“Women are their worst enemies”. I have heard this countless times while growing up. The usual tale has been “women would gossip about you, take your husband away and ruin your chances in life because they are jealous of your good fortune”.  These comments have led most women- me included, to say that they prefer male friendships.  But I have learnt this year that female friendships are where it is at. I have learnt that your female friends are your soul sisters, daughters from different mothers but daughters regardless.  I joined a community of women in January and this has been one of the highlights of my year.  From getting opportunities/gigs thrown at you and helping to navigate work challenges, to creating support systems for members, crowdfunding for indigent women and aiding financially, the women of TEC have changed my narrative of female friendships and communities in general.  This is not to say that women are saints. The idea that women are good people stems from a patriarchal system that tries to mould women into blameless creatures with a heart of gold. This is why I love badly behaved women- women who are equally as bad as men, women who do not have to pander to the idea of what womanhood means.  Like men, women can be liars, manipulators and cheats-  and often, these women could be persons who we love, adore and respect. But unlike men in romantic relationships, women are never given second chances.  Just recently on X, a lady tweeted about a female friend who had sex with her male friend on their first meeting and threatened to cut her off while insisting that her male friend- a consenting adult who agreed to having sex with the friend was not to be cut off. This tweet received a lot of support. Her friend was blamed for hooking up with the man and insulted for being loose. Not a single bad thing said to the man in question.  In  “You Can Never Be Me” by Jesse Sutanto, two best friends are thrown into a nasty world of jealousy and competition and are soon driven into sabotaging careers and murder.  This novel explores the challenges of friendships, detailing the falling out between friends and navigating the loneliness after a friendship breakup. Some of the reviews for this book outrageously shunned these women- I don’t support their actions either, but why does the idea of women being less than perfect something that irritates society. Why are women held accountable for less things than men?  Also, in “The Hopefuls” by Jennifer Close, the author explores female friendships, jealousy, betrayal and cutting offs. While the drift and betrayal wasn’t between the women, the fight was inherited by their wives- friends too, and it destroyed a blooming friendship.  Why I believe in preserving peace and enforcing boundaries, I believe in giving female friendships as many chances as I give any other entanglement.  Women give more time, energy, and emotions to romantic relationships, family and every other thing than they give their friendships.  There’s always an urgency to cut off, to ghost and never to give second chances to friends.  When friends break up, there’s no recognition of the hurt, the loneliness that comes with losing a part of yourself. People shame you for crying over a friendship break up while expecting that you grieve over a failed relationship.  If we can actively talk about female friendships, see it for the lifeline it is and do everything in our power to hold and cherish it, only then can we experience true happiness in female friendships.  Women, just like men, are equally bad and oftentimes would do selfish things in relationships, putting in efforts and being accountable for their actions would allow for less toxic, striving friendships. 

How Technology Combines Multiple Functions: Lessons from the Smartphone Revolution You’ve probably heard advice against making a product that tries to do too many things at once, fearing it might compromise focus, quality, and hinder its success. But technological advancements have consistently defied this notion. Let’s take the smartphone as an example: before it was invented, we relied on separate devices for different tasks—stereo systems for music, video recorders for capturing moments, and MP3 players for portable music. Each of these devices served a single purpose and stood on its own. You can imagine the inconvenience of carrying all these products around just to meet your daily needs. Then came the smartphone, a revolutionary product that combined all these functionalities into one compact device. Your smartphone today can do everything the above mentioned products can do—it did not only merge them but also enhanced their utility, with greater convenience, control, and simplicity. The smartphone delivered a seamless, integrated user experience. From what I know, the success of the smartphone lies in its ability to bring together products that share common characteristics—they all belonged to the same group of media-related functionalities. This principle of combining functionalities can be extended to hardware and software. Products generally fall into specific categories or groups. Look around, and you’ll find that the most successful products with combined functionalities are those where these functionalities share a natural connection or common characteristics. Take for example, in software, a platform like Google Workspace integrates email, calendars, cloud storage, and collaborative tools, all of which fall under the umbrella of productivity. Similarly, tools like TinyWow combine multiple utilities, such as file conversion, compression, and editing, into a single, convenient platform for everyday tasks. In today’s world, creating a new hardware product whose entire functionality can be integrated into a smartphone is almost like embarking on a fool’s errand—examples include the countless wearable and handheld AI devices that couldn't catch on. Smartphones has become so powerful and multifunctional that it absorbs the capabilities of so many standalone devices, e.g cameras, music players, video recorders, video players, wristwatches and PDAs. To win and stand out in this competitive space, I believe that any new hardware should offer a unique, irreplaceable function. The hardware must provide a primary function that cannot be easily replicated by a smartphone. Take for example, speaker systems like the Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod, JBL and other wireless speaker devices. Smartphones are versatile, but they have limitations—such as their audio output. These wireless speaker systems fill that gap because they have far superior sound quality and volume that smartphones cannot have. These devices are also sleek and stylish—this makes them a desirable addition to any home, office space or small parties. And one last thing: The hardware should complement the smartphone experience. It should add value to the smartphone by having features that enhance its use. Speaker systems are built to work seamlessly with smartphones(they complement the smartphone). They can be connected to the smartphone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, they allow users to access playlists, make calls, or even control smart home devices, effectively complementing the smartphone while still maintaining their own niche. It’s important to acknowledge that not all functionalities can or should be merged into a single product. Certain products belong to entirely different categories and cater to vastly different user needs. Attempting to force them together can result in a cluttered, inefficient product that sacrifices user experience. That said, I believe it’s possible to combine a wide range of functionalities, even those that seem unrelated at first glance, into a single product—as long as they share certain characteristics or fall within the same group. Having a thoughtful design matters a lot, making sure the product is intuitive, efficient, and purpose-driven. The smartphone succeeded because it addressed real user needs while still maintaining simplicity. The same principles can be applied to any product trying to bring diverse features into one single product.

What is Lagos like during the festive season? Lagos in December is a city transformed. The streets are aglow with festive lights, and the air is electric with the hum of celebration. But amidst all the cheer, there's a not-so-merry reality: traffic.   December in Lagos means traffic on steroids. The roads are a sea of brake lights, and the soundscape is a cacophony of horns, revving engines, and the occasional shout of frustration. It's a time when a 15-minute drive can stretch into a two-hour ordeal.   But Lagosians are a hardy bunch. We've learned to adapt, to find the humor in the chaos, and to make the most of our time stuck in traffic. We've perfected the art of survival, with snacks, phone chargers, and even blankets at the ready.   And then there's the nightlife. When the sun dips below the horizon, Lagos comes alive with parties, concerts, and weddings. The roads leading to event centers are congested, but that doesn't stop us. We'll arrive fashionably late, laughing and joking with fellow partygoers.   For all its chaos, the festive traffic is a testament to Lagos's indomitable spirit. We're a city that never slows down, even when the cars do. So as Christmas approaches, we'll grit our teeth, put on our favorite playlists, and face the traffic head-on. After all, in Lagos, life is a journey, not a destination.

    Christmas Unplugged 2.0 transformed Akwa Ibom into a hub of music, dance, and celebration, with Ibom Air—the state’s very own airline—leading the festivities.     Since its launch in 2019, Ibom Air has become a powerhouse in Nigeria’s aviation industry, boasting a fleet of nine aircraft. The airline took this opportunity to show appreciation to its customers by hosting a spectacular night of entertainment featuring comedians, top-tier musicians, and unforgettable performances.     The highlight of the night was an electrifying performance by Niger Delta superstar Timaya, whose beloved hits had the audience singing and dancing along, craving even more by the time he left the stage.     Ibom Air Chairman, Mr. Imo Abasi Jacob, spoke passionately about the event’s significance. “There can be no Christmas without Ibom Air. This is our way of celebrating the spirit of the season and giving back to the community,” he said, while also praising Governor Umo Eno for creating policies that have enabled the airline’s growth.     One memorable moment of the evening was the presentation of the Ibom Innovation Challenge awards. Sponsored by Ibom Air as part of the 2024 Ibom Tech Week, the challenge celebrated groundbreaking solutions, including one that improved boarding experiences for disabled passengers. “These guys have done a fantastic job and they need to be supported,” the Chief Operating Officer Mr. George Uriesi said as he handed out the awards.     The crowd eagerly awaited Timaya’s performance, and when he finally hit the stage in his vibrant orange outfit, the energy was electric. His powerful presence and chart-topping hits made him the undeniable star of the evening.     Christmas Unplugged 2.0, a month-long celebration filled with entertainment, cultural displays, and a special Christmas Carol night, shone a spotlight on Akwa Ibom’s vibrancy and Ibom Air’s dedication to making the season unforgettable.     ✍️ GMG 

For a novel set in Nigeria, during the military era (early eighties precisely), Ogadinma or everything will be alright by Ukamaka Olisakwe tells a tale woven through the fabric of time. A tale though old as time, seems to be a reoccurring phenomenon in our present day society. A tale of long suffering and endurance. A tale of a woman's journey to Independence.   Through the eyes of Ogadinma, the protagonist, Olisakwe masterfully portrays a typical African society, characterized by patriarchy, feminine subjection, and revolt. Employing an omniscient narrative voice, she sheds light on the various plights experienced by women in African societies, particularly those who are married.   One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its skillful use of imagery and figurative devices, which vividly brings the world of Ogadinma to life. The character development and tone are also noteworthy.   While readers who appreciate feminist literature will undoubtedly enjoy this book, some may find the plot development to be a minor shortcoming. In my opinion, the plot feels somewhat haphazardly constructed. Nevertheless, Ogadinma is a worthwhile read.   Unfortunately, the tale told in this novel may continue to reoccur in our society. However, as the title suggests, we can only hope that  ogadinma – everything will be alright. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in feminist literature and the experiences of African women.