International research students fellowship

2012 AWARD Fellowship for African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, Kenya 
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development funded Fellowship for African Women in Agricultural.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship, USA 
Microsoft offers Scholarship for PhD Students in the field of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics, USA  2013 Study Subject(s):Computer.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012-2013 Research Positions for Visiting Graduate Students at Petroleum Institute, UAE 
The Petroleum Institute funded Research Positions for Visiting Graduate UAE national and non-UAE national students (PhD and high-level Master) in.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Genetics at DKFZ, 2012 Germany 
German Cancer Research Center offers Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Genetics, 2012 Germany Study Subject(s):Molecular Genetics Course Level:Postdoctoral Scholarship Provider: German.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012-2013 Senior Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine, UK 
Wellcome Trust offers Senior Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine for Low and Middle Income Countries, UK 2012-13 Study.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Information Systems International Scholarship Programme at Curtin University, Australia 
Undergraduate International Scholarship in Information Technology, Information Technology & Systems, Information Systems at Curtin University, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Information Technology,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 UQ Science International Undergraduate Scholarships, Australia 
International Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in Science fields at University of Queensland, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Agribusiness, Agricultural Science, Applied Science, Biomedical Science,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 South–South PhD Sandwich Scholarship for Visiting PhD Students from Developing Countries, Germany 
The Food Security Center (FSC) of University of Hohenheim funded South–South PhD Sandwich Scholarship for Visiting PhD Students from Developing Countries.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 ORASECOM Scholarship for Master Students, South Africa 
The Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) offers scholarship for master students from four ORASECOM member States in the field of Environmental.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Master Scholarship in Human Rights and Conflict Management at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy 
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna offers One  Scholarship for Master students in Human Rights and Conflict Management, Italy Study Subject(s):Human Rights and.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012-2013 WAAW Foundation Scholarship for African Women, Africa 
WAAW Foundation offers Scholarship for African Women for pursuing undergraduate degree in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Kathleen Stewart Postgraduate Scholarships at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 
Postgraduate Scholarships for Women students at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 2012 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the University Course.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Call for DRS Postdoctoral Fellowship COFUND, Germany 
Free University of Berlin,the Dahlem Research School (DRS) offers Postdoctoral Fellowship for international students, Germany 2013 Study Subject(s):Formation and Transformation.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Curtin Humanitarian Fund Scholarship for Undergraduate Students, Australia 
Undergraduate Scholarship for Australian, New Zealand and  International Students in Health Sciences, Science, Engineering, Humanities and Business at Curtin University, Australia.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Scholarship for Swedish Students 
Education now days has become mandatory for the development of all children. All students wish to get higher education with the.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 IPC Global Citizen Scholarship for African Citizens, Denmark 
The International People’s College offers Global Citizen Scholarship for African undergraduate students, Denmark 2012 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the College.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013- 2014 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship for Developing Countries Citizens, USA 
The National Endowment for Democracy offers Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship for practitioners, scholars, and journalists from developing countries, USA 2013-2014 Study Subject(s):Project.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Tasmanian Alkaloids Honours Scholarship in Chemistry at University of Tasmania, Australia 
Scholarship for Honours degree in Chemistry for the applicants of Tasmanian at University of Tasmania, Australia 2012 Study Subject(s):Chemistry Course.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Seizan Fukami Fund Scholarship at Curtin University, Australia 
Curtin’s Department of Asian Languages offers undergraduate/honours Scholarship in Asian Languages for International and Australian Citizens at Curtin University, Australia.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 International Fellows-in-Training Travel Scholarship in Allergy/Immunology, USA 
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology offers International Fellows-in-Training Travel Scholarship for international training in the field of Allergy/Immunology,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012-2013 Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Theoretical Molecular Physics, UK 
Postdoctoral Research Position in Theoretical Molecular Physics at University College London, UK 2012-2013 Study Subject(s):Theoretical Molecular Physics Course Level:Postgraduate Research.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Senior Research Position in Intention and Action at Radboud University, 2012 Netherlands 
Research Position in the field of cognitive neuroscience at Donders Institute, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, 2012 Netherlands Study.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013-2014 Australian Biological Resources Study National Taxonomy Research Grant, Australia 
The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) funded National Taxonomy Research Grant Program (NTRGP) which provides Research and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants for Australian and.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Research Career Development Fellowships in Basic Biomedical Science at Host Institution in the Republic of Ireland 
Research Fellowships in Basic Biomedical Science for Students at Host Institution in the Republic of Ireland, 2012 Study Subject(s):Biomedical Science Course.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Fischer-Browning Award in Music Therapy at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada 
Award for full time undergraduate students entering year 3 or 4 of the Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy program or.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Griffith School of Environment Undergraduate Commencing Bursary, Australia 
Undergraduate Bursary for Australian Students at School of Environment in Griffith University, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the School.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Doctoral Student Position in Metabolomics and Biobanking at University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg 
Doctoral Student Position in Metabolomics and Biobanking at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg 2012 Study Subject(s):Metabolomics.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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PhD Position in Molecular Malaria Research at Radboud University, 2012 Netherlands 
Doctoral position in the Department of Molecular Biology at Radboud University, 2012 Netherlands Study Subject(s):Molecular Malaria Research Course Level:PhD Scholarship.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Scholarship at Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic 
Institution for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations offers 6-24 month Scholarship at Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic Study Subject(s):Environmental.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 University of Ballarat Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Philosophy, Australia 
The University of Ballarat offers Postgraduate Research Scholarship for Australian or New Zealand Citizens in the field of Philosophy, Australia 2012 Study Subject(s):Doctor.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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National Scholarship Programme at Plymouth University, 2012/13 UK 
Full-time Scholarship programme for the UK citizens at Plymouth University, 2012/13 UK Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the university Course Level:Enrolled.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Geoff Lockwood Scholarship for Master Students at SPRU University of Sussex, UK 
University of Sussex offers Geoff Lockwood Scholarship for MSc students at Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU), UK 2013 Study.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Murray & Co Investment Banking Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarship in Finance at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 2012 Study Subject(s):Finance Course Level:Undergraduate, Postgraduate Scholarship.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Marion Rayward Memorial Scholarship in Music at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 
Scholarship for Undergraduate,Graduate,Teachers in the field of Music at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 2012 Study Subject(s):Music Course Level:Undergraduate.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Studentship in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London, UK 
PhD Studentship in Capture of Requirements and Rationale for Tightly Coupled Systems at Department of Mechanical Engineering in Imperial College.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Research Assistant Position in Journalism, Media and Communication at University of Central Lancashire, UK 
University of Central Lancashire offers in Research Assistant Position at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UK Study Subject(s):Multilingual.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Studentship in Construction Engineering, at Hasselt University, Belgium 
2012 Doctoral studentship in construction engineering – modelling of prestressed concrete elements at Hasselt university, Belgium Study Subject(s):Construction engineering – modelling.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Research Assistant Position in Education and Social Science at University of Central Lancashire, UK 
University of Central Lancashire offers Research Assistant Position in Education and Social Science, 2012 UK Study Subject(s):Survival strategies among different.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Studentship in Mechanics of Materials at Imperial College London, UK 
PhD Studentship in Mechanics of Materials at Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Mechanics of Materials.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Research Associate in Cancer Genetic Risk at University College London, UK 
Cancer Research UK Grant offers Research Associate Position in Cancer Genetic Risk at University College London, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Cancer.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 NEH Summer Research Stipends in Humanities, USA 
National Endowment for the Humanities offers Summer Stipends for US citizens  and Foreign nationals pursuing research in the field of Humanities,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012-2013 Call for Doctoral Positions in Biomolecular Sciences at International Doctoral School , Italy 
CIBIO  (Centre for Integrative Biology) and The Microsoft Research – University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI).. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Postdoctoral Position in Human Microbiomics at University of Luxembourg, 2012 Luxembourg 
Postdoctoral Position in Human Microbiomics in the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine at University of Luxembourg, 2012 Luxembourg  Study Subject(s):Human.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 UCT/CSIR Scholarship Programme at Cape Town University, South Africa 
Honours, Masters and Doctoral scholarships for South Africa Citizen at Cape Town University, 2013 South Africa Study Subject(s):Materials Science and.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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AA Scholarship Award for Undergraduate Students in Architecture, UK 2013 
Architectural Association offers Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in the field of Architecture, UK 2013 Study Subject(s):Architecture Course Level:Undergraduate Scholarship Provider:.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Curtin Financial Support Grant for Undergraduate Students, Australia 
Undergraduate Support Grant for Australian and New Zealand citizen in Health Sciences, Aboriginal Studies ,Business, Science & Engineering, Humanities at Curtin.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Griffith International Postgraduate Research Scholarship for Canadian Students, Australia 2013 
Griffith University offers Scholarship in Postgraduate Research for Canadian Students, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the university Course Level:Postgraduate.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Ebbeler International Scholarship for Purdue Students 
Scholarship in Foreign Language Based Program for Purdue Students to study Abroad 2012 Study Subject(s):Denmark’s International Study Program, German-language-based ,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 AIMS/JCU PhD Scholarship Program in Fish and Climate Change, Australia 
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook University (JCU) offers PhD Scholarship Program for both domestic and.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Junior Research Fellowship/Research Assistant Position at SRM University, India 
Junior Research Fellow(JRF), Research Assistant(RA) and Technical assistant(TA) at SRM University, India Study Subject(s):Project work Course Level:Research Scholarship Provider: SRM.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Research Fellowship in Earth Surface Dynamics at University of Southampton, UK 
NERC funded Research Fellowship in Climatic and Autogenic Controls on the Morphodynamics of Mega-Rivers at University of Southampton, UK 2012.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Research Associate Position in Inflammatory Perinatal Brain Injury at King’s College London, UK 
2012 Research Associate Position in the Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering at.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Postdoctoral Position in Quantum Beam Engineering Lab, South Korea 
Postdoctoral Position in the field of Graphene at Quantum Beam Engineering Lab, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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PhD Position in Environmental Sciences or Biology at The Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic 
Doctoral Position in the field of Environmental Sciences or Biology at The Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic Study Subject(s):Environmental.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Summer Research Scholarships for Undergraduate Students at University of Sydney, Australia 2012-2013 
Scholarships for Undergraduate Students in the field of Liberal Studies, Medical Science, Medicine, Science, Pharmacy, MBBS at University of Sydney,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Doctoral Student Position in Enzymology/Metabolomics at University of Luxembourg, 2012 Luxembourg 
Doctoral Student Position in Enzymology/Metabolomics in the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine at University of Luxembourg, 2012 Luxembourg  Study Subject(s):Enzymology/Metabolomics.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012/13 Von Der Oelsnitz Scholarships at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 
Scholarships for Honours, Masters or PhD degree in French and German language at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 2012/13.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Scholarship in Intercultural Business Encounters at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark 
Department of International Business Communication (IBC) offers PhD Scholarship in Intercultural Business Encounters at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark 2012 Study.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 SNMTS Advanced Practitioner Program Grant at University of Arkansas, USA 
Education and Research Foundation for SNMMI offers Advanced Practitioner Program grant for SNMMITS members to pursue their Associate Degree at University.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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highest paid deejays

culled from forbes.com

Every so often, the tectonic plates of mainstream musical taste shift. In the 1960s, there was the British Invasion, followed by disco in the 1970s and the rise of glam metal in the 1980s. The 1990s saw the advent of grunge and the resurgence of boy bands, followed by hip-hop’s hegemony in the 2000s. Now, the tables are turning again.

Electronic dance music, better known as EDM, has finally surged from its underground roots and into mainstream consciousness. One need only look at the recent activities of the genre’s most prominent practitioners: last year, Skrillex was one of the main attractions at Coachella; last month, Deadmau5 ended up on the cover of Rolling Stone; last week, Kaskade became the first electronic act to sell out the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“I think mainly people were just ready to hear something new,” says Kaskade. “My parents listened to rock and roll; that’s their music. And then hip-hop came along. This is the next generation of music.”

Just as international recognition enriched the likes of The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Aerosmith, Nirvana andJay-Z, EDM’s practitioners have been cleaning up of late, prompting FORBES to release its first-everElectronic Cash Kings list. Over the past 12 months, the world’s ten highest-paid DJs pulled in $125 million—more than the payroll of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dutch born DJ Tiesto tops the list with earnings of $22 million, buoyed by an average nightly gross of $250,000 according to concert data provider Pollstar. Grammy-winning California native Skrillex ranks second with $15 million, followed by Scandinavian trio Swedish House Mafia, which recently disbanded despite pulling in an estimated $14 million.

“I’ve been listening to electronic music since I was 12,” says Skrillex. “Even when I played in rock bands, I’ve been making it … This is the first time it’s gotten so big.”

It’s not just the top three acts making all the money. French DJ David Guetta claims the No. 4 spot with $13.5 million, buoyed by last year’s pop crossoverNothing But The Beat and endorsements withRenault and HP; Steve Aoki, who played over 200 shows in the past year, rounds out the top five at $12 million. Other DJs on the top ten include the aforementioned Kaskade and Deadmau5, as well as Afrojack, Avicii and Jersey Shore’s DJ Pauly D.

Full list: The World’s Highest-Paid DJs

Though these Electronic Cash Kings hail from all over the globe, they’ve got at least one thing in common: they all make the bulk of their money by touring. Often toting nothing more than a USB stick and a pair of Pioneer CDJs, their production costs are often negligible, unlike rockers and pop stars who typically take home just one-third of gross ticket sales.

Our estimates include earnings from these live shows—for many artists, that often means more than $100,000 for a night’s work—and from recorded music sales, endorsements, merchandise sales and, in the case of DJ Pauly D, television (we included him on this list because, like his fellow Electronic Cash Kings, he makes at least half his cash from DJ gigs). Sources include Pollstar, RIAA, promoters, managers, lawyers and some of the artists themselves.

Dance Dance Revolution

Though the term “electronic dance music” is relatively new, electronic music has been around for decades, first gaining popularity through influential early acts like Kraftwerk in the 1970s. So what accounts for the recent rise of EDM? Many prominent DJs credit the new avenues of spreading information that have cropped up in the past few years.

“I think what really changed was social media,” says Tiesto. “Twitter, Facebook really helped a lot. It exposed things to a whole new world. Before that you only could hear [electronic dance music] on the radio at night. Day-time radio would never play it.”

Perhaps more importantly, EDM has found a home in the festival circuit. Concert promoters like AEG, the parent company of Coachella producer Goldenvoice, discovered that they could tap into the burgeoning electronic scene by adding top DJs to their lineups—and what started out as a sideshow soon became the main attraction.

“The Coachella music festival served as microcosm in the evolution of electronic dance music from a niche into a mainstream format,” says AEG chief Randy Phillips. “EDM translates more successfully as a consumer experience in the open field festival environment or in a general admission [or] flat floor venue than it does in large arenas with fixed seats. Efforts to tour EDM stars in arenas across North America have proven to yield uneven results outside of a handful of major markets.”

One of those markets is Las Vegas, where casino mogul Steve Wynn has signed a group of Electronic Cash Kings–including Tiesto, Skrillex and David Guetta–to residencies at his properties; he also started a joint label with Ultra Records to release electronic music. Other billionaires including Ron Burkle are said to be keen on getting a slice of the electronic pie as well. And why shouldn’t they try? DJs are quickly becoming the rock stars of their generation—and now they’re getting paid as such, too.

“Dance music is pretty close to where rock was 50 years ago,” says Afrojack, who ranks ninth on our list with $9 million. “And rock has never died. So I’m sure the same [goes for] dance music.”

National Honours in the Nigerian consciousness

culled from punchng.com

Since 1964, the Nigerian government has been bestowing honours and decorations on deserving citizens and foreigners. In all, there are eight categories: Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic; Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger; Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic; Commander of the Order of the Niger; Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic; Officer of the Order of the Niger; Member of the Order of the Federal Republic; and Member of the Order of the Niger. The Federal Republic Medal and Order of the Niger Medal are later additions.

While the GCFR is mostly reserved for the President/Head of State and their deputies; the GCON, in most cases, goes to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Service Chiefs. The bestowment of these awards, many a times, has not been without controversies of who deserves what and why do certain people have higher or lower citations. But the most celebrated have been those of Profs Chinua Achebe and Tam David-West. Achebe rejected the CFR in 2004, and again in 2011. David-West, on the other hand, rejected the CON in 2010 for reasons that are entirely valid.

David-West is not your run of the mill Nigerian. He stands taller than many of his contemporaries. He was an incorruptible public servant, academician, first class public intellectual, noted critic, and scientist. He is a force for good, a force to be reckoned with. He rejected the CON as a protest to government’s 2010 wasteful N10bn budget; and also because of the lowly citation he was getting. He deserved more than he was being given (and many dispassionate Nigerians agree with him). A CFR would have been the most appropriate. And really, he deserves it.

Six other Nigerians that truly deserve to be honoured with either the GCON, or CFR are King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Steven Osita Osadebe, Sunny Okosun, and I.K. Dairo. These are musical giants. But really, they are more than musical giants: they made Nigeria better, and also made our lives more joyful. Fela, for instance, helped to raise the social and political consciousness of millions of Nigerians. Several decades from now, while the memory of eminent Nigerians would have faded from our collective memory, Fela would remain. The same can also be said for Obey and Ade.

The second issue here is that of titles. Frankly, Nigerians have taken it to a ridiculous height. For instance, when a man makes a successful pilgrimage to Mecca, he automatically assumes the Alhaji title. The women are referred to as Alhaja or Hajiya. There are millions of such folks in Nigeria. Here is an irony: I have at least a dozen friends from the Middle East and you never ever hear any of them use these honorifics. I am also amused – greatly amused – when I hear Nigerians introduce themselves at social functions as “Engineer Uche,” “Architect Johnson,” “Accountant Segun,” or as “Computer Scientist Adamu.”

Why all these titles? Some Nigerians even append their first and or second degree to their names. We even have folks with honorary PhD walking around as if they earned it. Within religious circles, we have the JP, Imam, the Bishops, the Prophets and the Elders. The truly ridiculous are those who preface their names with several vain titles, i.e. Your Excellency, Sir, and Dr. Engineer. I knew a fellow who went by Dr./Professor. And he demanded to be so called. Why are we so hung up on titles? Could this be a sign of inferiority complex?It has to be. Sadly, some Nigerians just want to feel important and be thought of as important — even when they are ordinary and of no value to anybody or to the society they live in.

Over the years and as I make periodic visits, I have come to understand that to not properly introduce certain people with their earned, dashed, stolen or forged title, could get one into trouble. Some Nigerians, it seems, do not like to be ordinary people. They have to be somebody. They have to be important, a very important person — whether or not they add value to their community. Lawmakers at both the state and federal levels are “Honourables,” and “Distinguished” as in the case of the senators, even when they are mostly associated with dishonourable and undistinguished corrupt acts while Governors are “Your Excellency.” It is as if to be a Mr., a Miss or a Mrs. is a curse. There is a time and place for titles i.e. being addressed as Dr. or Professor within the academy or during conferences.

Of all the titles that are currently in vogue in today’s Nigeria, “Chief” is the most ubiquitous. Every braggart, every laggard and every swine is a chief. Every scoundrel, every hooligan, and every rapist is a chief. Wherever you turn, wherever you go, there are chiefs. Funny enough, some are no longer mere chiefs, they are High Chiefs! For very many years, it was a big deal to be honoured with a chieftaincy title by a traditional ruler or king. You were given a title if, for instance, you were a man or woman of high repute and have contributed immensely to the advancement and well-being of your people.

To be called a Chief was something special, and you must be truly worthy of such honour. And it was rarely given. But things have changed. Many such titles are sold to felons and mostly contemptible politicians. Most chieftaincy titles today are not worth the price of a bowl of pepper soup. What do all these say about us as a people? That we are only worthy if we have a title. That others will reckon with us only if we have an otiose title attached to our names. The stupidity of unnecessary titles does not honour us. Frankly, it diminishes us, individually and collectively in the eyes of the world. And you must have a very low self-esteem if you indulge in this title-craze race

Big vs Small: Guide to investment in stocks

Some people have made it a habit in timing the market in order to beat the market average. The human mentality plays a big role in market-timing. Fear is the main reason why investors try to time market. Market timing is a situation whereby market speculators buy and sell shares to make profit within the short run. They buy such shares at very low prices and sell them at a very high price. When a bill market starts having bear market tendencies, fear sets in. when such tendencies get pronounce, there is high adrenaline, and such investors sell their shares, never time market now supposing the bull market continues, how do you profit from it.

-              Forget Intuition in Investing. Buy with the professionals success in the stock market requires counter-intuitive thinking. People react to happenings in the stock market based on their emotions. They do what they intuitively think is right. People never take advantage of a bull market because they keep investing in beanish markets and get fed up with the thing. It is a well known fact that professionals such as fund managers are active in the stock market in opposite way to the public while the public buy wild over valued shares, the professionals are selling and when the public are selling professionals are buying. Professionals buy at the beginning of a bull market one of the public buy at the end of a bull market is that there are sharp rallies which look like the beginning of a new bull market. However they fall again and continue going down. Such rallies are called “Sucker rallies”. Because of this, people abandon hope in the stock market. Most people who time the market to get in, are always too late. The best investment strategy is to stay in the market at all times.

When stocks fall 10%, it is called a correction whereas a bear market is when stocks fall 28% or more. Corrections atimes result in a beanish market.

One of the worst mistake people make is market timing, because much money is lost in doing so than in being in the beanish market.

The easiest solution to combating bear markets is setting a schedule of buying stocks or mutual funds so that you put in a small amount of money every month or after quarter etc. this will remove you from the traumas of bullish and beanish markets.

If you want to be very successful in your investments, you must be able to view at the entire market vertically by size or market capitalization of horizontally by industry or market sector.

Atimes, some people are seared of investing on other peoples business. They do not trust other people with their money so what they do is they keep their money and continue labouring. Such money is in my own term “inactive” in that it is already enpended before it reaches such individual’s (i.e. before they are being paid).

Some people are always too anxious when they are first talked to about investment. Atimes they invest everything they earn without leaving part for their day to day expenditures. Such are the people who are sinking in poverty.

Remember poverty is not being without money, but being without hope. They do not have hope for their future. They fail to understand that by investing, they commit themselves to a risk. Study markets trend wisely before committing to a company’s stock. A company that pays dividend is of no difference with a company that retains its earnings. Companies that are labour intensive should be avoided.

Market timing should not be encouraged but it doesn/t mean when your stocks go far down you shouldn’t reclaim your money. If you are adamant, you could reap high losses. For the market timers who may want to still make money in the stock market, there is a simple rule to follow.

Speculators

I wouldn’t advise you to do what I am about to write. It is senseless, contradictory and irresponsible of you. nevertheless, many great people of old have followed its simple rules and have made a jackpot for themselves. Remember to follow the procedure you feel is suitable for you. to some people it is the safest way to make quick money in the market.

Being very reasonable, atimes you’ve got to out your losses. The secret of making a fortime in your partfolio in the stock market is not being right at all times but to lose a very little anytime you’re wrong. You’ve got to recognize your wrongs and sell immediately without any second thought to cut short your losses. The fact that the price of a stock in your portfolio has dropped a little doesn’t does not make it worth selling off. When a stock goes down below tan percent of its purchase value you’ve got to kiss such goodbye.

Do not be over attracted to your stocks. Stocks like teachers are derived demands, in that they are demanded not because of the satisfaction they bring but because of their services which are directed towards achieving other goals.

Like Napoleon, never hesitate on the battlefield of wealth. I wrote in one of the previous chapters that you never really lose until you sell your stocks. This is true but only in cases where the company in question shows a sign of redress.

Set roles limiting your losses or invested capital. Ten percent should be a good limit to sell stocks. All stocks are risky, irrespective of the fact that they are first tier securities or second tier securities. It is always good to take your losses quickly and your gains slowly. The ten percent should be below the value for which you bought such stocks. Some people are seared to sell because they feel their stocks are good stocks since they are still collecting their dividends. To be very successful in your portfolio management you must face facts and stop rationalizing and hoping. No one emotionally loves losses, but to be very successful you’ve got to get your emotions under control. You must be very disciplined to excel in the stock market. You are the another of your finances, never lose courage to take decisions with regards to your finances. It takes real hardwork to become very knowledgeable at stock selection, for folio management and taking right decisions regarding your finances.Never try arguing with the market and don.t let your emotions attach you psychologically to stocks even when they are failing in their responsibility of making more gains.

The aim of every portfolio is to show net profits. Atimes, when you are tired of managing a particular stock you’ve got to sell it and claim your profits. Your major objective is to buy the best stock with the best earning at the right time .Never buy stocks on tips and rumours. Most of this so called tips are originated from outsiders (people outside the stock market )whom have never got an experience in the stock market.

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERS (IPOS)

An initial public offering is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. The Internet and discount brokerages has made easier, more accessible and a lot more convenient IPOs to individual investors. Acquiring IPO is acquiring a non liquid stock. This is very risky as you may not be able to sell your shares when you really want to: The best time to purchase an IPO is after it has had its foremost correction. If an IPO has been trading in the market for two or more months, you have a valuable data on which to ascertain the situation surrounding such stocks.

CONVERTIBLE BONDS.

A convertible bond is type of bond which can be exchanged for another category of investment such as common stocks, at a predetermined price. Convertible bond provides a little higher income than the common stock to the owner with some of the profits often associated with common stocks.

Convertible bonds are advantageous in that investors in them can borrow heavily and obtain more buying power. Nevertheless, this is also a risk because excessive leverage is dangerous.

INCOME STOCKS

These are stocks that produce high and regular dividend yields, providing taxable income for such who owns it.

If you wish to opt out with income stocks, don’t go for those with the highest dividends, doing contrary will entail entrusting your capital to greater losses. Do not rely on the dividend received from your investments, because a times companies do cot their dividends receivable on shares if they have a reduced earning per share. For the  best income program on your stocks, withdrawing a little percentage of your investment each year could pay off for your living expenses.

MERGER CANDIDATES

Companies that are about to merge should be shyed away from. Rumours triggers a sudden rise in price for stocks of such companies. Whenever such deals are not successful, they is a very steep decline in price of such stocks of such companies. It is a very risky venture for one to take. Such should be left to the professionals.

FOREIGN STOCKS

To invest in foreign stocks, a potential investor must knowledgeable in the general market of the particular country He must be conversant with the interest rates, currency, government policy etc. foreign stocks should be left to professionals who are specialized in such fields. If an individual wants to take the chance, I think it will be best for him to have a financial advisor from such countries;

OVER THE COUNTER MARKET

This is a market outside the stock exchange like the Nasdag is to the United States of America. It has no reserved centralized location where traders and professionals gather. The market is often termed “off board” or “unlisted” at which buyers and sellers are not physically present. The market is characterized by direct negotiation between the parties involved (buyers and sellers). Dealers/Brokers negotiate most transactions by telephone or computer networks. In the USA, investment such as bonds do not trade on organized exchange; hence bonds are traded over the counter. A party interested in bonds calls the banks that make bonds and request for quotes. Over the counter market involves bilateral negotiation between counter parties usually carried out via telephone or internet networks. Over the counter market unlike listed stocks (that) the law expects to make public their accounts on a quarterly basis) does not oblige their companies to publish their accounts on a quarterly basis. Nevertheless, OTC are not less profitable than their counterparts that are listed. OTC stocks are advantageous over the listed stocks in that auxiliary costs such as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) fees securities and exchance commission (SEC) fees, CSCS fees etc are always passed. OTC on the otherhand has its own disadvantages. Prices of quoted stocks are visible in that they are always published in the daily papers while the unquoted stocks are susceptible to the risk of either being overpriced or underpriced. The market forces (forces of demand and supply) may not apply strictly because, not marry may even know they can trade the stocks they are carrying because only limited opportunity exist for trading. Another risk factor is pricing of such stocks which a times may not be right. Price determination depends on bargaining powers. There is usually a delay to locate suitable parties that are even interested in investing in such stocks. The selection of an OTC stock follows the same criteria as that of quoted companies.

-              the accounts must be scrutinized carefully, sectional/industrial analysis visa vis the national economy needs to be evaluated alongside the structure of the company. Future prospects of such companies are very important also after scrutinizing carefully all these then you can arrive at a decision either to invest or not. Since these stocks have nocentral trading place, the trader (buyer/seller) has to make the effort to locate a dealer/broker of such stocks Also, the OTC stocks to be bought will depend on the recommendation of your broker who would have carried out the necessary analysis of such stocks. Let us look at an example of a company trading in this friesland foods Wamco Nigeria Plc, consolidated Breweries Plc, Ecobank Plc, Eco-Transnational Incorporation. Friesland foods Wamco Plc is the market leader in this venture more often than not, returns on investment of OTC stocks are higher that those of their counterparts which are quoted.

Why should you invest in portfolio?

Everyone has got financial needs which must one way or the other be met. Some of us wantto be very rich while others want financial security.  To achieve there, it takes time with great discipline. A major step now is the key to your financial security tomorrow.

-              Set your investment goals

Be sure of what you really wantto accomplish. Your goals must be specific and measurable. Your investment goals are always time oriented and should be classified as short term (0-3 years) medium term (4 – 6years) or long term (above 6 years).

-              Live within your means

After setting your goals, you should begin firstly by balancing your budget and live within your income. Avoid accumulation of debts. Avoid credit cards, they’re a major source of debts. After purchasing items via credit cards, you pay monthly instalments which often comes with interest charges and this reduces drastically our future income stop all credit purchases except in emergencies. This is always a very tortuous period in a person’s life but it is worth the sacrifice in order to reach your goals.

-              Have Adequate Insurance cover you need essential insurance such as life, health, home, motor etc before you start investing.

-              Start an emergency Fund

An emergency fund is the amount of money you can obtain quickly to meet immediate needs. This should be in a savings account or a mutual fund. You emergency funds should be able to sustain you even when you lose your job until you can get another.

-              Find the money you need to start maybe you need to work to gather this money to start your investment programme. This is normally by saving from your monthly pay, lump sum payments, obtaining cheap loans e.g. from your employers, etc.

-              Set your priorities

You need decide how earnest want you want your investment goals. If you want is earnestly, you will be willing to sacrifice some expenses to finance it.

No one can make you save money to invest. You have to cultivate the discipline to do it. To get the money to invest, firstly you must pay yourself at least a tenth of your monthly income. Elective saving programs is another advantageous was of getting the money – arrange with your bank and broker or a mutual fund to take a fixed sum of money  automatically from your account every month and invest it.

The sooner you start up your investment, the higher your eventual fund growth because of the time valve of money and the effect of compounding returns.

Babangida replies Clarke

Following remarks from prominent leader Edwin Clark accusing Retired Generals Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida of being behind Boko Haram for refusing to denounce them publicly, former President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in a swift response, lashed back at Edwin Clark.

In the his response, the Ex-General Ibrahim Babangida stated "We have since known Edwin Clark to be loose cannon in public discourse. He deserves our pity. We are forced to accept the conclusion that on account of his age, his senses have since departed him. He needs our empathies and not sympathies."

Pastor Bakare attacks Dame Patience Jonathan

Pastor Tunde Bakare’s bracing criticism of the state of Nigerian politics continued today, with his spotlight turning on First Lady Patience Jonathan. Before delivering his latest salvo in a series that began on July 22, Mr. Bakare reviewed the firestorm in cyberspace over his previous sermon titled “How to Change the Government Peacefully.” He remarked that “whether anybody likes it or not, we are not waiting for time to tell. The time is already telling.” In a fervent defense of a political bent in his recent sermons, Mr. Bakare stated, “You may say I no longer teach you Bible but politics. That’s fine. Use it, and we will have a new nation.” He criticized the declaration of self-autonomy by the Ogoni people. Even so, he condemned the insincerity on the part of the Federal Government and the State Security Service (SSS), carpeting them for pretending to be unaware of the developments in Ogoniland. “On the 2nd of August, Ogoni people declared their own political autonomy from Nigeria’s political landscape, and 72 hours after this declaration, the Federal Government is playing deaf and dumb. The Special Assistant to the Information Minister says they are not aware of such declaration. Whereas, I had preached a simple message on how to change government peacefully and make the society better, and within two hours the tape had landed on the table of the State Security Department that they began to hound me the following day,” said the pastor. Mr. Bakare’s topic for today was titled “Personal Insecurity/Inferiority Aborts Your Destiny (Part 1).” The talk lampooned Mrs. Jonathan’s recent covetous behavior, describing her as suffering from a psyche of characteristic inferiority. The activist pastor, who was a vice presidential candidate to General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.), asserted that Mrs. Jonathan’s background as a stark pauper caused her to seek “aggressive compensation.” He added that, because Nigeria’s First Lady was unsure of the reality of the provisions she currently enjoys, she wants to secure her sudden opulence at all cost, even at the detriment of public interest. “Now I know why Jonathan’s wife has become Permanent Secretary; they are preparing her for the position of the Prime Minister of Niger Delta Republic,” quipped Mr. Bakare. He condemned the desperation with which Mrs. Jonathan seeks to be the head of all Africa’s First Ladies, a permanent secretary in Bayelsa State, as well as her possible greed for political power in a prospective Niger Delta Republic. Mr. Bakare stated, “In the time of Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello, they annexed their resources to the development of their regions and there were serious competitions in each region, which in turn contributed to the federal purse. Now, it is the turn of Otuoke people, and they are declaring autonomy.” Mr. Bakare prayed that any agenda set to balkanize the nation would fail. “We are not saying that people should not control the resources in their own regions, but they had benefited from the largesse of our unity in the past. Now, they cannot divorce when they have their own child.” He added, “It is not true that Nigeria was formed by Lord Lugard, no. The Bible says in Acts 14 that God predetermines the boundaries of all nations. He only used the hands of those in the Western world (to form Nigeria).” The pastor’s sermon suggested that President Goodluck Jonathan’s gluttony for power and the First Lady’s actions portrayed a couple bent on executive misadventures. “Within ten years from when he was working among the marine animals, [Mr. Jonathan] was appointed to become deputy governor, and then became acting governor. Without even thinking about it, he was appointed as vice presidential candidate and, by doctrine of necessity, he became acting president. Before he could study how to act, God factor made him President. Now, he has not even performed in 2011/2012, he is planning for 2015. His middle name is Jeroboam!” said Mr. Bakare. In a series of declamations, Mr. Bakare asserted, “When the shoeless takes over, he does clueless things. When such men of low estate find themselves in power, terrible things begin to happen.” He added, “It is the timidity of the inferior that prods them to cover up. Deep rivers flow in majestic silence.” In today’s sermon, Mr. Bakare narrated a reported encounter between Mr. Jonathan and Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie during a visit by the former prior to the 2011 elections. Bakare related that Mr. Jonathan had requested that the Catholic prelate pray for him to win the 2011 election. In response, the latter reportedly prophesied, “You will win, but you will not rule.” Pastor Bakare stated that the prophecy had been realized since Mrs. Jonathan and members of a cabal had overshadowed the president