Nigerian Woman Who Lost Her Job In The UK For Refusing To Work On Sundays Plans To Appeal The Ruling

 A devout Christian who lost her job after refusing to work on Sunday is mounting a fresh court appeal this week.

Celestina Mba, 58, lost a previous case after a judge ruled that not all Christians observed the Sabbath as religious. But she is now taking her case to the Court of Appeal and if successful could establish the right of Christians to refuse to work on a Sunday.

Mba, a children's care worker, will argue that every employer has a duty to 'reasonably accommodate' religious beliefs in the workplace. The legal challenge comes after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Britain had failed to protect the freedom of Nadia Eweida, a British Airways employee who was suspended after refusing to remove a cross at work.Mba's lawyer, Paul Diamond, is expected to argue that the ruling in Eweida's favour extends to religious days as well as items of clothing.

Under the new ruling the baptist mother-of-three only has to prove that she herself holds the belief, not that it is a general rule which all Christians observe.

Shopworkers are already guaranteed the right to refuse to work Sundays, but other businesses must prove a legitimate need to force people to work.

If the court rules in Mba's favour it could also grant Muslims the right to take Friday off, and Jews to be excused on Friday and Saturday.If successful, campaigners hope the Court of Appeal ruling would mark a rare victory for Christian causes in British courts Mba, who is now working a new job in south west London which allows her to take Sundays off, quit her previous job in 2010 after a row broke out.

Between 2007 when she was first employed and 2008 Mba claims her employers, Brightwell children's home, were happy to accommodate her request after she mentioned it at her interview.

Mba's case has be launched after Nadia Eweida won her case in the European Court of Human Rights over the right to wear a cross at work Mba's case has be launched after Nadia Eweida won her case in the European Court of Human Rights over the right to wear a cross at work. However in 2008 she was told she would have to work, and began getting other staff members to cover for her, until she was called to a disciplinary hearing in 2010 after which she left.

During the case she said: 'I was willing to work at any unsocial time of shift in order to preserve my Sundays, I was prepared to work nights, or Saturdays .'She argued that she doesn't just go to church on Sundays, but spends the whole day caring for vulnerable people in her community as part of her church's ministerial team. The order to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy is the fourth of the ten commandments. John Deegan, Mba's manager who also gave evidence at the time, told the tribunal he did not believe she had specified she could not work Sundays.

Christian campaigners hope this week's case could provide a welcome victory for a faith they feel has been overlooked when it comes to sensitive issues. Andrea Williams, founder of the Christian Legal Centre, told The Sunday Times: 'The courts have acted to protect the kara bracelet (worn by Sikhs), Afro cornrow haircuts, the wearing of a hijab and a Muslim's right to fast, but have refused to grant protection to the cross of the Christian Sunday.

In January this year Nadia Eweida praised Jesus after winning her seven year long appeal after she was suspended from her job as a British Airways air stewardess when a customer complained that they found a cross she was wearing offensive.

The ruling, which was praised by David Cameron, said that a uniform dress code didn't supersede her right to express her faith.

Source: Daily Mail UK

Amazing Photos from the London Tattoo convention

Some interesting photos from the London Tattoo convention  for those who love tattoos. Take your pick....

 The first picture….. so romantic!!!

More below:

 

DRINKING THREE LITRES OF WATER A DAY CAN HELP PREVENT THE RISK OF KIDNEY STONES SAID EXPERTS

Thousands of new cases of kidney stones every year are caused by ignorance or denial of the need to drink three litres of water a day, according to a leading doctor.
Bhaskar Somani, a consultant urological surgeon at Southampton General Hospital, said a lack of awareness about the dangers of dehydration was responsible for an annual increase in renal stone admissions, including among young people in their twenties.
'The number of people admitted to hospital suffering severe pain and discomfort due to kidney stones is increasing by between 5 per cent and 10 per cent every year,' he said.

'Over the past decade, the number of hospital admissions for renal stones in the UK rose by 63 per cent to more than 80,000 and there is no sign of these numbers letting up.'
Kidney stones develop when crystals of salt gather into lumps and are not flushed out of the body due to a lack of adequate hydration, often lodging in the urinary system's tubes.
They can cause severe abdominal and groin pain which, in many cases, can only be corrected through surgery.
cent every year,' he said.
The condition affects about 10 to 20 per cent of men and 3 to 5 per cent of women between the ages of 30 and 60.
At Southampton General Hospital, the number of patients admitted to hospital every month has almost doubled - a trend Mr Somani said would continue without intervention.
'The only way to drive this down is to drive home the message that healthy lifestyle, diet and fluid intake is the best way to prevent the development and recurrence of stones,' he said.
'With evidence that 50 per cent of patients treated are likely to have a recurrence within ten years, largely due to complacency around hydration within a few years of having surgery, we know we face an uphill battle to change the national mindset, but we must make a start.'
Mr Somani said all adults should aim to drink between two to three litres of water a day, while former stone patients should maintain a daily intake upwards of three litres to avoid recurrence.
He has also called for the introduction of a screening programme for all high risk patients - those with diabetes, gout or inflammatory bowel disease - and regular monitoring of people who suffered their first incidence of stones under the age of 25.
Source:Dailymail

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA TO BAN PURE WATER IN 2014

Determined to check the continued despoliation of the environment, the Federal Government yesterday said plans are underway to ban the use of plastic bags in the country.Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadza Mailafia, who dropped the hint during the 2013 World Environment Day celebration in Abuja, said government would favour the use of paper bags in their place.Mailafia, who said the ban would take effect from January 2014, also said the Federal Government was also considering banning the use of sachet water.


According to her, the move to ban the plastic bags are necessitated by the numerous health and environmental hazards associated with their use.

The minister noted that unlike the paper bags that could easily decompose, plastic bags are non-biogradable materials which could stay in the soil for years, contaminating water sources when washed into the rivers by the rain.

Relying on the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO’s, statistics, the environment minister said one-third of global food production is wasted from farm to stock which is equivalent to 1.3 billion tonnes of food annually; while an estimated 870 million people go hungry worldwide. She said more than 20,000 children under the age of five also die daily from hunger.

SHE IS A NIGERIAN AND WEST AFRICA’S FIRST FEMALE MILITARY PILOT

Woman

She was commissioned as a Combat Flying Officer alongside 126 others who finished the Direct Short Service Course 2010/2011 Cadets of the 325 Ground Training Group at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna.
Present at the winging ceremony (badge decoration) was the then Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Dikko Umar who described her training as a ‘very laudable achievement‘.
She was quite excited and proud to have made history and said: “It is very uplifting and I feel very proud of myself though it has been very challenging. Coming from the civil war and the civil mentality, the Air Force has done a great job because it has changed our orientation. I believe that all females have equal opportunity to dignify their rights in whatever adventure they choose they can do.”
‘As a first female pilot I would want to make a mark that would encourage other females to join the military because I believe that all females have equal opportunity to exercise their rights in whatever they choose to do, I believe that all female Nigerians who choose to become pilots can do it since I have done it.

This is a remarkable achievement, one that should drive our ladies to know and see themselves as been able to achieve the impossible and break the so called glass ceiling in any sphere you find yourself

BUSINESS START UP TIPS

Establishing a business can be a daunting task, but experts say it can be achieved with careful planning:

The thought of owning a business is amusing to many people. However, as much as people will ‘love’ to own their own businesses, many admit that they have little or no idea about what it takes to establish them; they don’t know where to start from.

But because the thought of starting out on their own has been so hard to ignore, many people braved the odds and set up businesses only for them to collapse because they failed to consider many vital aspects.

 According to experts, starting a business is quite tasking because it requires serious planning. They, however, say the process can be fun and easy for people who take the time out to either consult professionals or carry out some form of research.

Before saying goodbye to life as an employee, you have to be prepared to take certain steps; failure to do so, they explain, may only reduce your chances of achieving your goals. Some of these steps are explained below.

ARE YOU QUALIFIED?

As appealing as the idea of being your own boss is, experts are of the view that many people are incapable of running a business or becoming successful entrepreneurs. Unlike paid employment, which may only require expertise in an area and a few traits such as discipline and hard work, being entrepreneur requires much more. In addition to discipline, such qualities as self-confidence and credibility are important. You have to also have excellent communications and human and time management skills, among others. Of course, some of the skills required to run a business can be improved along the way, but experts warn that starting without the requisite skills would be a costly mistake. So, be sure you are qualified.

BE SURE ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO

Though experts admit that starting a business can be a very challenging thing for people, especially those who have been in paid employment for a long time, they say remaining in paid employment because of this fear can lead to regret later, if things don’t work out. This is why experts advise people against starting a business because that is the only option open to them. They say once you are sure about why you want to start your business, you will be able to approach it with a great attitude and find it easier to handle challenges and go through the process without relenting.

COME UP WITH A GREAT CONCEPT

Before you quit your job to become an entrepreneur, you must first think of a concept, product or service that will generate a steady stream of income. This may sound easy, but for most people, this is actually the hardest part. You should conceive a plan that puts your knowledge, experience and expertise to use in the most profitable way possible. Once you settle on an idea, research the marketplace to see how similar businesses have fared.
It is recommended that you start out with a business that you are passionate and knowledgeable about.

 CONSIDER SUPPORT

Whatever you want to do, you will require help and goodwill. So, when you are thinking about starting a business, it is important that you also consider what those whose help you would require think about your plan. Consult your family and friends and take their views into consideration, knowing that you are not going to do it all by yourself.

CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN

No matter the amount of support, expertise and funds at your disposal, experts warn that without a great business plan, you are unlikely to succeed in setting up a good business.
Your business plan is supposed to be the blueprint or guide to everything you do regarding the business. It contains everything from your goal (mission/vision) to the nature of product or service you want to provide, among other things.

SORT OUT YOUR CAPITAL

According to experts, many entrepreneurs make the mistake of thinking that a successful business is down to the amount of money available for the business. But businesses floated with millions of naira have gone on to fail, while those established with thousands of naira have grown to command billions of naira in assets and profit. Nonetheless, you will require capital to start your business; to produce your product and pay employees, etc.
In sourcing the funds, it is important that you go to the right sources. Financial experts say small businesses and startups are better off depending on friends, and relatives as well as the entrepreneur’s savings for capital. But many people turn to the banks and borrow huge sums at high interest rates, hoping that they would break even in a short while and pay off the loans. But the reality is that because of the interest rates, they find themselves using all their profits to service the loans, with little left to grow the business.

DRAW UP A BUDGET FOR THE BUSINESS

When it comes to raising funds or spending money to keep a business running, many people rely on assumptions. According to experts, for a business to utilize ‘scarce’ funds effectively, they are better off operating based on a budget. As such, it is important that you draw up budgets for your business. Do not become one of those who say things like, “With N5m, I will be able to cover all expenses.” Experts say you can come up with a proper budget for your business through research or market surveys and the likes.

GET A STRATEGIC OFFICE

The nature of the business you want to do and the location of your targeted customer base are some of the things you have to take into consideration in citing your office or workspace. Many people just opt for the available space, but this may not be good enough. Whether you are working from home or renting an office, be sure that your workspace is designed to enable you work efficiently. If you are running an ecommerce business, then you must ensure that your website is designed properly or professionally.

GET AS MUCH HELP AS POSSIBLE

Do not try to do it all by yourself. There are many professionals out there and also resources on the internet that can help you handle the technical aspects of establishing a business. Such things as getting your business incorporated and drawing up legal (proper) employment letters and terms for your workers are very important. So also is paying your tax and operating in line with the best practice in the industry you are setting up a business in. These are some of the areas where you need help.

BE CREATIVE, PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

It is important that your business is ahead of the competition and the times. To achieve this, it is important that you predict and react to possible trends in the future. You have to reinvent your business constantly. You have to plan for the growth of the business and the challenges that come with it. Also, you have to ensure that your business can adapt to changing times and economic challenges.

OLUCHI ORLANDI TO HOST AFRICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL

Here's Tyra Bank's tweet welcoming her to the family.

Excited Oluchi also said this;

“I am excited to be hosting Africa’s Next Top Model and it is great to be part of the successful America’s Next Top Model franchise that Tyra Banks created and has hosted for an impressive 20 cycles thus far in the U.S.

The African version of the franchise is long overdue and I expect the show to be a smashing success across the continent. My company, LuLu Productions, will be partnering with Never Machine productions with Gavin Wratten as co-executive producer and also one of the giant media houses to help make this show a big success

YVONNE NELSON HONOURED.

Yvonne Nelson was honoured over the weekend by Printex, the publishers of “Go Woman” for her contribution towards the movie industry and efforts to increase National Glaucoma awareness