How Table Manners as We Know Them Were a Renaissance Invention

The invention of table manner/

In spite of the general easygoing attitude of the medieval period toward hygiene, table manners were not born in a vacuum. In Italy, the culture that would give rise to Catherine’s crusade for table manners took root in the medieval period itself. Well-born little Florentines, including Catherine, were brought up on the manual Fifty Courtesies for the Table,written by Fra Bonvicino da Riva in the 1290s. Even so, despite such precedents, there is little doubt that Catherine’s arrival in France coincided with a continent-wide Renaissance movement to raise the bar on dining customs.

To judge from the stature of some writers, table manners were no trivial matter. In 1530, three years before Catherine’s journey to France, Erasmus of Rotterdam found time out from creating a modern version of the Greek New Testament and criticizing the abuses of the Church to write a treatise that included a study of table manners.

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SOURCE: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Nigerian Navy and Police Fight - Many feared dead.

Nigerian Navy and Police Saga.

 Three policemen were reportedly burnt to death, following a clash between the police and some officers of Nigerian navy in Calabar, Cross River state capital, on Tuesday.

According to witnesses, the attack began shortly after 8.30 p.m., and was still underway as at 10.19 p.m. at Akim Divisional Headquarters

According to Premium Times sources, the confrontation was a continuation of an initial skirmish between a police traffic officer and a naval officer at a traffic light near the Calabar Stadium along the Airport Road on Tuesday afternoon. “Some naval officers ran the red light and police traffic officers intervened, but rather than listen, they descended on the policemen and beat them up,” a witness said. “This was around 5 p.m.” “Police officers now called for back up and and the Navy also called for reinforcement and they took over the road leading to the airport.

But the Navy Commander and police commissioner in the state intervened and the two sides backed down,” the witness said. “However, around 8:00 p.m., when everyone thought the matter had been resolved, naval officers descended on Akim Police Station and started shooting and burnt down the facility.

“We confirmed three bodies but we feared there are more,” the witness said. The witness also accused the naval officers of blocking fire fighters from extinguishing the inferno set at the police station.

SOURCE: NAIJ

Okorocha rejects daughter’s School’s board appointment by Buhari’s FG.

Chief Rochas Okorocha

The Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha has rejected the appointment into the Board of the Federal College of Education and Technology, Omoku, Rivers state of his second daughter, Uju Anwuka, by the Buhari-led Federal Government. The governor who said he rejected the appointment because it was obviously not done in good faith also said that the appointment looked suspicious because nobody had informed him of the appointment. He said instead, he heard of the appointment like any other Nigerians.

His statement read thus: “To the governor, the appointment was obviously not done in good faith. Whoever was the brain behind the appointment did so out of unbridled mischief. “Otherwise, the person behind the appointment would have had the courtesy of either informing the father or the mother. “The truth of the matter is that the governor’s daughter does not need the appointment. The governor has therefore asked whoever was behind the appointment to withdraw it, since the daughter would not have needed the appointment, even if he had not become governor.

“Indeed, the governor has the feeling that whoever was behind the appointment did it with something else at the back of his or her mind; otherwise, the person would have acted well his or her part by informing him or the mother, or even the daughter herself. “The daughter and the entire family reject the appointment.”

SOURCE: VANGUARD NGR

Presidential Election 2019: Vote Goodluck Jonathan

Goodluck Jonathan during the last
Presidential Election

 I was talking with friends today about Nigeria politics and what lies ahead of us politically in Nigeria. Different talks about Buhari administration being a disgrace and shame to the country, APC folk and the Northerner too. But some would say he as made some success as he as made a few set of people millionaires - i mean the farmers, the rice farmers in particular with the slight increase in the production of rice in Northern Nigeria neglecting the south which the immediate past president didn't do, Goodluck Jonathan built schools in the northern Nigeria whilst he was a Southerner, a might he achieved and which he never did for his own home- South Nigeria. That's another reason why people say Nigeria immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan remains a suitable candidate for PDP presidential election come 2019, but in my opinion Goodluck Jonathan has gained international recognition for his peaceful hand over to his opposition, congratulating Buhari even before the election results where announced by INEC, so i would say Goodluck Jonathan will not belittle himself to contest for Presidency in 2019.

BELITTLE! 

Would you say contesting for presidency in a country like Nigeria by anyone be tagged as belittling?? Do you think Goodluck Jonathan would contest for Presidency 2019?? Would you vote for Goodluck Jonathan if he contests for presidency 2019??

Today in History for 31st May - Famous poet, Walt Whitman is born

Walt Withman

Today is the birthday of poet Walt Whitman, born in West Hills, Long Island, and raised in Brooklyn.

Although Whitman loved music and books, he left school at the age of 14 to become a journeyman printer. Later, he worked as a teacher, journalist, editor, carpenter, and held various other jobs to support his writing. In 1855, he self-published a slim volume of poems called Leaves of Grass, which carried his picture but not his name. With this book, Whitman hoped to become a truly American poet, as envisioned in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “The Poet” (1843).

Whitman spent much time in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island, attending cultural events, taking long walks, and sometimes riding on coaches and ferries as an excuse to talk with people. In 1856, the second edition of Leaves of Grass included his “Sundown Poem,” later called “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry.”

In 1862, Whitman’s brother was wounded at Fredericksburg, and Whitman went to care for him. He spent the rest of the war comforting both Union and Confederate soldiers. His poem “Oh Captain, My Captain,” mourned Lincoln’s assassination. Whitman worked for several government departments after the war until he suffered a stroke in 1873. He spent the rest of his life in Camden, New Jersey, and continued to issue revised editions of Leaves of Grass until shortly before his death in 1892.

Born: May 31, 1819, West Hills, New York, United States
Died: March 26, 1892, Camden, New Jersey, United States
Poems: Song of Myself, O Captain! My Captain!, Calamus
Awards: Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration

Basketmouth reacts to Banky W's engagement!!

BBNaija winner Efe crowned prince of Okpe Kingdom.

Efe was crowned prince of Okpe Kingdom

- Efe Ejeba honoured by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major Gen Felix Mujakperuo

- The reception was attended by traditional chiefs and politicians in Delta state

- Mujakperuo says Efe was honoured because he had shown the world that youths from the Niger Delta region are not only known for violent and criminal activities

Winner of the 2017 Big Brother Naija television show otherwise called #BBNaija, Efe Ejeba, has been honoured as prince of Okpe kingdom, Delta, for winning the reality show. The honour was bestowed on Efe on Thursday, May 4, by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo Daily Independent reports that Prince Efe who arrived Orerokpe from Benin in a long motorcade, was received by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and six other traditional rulers including the Ovie of Ughelli at his palace in Orerokpe , headquarters of Okpe Council area of Delta state. 

Other traditional chiefs and politicians attended the reception which was chaired by a former minister of information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire.

SOURCE: NAIJ

Lagos is not part of Yoruba Land says Oba of Lagos

Barely one week after he reportedly snubbed

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

when they met at a function, 

the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, 

has allegedly released bombshell, 

saying Lagos is not part of Yoruba land.

We gathered that a statement reportedly emanated from Akiolu’s palace, detailed the historical background of Lagos and why it should not be regarded as part of Yoruba land.

The purported statement read: “Coming from the palace, with what I was told by my late paternal grandmother who is a descendant of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi and also reading from factual Historical books, let me share this Knowledge with you all on Eko/Lagos.

“Modern day Lagos was founded by Prince Ado, the son of the Oba of Benin, Prince Ado was the first Oba of Lagos, the son of the Bini King, Prince Ado, named the town Eko until the Portuguese explorer Ruy de Segueira changed the Maritime town to Lagos, which at that time from 1942 was Portuguese expedition center down the African Coast.

“It was a major centre of the slave trade until 1851. Lagos was annexed by Britain via the Lagos treaty of cession in 1861, ending the consular period and starting the British Colonial Period. The remainder of modern day Nigeria was seized in 1886 when the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria was established in 1914 Lagos was declared its capital due to the struggle of the Bini King.

“Lagos experienced growth prior to the British Colonial rule and even more rapid growth during the Colonial rule throughout the 1960s, 70s, continued through the 80s and 90s till date. Thanks to the Awori’s, Bini’s, Yoruba’s, migrants across the nation and world at large, as no particular group of people can take the glory alone.

“Lagos is made up of Lagoons and creeks. The Lagos lagoon, Lagos Harbour, five cowne creeks, Ebute-Metta creeks, Porto-Novo creeks, New canal, Badagry creeks, Kuramo waters and Light house creeks.

“The Awori’s and Bini’s are known to be the first settlers of the Eko land. The Awori’s are speakers of a distinct dialect close to that of the Yoruba language with a rich Bini mixture. Traditionally, Awori’s were found in Ile-Ife, they were known to be the Bini’s who followed their self-exiled Prince, the first son of the Ogiso (now called Oba) of Benin Kingdom, whose step-mother was after his head.

“The exiled Benin Prince Izoduwa known to the Yorubas as Ooduwa (Oduduwa) was made ruler of the Ife people due to his powers and followers from the Great Benin-Kingdom.

“Izoduwa (Ooduwa) was made the first King of Ile-Ife in 1230 AD. His followers from his father’s Kingdom in Benin are the today’s Awori people who settled in Eko now called Lagos.

“In the 1300, the King of Benin-Empire heard from one of his traders who was a settler in Eko on how the Bini’s were treated by the Awori’s who lived in their area. Upon hearing this, the King of Benin commanded the assembling of a war expedition, led by his son, Prince Ado, which headed the settlement of the Awori’s and demanded explanation.

“On arriving Eko, Prince Ado and his Army were more than received. The Aworis asked the Bini Prince to stay and become their leader. Ado agreed on the condition that they surrender their sovereignty to the Oba of Benin, to which the people agreed. Hearing this, the King of Benin gave his permission for Prince Ado and the expedition to remain in Eko.

“The Oba of Benin sent some of his chiefs including the Eletu, Odibo, Obanikoro and others to assist his son, Oba Ado in the running of Eko.

“From the crowing of Prince Ado as the first Oba of Lagos (then called Eko), Lagos served as a major center for slave trade from which the Aworis, the Oba of Benin and his son the Oba of Lagos and all the children/descendants who took over as his successors for over four centuries supported the trade.

“The Oba of Benin was the head of the Benin Empire which are the present day Western, Southern and Eastern modern day Nigeria. The King never obliged anyone to speak the Bini language as he believed everyone was entitled to their own choice of language.

“The name Eko was given to it by the first king of Lagos, Oba Ado, the young and vibrant Prince from Benin. Eko was the land now known as Lagos Island, where the king palace was built.

“The palace is called Idugaran meaning “palace built on pepper farm” Oba Ado and the warriors from Benin together with the early Bini’s settlers in Eko and the Awori people settled in the southern part of Eko called “Isale Eko”. “Isale literally means bottom “. Must have been used to indicate downtown (as in down town Lagos)

The statement further states that: “Until the coming in of the Benin’s 1300AD , Lagos geographical boundary was Lagos mainland, Lagos Island, the seat of the Oba of Lagos then consisted of a pepper farm and fishing post. No one was living there.

“About 1450 AD some Yorubas who hailed from Isheri in Ogun-state and Ekiti were allowed by the King to settle in Eko during a war, they came in a very large numbers thereby surpassing the numbers of the Awori’s and Bini’s. (Hence Yorubas claim to own Eko due to their numbers).

“Oba Ado fell in love with a beautiful woman whose father was Awori and mother a daughter to one of the chief; they had two sons and also a daughter Erelu Kuti, who begot Ologun Kutere who later became King.

SOURCE: INFORMATION NG

Banky W just got engaged - So Unbelievable!

Banky W proposes
to Adesua Etomi.

Banky W announced, on Instagram no less that he is engaged to actress Adesua Etomi, his co-star in the film The Wedding Party. I have never seen Twitter so excited by the news of two people engaged, which is only slightly greater than how delighted they are that Linda ikeji didn't break the news.

But before we start sighing in relief let us not forget how much harassment Banky W had to endure from complete stranger on all his official social media platforms because he was single while his friends were getting married. They started mildly and then progressed to speculations about his sexuality before they devolved into retorting to every statement he made, no matter how inane, with insults that he go get married.

Marriage is not by force, and no one should have to be bullied, especially by strangers for choosing to wait. Then again Banky is hard to root for seeing that he is out here insinuating men are gay for treating women with respect.


Whatever... Congratulations and enjoy this current spate of good will, knowing Nigerians it might not last.

SOURCE: SEXUALITY BLOG

Tompolo shot dead by Police in Delta community

Police shoots Tompolo dead in
Delta community.

Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Enerhen Police Divisional Headquarters in a joint patrol with members of SEDCO Community Vigilante on Sunday, April 9 shot dead a notorious armed robber simply identified as Tompolo for allegedly robbing an unidentified woman at gun point at about 5am while three others escaped with billet wounds in Dugbo Estate, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, DAILY POST reports.

Tompolo as the suspect is fondly called has been terrorizing the area until he met his waterloo.

He was shot and later confirmed dead by the Police who were on guard after he had already robbed the unidentified woman of her handbag containing huge amount of money that early morning.

It was gathered that the woman was travelling to bush market where she trades before she was attacked.

The Divisional Police Officer of Enerhen, CSP Hassan Galadima confirmed the report to DAILY POST this morning, saying,” I’m aware of the incident. It’s not just the vigilante that killed the robber. They were on patrol with the police. We shot him and the rest escaped with bullet wounds. We recovered from them some expended and live cartridges inside the gun.”

SOURCE: DAILY POST