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Why Nenadi Usman is an inspirational heroine!

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If you follow Nigerian politics, chances are extremely high that you’ve heard of Nenadi Usman. As Usman has the distinction of being one of the most loved politicians in Nigeria. To learn about why the vast majority of Nigerians see Usman as a hero, simply continue reading to discover a few reasons why Nenadi Usman is an inspirational hero.

Why Nenadi Usman is an inspirational hero:

  1. Usman has dedicated her entire life to making Nigeria a better place to live, study and work

While most politicians enter the world of politics after achieving a high level of success as businessmen or women, Usman took a decidedly different path and served as a teacher, before turning her attention to politics.

When interviewed Nenadi Usman revealed that she became a politician for the same reason that she became a teacher, to drastically improve the lives of Nigerians. Which is not the type of answer which you’d typically expect from a high-level politician. So it’s no wonder that Nigerians from all backgrounds and walks of life, instantly gravitated towards supporting Nenadi Usman in her political career.

  1. Usman is a formidable leader, who is able to inspire individuals to accomplish extraordinary things

While most politicians think that they can change Nigerian politics and the Nigerian economy on their own, Usman is far wiser than these naive individuals and instead realizes that it takes the minds and dedication of hundreds of individuals in the political sphere to bring about great change.

Perhaps Nenadi Usman was able to use the communication and motivation skills which she picked up as a public school teacher in order to rally her fellow politicians to pass new laws and regulations which would change the face of Nigeria forever.

  1. Nenadi Usman is an advocate of diversity, especially in politics

Usman has frequently spoken out about the importance of ensuring that every democratic political party, boasts diverse membership in order to properly represent the interests of the Nigerian people. As an example, Nenadi Usman believes that not only should a Nigerian political party feature an equal representation of women, but each party should also feature citizens of different ages, backgrounds, religions, and walks of life.

  1. Usman has successfully helped the Nigerian economy grow from strength to strength

In one of her previous political roles as the Nigerian Minister of Finance Usman was able to implement strategies, regulations and innovative plans which caused the Nigerian economy to experience a sustainable level of growth. Which is a testament to Nenadi Usman’s economic insight and intelligence as well as her incredible leadership and communication skills.

  1. Usman has no intention of retiring anytime soon

While Usman deserves to live out a quiet retirement from the political sphere, she has no intent on retiring and instead believes that there is plenty more which she can accomplish in her political career.

After reading the above article, hopefully, you have a newfound level of respect for Nenadi Esther Usman and her incredible drive to make her beloved homeland an even better place to call home!

How to pursue a career as an engineer

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If you’re excited by the opportunity of studying to become an engineer, Douglas A. Grady has some great tips to discover a step by step guide to pursuing a long-term career as an engineer!
How to pursue a successful career as an engineer:

  1. Research multiple colleges which offer highly regarded engineering programs

If you’ve made the decision to pursue a career as an engineer, your very first step should be to research multiple colleges which offer highly regarded prestigious engineering programs.

One way to narrow down your choice of college is to look up the professors and tutors at each college, to see what experience they offer and whether you believe or not you believe each professor or tutor would be able to teach you the necessary skills which you’ll need to know in order to thrive as an engineer.

If you’re interested in a particular college and engineering program, it’s well worth contacting the admissions department to see whether you are eligible to apply for their program. In some cases, the admissions department may be able to get you in contact with one of their engineering professors, who may be happy to call you to discuss their program’s syllabus and course load.

  1. Try to apply for academic scholarships to your chosen college

Once you’ve successfully handpicked a well-regarded college, in order to complete your engineering degree, it’s well worth applying for multiple academic scholarships. As not only will an academic scholarship help you out with paying for your college expenses but winning a scholarship will also increase your chances of being given an internship and of scoring a great engineering job, straight out of college.

  1. Pursue an internship with a well-known engineering company

Instead of resting on your laurels, whilst you’re studying, it’s well worth using your time as a student to complete a paid internship for a well-known engineering company. Which will boost your CV. As an added benefit if you work hard during your internship, show initiative and impress your program leaders, you may even be offered a high paying job at the company which you interned for, after your college graduation!

  1. Make sure that you have a mentor, who’ll be able to help you make the right decisions in order to achieve your career goals an engineer

One of the best decisions which you can make as an up and coming engineer is to find an experienced engineer who is willing to act as your career mentor. As a business mentor will be able to put you in contact with the right individuals to help your career take off.

As a bonus, your chosen business mentor should be able to help you avoid making unnecessary mistakes as a newbie engineer, by sharing some of the wisdom which they’ve picked up over the duration of their lengthy career. So it’s well worth finding a mentor as soon as possible.

So if you’ve decided that you’re interested in pursuing a lifelong career as an engineer, it’s well worth following the four simple tips listed above in order to get started.

Adam M Smith Explains the Jury System

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The jury system in this country is quite complex and also quite unique. In June, Adam M  Smith was selected to sit on the Grand Jury together with a number of other women and men in his District. This was the first time he was able to experience the jury system first-hand and he felt an explanation on how things work could be beneficial to others.

Adam M Smith on the Jury System

In this country, most people are offered a trial by jury. This means that a body of their peers hears the available evidence and makes a decision based on that.  The jury is made up from random individuals chosen from the electoral roll period they are then sent a questionnaire to determine whether or not they are eligible to sit. As such:

  • Police officers, magistrates, and judges are in eligible.
  • Those who have been imprisoned for more than 5 years and those who have been convicted of a felony offence are disqualified.
  • Pilots, those over the age of 65, and teachers have the right to be excused.

Should someone be  eligible to sit on the jury, they will attend court for at least 3 days. A jury pool is created from which individuals are selected when their name is picked from a ballot box at random. If they are chosen, they will go to the jury box where they may be challenged before they are given a seat.

The Role of the Jury

The jury exists to create a verdict in a criminal case. This must be unanimous and or majority. When a jury is impaneled, the individual members must:

  • Attend court during the trial.
  • Listen to the evidence, remember it, and analyze it.
  • Abide by the law.
  • Determine any questions of fact.
  • Listen to the criminal offences for which someone has been indicted by the grand jury if appropriate.
  • Deliberate over verdict without giving reasons for this.
  • Determine a verdict that is beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases.
  • Determine a verdict that is on the balance of probabilities in civil cases.
  • Provide a unanimous 12/12 verdict in criminal murder cases.
  • Provide a majority verdict 11/12 in non murder criminal cases.
  • Provide a unanimous 6/6 verdict in civil cases if possible or majority verdict 5/6 if not possible.
  • To assess appropriate damages in a civil case.

The jury system has its own pros and cons. This country is one of the few in which certain states still also used the grand jury system, which has even further pros and cons. Alternatives could be to have a trial by a panel of Judges, a trial by a single judge on there own, or trial in which judges and lay persons are mixed. Each of these options as advantages and disadvantages and there will always be supporters and opponents of all. Regardless of which trial system is used, the overall aim is to ensure that someone is presumed innocent until proven guilty at all times.

Here’s Why You Should Enroll Your Kids to an International School

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First thing’s first: the quality of education your kids will get is not solely based on the school’s exclusivity or cost. Parents and guardians should take the time to examine the teaching methods of the school and the programs they have so that kids can further improve their skills. Whatever the outcome of the examination, which should be the basis for choosing the school.

Today, it has become doubly imperative to make sure our children are equipped with critical thinking skills and the social understanding that enables them to see from other people’s perspectives. We want them to easily comprehend if a reading material has verified facts, if what they are saying is intersectional, and if what they are doing benefits the society. For this reason, parents have considered enrolling their children in international schools.

A brief history of international schools

According to UNESCO, it is difficult to know precisely when international schools actually originated. However, they pointed out the Maseru English Medium Preparatory Schools established in 1890 as one of the first international schools ever established. It was meant for the children of British missionaries, traders, and officials in Basutoland. In 1924, international schools expanded to Asia, also catering to English-speaking children of expatriates.

Today, international schools do not only cater to foreign, English-speaking students. They also cater to local students who want an international quality of education. One of the best international schools in Singapore is the Global Indian International School, and it is one of more than a thousand English-medium schools in Southeast Asia. The demand for more international schools is oddly coming from locals and the expatriate families.

A unique educational framework

Most international schools are champions of holistic education. It involves a curriculum that does not just give importance to academic excellence, but also on athletic prowess, merits in the arts, and community care. A school that adapts a holistic education framework aims to produce students who are not just effective movers of society but are also compassionate and sympathetic towards other people.

This framework starts with repetition and memorization. They are taught concepts and theories that move society, and they are expected to repeat the definitions discussed in class. Then, they are expected to apply what they have learnt through hands-on work and collaborative tasks. However, true learning is exhibited when they formulate their own ideas either to support or to disagree with some concepts they learnt.

Students are also given state-of-the-art equipment for sports and the arts. Instructors can guide them to further their skills and improve on their weaknesses, all while teaching them values like sportsmanship, preparedness, and discipline.

Being exposed to a multicultural environment

By its very nature, international schools provide students with a multicultural landscape. This is important, now more than ever, in teaching them the value of listening before speaking. The students they will be collaborating within the school bring with them different experiences, beliefs, and traditions. And in a multicultural environment, they are taught to appreciate those differences and develop an open mind.

Learning about diversity at a young age enables them to analyze issues through a critical, empathetic, and scholarly lens. They will be given the tools to work through challenges like language barriers and learn the differences and similarities of cultures around the globe.

Being in an international school is more than just giving our children an advantage when it comes to university or career prospects. It is about guiding their education and making sure they are equipped with the right tools and values to navigate a competitive world.

The Advantages of Different Ways of Looking up People

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A lot of people want to find out whether someone new in their life, be that neighborly, romantically, or professionally, has a checkered past. To do this, you need to complete a people search. However, there are lots of different searches around and it is important that you pick one that is actually effective and gives you the information you need. Plus, defining what a good service is can be difficult, as different people have different needs. Let’s take a look, therefore, at the different options out there and how they could benefit you.

Free People Searches

Firstly, you can look someone up for free. For instance, you can go to Zaba Search, Yahoo! People Search, Google People Search, and the White Pages. While it is true that the word “free” immediately sounds interesting, the reality is that you get what you pay for. Hence, what you get in this case is nothing much. You are likely to find the information to be outdated, incomplete, or just downright inaccurate, which means you can’t trust the things it says.

Public Record Search

Option 2 is the public record search. There are companies who do this and they usually allow you to complete part of a search for free. This means they show you what they have found, but don’t really let you look at it until you have made a payment. Options for this type of search include Intelius and U.S. Search. They are quite affordable, however, and definitely of better quality than the free options. The information is gathered from public records, however, and that means that you still don’t have any guarantee of the information being up to date, accurate, or complete.

Private Investigator Searches

Last but not least, you can hire a private investigator. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean an ex-police officer in a mac coat and a cigar dangling from his mouth. Rather, today, private investigative services exist online. They offer:

  • Fully comprehensive information.
  • Current, accurate, and up to date information.
  • A satisfaction guarantee.

Clearly, the last option is by far the best one. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is also the most expensive one, and that is a significant disadvantage for most people. As with the public record search, however, there are different payment plans available. For instance, you could pay for a full search of a single individual. Alternatively, you can sign up to a subscription plan, which allows you to check the information on a set number of individuals each month or year. The more you pay, the more searches you can perform.

So which one is best? It all depends on what information you are trying to find, and how important it is that the information is accurate. If you just want to know what is available about you online, then a free search is all that is needed. If you want to make sure your new boyfriend isn’t a sex offender, however, then a private investigator search is probably the best option.

How to Make a Good Guitar Riff

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One of the most iconic sounds in the world is the sound of a strong guitar riff.  You have Iron Man from Black Sabbath or Smoke on the Water from Deep Purple, these are riffs that live effortlessly through multiple generations.  How cool would it be to make your own, something so catchy that you and others can’t stop humming or tapping their feet.  I can’t promise that any riff that you create will still be in people’s minds twenty years down the line.  I am sure you will be able to bring down a local gig with your band if you get the formula right though.  Below I have included some hints and tips that can help when it comes to writing your riff.

I have had a chat with Tom Hess guitar maestro about creating that perfect riff, before we get into it let’s find out a little more about Tom.

About Tom

Tom has over 3 decades of experience when it comes to guitar playing; he has had success with his bands Rhapsody of Fire and HolyHell.  Academically Tom has also managed to gain two music degrees, one in music theory and the other in composition. Tom now dedicates a lot of his time to teaching other through his online courses.

Establish a Rhythm

Usually when it comes to riffs, most inexperienced players believe that riffs only consist of power chords.  You can create a pretty decent sounding riff based on power chords absolutely, however to master the power of writing a great riff you need to start to add notes to the power chord.  Adapt the rhythm to your level of guitar playing.

Don’t Focus Just on The Guitar

When creating a riff you need to keep in mind the sound that the other instruments will be bringing to the table.  The sounds from the other instruments in the band will help round off the perfect riff.  Add layers to the riff, your bassist doesn’t have to be playing the same rhythm and figure out the pace for the drummer.

Master the Minor Pentatonic Scale

The Pentatonic Scale is one of the most commonly used scaled when it comes to creating a riff.  This scale has been used for well over 50 years and has featured in many of the most iconic riffs off all time.  There any examples of how to learn this scale online but master it and you have the bases in place to start creating a masterpiece.

Experiment

Creating the perfect riff will rarely come instantly; it is down to a lot of trial and error. Jam with it; don’t get disheartened if it is not coming to you straight away.  Even if you think you have something but can’t move it to the next step, be patient, don’t lose your temper.  Once you have the rhythm the rest will come in time.  Creating music is a constant learning curve, take your inspirations and build from what you know.

Jack Elway Provides a Brief History of College Football

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When summer ends, it is almost time for the yearly college football season to start. For Jack Elway, this has always been the most exciting time of the year. It is a time for families to come together and to celebrate the new school year. But what is the history of this sport, and where does it stand today?

Jack Elway on the History of College Football

In 1875, Harvard, Yale, and Columbia started to look into developing a college football league. Then, in 1876, the crossbar was added to the game. The field was also a whole lot larger than today’s field. In 1876, however, the size of the field was made smaller, turning it into the size we are familiar with today. Football didn’t become popular very quickly. In fact, it wasn’t until some ten or so years later that the game really started to gather attention. By the start of the 20th century, however, the sport had took off. Indeed, some 250 colleges had signed up to play.

By the 21st century, there were 230 different divisions, being division I, II, and III. Other division also exist, and this means that there are some 1,000 teams in total. Usually, each team plays between 12 and 14 games per season, depending on how well they have done. The industry, meanwhile, is huge. Millions of dollars are raised, but none of the players are paid a salary. Some colleges have come to rely on sponsorship money for the teams so much, that they couldn’t stay open without it.

Naturally, college football wouldn’t be the same without the fans. They are the biggest source of revenue as well. Fan loyalty is huge and they will attend any game they can get to. Fans buy the jerseys, hats, t-shirts, coffee cups, and other merchandise to tell the world who they support. In many cases, fans are ex-players themselves and most are also alumni from that particular college or university. It is a family affair, with many people of the same family supporting the same team.

Some of the top teams in the country bring in about a million dollars a year. This is made up of contributions, sponsorship deals, ticket sales, and merchandise sales. Clearly, therefore, colleges continue to function on this revenue, using it to improve their overall educational attainment as well. One big part of this is travel. College players have to be able to travel in order to play all those games that are not at home. Each year, they are part of the National Football League, and they hope to make it to the top. Players want to travel in comfort and style as well, and this is driving big business.

There is something unique about college football. These are players that genuinely do it for the love of their school, their team, and they community. It is not uncommon to see three generations of people celebrating the winnings of one team together, wearing their various vintage jerseys.

Arden Andersen Celebrates Kansas’ History Through Schools

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Arden Andersen is incredibly proud of the Kansas City education system. One of the reasons for this is because they have such a strong focus on history. Students actively take part in projects to not just commemorate certain pieces of history, but actually relive them to a degree.

Arden Andersen Helps to Honor the Heroes

The first time Andersen became aware of just how much Kansas City schools celebrate history, is when he took part in an Honor the Heroes program. What stood out to him was that schools in Kansas City are often name after local luminaries. This is very different from the national trend, where only national heroes are commemorated in this way. This fascinated Andersen so much, that he completed a piece of research together William S. Worley. Together, Anderson and this University of Missouri, Kansas City adjunct professor uncovered some very interesting insights.

Anti-Slavery Heroes

The work done by Andersen first uncovered that, in 1870, Kansas City schools decided that those schools that had mainly black students should also be taught by black teachers. This is perhaps not such a surprising decision in itself, since segregation was still very normal in those days. However, the education system in Kansas City is so good that what it actually did, was create a whole new class made up of true thought leaders of African American origin. This is seen nowhere else in the country, where black populations continued to be very poorly educated.

The schools themselves continued to be named after white leaders, but mainly those who played an important role in the abolishment of slavery. Lincoln was a very popular name, therefore. However, William Lloyd Garrison, who was a famous abolitionist, was also honored in this way, as was the Senator of Massachusetts, Charles Summer, whose anti-slavery position led to him being physically attacked.

Two decades later, in the 1890s, Blanche K. Bruce was honored as a black senator from Mississippi. This was followed by Phyllis Wheately, and African America poet. R.T. Coles and W.W. Yates were honored for their roles as black educators, playing a hugely important role in the cultural and educational development of the city. The Benton Grammar School changed its name o D. A. Holmes in 1953, honoring the unofficial School Board member and pastor, who interviewed teaching applicants of black heritage. Schools have also often been named after corporate heads and philanthropists who have helped the educational system. One example of this is J.C. Nichols, the real estate developer.

Most recently, the Primitivo Garcia Elementary School was named. Garcia lost his life trying to protect a woman who was attacked and is a true hero. While these are trends seen all over the country and not just in Kansas City, what sets this apart is that the names here are all genuinely connected to the past of the city itself. Kansas City is made up of real people, and their education system is closely connected to this.

The Modern Conveniences We Enjoy Thanks to Civil Engineering

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When we live our daily lives, we usually don’t think about all the different things that are around us that have been constructed by man. We don’t look at a sidewalk and wonder about the complex processes that have gone in placing it there. We don’t consider the intricate construction of the buildings we live and work in. When we flush the toilet, we don’t wonder where everything goes. These are all typical conveniences in life that we take for granted but that we should thank experts like Reddy Kancharla for. These conveniences have been made possible thanks to civil engineering.

What Are Civil Engineers?

Civil engineers like Kancharla are experts who work on our natural environment and make it fit for human population, while attempting to conserve the planet at the same time. They are the ones who make sure bridges are safe, for instance. They erect it, manage it constructions, research how it will be used, and more. They determine how long the bridge will be, how much traffic will cross it, what the natural environment around the bridge is, and more. These are all hugely important considerations in something as seemingly simple as a bridge.

Civil engineers existed long before their profession was officially recognized. Think back to our ancestors, for instance, who constructed roads or identified various natural travel paths. Human beings have always migrated all over the world, which means engineering was always required. Roads had to be constructed, as did dwellings. These were temporary structures at first, but quickly started to become more permanent. It didn’t take our ancestors long to start to demand construction techniques that would increase their comfort and make life easier as well. Those responsible for that were early civil engineers, and we have them to thank for the lives we have today.

Imagine, for a minute, the look of our planet if engineering had not been developed at all. We would have no idea of how to construct our homes, our break walls, our lighthouses, our canals, and our roads. If civil engineers hadn’t developed and shared their knowledge, then we probably would not be able to be sheltered from the awesome force of Mother Nature. Simple rainfall would flood our homes, and the real natural disasters such as heat waves, earthquakes, and hurricanes would virtually destroy society. Society, in essence, would collapse.

We live our lives today in the knowledge that we are safe, but we don’t consider how much of that safety is down to the fantastic work of civil engineers. We forget that we are not even close to being able to control Mother Nature, but that we can only live side by side with her and that this arrangement has been made possible thanks to the work of civil engineers. We owe professionals like Reddy Kancharla and all the others who are involved in this field a great deal of gratitude because, without them, we would not be able to live.

4 Secrets that were Hidden Beneath Famous Works of Art

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Have you ever looked at a piece of art in your living room and wondered if it had a secret to tell? While only you can answer that question, scientists have been able to establish the facts behind these following four secrets, which were indeed hidden within the frames of some extremely famous pieces of art (except the last one).

The Mysterious Man in The Blue Room

Even people who have little idea about art know Picasso’s The Blue Room, but what even the art connoisseurs had no idea about until just a few years ago is the fact that it has a hidden picture beneath the paint. The Blue Room stays true to its name as it has a predominant bluish hue in both color and mood, but the man with a bowtie, which infrared scanning and multi-spectral imaging reveal to us, is more mysterious than anything else. Although the identity of the man is not yet known, he clearly preceded The Blue Room on the same canvas, before the great artist changed his mind.

The Hidden Roman Fresco in The Louvre

It only makes sense that the world’s biggest and most famous art museum had a hidden Roman fresco under one of the paintings. The famous 19th-century art collector, Giampietro Campana, was a painter himself and, in his time, he had painted quite a few frescos. Strangely enough, under one of his own works, scientists managed to find an ancient fresco that is of Roman origin and was originally painted thousands of years ago. The Terahertz spectroscopy managed to reveal little more than an eye, a nose, and a mouth, but the discovery itself was astounding enough. 

The Woman underneath Patch of Grass

Back in 2008, a scan using X-ray technology in particle accelerators unveiled a mysterious woman under Van Gogh’s famous Patch of Grass. The woman is likely of peasant origin although her identity cannot possibly be known. The discovery was marvelous, but it should be noted that back in the day when Van Gogh used to paint, poor artists reusing their canvases was not uncommon.

The Whitewashed Da Vinci

Admittedly, this one doesn’t involve a famous canvas hiding another picture within it, but it does involve something which is no less interesting. One of Leonardo Da Vinci’s huge murals was discovered on a wall in Sforza Castle, after being hidden under about 20 layers of whitewash for an unknown number of decades. Luckily, the painting was discovered in time. Restoration work is still in progress to restore this mural to its former glory. In case you are wondering, it’s a number of trees that went the full height of the wall and formed a pergola on top of the ceiling.

If all these artistic mysteries and their discoveries got you intrigued and you happen to love art, then head on over to Fine Art America and find yourself a piece that calls out to you. They happen to be the world’s largest online marketplace for art and print-on-demand technology, so you are sure to find more than just one piece to your liking.

Fine art is a joy, so add some to your home!