We are number 35!

Okay, so it is official. We are the 35th most corrupt country in the world. At least that's what those nosey parkers in Berlin will have us believe as opposed to our President's declaration that "No other government has fought corruption as much as this one". True, there is something rotten in the state of Nigeria, but the debate now is whether there is actually a genuine fight against this disease, or whether we are waiting for God to fight it for us as we watch from afar in the comforts of our private jets.

In my, not-so-humble opinion however, the Executive arm of our government cannot be serious about fighting corruption when they still interfere in the independence of the Judicial arm of our government on a very regular basis as the ongoing Ayo Salami saga shows. Yesterday, the President asked a court to throw out a suit brought by some ne'er do wells challenging the continued suspension of the former(?) president of the Court of Appeal. The question then becomes, since the Executive still plays so much of a role in determining who rises within the Judiciary, is it not only logical that the Judiciary will have a bent towards the will of the Executive? Now consider that many ichafos and etibos within the Executive are accused of not-so-straight-and-narrow dealings, it is no wonder why we have adjournments ad infinitum...

One of said ichafos was in the news yesterday (not a new thing). She was telling participants at the National Economic Jamboree that the new PIB will be the best thing since sliced bread. No, better than sliced bread it appears. Apparently, host communities will be encouraged to participate in the protection of oil and gas infrastructure within their zones. No word of improved schools, hospitals and roads for those host communities. It would appear that the host communities have pre-empted DAM's thesis and have already decided that although potentially less risky, protection is less valuable than busting the pipes and participating in trade. So we come to the age old question, which is more profitable? A protection racket or import/export? Who can answer? Is it Don Soprano or Don Ohakim?

Import/Export used to be, or still is a good business, but one that is capital intensive. The age-old belief is that you don't start such businesses with your own money. Remember the movie Other People's Money? That was a lesson well taken to heart by former Red Cap Number One in Imo state, Don Ikedi Ohakim, who according to his successor "borrowed" N6.4 billions from the state's treasury a few days before he shuffled out of office. Problem is, he has forgotten to pay back. It's the economy Rochas, interest never pure. But maybe, just maybe Rochas should stop moaning on the pages of newspapers, and actually complain to the police.

Nigeria's top olopa is swearing that heads will roll over the attack on the SARS office in Abuja ten days ago. I'm not quite sure of the heads rolling considering that this guy did not know that there was already a law under which Boko Haram terrorists can be prosecuted. Word of advice Mo, talk less. I'd recommend you look out your window towards DHQ on how to handle such situations. The guys in charge in Jaji just the day before were rolled over in double quick time.

In any event, there's some work for Mr. Abubakar as the wife of an Ogun state lawmaker, fresh from the US where he went to learn more about the noble art of lawmaking, was nabbed. Ostensibly by a few of the 67 million unemployed Nigerian youths.

Bits and bobs

For those who have been having power issues (just about every one of you I guess), there is good news. Egbin is set to come back on board. "Total collapse of our system last week caused the drop in power generation, but we are making efforts to stabilise and generate power at our peak," harrumphed the chief screwdriver, Mike Uzoigwe while a generator quietly purred away as background vocals.

I was looking for a story about the National Sports Festival on Complete Football, sorry, Complete Sports, but it would appear that the jamboree is not important enough to them, so content yourself with this one about the National Sports Commission*, and the defence of the N6.8 billion that will be used for the next round of estacode collection.

Err, this newsletter these days would not be complete without another instalment of the ongoing Ojukwu Will drama. Dim's second son, Emeka, says that he does not need a will to take over his father's house. A bit of gist for you, the most senior son, Chukwudebe, the one who wasn't in the will, was acknowledged in life by the late Dim. Problem is that prolific Dim didn't know him until after he (Dim) returned to Nigeria from exile. One day a man came up to him to call him "Nna". Shocked as he was, he'd have inquired from the mother, but she was quite conveniently dead

Source: http://chxta.blogspot.com/2012/12/we-are-number-35.html

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You

Here’s a new question for you ask on your next date: So….what position do you sleep in? A new study found that sleeping positions affect personality by determining how we feel when we wake up. 

The way you sleep can give startling insights into your personality, even giving away how stubborn, bossy or stressed you are, a body language expert has claimed.

Robert Phipps, a body language expert, has studied the four most common sleeping positions to determine how it reflects a person's personality and outlook on life.

The results, he claims, can identify how stressful your day was, how much you worry and how much control you have over your life.

It is said to reveal traits such as stubbornness, bossiness and fanciful dreaming, as well as how self-critical a person is or whether they feel in control of life.

According to his research, more than half of British adults sleep in the “foetal” position, curled up on their side with knees tucked in.

This stance, favoured by worriers, is said to show the sleeper is seeking to return to their comfort zone after a stressful day. 

Foetal sleepers are conscientious, ordered and like things in their place, according to the study, but are also in danger of over-thinking problems and worrying unnecessarily.

The research, for budget hotel chain Premier Inn, revealed the “log” as the second most popular position, adopted by nearly three in every ten people.

The log position, with a straight body and limbs at the sides, shows a person is inflexible and rigid in thinking, set in their ways and stubborn.

They may appear bossy to others, and so should aim to “stretch themselves” and embrace the challenges and excitement of a new day, it is claimed.

A quarter of people taking part in the study classed themselves as “yearners”, sleeping with their arms stretched out in front as though they are chasing their dreams or being chased.

According to Phipps, this means they want more from life and are willing to “go out there and get it with both hands”, eager to face the next day.

They can be their own worst critics, expecting great results in everything they do and giving up quickly when things don’t go their way.

“Yearners” should take care to go after what they really want and avoid wasting time pursuing whims that do not really leave them fulfilled, it is advised.

A further 17 per cent of respondents classed themselves as “freefallers”, sleeping face down with their arms outstretched.

Often clutching their pillow, they can appearing to be “holding on for dear life” in what is thought to be the most uncomfortable sleeping position for adults.

Those who adopt it can feel as if life “happens around them” and they are just “hanging on for the ride”, believing they lack control over what will happen the next day.

So-called freefallers can wake up feelings anxious, or believing they still have issues and tasks left over from the previous day.

According to the research, they should aim to deal with things one step at a time, taking control of each day so they feel motivated to “be the boss of their own destiny”.

The study, of 1,000 British adults, allowed participants to select more than one option, with some selecting several sleeping positions in their responses.

Premier Inn spokesperson, Claire Haigh, said: "Many people read their horoscopes, but we wanted to give our guests a more unique way to look at how their day might turn out by looking at how they sleep.

“We have worked with Robert to develop 'sleep-o-scopes' and were shocked that the research revealed just how stressed we are as a nation.

"It is important we try and wind down after a long day and get a good night's rest so we wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead."

Sleep positions

1. FOETAL

People who sleep like this are returning to their comfort zone to de-stress themselves from the day's activities. The higher the knees and lower the head the more internal comfort you give yourself. Foetal sleepers are conscientious, ordered and like things in their place but they can over think things and worry unnecessarily.

People who sleep like this for the majority of the night can expect a refreshed awakening having dealt with the previous day's issues compartmentalising and organising while they sleep, allowing them to feel refreshed when they wake and ready to move onward and upward.

Foetal sleepers should be careful not to become too stuck in their comfort zone and be prepared to take on new challenges each day. 

2. LOG

The sleeper in this position fully extends their head, neck, arms, legs and body all stretched out in a straight line. The longer you sleep like this, the more rigid your thinking and you can become inflexible which means you make things harder for yourself.

Loggers are set in their ways and can be stubborn, liking things done their way, which can make them come across as bossy or even aloof.

"Sleep like a log" is the old adage and people who sleep in this straight line can wake up stiffer than when they went to sleep. Try to relax more and let your muscles unwind from the day's hassles and you'll wake up feeling more flexible in your thinking.

Loggers need to stretch themselves each day to reach new goals and then your day is likely to be more exciting, challenging and fun. You'll see and feel the benefits in your body and mind as you embrace being a more relaxed you.

3. YEARNER

The Yearner has two possible meanings with arms outstretched as though you are chasing your dreams, conversely it can mean you are being chased. You feel you want more from life and are willing to go out there and get it with both hands, ready to capture every new and exciting challenge that comes your way.

Yearners are their own worst critics always expecting great results in everything they do, which can mean giving up to quickly with things that don't go their way right from the off.

Yearners wake up eager to face the challenges of the day, seeking out new opportunities. However, take care to make sure what you yearn for is what you really want or you'll spend a lot of wasted time and energy chasing things that don't really fulfil you.

Yearners should face each new day as a fresh start, reviewing where they are going and what they want from the day, then go for it and see it through with full commitment. 

 4. FREEFALLER

With the whole body outstretched flat on their stomach, arms at right angles, hands gripping the pillow as though holding on for dear life, physically the least comfortable position to sleep for most adults.

Freefallers tend to feel like life happens around them and they are just hanging on for the ride, which can make them feel like they're not in control of what happens.

Freefallers can wake up feeling like they still have things leftover from the previous day, which can make them feel over anxious about getting things done today.

Freefallers need to take control of each new day and deal with things one step at a time until you are happy to move to the next step. You will then be more motivated and inspired, creating opportunities for you be the boss of your own destiny.

Premier Inn spokesperson, Claire Haigh, said: "Many people read their horoscopes, but we wanted to give our guests a more unique way to look at how their day might turn out by looking at how they sleep. We have worked with Robert to develop 'sleep-o-scopes' and were shocked that the research revealed just how stressed we are as a nation.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9617122/What-does-your-sleeping-position-say-about-you.html