. Recently, I read a story on twitter about a girl who lost the love of her life to her best friend. Granted, in her story, she denied the guy when her friend asked about their relationship. Somehow, at the end of the story however, she laid the blame on the friend for breaking the first rule of thumb. Bad for her, good for her friend.
Unfortunately, we cannot always help it. Sometimes we do find our magic in wrong places. Even though a lot of people will swear on their lives that they could never do it, most people actually miss out on a great relationship or a potentially good one out of respect for their friend. But if you have to, here are 6 Don’t’s you should keep in mind:
It’s bad enough that you got the man; you shouldn’t spill secrets too, especially to her ex. If you are the type that pathologically tells your partner everything, learn to draw the line at this. You may find that your friend is never going to be cool with you again. This is one of the many reasons why. She can no longer trust you with her secrets.
Even if the years have passed and your friend is happily involved with someone else, you’re still not allowed to talk dirt about one to the other or take one person’s side over the other in discussions or arguments that involved their relationship or breakup
No comparisons please. Don’t ever ask him/her who is better. Asides from the obvious fact that this makes you look petty as hell; it is important that you skip the temptation to ask. It will be bad for your relationship and your friendship too (whatever is left of that). Plus you may not like the ugly truth.
Trying to keep them apart makes you look paranoid and insecure. Trying to force them to be friends for your sake is encroaching on their boundaries and privacy. They should be allowed to make the decisions on how close they want to be. Don’t try to force it.
Lastly.. Know which exes are COMPLETELY off limits
If the said ex seriously mistreated your friend (we’re talking emotional or physical abuse, infidelity, lying, stealing, etc.), don’t date him ever. No matter how soft you are on him. Let that one go.
New music from GTS rapper Al Ghvlib titled AWON TEMI DA off his upcoming EP; HOUSE OF LORD.
After dazzling fans with his mega hit ‘Where You Dey?” an instant favourite with listeners across the country, AL GHVLIB returns with this banger with help from label mate Tundey and his uncle Phizzle.
Produced by GTS in-house producer Mr Magic.
Sit back, relax, download and enjoy this beautiful piece of music.
CONNECT
Twitter: Lvrd_Ghvlib, @Tundey_GTS, @itsphizzle, @gberatinrin
This poem is forever alive for African women and women all over the world. This poem will lift your spirits this weekend and every time you think of it, it would add spring to your step. Enjoy and share
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
When the then governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola commissioned the Bus Rapid Transport scheme on March 17, 2008, it was met with a lot of joy as it was an affordable means of transport for the masses with air conditioners, TV sets and dedicated road lanes.
The seats were comfy and about 10 – 20people where allowed to stand in the aisle but after a couple of years, there has been a steady decline in the condition of the BRT buses.
The first to go where the famous TV sets (which rather disappointed the people that were hoping to watch Africa Magic Yoruba but where shown adverts instead) and the air conditioners followed closely.
Then, the seats started wearing out gradually and over the course of a short time, almost half the seats of the average BRT are worn out and as a result, the number of people standing in the aisles has increased exponentially. This is making the BRT buses look like the Molues of Lagos than the modern means of transport that it is.
Also, there is also the problem of how much the number of buses has reduced. Every time you look at a BRT bus stop, you will always see a lot of people waiting on the very few buses.
Now, who is to blame for the dilapidation of the BRT buses? Is it the lack of maintenance mentality in the country? Or the drivers who handle these buses without care? Or the passengers who deface and destroy these buses?
Another question is why is the state not using the funds it gets from the adverts posted on the side of the buses to maintain the buses and keep them in good shape? Plus, why are we not getting new buses and LAGBus get new buses all the time?
Advert on the side of a BRT in Lagos
There have also been complaints from passengers about how they buy tickets and and get on the bus, when they reach half of the trip, they are told to come down and join another bus which is almost full and they end up having to stand in the aisles.
We need to find solutions to these problems and answers to these questions so that the plan of the state government to transform Lagos into a Mega-City will not go to waste.
So there was a story on a one-woman theatrical play depicting Jesus as a transgender woman. Yeah, yeah, I know. Really weird, right?
Well, one might think so on the first hearing but once the story is digested, it becomes almost understandable and relatable. This is considering the rate at which the LGBT ‘syndrome’ as I like to call it has been publicised and marketed to a point where people are indifferent to the moral and spiritual, if I may add, deficiencies, so to speak, of this ‘syndrome’ so much so that there are – and I must add that I wasn’t aware of this early enough – people who proudly put it up in their bios on twitter and even in their twitter feed. They proudly announce in any way they can, some simply subtle and others, just downright raunchy and vulgar. But hey, even that, I can MANAGE to understand.
But the mere concept of a theatrical play depicting Jesus as a transgender is way beyond me. I mean, we’re talking about Jesus here o; the SON of God who died to take away the sins of the world o. and like that’s not enough, the woman, identified as Clifford, says this to The Huffington Post, “There’s a little sermon that reminds the audience that Jesus never had a single word of condemnation for transpeople. The show is a reminder that we have existed throughout this world and many cultures have accepted and celebrated our existence.” I mean, come on people, look at that!! To top it all, when it debuted at the Glasgay Arts festival in 2009, the show was widely objected to by Christian protesters., holding signs that read “God: My Son Is Not A Pervert.” Haa! Christians just had to defend their own Lord and Saviour as that show just seemed to go overboard. You can read the full story here. Just like the situation of the transgender DSTV series that was to be introduced which parents protested against and got banned by the NBC. Hmm, na wa o.
I guess my point is this: since it’s different strokes for different folks, I guess it’s okay for them to live their lives the way they want and do what makes them happy but don’t try to redefine my morals and beliefs by painting everything right ‘cos that in itself is a different kettle of fish. People are not throwing stones at them for their choices so they shouldn’t rub it in other people’s faces at every given opportunity. Now, this is my two cents…..
Peace, love and more peace.
When I see people with complete arms and legs begging on the streets, it upsets me in my spirit. There are a lot of people that have complete functionality with complete limbs who are doing absolutely nothing but begging on the streets with the money garnered as a means to survive. Where there is life, there definitely is hope. One may be poor today but should not take life that way; rather should struggle for better no matter the form that comes in as long as it’s dignified honest labour that brings in some money.
What brings me to this? I saw a picture (picture above) which I strongly think is motivating enough for anyone who’s taking the difficulties of life in stride with little or no attempt to make any difference to get up on their behind and try to reach for success. take a cue from this and try to make better choices that, you never know, might bring success your way.
Once you believe it can be done, the first step is always the most important. Then God takes over. I really hope you’re motivated.
1. Sasha P
She attended the International School Ibadan and the University of Lagos earning a bachelor’s degree in Law
2.Seyi Shay
She studied music at a local UK college, and went on to study Business Management at the University of East London
3. Yemi Alade
She attended St Saviour British Primary School, then went on to Victory Grammar School,Lagos, before obtaining a degree in Geography at the University of Lagos
4. Neato C
He badged an MSc in Energy Studies at the University of Dundee in Scotland. Before then he moved to the United States for higher education both in SUNY Old Westbury and a year later, George Washington University.
5. Banky W
His attended secondary school at Home Science Association Secondary School. After which he moved to New York to attend college on a scholarship; earning a degree in Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
6. M I
In Calvin College, Michigan, US, he pursued a career in Business and Economics
7. Sound Sultan
Attained his secondary school education before acquiring a degree in Geography and Regional Planning from Lagos State University in 1999
8. Davido
Davido studied Business Administration at Oakwood University prior to relocating to Nigeria. He graduated from Babcock University in Ogun State, earning a degree in music
9. Falz
He attended St Leos Catholic Primary School in Lagos Nigeria and later went to Olashore International Secondary School, Osun state Nigeria before obtaining and LLB degree from the University of Reading in the UK. He went to the Nigerian Law school and officially became a barrister in February 2012.
Aphro Di’ja
Earned a double degree in Biology and Psychology.
It can be really upsetting when you hear of people ‘toning’ or ‘bleaching’or whatever name that is called nowadays. Right now, it’s confusing sef. One minute, the person’s dark in complexion, the next, the person’s ‘brightening’ little by little and in no time, they’re ‘bright like a diamond’ like Rihanna said. Celebrities are a major in this industry.
The reasons for this ‘switch’, only these people know. I used to excuse it under the guise of not being confident or comfortable in black skin, the stereotype of ‘light-skinned’ people being the template for beauty and the likes of that till I stumbled upon a BRAND new one. I say brand with so much power because it was previously not on my list of reasons or even excuses. What is it? The GUY factor.
This picture explains the dilemma of a lady whose boyfriend is attracted to light-skinned women and because she loves him and doesn’t want to lose him, she’s contemplating ‘bleaching’ to keep the love of her man. What I’m actually wondering is how the guy’s going to feel and react when he wakes up one morning and the girl is all light in complexion, considering he knows the ‘source code’. I can create a zillion scenarios of potential drama in the event that that ever happens.
But really, bleaching for ‘man’? Okay o. What women won’t do for love, I don’t think that exists just yet. Anyway, your thoughts will be appreciated. What’s your advice for this lady? And can you do that for your man in the name of love? Again, thoughts, thoughts and more thoughts will be HIGHLY appreciated.
Have a scintillating weekend. Mmmmuah.
It’s no surprise that breakups happen. It only means that it wasn’t right in the first place or that you’re basically better without it. So in light of these reasons among others, there is absolutely no need feeling so sad and having all sorts of negative feelings. These five steps below can help you allow the light of positivity shine and lift you in your darkest days.
1) Stop Blaming Yourself: The relationship’s is a thing of the past now even if you sometimes wish it weren’t. But one thing’s sure; you gotta move on with your life. In life, people cannot control what comes their way, but they definitely can control how they react to it. So even if you started something, the breakup could have been averted if it wasn’t wanted. So man, take a chill pill and stop blaming yourself for everything. Life can’t be perfectly perfect but we can always work through the bad parts with the faith that the good parts will not elude us. There’ll be a better person for you out there. Be grateful for the time spent with that lovely person and accept that it’s all over. Stop blaming yourself is the first step to healing.
2) Let Go: Pretty sure these two words have been heard like a million times if you’ve been in a breakup before and can get really tiring to keep hearing. But the truth is your really got to let go. That really is the only way you can forge ahead. The memories probably will never leave completely but they sure can fade. Stop frequenting those places that you both went to a lot, don’t do the clichéd drive-by to catch a glimpse of him or her and most definitely, do not stalk the person on social media. Change your music collection if you have to when all the songs bring back memories and try to surround yourself with new faces and make new memories. If need be, create a significant rite of passage; burn or bury some old memorabilia, cry in the rain, whatever helps. To move forward, you have to TRULY let go of the past.
3) Get to Your to-do list: In order to shake off the negative feelings that come with any breakup, get to doing those things you’ve been wanting to do. Use the emptiness productively; go to a party with the girls, go shopping for a new wardrobe, learn a new language, visit your grandparents, rearrange your sitting room, anything, as long as it keeps your hands busy and your head occupied. If you don’t have a to-do list, make one, fill them with things that favour a better you and get them done. Seeing things do better around you inspires positive feelings.
4) Forgive, Pray and Trust in Time: Forgiveness is not for the other person, it’s actually for you; to give you the needed strength in yourself to move on. Absolving yourself of all emotional baggage makes you lighter and smoothens the healing process. Also and very important, pray. Pray for you, for the strength to take the next step in your life; pray for the ex also, that they find peace and happiness. Prayer really does go a long way than most people can even imagine. Most importantly, trust that it won’t be easy but time will heal the scars and wounds and eventually make everything better. You’ll look back at your life and see that you actually made it through that dark time and you’re all the better for it.
I know it ain’t easy but things will definitely get better. Find your inner strength and draw on it. There’s always sunshine after the rain. YOU CAN MAKE IT!!!
Nike Davies-Okundaye, was brought up amidst the traditional weaving and dying as practised in her home town of Ogidi, Kogi State, in North Central Nigeria, though she has become known for a modern approach to traditional themes in her colourful batik and paintings.
Mrs. Davis-Okundaye ended her formal education at primary 6 in her village at Ogidi-Ijumu, Kogi State, in North Central Nigeria. She discovered art when she was only seven years old while staying with her great grandmother who she learnt the craft of traditional weaving and dying from.
Watching her great grandmother in the art of adire textile processing and helping her out, she became an expert in the adire art, dyeing, weaving, painting and embroidery. Mama Nike didn’t even study art; the medium through which she has achieved global fame, art came naturally to her.
However, she went ahead to teach herself English at home while her great grandmother, late madam Ibitola, an accomplished adire textile maker and a dyer of fabric in her days, passed down the training to her.
Mama Nike spent the early part of her life in Oshogbo which is recognized as one of the major centres for art and culture in Nigeria. During her stay in Oshogbo, her informal training was dominated by Indigo and Adire. She is today a proud product of the famous Oshogbo Art School.
At 13 she ran away from home and joined a travelling theatre before settling down to stay with her aunt in Osogbo. There she met the late renowned artist, Suzanne Wenger became an inspiration for her. Before long she started carving, weaving and painting textiles.
She started her first gallery in 1983, in Osogbo. After drinking from the rich fountain of Suzanne Wenger’s spring, she relocated home and branched out on her own, selling her art works as well as holding workshops for people to create or sell their own art pieces.
In 1996, Nike established an Aso-Oke (textile) weaving center at Ogidi-Ijumu for the women of the village. The centre’s impact was felt in the town, employing and empowering more than 200 women.
Six years later, she established another art centre, this time the Art and Culture Research Center at Piwoyi village, FCT Abuja. The centre had an art gallery and a textile museum, the first of its kind in Nigeria to provide functional platform for research into Nigerian traditional textile industry in the Federal Capital Territory area of Abuja.
Over the past twenty years she has given workshops on traditional Nigerian textiles to audiences in the United States and Europe.
Finding that the traditional methods of weaving and dying that had been her original inspiration were fading in Nigeria, Davies-Okundaye set about launching a revival of this aspect of Nigerian culture, building art centres offering free courses for young Nigerians to learn traditional arts and crafts.
Mama Nike is currently the managing director and founder of the following organisations in Nigeria; Nike Art Productions Limited, which she incorporated in 1994, Nike Art Gallery Limited, which she incorporated in 2007 and the Nike Research Centre for Art and Culture Limited, incorporated in 2007. Also in 2007, she founded the Nike Art and Culture Foundation with some eminent Nigerians as trustees, with the aims and objectives of fostering Nigerian cultural heritage.
Her son Olabayo Olaniyi, College of Santa Fe graduate, is also an artist. Davies-Okundaye has more than 150 students in Europe and America. She is also a philanthropist.
A book about Davies was written by Kim Marie Vaz, The Woman with the Artistic Brush: A Life History of Yoruba Batik Artist Nike Davies.
Olawale Ashimi, a.k.a Brymo, singer of the popular Lagos jam, Ara, has obviously been busy working on good music as he has come out with a new single titled ‘In the City’.
The song plays a great role as the official soundtrack of Udoka Oyeka’s latest short film titled ‘No Good Turn’, which explores the plight of Northern Nigerian residents that have suffered the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency. The short film stars Udoka Oyeka, Norbert Young, Waje among others.
The beautiful thing about the song is that it captures the true situation of the people in an admirable manner and brings it closer home to the general populace through lyrical content and great vocal ability. The music video was also directed by Udoka Oyeka.
Formerly signed to Chocolate City, same record label as ace rapper, M.I, Brymo is most notable for his distinct voice. Most of his songs are in the Yoruba language, and his lyrics are usually deep and contain a depth of feelings. Brymo currently has four albums, among which only his second album, TheSonofaKapenta, was released under Chocolate City. He is currently running an independent career which has two albums to its credit; Merchants, Dealers and Slaves (MD &S) and Tabula Rasa (The Gift) produced respectively in 2013 and 2014.
Brymo is a proud recipient of several prominent awards and the song ‘In the City’ proves why he is loved so much by his fans all over the world.
About the Story: Finding Hubby is set in modern day Lagos and it details the completely worth-reading experience of Oyin Clegg and her search or hunt, if you please, for a husband. Trust me, you don’t want to end the reading here because you’ll miss a whole lot. The story ends at episode 24 so you have seen nothing yet. Tunde enraptures you with each word and Finding Hubby is just one of such amazing stories you don’t want to miss.
FINDING HUBBY
My name is Oyinkasola Olaitan Clegg. I am a lady. I am 35. I am single. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. But I have had to say this either verbally or otherwise to so many people in the course of the last few years that sometimes I begin to wonder if there’s really nothing wrong with me. Don’t get me wrong, they don’t come and tell me “you are not married Oyin, something must be wrong with you” no, they would never do that. But say it, they did, loud and clear.
Let me not bore you with those parts of my life. As a background, I am a good looking Yoruba girl, well shaped the way African men like their women, with flesh in the right places. I have a first degree from the University of Lagos and a Masters Degree from the University College, London. I am tush, fresh and a high flyer. I even have the dream job, a CSR person in an oil firm. And I like to live life to its fullest. These are the stories of my encounters, escapades and experiences as I search for the man who will leave his family and cleave to me. Who will love me forever. Who will make my life eternal bliss. Okay, okay, okay, I am doing it again. I tend to project the stories I read into life. Never mind, I am old enough to know that stories are just that, stories.
It’s Friday night. And when you say that in Lagos social circles, it could only mean one thing; ditch the suits and let the short dresses, body hugging jeans and bust enhancing tops come forth. And so I called up my friends Toke and Gloria and we agreed to meet up at Mega Plaza to start the night with some chips and seafood. I shut down at five O Clock and drove straight home to my apartment in Carlton Gate Estate in Lekki. Inside the house, I flopped into my couch and turned on my companion at home, my TV. Now pardon me, but I wonder how life must have been before the TV. If I was lost on an island and I could take only one item along, it had to be either my BB or my TV (see how we have a knack for reducing things to two letter words). As I settled in to rest in reserve for the long night ahead, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen to confirm who it was. It was just Kalu. I was hoping it would be somebody else. I had been ignoring bb messages from him all day and I guess he calculated I’d be off work now and decided to call.
Okay, a little background on him. I am 35 and single (I know I’ve said it before but I need to re-emphasize) so when I really need to get some and there’s no serious person around, I do the phone select. Here’s how it’s done. You pick your phone and scroll through your contacts list and eliminate men based on certain criteria. What you want is a no strings attached person who will not interpret a night together as an invitation to a long term relationship. So you cancel out the fervent toasters, the guys who have been having settling down conversations with you (considering you didn’t consider them settling down material and latch on all the while you’ve been having such conversations) and other such over-serious people. By now, you’ve narrowed the list down. Then you eliminate those who are in places so far it requires too much effort to see. I stay in Lekki, so if you stay in places like Ipaja, Ikorodu and the likes, I ex you from the list. Now I have a probable list. Then I go into the fineries of history together, attraction and settle on a few options. I then put a call through to the best option of the lot and drop a few hints. If he catches on, game on. If he doesn’t, I round the conversation off and move on to the next until I hit jackpot. This was the rigorous screening process I had put Kalu through, but we get wrong sometimes. I was very wrong with Kalu. After the night together (that’s a story for another day), he became all he wasn’t meant to be. Clingy, intrusive and needy.
About the Writer:
His name is Tunde Leye, and his About page on his blog, www.tlsplace.wordpress.com (where you can catch the rest of the story) reads ‘Musician, Writer, Creative Mind Through and Through’. His twitter handle is @tundeleye. He is the author of three books, Golden Sands, Guardian of the Seals and Yobachi. Tunde’s writing is personal and very descriptive. He is very much in tune with his character and his stories are very close to home. His write-ups, be it books or blog stories or novellas always make for good reading.
Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda, is the capital city of Angola, and the country’s most populous and important city, primary port and major industrial, cultural and urban centre.
Located on Angola’s coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola’s chief seaport and its administrative centre. It has a metropolitan population of over 6 million.
It is also the capital city of Luanda Province, and the world’s third most populous Portuguese-speaking city, behind only São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, both in Brazil, and the most populous Portuguese-speaking capital city in the world, ahead of Brasília, Maputo and Lisbon.
Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais founded Luanda on 25 January 1576 as “São Paulo da Assumpção de Loanda”, with one hundred families of settlers and four hundred soldiers.
By the time of Angolan independence in 1975, Luanda was a modern city. The majority of its population was African, but it was dominated by a strong minority of white Portuguese origin.
After the Carnation Revolution in Lisbon on April 25, 1974, with the advent of independence and the start of the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002), most of the white Portuguese Luandans left as refugees, principally for Portugal, with many travelling overland to South Africa.
The city saw some sporadic fighting during the Civil War which left bullet holes in many highrises and government building. When peace was reached in 2002, the government began planning to rebuild using oil revenues.
Today Luanda’s skyline is dotted with cranes, erecting numerous social housing highrises to replace slums and existing, but grossly dilapidated, 40-plus year old highrises as well as offices for numerous foreign companies operating in Angola.
Just South of Luanda in an area aptly called Luanda Sul, Western-standard housing, many compound style, is being built for the growing expat community. Major improvements are being made to roads, highways, and the rail system in and around the city but there is yet an overwhelming amount of work to be done.
And while certainly still home to a large impoverished population (59%), free housing and the creation of thousands of new jobs each year means that Luanda may in years to come have a bright future ahead.
Things To See
Drive down the beautiful bay.
Additionally, you MUST try the Benfica market, which sells everything from perfume to ivory to animal skins and tourist guidebooks. Also take the boat out to Mussulo, the best beach in town.
