9 interesting running facts

9 interesting running facts

Whether you are a first-time runner, or you’ve been running for years, some of these facts about running will interest you.

FACT 1

Even if you’re a slow jogger, you’ll burn at least 10 calories per minute of running. That means you can hope to run off that block of chocolate you ate in less than 23 minutes.

FACT 2

Over 1 billion pairs of running shoes are sold world-wide each year. Oh, I hope you’ve bought your running shoes for Run for the Future 5? Best to be prepared on time.

FACT 3

Athletes dressed in red are more likely to win events than athletes wearing any other colour. Does this mean we’ll be seeing you in red on that day?

FACT 4

12 of the world’s top 20 distance runners are members of the Kalenjin tribe of northwest Kenya. You won’t be seeing the Kenyans at the run, meaning you have an even greater chance of winning cool prizes.

FACT 5

The youngest marathon runner is Budhia Singh who completed 48 marathons by age 5. The oldest person to complete a marathon was Fauja Singh from India, he was 100 years old at the time. Even more interesting is the fact that Fauja didn’t start running until he was 89 years of age. It’s never too late. Start with this run/walk.

FACT 6

Music can boost your running performance by up to 15%! But if you fall under number 2, 3 or 4 of our six types of runners breakdown, you may not be needing music after all.

FACT 7

Did you know that eating baked beetroot can improve your running performance? Now beetroot might not be your idea of a yummy snack before a run/walk, but if it gives you that Usain Bolt kinda rush, why not?

FACT 8

Stretching before a run will make your body less efficient making you unable to run as far. Just like every other workout, it is best to start out with a dynamic movement sort of warm up. And guess what? We have just the right kind of fun warm ups for you on D-day.

FACT 9

According to research, running is an excellent way to increase your creativity and boost your productivity at work. The work week right after RFTF 5 suddenly looks super productive!

It’s four weeks to Run for the Future 5. If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? Register here now.

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Next-of-kin Vs Beneficiary: Who gets what?

Next-of-kin Vs Beneficiary: Who gets what?

Ubong sat in the seat with her notepad and fiddled with her pen as she waited for Mr. Edewor to finish with his phone call and resume the interview.

Being a journalist had taught her patience and she was grateful for that. The minutes went by and Mr. Edewor’s call seemed unending. While Ubong wasn’t one to eavesdrop on the conversation of others, she couldn’t help her sudden interest and curiosity in the ongoing conversation.

“No, Esther. Don’t create a scene there. Basil didn’t make you his beneficiary so you have no claims to his estate”, continued Mr. Edewor. His response obviously triggered an outburst on the other end of the line, which he responded to.

“See Esther, I’m in the middle of an interview and your shouting and crying is not what I need right now. Your husband may have filled in your name as his next-of-kin in all documents, but pertaining his investments and will, the name there is his younger brother’s name. So yes, Fredrick is right to challenge your claims. I’ll hang up now to call you later. In the meantime, pull yourself together, I’m sure it can all be worked out.”

Mr. Edewor ended the call and with a shake of the head said his apologies ready to get back to the matter at hand. But Ubong wasn’t ready for the matter at hand.

In all her education and exposure, she couldn’t understand why she was just hearing that there was a difference between next-of-kin and beneficiary.

Are you like Ubong? Don’t fret. We will be breaking down all you need to know about next-of-kin and beneficiary in today’s episode of ARM Life Living Benefits show.

Tune in on Smooth 98.1FM by 6.40pm (Lagos) and you might also get to win a gift voucher!

 

 

 

 

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Source: Blog

Abu’s Journey (2): NYSC PPA ordeal

Abu’s Journey (2): NYSC PPA ordeal

Did you miss Episode one? Read it here

A few hugs and tears later, Abu and Yinka were on separate buses to their respective Places of primary assignment.

Abu wasn’t so sure of the folks posted to the same village with him. They didn’t appear lively. He tried to make conversation but got monosyllabic responses. “Ha! My own don finish” he thought.

Relaxing to the weirdness of his colleagues, Abu dozed off. It must have been about 3 hours of sleep before Abu woke to discover they were still in transit. “Wharrahell!!!” he mused. Turning to Fayose seated right beside him, he nudged him asking “Guy, we never still reach?” Fayose responded “Omo, na so me sef see am o… whether na hell we dey go, I no know”.

Less than 5 minutes after their brief complaints, the rickety bus came to an abrupt halt. “We don reach fa” shouted the driver. “Oya, come dan”, he continued impatiently.

Abu and his colleagues alighted and met their first surprise. Kankara corpers camp was set almost away from the village in a wide expanse of land. Abu threw his hands up in exasperation and shouted “Save me Lord”… His voice echoed back at him.

He immediately brought out his mobile phone to call Yinka and lament his predicament. Then the second surprise hit him. There was no connection for his network. “What??? Just kill me now now” yelled Abu. More complaints from his colleagues filled the air.

Resigned to fate and finally settling in to the warm welcome of the Batch B corpers that were already there, Abu and his colleagues got succor with the news that they could access alternative mobile networks. Finally, he could call Yinka!

Service Year

Slowly but surely, the service year rolled by. Abu poured himself totally to teaching his students, even though sometimes he had to practically use sign language for the not-so-bright lads who understood only Hausa language. His students loved him, personality and all. The ladies cozied up to him. How wouldn’t they? Abu was the complete package. But Abu wasn’t here for all that. In the absence of fun, all he could look forward to was seeing Yinka again and finishing NYSC.

Headcounts were so exciting for him because he got to see Yinka. The excitement tripled when he realized Malunfashi was just 40 minutes away from Kankara. Meaning more frequency in their meeting.

Joe the ‘Stoneface’, his close friend serving in Lagos and nicknamed for having a permanent frown made his week by regularly sending the video link to ARM Pension’s Diary of a job hunter series acted by Fish. Abu would forget his sorrows as he laughed so hard with Yinka each time they watched the video together, then proceed to write down the lessons learnt. They were both bent on never being in Fish’s predicament when they finished youth service.

Sparks ignite…

What started as a friendship between two like minds soon became complicated.

Abu didn’t understand how he felt. A chronic ‘playboy’, he refused to admit that his sudden fondness for Yinka had become love. Yinka on the other hand, told herself she didn’t share the passion. She had a bae and wasn’t prepared to bail on him.

So as months flew by and the end of NYSC neared, Abu feared for his fate. He had waited for the end of youth service desperately and now that it was here, he felt an emptiness. He thought of his journey back to Lagos and Yinka’s move back to Abuja. Would he ever see her again? Did their relationship mean enough to her?

These thoughts ran ceaselessly in Abu’s head as he prepared for Passing Out Parade. Even though he tried to tell himself that the feeling will pass when he got back to the groove in Lagos, a part of him said otherwise.

…………………………………..

“Yeah babe, I miss you too and I love you” Yinka cooed to Tony her boyfriend of 3 years. This time though, there was a catch in her voice. Did she really mean what she just said? Yes, she liked Abu a lot, but why did it feel like she felt more?

 

P.O.P Finally…

Packed up and ready to wave goodbye to Katsina, Abu and Yinka made their way back to the orientation camp in Katsina town for the Passing Out Parade and collection of their NYSC discharge certificate.

The place was buzzing with activities and the march past was in progress. Soon, corp members began collecting their certificates.

A few hours later, with certificates tucked inside their bags, Yinka and Abu flagged a bus back to Kankara. Yinka would take another drop from there to Malunfashi, before leaving finally for Abuja. The ride back was made in silence. For a duo that always had a lot to discuss, it was a weird occurrence.

When they got down at Kankara, Abu looked Yinka in the eyes and for the first time in many years, tears filled his eyes.

 

 

(What happens next between Abu and Yinka? What did the future hold after NYSC? Find out in next week’s episode)

 

 

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Starting a business later in life

Starting a business later in life

Even if retirement is still a world away from you, the time will eventually come when you will wind down your career and retire.  As retirement approaches, the question of what to do with all the time and money that would soon be at your disposal cannot be ignored.

Is it too late to follow your dreams? Can you survive a life different from the very structured one you have lived over the last few decades? What about rest, family and the jolly good time that should come after years of dedicated service? How long can you comfortably live on your retirement benefits? Several thoughts run through your mind.

While many find that they might not be able to pursue the dreams they had as youths, lots of retirees discover businesses they can do to keep busy and maintain an income stream. Regardless of your age or interests, opportunities abound for you to tap into post retirement. You might however want to tread cautiously as you are no longer as young and agile as you once were. Since you cannot risk losing your capital, your retirement benefits should be invested in a venture that is guaranteed to bring consistent returns. Low risk should be the watch-word.

Before you make that all-important decision of what business to venture into, consider the points highlighted below;

What lifestyle changes are you willing to take on?

There are certain lifestyle habits you have built over the years that might be hard to drop. Such should be considered in the choice of a business venture. If for instance your job is one that entails a lot of travel, would you be comfortable leading a business that keeps you in one place? Are you looking forward to relaxed mornings post retirement or would you rather a business that allows you keep up the early morning schedule you have run for years? Do you want a business that occupies you every day or one that allows you leisure and travel time as often as you desire? All these and more should inform your decision.

What does it cost to run your household?

Do you still have dependents or are you an empty-nester with only yourself and your spouse to look after? Whatever business venture you settle for must be one that can conveniently cater to your needs and your household’s. While you may not be able to maintain the same lifestyle you enjoyed while in service, the plunge shouldn’t be too deep. You and your family should still be able to enjoy your life together.

Do you have adequate capital for starting a business?

It is often unsafe to just assume what it will cost to start a business. It is wise to research extensively and make projections based on adequate information. You might find that you do not have enough to properly float the idea that has been dancing in your head. Perhaps you could consider another business line or a less costly but efficient way to execute the idea on your mind.

What about a Franchise?

Have you considered buying a franchise instead of starting afresh? A franchise allows you tap into the goodwill enjoyed by an already established business. It also eliminates the trouble, time requirement and cost of registration, building corporate culture and identity, etc. It could also guarantee that you have a ready market for your business. Buying a franchise can greatly reduce the risk you are exposed to.

Large or small scale?

Do you plan to launch out big or you just want something to keep body and soul together? While a shop in front of your house or even a home office might suffice for something targeted at subsistence, a larger scale business would require logistics such as location, staff, online presence, among others. It is good to pre-determine all these in relation to your health status and available resources.

Bringing it all together, a detailed financial plan is required to set off on the right foot and starting a business. A financial plan will clearly define the resources available to you vis-à-vis the resources you need, thus enabling you to make apt projections and draw up an actionable plan.

Let’s help you get things started, contact us today for a plan that is tailor made for you and investment opportunities you can explore.

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Source: Blog

The answer

The answer

The thought just wouldn’t go away. It lurked within Ugobiri no matter how much he tried to shake it off.

Perhaps it was the chain of events happening all over the world that brought this feeling. Ugobiri had even gotten scared of swiping his phone and clicking on his News update app. He feared he would be greeted by either bad news, or truth that hits right between the eyes.

Then the dreams began.

Almost every two nights, Ugobiri saw himself giving words of advice to his two children Amanda and Luke. Sometimes, it was him looking at them with sad eyes and regret. It all didn’t make sense. But he knew it was the universe passing a message to him.

At work, Ugobiri narrated his unease and dreams to Felix his boisterous colleague. Felix thought deeply and after lunch called Ugobiri. “Ugo baba, I’ve given a thought to this your matter o. The thing use style tire me. But I sort of agree with you. It is some form of warning. One you should take seriously.”

Ugobiri nodded and moved on to inspecting the machinery and ensuring they worked well. He was the Chief Machinery Supervisor at Bixcu Construction PortHarcourt.

Felix’s answer did not help him in any way. He wondered where else he could get answers as he worked. When he got home, he again called Nancy his wife and told her of his dreams. Nancy, being the very spiritual wife, assured Ugobiri that God must be sending a message to him. Fasting and praying may reveal the exact meaning

As the days went by and his dreams and thoughts remained on his children, Ugobiri started to think about life as a parent.

His daughter, Amanda wants to be a pilot. Her face lit up when she talked about flying aircrafts and being the hero that so many people entrusted their lives to. Luke on the other hand, wants to be the voice of the voiceless. Law was his future and his mannerism and actions showed he was born for it.

Ugobiri was a proud dad and was sure he’ll do whatever it took to help realise his children’s dreams. But one question bothered him. One question makes him anxious. What happens if he can’t help his children achieve their dreams?

The answer…

Ugobiri hated being uncertain or living in fear. The past few weeks had kept him a prisoner of fear and uncertainty and he needed escape.

That escape would come masqueraded in the event that took place at work that day.

Ugobiri and Felix had just come back from lunch to notice Joseph, the crane operator hard at work manning the crane. Noticing that the hoist which held the crane carrying heavy metals wasn’t properly secured, Ugobiri called out to him. Perhaps the deafening noise in the yard was too much for Joseph to hear him or the universe chose that day to reveal some truth to Ugobiri…. as it all happened in a flash.

Grrrrr….Gbam! The crane had come off its hoist and in a split second, Ugobiri saw the heavy mass of metals falling from the crane.

Moments later, Ugobiri opened his eyes to see himself on the ground with Felix on top of him. “Phew! That was a close one Ugo. Now you owe me one”, said Felix as he stood to dust his clothes.

Ugobiri stood quietly as his heart beat fast against his chest. He was deep in thoughts as he strolled quietly to a corner to sit. What if this incident had ended badly? What would become of his family? His children and their dreams?

Now it all made sense. His dreams and unease pointed only to one thing. Ugobiri realized that life was full of uncertainties and any unanticipated jolt could mean the end of his children’s dreams. Unless he took needed action.

 

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Source: Blog

7 annoying habits of Nigerian drivers

7 annoying habits of Nigerian drivers

Raise your hand if you’ve ever driven in a metropolitan city without encountering drama by fellow drivers.

With the resumption of school resulting in increased traffic and parents doing their best to marry school run with getting to work on time, the drama on our roads have taken on a whole new dimension.

If it is not the Keke Marwa guys doing stunts on the road as though they had nine lives, it’s the bus drivers making every effort to scratch your car with their maneuvers.

When you think you’ve had enough of them, you encounter those who look very normal but spew insults at you at the slightest provocation. Driving in a cosmopolitan city is a real adventure.

Here are some of the most annoying habits drivers exhibit:

Erratic driving

You are driving and suddenly one car from nowhere swerves in front of you without any indication. That ought to be annoying, right? Even more annoying is the fact that the driver will just ‘face front’ like they didn’t know what just happened. They drive in and out of lanes, brake forcefully and accelerate like they are on a chase. This attitude has caused and is still causing many accidents.

Bumping and scratching

This is when that driver comes close enough to bump your car from behind. You jump out to spit fire and brimstone and some of them just relax in their seats like ‘do your worst’… Another category of guilty parties here are those Tricycles and ‘Danfo’ bus drivers that will be fighting for space with you on the road, but the minute they bump into or scratch your car, they fall flat on the ground and begin begging.

The abuses

These ones come out on the road ready to throw abuses at every other driver. Wave at them and they assume you want to ‘plead’ for space in front of them and they hurl one abuse at you. The day is never complete for them until they’ve abused someone.

Snail-speeding

Hunk all you want; this driver will keep at a slow and steady speed. You must get worked up and overtake them to see that they are not the least bothered by your loud horn blares.

Incessant horn tooting

This can get annoying if you can’t see any reason for the non-stop honking. This kind of drivers blare their horns even when they are still very far away from the car in front of them. They seem to like the sound of their own horns to the annoyance of fellow drivers.

Tailgating

How do you feel when a car is close-marking you with no space in between you two? Unnerving, right? But most metropolitan drivers wouldn’t care less. They can’t bear the thought of another car coming in front of them in traffic so they practically shadow you.

Answering calls or texting

It is dangerous, they say. Don’t do it, Road Safety officials advice. Yet, this habit is seen often among younger drivers.

 

Did we miss any habit that annoys you as a driver? Share your experience in the comment section.

 

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Source: Blog

Abu’s NYSC PPA Ordeal

Abu’s NYSC PPA Ordeal

Three weeks of NYSC camp was finally over and Abu was shaking all over.

He had heard horror stories of remote and boring places of primary assignment. God forbid he found himself in such a place. A full-fledged optimist, Abu didn’t need boredom in his life. Not at all.

Despite the early morning bugle, meditation, strenuous drills and harassment from soldiers, the fun in Katsina camp these three weeks had been too much. Everyone, especially Abu didn’t want it to end. But everything that has a beginning must have an end. So, that end was upon Abu and his colleagues.

The List

Sitting under a comfortable shade provided by the Guava tree to avoid the scorching sun, Abu and Yinka talked about spending as much time as possible together in case of being posted to different villages. He had taken a liking to Yinka the first day she yelled at him for bumping into her at the Mami market. He loved her guts, her courage. Since then, they had become inseparable.

Soon, the pavilion ground was teeming with youth corps members all anxious to hear where they’d been posted. Before long, the names started reeling out with shouts of ‘I’m here’ echoing all over the place.

‘Abubakar Hassan!’ roared the woman. ‘See me here o’, Abu shouted as he pushed and elbowed his way to the front to collect his posting letter.

His heart beat loudly in his chest and he was sure everyone could hear the thump of his scared heart. Pushing and shoving, he finally arrived at the back to join Yinka under the guava tree.

‘Open it na’ Yinka said almost grabbing the letter from him. ‘Abeg wait jor… fear dey catch me’, replied Abu. ‘You’ll open it anyway’ Yinka said and grabbed the letter from him before making a run for it. Abu chased after her but midway, that deep female voice yelled again ‘Yinka Badmus’…

Stopping in her tracks, Yinka flung Abu’s letter at him and hurried to pick up her letter.

When she doubled back, they both decided to open their letters together. At the count of three, they opened it up and buried their faces in it.

A few seconds later, Abu lifts expectant eyes to Yinka. ‘Where were you posted?’ he asked. Yinka responded ‘Malunfashi. You?’ Abu thumped his fist into his palms and replied through gritted teeth ‘A place named Kankara.’

The PPA journey begins…  (In next week’s episode, Abu comes face to face with his Place of Primary Assignment… horror or not?)

 

 

 

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Source: Blog

When to have the “money talk” with your child

When to have the “money talk” with your child

“Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” ~ Jim Henson

 

As adorable as children are, they are also very impressionable. They mirror what they see.

It is easier for a child to pick up a habit they see adults around them exhibit, than what they are told to do. That is the reason it is normal to see children play dress-up with their parents’ clothes and shoes. Same reason they imitate adults in phone conversations or when splattering make-up on their faces just to look like mum.

Because children are quick to learn things, it is therefore wise to mould them into the adults we want them to become from an early stage.

One way to do this effectively is by showing them who they can become by who you are. Charity they say does begin at home.

Money habits…

A vital part of parenting is teaching your children good habits. But we often forget that, when it comes to money. We think that the best time to talk about handling finances is when they are through with secondary or university education, but in truth, the right time is when they’ve learnt to count.

If you are a parent or you plan to have children, it is necessary that you start early to create a financial foundation for your kids if you expect them to make sound financial decisions as they grow. It begins with teaching them good financial habits.

But how and when do you do this?

We will answer that on ARM Life Living Benefits show on Smooth 98.1FM by 6.40pm (Lagos), 6.45pm (Abuja) and 6.00pm (PortHarcourt).

Make sure to tune in today. You could also win a gift voucher at the end of the show!

 

 

 

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Source: Blog

So You’ve Finished NYSC … What Next (2)?

So You’ve Finished NYSC … What Next (2)?

Finally, all your job search and networking after NYSC has landed you an interview. Here are timely tips to get you prepared for that interview.

  1. Punctuality: You immediately lose cool points with your interviewer when you arrive late. You can never be too early for an interview. Allow yourself enough time to reach the location – Lagos traffic can switch up on you real quick!

 

  1. First impressions: A positive first impression is crucial in an interview. Shake hands firmly with the interviewer, maintain eye contact and ask them how they are doing. Smile! You don’t have to show all teeth, but you can’t look unhappy either.

 

  1. Body language: Do not fidget! You may come off as anxious or a liar. Try and mimic the body language of your interviewer. Always appear composed, confident and friendly.

 

  1. Follow-up: Most people don’t know this, but you’re allowed to ask what the selection process is like after an interview. You should also ask for your interviewer’s email address and send them a thank you email. It allows them to match a face to your application; thereby increasing your chances.

 

For more “post NYSC ” career advice, follow us on social media @armengage. Also, when you get that job, don’t forget to sign up for a pension plan.

 

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Source: Blog

A matter of the heart

A matter of the heart

“I love you from the bottom of my heart.” “My heart aches at your absence.” “You’re my heartbeat.” These are some expressions of love we use to show our loved ones what they mean to us.

But apart from being an object for love expression, the heart according to www.livescience.com is that organ that pumps blood throughout the body through the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes. If the heart is no longer able to perform these functions, then there’s fire on the mountain.

Run, Run, Run…

A heart attack simply means that your heart is under attack.

To prevent something this critical from being attacked, you need to apply strategies to defeat an impending heart attack. An important strategy is early detection.

When you notice these symptoms often, it’s time to see your doctor immediately.

Moderate to severe chest pain:

Don’t ignore any severe, crushing pain usually in the center or left side of the chest which is not relieved by rest.

Dizziness

Though this may occur because of other factors, but watch out for persistent feelings of being lightheadedness, wooziness, or imbalance.

Shortness of breath

Do you often have trouble breathing? It means your heart is not getting enough oxygen. It is a sign you need to discuss with your doctor.

Nausea

While it is common to feel nauseous when you eat something that doesn’t agree with you or when you suffer malaria, be vigilant when it happens along with one or more of the listed Heart Attack symptoms.

Radiating pains in the arms and chest

Did you know that when your heart doesn’t receive sufficient oxygen to function properly, it sends impulses to your spine? When this happens, the nerves between your heart, spine and arms send impulse that cause pain in your chest and arms. If you experience this, call your doctor immediately. You may be having a heart attack.

Extreme fatigue

Fatigue is a normal feeling after a stressful day, however if you are constantly tired and fatigued, you may need to visit your doctor for a check-up.

Heightened anxiety

If you notice that you get unduly anxious often, it is a cause for concern.

 

There’s so much to live for. Enjoy more from life by treating your heart as you would treat a new born baby; fragile and delicate.

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Source: Blog