Automate savings: Set up automatic transfers to your savings and investment accounts to make saving effortless

'However you want to do it, I don't know; just make sure you are not posted to Abuja. It is not a very good place. You can go to any other location o, but Abuja? Don't try it!'

This was the advice a 'very dear' friend of my mom gave her when it was time for posting. My mother worked in the Federal ministry till she retired, so transfers were inevitable.

Somehow, God had other plans in mind and posting to Abuja seemed to be one of them. This was around the year 1999 when Abuja was like London... It's been a while I visited so I don't know if it is still as beautiful as we left it.

My innocent mom was scared. There was no place she didn't go to plead for a change in posting but God had His plans and so with a heavy heart, my mother packed her bags, accompanied by one of my elder sisters for comfort, bought tickets from those luxurious bus services and began her journey to the 'land of doom,' Abuja, with the first bus. Those days, there were no mobile phones but the roads were very safe and good.

We bade her goodbye forlornly like someone that was going to a land of no return. Even my father that had been forming King Kong earlier used style to wipe his tears (though he told me that it was fly that entered his eyes), but we had no choice. Go to Abuja or resign, the letter said.

After what seemed like eternity, my sister called from a phone booth in the park around five in the evening. They had arrived in Abuja and were about to board a cab to their destination. She promised to look around for a pay phone to call us the next morning.

She called us in the afternoon after a visit to my mother's 'dear' friend's office.

The same doomsayer about Abuja was having a sumptuous lunch in her grandeur office when my mother walked in unannounced. She hadn't been aware about the transfer, so my mother was the last person she had been expecting to see.

'Ha!' She shouted in surprise as soon as she saw my mother. Her face went through series of emotions before she managed to utter 'What are you doing here?' She was so shocked that she was almost speechless all through their stay.

We were stupefied to hear how beautiful the city was. Turned out that all she told us about Abuja was the extreme opposite! Light was so steady that there used to announcement on radio if there was going to be power cut. To cap it up, this woman had properties in that same 'horrible' Abuja and was living in splendour.

My mother's shock was over- shocked! How someone could be that evil still amazes me till date. No wonder people kept asking us if we were normal whenever we prayed against Abuja transfer. I still wonder what people stand to gain by blocking others. She depicted Abuja as a barren land whereas it was flowing with milk and honey!

It taught me a very valuable lesson; not all friends have your interests at heart; only God does.

5G Technology

5G technology assures fast connectivity, promising to transform industries relating to telecommunications, gaming, and IoT. It facilitates data transfers smoothly, which will again support other developments such as smart cities and autonomous cars. Yet, infrastructure issues and security concerns have to be overcome to unleash its transformational power.

Arsenal press conference LIVE: Mikel Arteta on Rice injury, Henry comments and transfers
The Gunners boss is set to face the press ahead of his side's Carabao Cup quarter-final with Crystal PalaceArsenal boss Mikel Arteta is set to face the press at London Colney ahead of his side's Carabao Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace.

The Gunners go into the game off the back of a disappointing result against Everton on Saturday. Arteta's men could only draw 0-0 with Sean Dyche's side at Emirates Stadium, leaving them in third place and six points off leaders Liverpool.

The performance led to criticism from Thierry Henry on Monday night football. What added to the disappointment of dropping points in the title race was an injury that forced Declan Rice to come off.

Attention now turns to Wednesday night's Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace. The Gunners are among the favourites to win the competition but the Eagles come into the fixture on the back of an impressive win away at Brighton & Hove Albion.

You can hear everything Arteta has to say on all that and much more with football.london's chief Arsenal correspondent Kaya Kaynak in our live blog below.

Nail Care Essentials

Clean and trimmed nails are a part of hygiene. Long nails host bacteria underneath the nail, which causes infection. One should use a nail clipper every week to trim the nails and brush underneath the nails. Refrain from biting your nails, as it transfers the germs to the mouth. Apply moisturizer to maintain good, healthy cuticles. Proper care of nails saves one from sickness and maintains neatness.

Ruben Amorim has made his position on transfers clear to Manchester United's leadership, insisting on having the final say.

The Portuguese manager, recently appointed after Erik ten Hag's dismissal, is preparing for his first game in charge this weekend as United face newly-promoted Ipswich.

While Amorim's immediate focus is on reviving the team's performance, discussions about the January transfer window—set to open in just over a month—are already underway. Despite limited funds following a heavy summer spend under Ten Hag, Amorim has emphasized his desire to have full control over transfer decisions as the club looks to strengthen its squad.

Liverpool's Progress Under Arne Slot: Martin Zubimendi Deal and Squad Updates

Liverpool are thriving in a new era under Arne Slot, who took over as head coach after Jurgen Klopp departed Anfield last summer following nearly nine years in charge. Slot has embraced the challenge of maintaining the club's legacy, aiming to deliver more success and silverware to Merseyside.

Under Slot's leadership, Liverpool have surged to the top of the Premier League table as of November's international break. The Reds hold a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City and are nine points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal, sitting in third and fourth, respectively.

Despite a relatively quiet summer transfer window, which saw two signings completed but only one joining the squad for the current season, Liverpool's early form suggests strong progress. It remains to be seen whether the club will pursue additional transfers when the window reopens in January.

Sometimes we can lose our way in life and wonder what it’s all about. We can get stuck in situations and relationships that don’t fulfill our needs and make us feel unhappy, work in jobs that make us dread the sound of the alarm clock on a Monday morning, and deal with health issues that destroy our self-confidence.

If you are stuck in a rut and don’t want to be a repeat of the last few years, here are ways to drastically change your life for the better.

Move To Another Country
One of the most significant and most drastic changes you can make to your life is moving to another country.

If you have always wanted to travel the world and embark upon a new adventure, do some research and decide where in the world you would like to go. If you plan to live in a new country, you will need to have plenty of financial backing to support you or secure employment that can sustain your lifestyle.

Perhaps you could choose a destination you have visited before and loved or a country where you have friends or family who could help make your move go more smoothly.

Once you have decided where to go, you will need to arrange accommodation, whether it be staying in a hotel for a few days or with friends and then a rental property. You must plan this in advance. You will also need to arrange flights and transfers, buy some local currency and ensure you have a credit card you can use in the new destination until you set up a bank account.

When traveling to another country, it is vital that you get travel insurance to cover you in the event of any medical emergencies. Get online and find a suitable policy from one of the best travel medical insurance companies.

Find Faith
Sometimes a person can lose their way in life and lack direction. This can result in feelings of loneliness and hopelessness.

Finding religion can sometimes help a person to feel that life has meaning and purpose. It can give a person focus and help them to meet like-minded companions.

Change Your Career
If you hate your job and feel that your life could be improved with a change of career – change it!

Often a change of job can transform your life and make you feel more fulfilled and happy. You may also meet a whole new set of friends or even your future partner. If your dream career requires you to have specific qualifications, partake in a night class or complete an online course in the required subject. If you can afford to throw your current job in, attend college or university full time or find a job at entry level in the area of interest. Some companies will pay for you to study while working for them so look into this.

Become Self Sufficient
If you are fed up living in the rat race and sick of consumerism, you could think about becoming self-sufficient. Live a simple life growing your own food, naturally fuelling your property, homeschooling your kids, and living off the land.

Escape Negativity
Relationships can become stagnant or even abusive. If you are in a relationship that makes you feel scared, alone, or worthless, now is the time to end it.

If you feel trapped, ask friends or family for their support. Perhaps live with them until you feel strong enough to stand on your own two feet. If you have children, try to ensure they are shielded from any negativity and do all communication with your partner in their absence.

To mitigate these adverse effects, it is essential that President Tinubu re-evaluates and adjusts his approach to subsidy removal. While the rationale behind the policy is sound, its implementation needs to consider Nigeria's unique socio-economic landscape. The current approach lacks sufficient cushioning measures to ease the transition for the population. For instance, targeted support for vulnerable populations, such as direct cash transfers or subsidies for specific goods, could alleviate the economic strain on households. Additionally, investments in public transportation systems would reduce dependence on private fuel consumption, providing a more sustainable, long-term solution.