Stop seeing breasts as simply sexual objects and you'll be less provoked. Model Mara Martin went viral for breastfeeding five-month-old daughter, Aria on the runway of a fashion show in July
In pre-advanced societies, high-class women used wet-nurses to breastfeed their infants - for some, to prevent an inevitable breast sag, the average woman has been shamed for public breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding in public in Nigeria
"I had my son 6 months ago, and he has been my greatest blessing. Some time ago, he was crying at a party, so I excused myself from the gathering to 15 yards outside the hall.
"My Husband had stepped away with his car. As I sat on a car's hood to breastfeed him, passersby starting giving me judgmental glances. I never felt so proud to be a Mother, yet so ashamed of myself" Jola, a 31-year-old lawyer, in Lagos, Nigeria tells Colossus Gists.
Attitudes to public breastfeeding differ by society. It's not completely outlawed in most liberal societies, but 'cover-up' has become a seeming mantra for the 'offended'.
Ventures Africa - Breastfeeding in public in abroad
In June 2017, an American mum Brei Theisen was shamed at a public pool in Wood River, Illinois, for breastfeeding her daughter.
A manager told her she was offending others in the area. Her response was amazing. "I told him, I'm not going to cover my daughter's head in 90-degree weather — should the people at the food court also cover up?'"
Although the public pool's management apologized, the insensitive damage had been done.
Perception of Motherhood in Africa
In Africa, women carry their babies and infants on their backs. They are praised for it. In fact, motherhood is a cherished phenomenon in Africa - Nigeria, in this case.
In Yoruba, and the phrase 'Iya ni wura' which means 'A mother is gold' highlights the threshold esteemed mothers were held to.
Nigerian mothers get preferential treatment on this soil – or they used to. You see people treating 'Iya aburo' which roughly means 'a nursing mother' with incredible care.
In a taxi, they receive goodwill. Whenever they want to get into a cab, you see people helping the guide the heads of infants on their backs, so they don't hit their heads against the rusty danfo metal.
What is wrong with public breastfeeding?
Public breastfeeding was fairly accepted in Nigeria. So why the sudden goalpost shift?
Life is hard enough as it is and nursing a child is even harder. Women are warriors, we should treat them as such.
John-George, a 29-year-old Lagos Pharmacist blames "Enlightenment. It has its good and bad sides".
Yes, nothing is perfect but should 'wokeness' be blamed for insensitivity? We are used to public breastfeeding and even praise nursing mothers. So, why the sudden change in attitude?
It seems a sad state of affairs that a woman like Jola, one of many victims of this continued judgment can't enjoy certain privileges of motherhood. After all, procreation is not an offence, is it?
In August 2016, an article by Chukwuma Muanya and Ruth Adekunle for The Guardian revealed that only 17 percent of nursing Nigerian mothers still breastfeed their infants.
The article also revealed the attitude of the World Health Organization (WHO) to help women breastfeed anytime and anywhere.
In the same article, 68-year-old Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN), Mrs Ede-Osondu, attributes this low statistic to lack of support and societal influences a.k.a 'cover-up'.
It's a worrying statistic. Research has shown that breast milk boosts IQ and the immune system while reducing risks of ovarian cancer in mothers.
Why Do People Take Offence?
In October 2011, a thread on Nigerian discussion platform, Nairaland discussed this issue.
A femmy2010 said, "For me, I do say Public breastfeeding is not appropriate because it violates common standards of decency. What is the take on NLers on this?"
Another user, MissIfe replied
"It depends how it's done. I occasionally had to breastfeed in public, but nobody ever saw my breast, I used to carry a large scarf to cover the baby's head."
Everyone seems to be obsessed with 'cover-up'. Another user hotstepper said "people can buy the nursing canopy, very essential". Really? Carry canopy around, just to breastfeed?
Deji, an entrepreneur and staunch critique who believes public breastfeeding as "irresponsible and not befitting of a married woman. Her body should not be revealed to the public like that" he tells Colossus Gists.
Chigozie, a 64-year-old medical practitioner has a different perspective;
"Breastfeeding isn't sexy. You would find that a significant amount of critics are men. People think it's public nudity - an indecency. But if they evaluate well, they will realize that public breastfeeding is usually more of a need than a choice. Some say it's laziness, but special dispensation should be granted to women over the need, it should be a right."
Indecency needs intention as a fundamental ingredient. While some women or men think their indecency is 'fashionable', without proper evaluation of the optics, it still is indecency.
But then, should feed a fragile infant, whose sole mode of communication is crying not far outweigh our moral compasses for critiquing? I think it should.
The Guardian - The primary way of feeding an infant is through breastfeeding
Publicly revealing a boob or two isn't usually a fashionable choice. It is to quench the hunger of a human being. That one we all feel when we complain about needing to eat.
In the words of Míriam, a 46-year-old architect
"I think some of these men don't understand how hard it is to be a nursing mother. Asides the pressures that change your life, you might have a child crying his eyes out. That puts you under immense pressure. Mothers are fragile and they panic easily.
"Their major instinct is to just stop that kid from crying because it helps sometimes. It can be a little unfair to then ask the mother to move, despite all her pressure. Make no mistake, it's also not easy for some mothers to reveal their boobs in public, they just have to do it. Insecurities have nothing on necessity."
Remember, Chigozie says "breastfeeding isn't sexy". Despite the male obsession with boobs, it's crazy how some of are the greatest critics of public breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is one of the few acts of 'breast reveal that some men complain about.
Sometimes, I ask myself; Will the guy, so against public breastfeeding complain if it were Beyonce or some peng thing breastfeeding?
What is offensive about nudity and boobs?
Chigozie says "there's perversion in every man." and I agree. We have all fed our eyes to pornographic images at one time or the other.
In fact, female nudity of any kind gets the average, healthy heterosexual male 'going'.
Breasts are highly sexualized. It is because of the way we perceive breasts and nipples as merely erotic objects that gave birth to the #freethenipple movement.
Paper Blog - The Free The Nipple Campaign was created in 2012 to fight against the overt sexualization of breasts
It seems men are against public breastfeeding because they're probably not attracted to the boobs or because breastfeeding isn't a sexual act. You like seeing breasts, but hate it when it comes to breastfeeding. It's a compelling case, isn't it?
If you can't see breasts as anything more than sexual props or objects of lust, you won't understand why breasts are also a medium of feeding. I lean towards thinking it's a case of lack of deep evaluation.
Arguably, breasts are first, feeding mechanisms than anything else.
Yes, the penis and the vagina are also used to pee and birth children, and that doesn't necessarily reflect their sexual nature, but none of them are for quenching as base an instinct as feeding.
You can only take offence to public breastfeeding if the only thing you see breasts as is sexual objects, never to be revealed in public. If you understood the feeding functionality of breasts you'd perceive them differently. You would take less offence to see breasts in public, for the purpose of feeding an innocent infant. You wouldn't think it irresponsible to reveal a sexual prop in public.
As long as you see breasts as simply sexual objects that only trigger provocation and attention, you would continue to bash public breastfeeding.
Source
Pulse
Do not be surprised because #WaterIsGonnaBeJealous. The new water brand H2oh! is a sparkling flavoured water, packed with a refreshing taste that gives you a zest for life.
The new H2oh! comes in two vibrant fruity flavours; Lemon and Lime for that delighting fruity taste and tangerine for a burst of citrus goodness.
The H2oh new ad features award-winning actress, Adesua Etomi and one of Nigeria’s fashion icon, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu who were previously revealed as Brand Ambassadors
Check out the exciting new ad featuring H2Oh! Brand ambassadors, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Adesua Etomi below
One could end up on a wild-goose chase when searching the internet for a one-stop shop that offers the best deals, convenience and peace of mind.
Fortuitously, Jumia is turning 6 and will mark this milestone with its Salebrate Campaign, from the 16th - 29th of July.
Here are 6 reasons why you should shop on Jumia during the Anniversary:
1. Over 1 million deals: Customers will be spoiled for choice - There will be TV deals like the Hisense 55 Inch Smart UHD 4K Satellite TV 55 N3000 + Free Wall Bracket, slashed to N173, 990. Washing machine deals like the Scanfrost 8kg Twin Tub Semi-Automatic Washing Machine slashed to N39, 990. Health and Beauty deals like the Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-In-1 Foundation + Concealer slashed to N3, 520.
2. Over 500,000 vouchers: Get a discount before you shop on Jumia - Jumia will be giving out free vouchers to customers during Jumia’s 6th Anniversary to enable customers to get everything on their wishlist. Customers have to stay tuned to www.jumia.com.ng/anniversary to grab vouchers and also via the Jumia APP.
3. 5 million products at the Last Price: Jumia launched its last price campaign with a money back guarantee 3 months - Find an item cheaper anywhere else, and Jumia will reimburse you 10 times the difference. During Jumia’s 6th Anniversary, look out for the Last Price tag on certain products, guaranteeing you the best price you will find anywhere.
4. 5% off on JumiaPay: Who doesn’t like an additional awoof? Shop and pay with debit cards using the super secure payment solution ‘JumiaPay’ and receive an extra 5% off your total order amount. Simple!
5. Daily flash sales: Get ready for daily flash sales exclusive to the Jumia app. Imagine buying the Samsung S9 Plus for only N229, 990 or the HP Notebook 15-ra007nia Intel Celeron N3060 1.6Ghz (4GB RAM 500GB HDD) 15.6-Inch Windows 10 Home Laptop for N79, 990. Also the Harpic Toilet Cleaner: Lavender 725ml - Pack Of 3 for N1, 885. These deals and many more will be live on the Jumia App 5 times a day (10am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm and 8pm).
6. Jumia Express: Enjoy super fast delivery when you shop Jumia Express. Customers get next day delivery in Lagos when you place a minimum order of N10,000 before 2 PM. Shop in Abeokuta, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, and have your order delivered within 2-business day.
James Hope College (JHC) has recorded an exceptional 100% grade summary in Maths, Science, and English in the recently published 2018 Cambridge Checkpoint Examination results. Of all 29 students that sat for the examinations, no candidate scored less than good with the highest scale pegged at 6.0.
Speaking on the brilliant performance of the students, the Founder/Chairman of James Hope College, Jim Ovia applauded the students for such excellent performance; adding that it was a worthy reward for the efforts both the students and the teachers put in for the examinations and a testimonial to what the College stands for. It has been a great and rewarding session for JHC and we congratulate our high flyers and wish them greater successes and excellence in future feats.
James Hope College is a world-class private residential school in a beautiful and tranquil area of Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, which offers a unique Nigerian/British style curriculum. We offer holistic learning programmes to foster the future leaders of Nigeria. We also offer a unique scholarship programme supported by an endowment fund from the Jim Ovia Foundation.
Shalom to you. Grace be multiplied to you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have entered the 2nd half of the year 2018. To maximize and effectively make the most of the 2nd half, we must forget and cast away the 1st half (only taking the lessons gleaned in wisdom).
Anyone can win the game, if the 2nd half goes very well. That should be our focus. A lot may have happened, but there are greater possibilities ahead of us.
As long as we humble ourselves before the Lord and keep learning; as long as we open our minds to knowledge; as long as we open up to new ways of thinking and doing things; if we keep learning, we will keep changing.
If we keep changing, being diligent in grace... we will keep growing. If we keep committed to growing, it will be only a matter of the DUE SEASON of this stage of our lives.
Never forget this - every man, every ministry has its unique race. Don't compare yourself to another. Keep challenging yourself according to your potentials and the vision you carry, but never compare yourself to another.
Every race has a grace, and every grace has a pace. Live your life at the pace of grace.
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in DUE SEASON we shall reap if we do not lose heart (faint)." Galatians6:9
If you were off track, retrace your steps this 2nd half. If you were off your game, bring it on this 2nd half. Be patient and pull out all that God has taught you in years past. Also be humble to learn what you didn't know. Hey, if you've got it, let's see it now!
Know that as long as you keep moving; as long as you keep growing; as long as you keep yourself in the perfect will of God; as long as you keep believing and working hard; THEN everything is going to be alright. It will all end in praise. You will never be ashamed of your life. The waters of defeat will reject you and the pits of shame will vomit you out. You will only be flying on the wings of grace.
I pray that you be strengthened in your heart with might by God's Spirit. I pray for you this day for sweet victories and CEASELESS TESTIMONIES in Jesus Name. You are a success. You are the envy of nations. You are your Father's treasure. You are my joy and crown before the presence of our Lord. Be blessed.
#FaithWorks #Faith #Victory #FaithCapsule #VictoryOverTrials
======================
You can join me in Service and Experience what God can do in your Life
VENUE: Hqters — Love Ambassadors Ministries, 106 Arthur Eze Avenue, Opposite Supreme Taste Fries, Unizik Junction, Awka, Anambra State. 08066352395
— Ifite Awka Branch II: LAM Conference Center, Along Ifite Road, Awka, Anambra State.
— Okpuno Awka III: Church Hall, Near Y-Junction, Okpuno, Anambra State.
— Amawbia Awka IV: Church Hall, Nibo Junction, Amawbia, Anambra State. 08033976086
— Lagos Branch: 108 Herbert Macaulay Way, Beside Lisabi Hall, Ebutte Meta, Yaba. 08032968623; 08035622518
— Abuja Branch: Suite 216, Ess-Dee Motors Plaza (Beside RCC), Ebitu-Ekiwe Street, Jabi. 08060897690; 08037498931
— Enugu Branch: Enugu City, Enugu State. 08038611786
— Port Harcourt Branch: Port Harcourt City, Rivers State. 08028604244
DAYS: Every Wednesday and Sunday
TIME: Wednesday 5pm | Sunday 7am, 8:30am, 10:30am
No one is your God, and you are nobody's God too. We must be careful not to let people play 'God' in our lives. Neither should we also sit down to judge what might happen in the life of others because we are not their God.
DON'T EVER THINK YOU KNOW HOW A MAN WILL END IN LIFE BECAUSE YOU KNOW HIS PAST FOOLISHNESS.
God has a way of confounding the wise with the foolish, and the strong dumbfounded by the weak.
A man's past is God's canvass with which He paints the man's future masterpiece. He specializes in turning ashes into beauty. He is God and He is Lord.
If we have to judge men, then we must judge the righteous judgments of God. We should give mercy and grace where God gives them. We must be long-suffering where God's righteousness suffers long. Yes, just as God judges. Our thoughts for people should be thoughts of good, peace and a future with a glorious end.
Never wish a man's failure or downfall to prove that you were right when you judge. I always ask God never to prove me right with the failure or destruction of one I 'assume' or even know is wrong.
We don't have any point to prove if we are living out God's will in our lives. No one has to be right. All that matters is that we all please God, and His Son Jesus Christ be glorified in us. Once Jesus is glorified, all things will work together for good. It will all end in praise for all.
But in all these, recognizing where and when we miss the mark is very vital. Acknowledging the wisdom of God and quickly submitting to His will is supernatural. Repentance and restoration is the exclusive privilege of the huios (mature sons) of God. The quicker, the more mature. If you were wrong, bear the fruits of repentance and not the stones of pride or the ashes of guilt.
As much as no one is our God, God judges our hearts according to how we love one another as the Spirit of Christ supplies grace. We must not be careless in breaking godly covenants; rebelling in our hearts against God ordained authorities in our lives; speaking or acting in pride; being ungrateful and forgetting those who have truly blessed us.... these things are the fruits of the flesh, fueled by the spirit of worldliness. We must then know when we are tempted and violently resist such complacency.
I exhort you to remember that the God-kind of faith works by love. No one is your God, but your God knows your true devotion by how you treat those He placed in your life. Examine yourself and see if you have recompensed good with neglect and carelessness. Have you treated lightly covenants the Holy Spirit led you into? Have you allowed the peripherals of this passing world to rob you of the eternal verities like faithfulness?
No one is your God, but God can be revealed through one. God can be believed through one. God can be known through one. God can be experienced through one.
"Who is ... we are ministers through whom you believed, AS THE LORD GAVE TO EACH ONE." 1Corinthians3:5
WHEN GOD GIVES YOU ONE AS ABOVE, HE HAS GIVEN YOU A HEAVENLY GIFT. TREAT SUCH ONE AS A GIFT AND NOTHING LESS.
God is set to amaze you again. Don't get hung up on the past. A new season has begun for us. No one else has to believe it, but they will surely celebrate with us (or envy us).
You are a burning and a shining light. Keep radiating His glory. Be blessed.
#FaithWorks #Faith #Victory #FaithCapsule #VictoryOverTrials
======================
You can join me in Service and Experience what God can do in your Life
VENUE: Hqters — Love Ambassadors Ministries, 106 Arthur Eze Avenue, Opposite Supreme Taste Fries, Unizik Junction, Awka, Anambra State. 08066352395
— Ifite Awka Branch II: LAM Conference Center, Along Ifite Road, Awka, Anambra State.
— Okpuno Awka III: Church Hall, Near Y-Junction, Okpuno, Anambra State.
— Amawbia Awka IV: Church Hall, Nibo Junction, Amawbia, Anambra State. 08033976086
— Lagos Branch: 108 Herbert Macaulay Way, Beside Lisabi Hall, Ebutte Meta, Yaba. 08032968623; 08035622518
— Abuja Branch: Suite 216, Ess-Dee Motors Plaza (Beside RCC), Ebitu-Ekiwe Street, Jabi. 08060897690; 08037498931
— Enugu Branch: Enugu City, Enugu State. 08038611786
— Port Harcourt Branch: Port Harcourt City, Rivers State. 08028604244
DAYS: Every Wednesday and Sunday
TIME: Wednesday 5pm | Sunday 7am, 8:30am, 10:30am
God cares about what happens to us. He cares about our circumstances. I truly care about what happens to us too (Yes, I pray dearly for all God has committed to me).
But we must know that it only gets better, if, and only if, we do His will in those trials. We must not devise 'other' ways out.
The will of God is our only way out; the wisdom of God is our only way up; faith in the greater One who lives in us is the only victory.
The temptation is the pressure to try out other ways that may seem more sensible - a short cut; but it's only a set up.
Don't let the enemy set you up for a fall. Don't be unaware of his wiles...
He is not after your ministry, marriage, family, career, finances etc. No, he is only after the word of God in your spirit and your precious faith.
No matter the noise, the devil can't steal or destroy a 'farthing' from your life, if you stay in the will of God, and your faith refuses to waver. The devil knows it; do you?
The trials we face today is only the testing of our faith. Keep yourself in the love of Christ. Keep yourself in His mercy by giving others mercy. Don't waver in your faith. Don't let the sun go down on your anger. Resist that spirit of anger, for the wrath of man cannot work God's righteousness.
"It's not what happens TO you that determines the outcome of your trials, but what happens IN you. So guard your heart" --- David Ifechukwu.
I know that our trials may be more painful than others can imagine; but what you want at the end is not sympathy, but victory. You want this momentarily trial to work for you an exceeding weight of glory. You want to be approved after enduring and overcoming through faith, to receive a crown of life in Christ Jesus.
I encourage you today to immerse yourself in God's word without bias. Be slow to speak, slow to wrath, but quick to hear. Hear more of God's word until your heart is saturated with Him.
What you need is a faith support system. Surround yourself with people who will strengthen your faith. Create a faith-filled environment around you. Eject every voice and avoid everyone (no matter how dear) that may strengthen your doubts or pain. Don't accept the fellowship of failures or any sympathizers' party.
I declare that every valley be exalted and every mountain be leveled; that every crooked place be made straight for you.
Instead of shame, you have double.
My God makes a way for you out of every trial your are facing now and gives you victory. Light shines for you in dark places.
Things are turning around in your favour. Your healing springs forth as a perfect dawn in Jesus Name.
Before this year is over, you'll have many ground-breaking earth-shaking testimonies in Jesus Name.
Begin to praise God, for He is good and His mercy endures forever!
Be blessed!
#FaithWorks #Faith #Victory #FaithCapsule #VictoryOverTrials
======================
You can join me in Service and Experience what God can do in your Life
VENUE: Hqters — Love Ambassadors Ministries, 106 Arthur Eze Avenue, Opposite Supreme Taste Fries, Unizik Junction, Awka, Anambra State. 08066352395
— Ifite Awka Branch II: LAM Conference Center, Along Ifite Road, Awka, Anambra State.
— Okpuno Awka III: Church Hall, Near Y-Junction, Okpuno, Anambra State.
— Amawbia Awka IV: Church Hall, Nibo Junction, Amawbia, Anambra State. 08033976086
— Lagos Branch: 108 Herbert Macaulay Way, Beside Lisabi Hall, Ebutte Meta, Yaba. 08032968623; 08035622518
— Abuja Branch: Suite 216, Ess-Dee Motors Plaza (Beside RCC), Ebitu-Ekiwe Street, Jabi. 08060897690; 08037498931
— Enugu Branch: Enugu City, Enugu State. 08038611786
— Port Harcourt Branch: Port Harcourt City, Rivers State. 08028604244
DAYS: Every Wednesday and Sunday
TIME: Wednesday 5pm | Sunday 7am, 8:30am, 10:30am
The fact is, not everyone can afford a brand new laptop whether you are buying it online or offline. This is why many Nigerians prefer to purchase a second-hand laptop. To minimize the risk of making a bad purchase, Colossus Gists highlights some of the things you should consider before buying a second-hand or a fairly used laptop.
1. Know What Exactly You Need
Before you buy any second-hand laptop, find the activities for which you want to use it for. For basic use, a 2GB laptop is okay; for intermediate use, a 4GB laptop is good; and for advanced use, a 6GB+ RAM laptop is highly recommended.
2. Check The Battery
It will be a waste of money if you buy a fairly used laptop whose battery is bad. This is because it will only work when it is powered. However, if you decide to buy the laptop and the battery is bad, you should be prepared to replace it.
3. Buy a Reputable Brand
There are countless brands of laptops out there that you will be spoiled for choice. Regardless, you should buy a reputable or reliable brand even though it is fairly used. Popular and reputable laptop brands include Apple, HP, Dell, and Lenovo among others.
4. Don’t Pay Too Much
A second-hand laptop should be way cheaper than a brand new one. So, do a bit of research to ensure that you are not paying the price for a brand new one for a fairly used laptop.
5. Be Aware of the Risk of Buying From an Individual or a Retailer
Oftentimes, when you buy from an individual, you are not given the chance to thoroughly check what you are buying. Additionally, you do not have the opportunity to return the laptop in case it develops any fault. However, when you buy from a retailer, they have a registered address which makes it less difficult for you to render complaints if you have one.
6.Wifi Connection
Wifi enables you to browse the internet. It is essential that you check if it is properly working. To do this, create a hotspot on your mobile and connect with it and also see the strength and signal bar.
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