SEX IS GOD'S IDEA: SEXUALITY IN GOD'S KINGDOM ON EARTH

Written by Rev. Dr. Adenike Yesufu

Email: ayesufu@yahoo.ca

World Health Organization says that sex occurs more than 100 million times everyday around the world. For all its frequency, sex remains a private, personal, intensely individual and complex matter in people's lives and in many cultures. God in the Garden of Eden inaugurated heterosexual relationship when He gave Eve to Adam. The Bible introduces sex. 

The Bible celebrates sex. Forget the apple narrative; sex is given for procreation and for pleasure. All societies control sexuality. All societies have social norms that grant approval to certain sexual behavior and disapproval of others. No society grants unrestricted sexual liberties. Even as sexuality is God's gift to human beings, God places limitations on sexual practices, not to cause discomfort for His creatures but to ensure that physical relations are the most special and unique expression of love and trust a human being can bestow on one another. God's limitations on sex are positive. Without limitations, sex becomes mere performance and everything is devalued.

However, in the fast-paced world of today, sex seems to be on everybody's mind and lips. Malcolm Muggeridge says Society has sex on its brain; it is a very uncomfortable place to have it. I remember The Thorn Birds, the movie based on the novel by Colleen McCullough. I also remember Richard Chamberlain's excellent performance as Father Ralph. Many people see the Thorn Birds as a love story. However, I see a priest's intense struggle with his Spirituality (his love for God) and his Sexuality (his human passion). There is no doubt that Father Ralph loves his God more than he loves the woman of focus as he claims in the movie. In spite of his unflinching commitment to God and his vocation, Father Ralph succumbed to the lure of the flesh. For me this story represents the sexual struggles of many Christians in today's world. This led me to reflect on Sexuality in God's Kingdom on earth.

Society continues to experience a sexual revolution that has led to changes in many areas of human sexuality. Attitudes towards sexual permissiveness have changed with people having a more tolerant view of it. The Media generally permissive with sexual content continues to portray non-marital sex as exciting, spontaneous sex as romantic, extra marital sex as normal and inevitable. Sexual issues have become so overt with the incessant bombardment and assault by the media that it is definitely always in everybody's face and thereby almost on everybody's mind, even on Christian minds. Who can resist the temptation of thoughtful engagement? Society has become permissive. It is now judgmental within the Church to discuss human sexuality from moral perspectives.

Congolese musician, Koffi Olomide, deported from Kenya, arrested in Congo DR

Congolese musician, Koffi Olomide, has been arrested in the Democratic Repbulic of Congo.

The 60-year-old singer had been arrested and deported from Kenya on Friday after being caught on camera assaulting one of his dancers.

He had kicked out violently at a dancer in full view of two Kenyan policemen as he arrived at Nairobi's international airport, the AFP reported.

Following his deportation, Zambian authorities said on Sunday they had called off aplanned show by him.

Olomide was scheduled to perform at the annual agricultural trade show in Lusaka this week.

“Following the reported unfortunate incident in Kenya concerning Koffi Olomide, the Agricultural and Commercial Show Society of Zambia has decided to cancel his performance during this year's show,” Ben Shoko, head of the society said in a statement.

The incident sparked a storm of criticism after footage of the incident went viral on social media

Four years ago, Olomide, who has put out more than two dozen albums and won several industry awards, was given a three-month suspended jail term in Kinshasa for assaulting a producer.

Regular sexual activity is good for your health

Written by Oladapo Ashiru 

Professor of Anatomy/Consultant Reproductive Endocrinologist

~Punch Nigeria. Tuesday, July 26, 2016.

Men who have sex at least two times in a week can almost halve their risk of heart disease, a new research says. The study, which was conducted with over 1,000 men, describes sex as an activity that involves intense physical and emotional elements. Sexual intercourse may be a marker for a healthy heart because sex can be a form of physical activity, which, like exercise, gives your heart a workout.

Those who desire frequent sex and are able to get it, are likely to be healthier than others. Men who have regular sex may also be in a supportive relationship, which offers stress reduction and emotional benefits.

Regular sex is so beneficial that when you see a doctor he is likely to ask many questions about your sex so as to find out about your overall health condition. Apparently sex is not only good for your heart; it also keeps many diseases at bay.

For example, sex can actually cause you to get fewer colds.

Research has shown that couples who have sex weekly have a 30 per cent increase in immunoglobulin A, which is an antibody that fights infection. Sex can also help women have a more predictable period schedule, as a result of being exposed to male pheromones.

In addition, having sex reduces stress - for physiological as well as emotional reasons. Anything that will reduce stress is good for you as too much stress can lead to many diseases including cancer. Sex activates a nerve that has a calming effect. Having sex also lowers blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart disease.

Sex can even reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and increase HDL ("good") cholesterol.

These are the good results that a healthy sex life can give you:

• Fewer colds because of an increase in immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights infection.
• Women can get more predictable periods because of exposure to male pheromones.

Stephanie Busari heads Nigeria CNN office

Written by Akeem Lasisi
~Punch Nigeria. Tuesday, July 26, 2016.


Seasoned Nigerian broadcaster with the Cable News Network, Stephanie Busari, is back to head the company's Nigerian office to be unveiled in Lagos. The office is to give the network a "nimble, broad-based, digital-first presence in Africa's most populous country."

The lady, who will be the Supervising Producer, Africa, will work across CNN's news gathering and digital operations, and will be the network's first responder for all platforms.

A statement from the organisation indicates that since joining CNN in 2008, Busari has worked across some of the network's most important African stories.

She was central to CNN's coverage of the missing Chibok girls, working alongside Senior International Correspondent, Nima Elbagir.

On her feeling about the new assignment, she says, "I am thrilled and excited to be back home after a long time away. I have always kept close links with Nigeria and have a considerable network here already. CNN is investing here because we believe Nigeria is a globally important nation with enormous potential and it is v ery exciting that I have been entrusted with helping to tell the story of my country to the world."

According to her, her wide experience across the globe will aid her.

"I have covered a wide variety of beats across hard news stories and features. I have even worked on the party scene as a showbiz reporter, and, at the other extreme, I have worked as a court reporter. So, hopefully all of this experience will stand me in good stead in such a diverse country as Nigeria. There are literally stories to tell everywhere you look here," she notes in an interview.

A multi-award winning journalist, Busari began her career at the defunct London-based newspaper, New Nation, which was aimed at the UK's black and ethnic minority communities. She then moved to the UK's Daily Mirror, where, among other beats, she covered Northern Ireland, reporting on some of the worst-affected areas of "The Troubles". While in Belfast, she also launched and edited an award-winning lifestyle column for the paper. A native Yoruba speaker, she also speaks French fluently.

How to connect phone videos to TV

Written by Ozioma Ubabukoh, 
Phone: 08039474598 (sms only)
~Punch Nigeria. Friday, July 22, 2016


Watching videos on your phone or tablet is great. Streaming those videos to your big-screen television is even better.

There are lots of ways to see your phone through your TV. Here is how to enjoy those photos, watch videos and more.

Use a wire to connect

Nearly all smartphones and tablets can plug into an HDMI-ready TV. One cable end plugs into your phone or tablet while the other plugs into the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port on your TV.

Once connected, whatever you display on your phone will also show up on your TV. You can check out pictures, watch video, surf the web, use apps and play games on your big screen.

Top reason to connect: It is super simple-just one cable to connect. There is no Wi-Fi connection or password.

Consider this: Most HDMI cables are 15 feet or shorter, but you can find some as long as 65 feet. The longer the better if you are sitting on a couch that is on the other end of a spacious entertainment room.

Go wireless

If you are not used to cords, get a gadget that plugs into your TV, connects to your home Wi-Fi and communicates between your phone and TV.

The Roku Streaming Stick lets you put your Android screen on your TV, enables screen mirroring in your Roku settings and casting on your Android device; then click on the streaming icon that pops up on your phone or tablet to start viewing on the big screen.

Check out Miracast, which lets you stream your video with your home Wi-Fi. It's compatible with Windows Phone and Androids with 4.2 Jelly Bean, although not all Android devices can mirror your mobile screen via Miracast. Newer phones like the LG G5 can do the job.

If you use an iOS device, AirPlay allows you to wirelessly beam music, photos and video on your set-top box. You will need an Apple TV, but once you have that it is as easy as selecting the AirPlay icon from iTunes or the Videos app (or another supported app such as Netflix) to stream to the big screen.

Top reason to connect: Streaming movies directly to your TV using these gadgets could not be easier. The connection between them and your phone is a bonus.

Consider this: There are so many apps that support wireless streaming, which include Netflix, YouTube and Vimeo.

Get a smarter TV

If you are considering a new TV, look for one that will communicate with your phone or tablet such as one that is DLNA-certified.

DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. A DLNA-certified phone such as the Samsung Galaxy S7 or HTC One M9 can connect to a DLNA-certified TV, projector or set-top box as well as an Xbox One, when you link them to your home Wi-Fi.

Top reason to connect: There is nothing between your phone and your TV. No wires and no streaming gadget required.

Consider this: If you want to make your current TV compatible with Miracast, then plug your Belkin Miracast Video Adapter into your TV's HDMI input. That will do the trick.

5 things that will happen to you if you quit alcohol

Written by Adeniyi Ogunfowoke
Adeniyi Ogunfowoke is a travel/tech writer at Jumia Travel
~Vanguard Nigeria. Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Nigerians love their alcohol. It is an important part of our daily lives. This is why after work or during weekends, you see them at a hotel's lounge chatting away with friends while downing bottles of alcoholic beverages. For those who don't take alcohol, they find it difficult to blend in socially. This is because it will be awkward for them to down non-alcoholic drinks amidst bottles of branded alcoholic drink.

Hence, it will be difficult for many to stop drinking alcohol. For those finding it difficult to stop, Jumia Travel, points you to five things that may happen to your body when you stop drinking alcohol. At least if you cannot stop, you can take a break from drinking alcohol even if it's for a couple of weeks.

You will lose weight

Alcohol-beer, wine, and cocktail drinks have a significant amount of calories. These calories have next to nothing effect on the body. If you cut down drinking alcohol, you will begin to lose weight effortlessly without necessarily making any lifestyle changes.

You will sleep better

Booze can make you sleep but not possible for you to sleep soundly. Hence, avoid drinking alcohol before going to bed so that you can get quality sleep for you to perform 100% the following day.


You will stop overeating

According to research, a big driver of eating too much is alcohol because it heightens your senses. As a result, you may eat beyond what your stomach can accommodate.

You will save money

No matter the cost price of alcohol, Nigerians will always buy. Crates of different alcoholic drinks are always available in parties, clubs, and homes. If you want to save a good amount of money, cut your alcoholic intake. If you can, you can calculate the amount you spend on alcoholic every weekend.

You will be healthier

Alcohol increases your blood pressure, can damage the heart muscle and potentially plays an important role in different stages of cancer. Abstaining from alcoholic will make you healthy.

Male hairdressers: Why women prefer them

By Josephine Agbonkhese & Anino Aganbi
~Vanguard Nigeria. Thursday, June 23, 2016

Ugo Igbokwe, celebrity hairstylist

WHEN you think hairdressing, you naturally think women and nothing more. But that isn't the case anymore as more and more young men continue to give female hairstylists a real run for their money. A visit by Woman's Own to major hairdressing hubs around town proved this-and we're sure you've got proofs in your neighbourhood too.

Interestingly, these men do not require luxurious shops to steal the hearts of customers. With a make-shift salon of any kind, any female hairstylist who has got a shop near one of them either folds up in no time or branches into other trades to stay relevant and earn a living.

It however still remains a mystery how men would become better at dressing a woman's hair-a business that was traditionally female, than women themselves.

Attention to detail: But are they (men) actually better at hair making or is it all in the mind of women who are perhaps thrilled about having the opposite sex touch their hair? Why do customers swarm around them like bees to honey?"I think they pay more attention to detail.

That's where they beat female hairstylists. Women around me prefer them too. If you go to prominent hairstylists in Surulere in Lagos for example, you'll find that they are owned by men and also attract A-list artists and celebrities from across the country. In fact, one of the best hairstylists in Nigeria today is Ugo Igbokwe and he is male.

"One thing you also notice when you visit these salons owned by men is that women would prefer to queue up and wait for their male workers to make their hair rather than let their female workers who are probably less busy, make their hair," said Christie Anyanwu, a Lagos-based professional who resides in Surulere, an area of Lagos renowned for hair-making.Mubo Alade, a front-desk officer in a telecommunication firm in Lagos, also finds male hairdressers very intriguing.