Thursday, July 30, 2015

5 ways to start a blog with $0


What is a blog? This is a question that I get asked by people who have never blogged or done any writing for the web. According to Google search, a blog is “a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.”

Webopedia defines it as “a Web page that serves as a publicly accessible personal journal for an individual. Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author.”

Daily Blog Tips defines it as, “… a type of website, like a forum or a social bookmarking site. As such it is defined by the technical aspects and features around it, and not by the content published inside it.”

With these few definitions, I think you now understand what a blog is about. I will like you to know that blog is not just about writing personal content. It can also be used to write about or promote your work and other subjects that interest you.

The question I will like to answer here today are five ways that you can start a blog with $0 down, meaning, no financial commitment but just your time.

  1. Blogger: Open a blogger account at www.blogger.com and start your blog. After setting it up, which is very simple, create your first post. If you are having trouble, there are lots of resources on Google. In fact, Blogger has a help section, where you can learn more about this platform. The good thing about using blogger is the fact that it is a google product, so you will enjoy the search engine optimization of your site. 
  2. WordPress: Sign up for a WordPress account at www.wordpress.com. WordPress has some free templates that you can use for your blogs. The downside to having WordPress is that you have to really work hard to get your site optimized. You may have to buy some templates like the Genesis Framework to help you with your free WordPress site. So, as you can see, you may have to spend some money. But the purpose of this blog is to show you how not to spend a dime if you don’t have or don’t want to. 
  3.  Facebook: Make use of your Facebook “Notes” page. The “Notes” page is designed for you to write a long entry. You can start your blog that way. The good news about that is the fact that you have a captive audience already. Your friends and your friend’s friend may see your blog entry. The bonus you get in addition is that, you can even get comments and shares really quickly. Smart Rebrander, wrote an in-depth article on Facebook “Notes” and how to use it. You can click on this link to read http://www.smartrebrander.com/Home/VisitourBlog/tabid/139/entryid/87/How-to-Use-The-Notes-Application-on-a-Facebook-Page-as-Your-Blog.aspx. 
  4. Instagram: Start using your Instagram as a blog site. Instagram is set up for pictures, so it is a bonus for you if image has a lot to do with your blogs. You have the luxury of using unlimited characters under your image description. So, what are you waiting for, turn it to your blog and use pictures. Picture is one of the ways that makes blogs popular, so take advantage of this free platform to starting “Photo blogging.”  According to Instagram, there are 300 million active users on the platform. Classifying the platform into three unique elements – engaged community, a visual medium, and a beautiful environment, Instagram stated, “Instagrammers are passionate about the platform and their love for amazing imagery. You'll reach people who are open to new perspectives. Instagram's simple design allows captivating visuals to take center stage. Each image or video fills the screen with nothing to clutter the experience. On Instagram your brand's story will be surrounded by other beautiful content in a creative and inspiring environment.” 
  5.  YouTube: Open a YouTube account. There are so many people using YouTube for personal or business communications. That is another interesting way that you can start your blog without a penny commitment. Plus, you can share your video on other platforms and you can get subscribers.

Do you know any other way that a person can start blogging without paying a dime? Share your comments below.

Thanks for reading, until next time.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Imprisoned Book Reading: Chapter 1



Follow me as I read Imprisoned: The Travails of a Trafficked Victim for the first time via live broadcast on Periscope.
Download the app hereAlso if you're on a desktop, just go to the @bukolaoriola twitter feed and click on the link. Better still, you can search for Bukola Oriola on Periscope to follow me.
Once you do that, you can view directly from the desktop.
When you get a notification, I am doing a live broadcast, check in and chat with me!
You can ask questions or leave comments during the live broadcast.You can leave your questions or comments below. If you need help or know anyone that needs help, you can get help by contacting The Enitan Story.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The Surgery: Wasn’t as bad as I thought

This is the fourth of my oral surgery experience. I started writing about this four days ago. My goal is to encourage you to help someone who may be in dental dilemma.

More so, I hope that you can pay a visit to the dentist for check up. I have learned that it is not until you have pain that you need to go to the dentist.

In fact you need to visit the dentist at least once or twice a year for dental cleaning. It is for your total health.

Below is the first paragraph of the fourth story.

When I was making the appointment with the urgent care clinic, I was asked to come in early because it was on a first come, first serve basis. Grandma Annette and Grandpa Jim picked me up one hour early for a thirty minutes’ drive. We arrived at the clinic on time and I checked in. I was called in and was given a pair of safety glasses to put on. The nurse, Christy (I think) examined my mouth and said, “I think you have to go to the other side of the hall to do a procedure. We can’t take out the tooth.” I told her that I was supposed to have two teeth extracted – number 31 and 32.

You can read the rest of the story by following the link http://bukolaoriola.com/2015/07/01/the-surgery-wasnt-as-bad-as-i-thought/

Thanks.

Bukola

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Getting into live broadcast with Periscope

This is my first live broadcast to be shared on Periscope. Periscope is a Twitter app that lets you broadcast live as if it's a live show or football game.

I learned about it when two of the pages I follow on Facebook shared about Periscope. As a curious entrepreneur and marketer, I decided to find out more. I learned how to sign up and did. As you can see, this is one of the live broadcasts that O have made through Periscope.

If you have something to share with the world, I will encourage you to join. If you think that you don't have anything to share or are shy, I will encourage you to join by following me and some other broadcasters so that you can learn or be inspired.

See you on Periscope.

The Consultation, cry baby, I want my teeth

Taking vital signs
Thanks for following my oral surgery story. If you are just finding out about it from this post, you may want to check other articles to give you the full story.

This is the third of a four-part story I wrote about my recent experience with oral surgery. I wanted to share it hoping it may be helpful to someone else.

I must confess that it was a scary one year experience but I made it through.

Now to the third part. Read the opening paragraph below.

I thought my appointment will be to take the teeth out and be over with it. Little did I know that it was just a consultation session. I had been told to come with my insurance card, photo identification, and disc with my dental referral. I was checked in at my appointment and when I got on the dental bed, I was made to watch a video about dental surgery. The video showed the patient what to expect during such a complicated procedure. And, it was scary.


Talk to you soon.

Bukola

Monday, June 29, 2015

The teeth cleaning, chopping, sharpening tools, scary experience

Now, part two of my oral surgery experience is now ready for your reading. This part of the story was not fun. Like I wrote in the article, it felt like volcanic eruption in my mouth at the end of my visit with the dental hygienist.
I hope that you will make it a point of duty to visit the dentist if you have never been to the dentist. You don't have to let pain take you to the dental clinic like me as you have already found out if you read the first part of this article entitled Dental Death Sentence.

Below is the opening paragraph.

The end of this session felt like volcanic eruption in my mouth. However, I must say that my hygienist welcomed me with a smile when I arrived at my teeth cleaning session. However, little did I know that it will be a session that will be almost an hour long. More so, it was a traumatic experience. I don’t remember if she asked me to take off my earrings, however, I asked if I could leave my sunglasses on. Luckily, I had pink eye when I went in. I was not afraid or guilty of going to the clinic with pink eye because I assumed the clinic is the safest place to go with any kind of disease or infection.

You can click on this link to read the entire story on my website http://bukolaoriola.com/2015/06/29/the-teeth-cleaning-chopping-sharpening-tools-scary-experience/

Sunday, June 28, 2015

About Dental Death Sentence

The compulsory video to watch on oral surgery
The article, Dental Death Sentence is an article about my experience with oral surgery. I had just gone through the procedure about a week ago. 

I have also put it together in short pieces in other to make it a fun reading for you. Below is the opening paragraph of the first part of the article.

When I was diagnosed to have teeth and not just tooth extraction, it was like receiving a death sentence. I had gone for physical and at my appointment, I had told my doctor that I was having tooth ache. She referred me to the dental clinic. At the dental appointment, the female dentist examined my teeth and told me that one of my wisdom teeth did not grow well and that it had affected the tooth beside it. She said the only option was extraction of both teeth. Worse still, she was not competent enough to do such a complicated extraction.

You can read the rest of the article on my website http://bukolaoriola.com/2015/06/28/dental-death-sentence/

Leave your comments and question. Have you had oral surgery? What was your experience.

Monday, June 1, 2015

It's the 2nd Annual Taste For Hope Fundraiser

The first was an awesome event. The second is here already. It's the 2nd Annual Taste for Hope Fundraiser. A benefit to support victims and survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse through The Enitan Story.

The event will take place at the United Methodist Church of Anoka, 850 South Street, Anoka, MN 55303 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The Enitan Story is a local nonprofit organization with a mission to advocate for victims and empower survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse. Since its inception in August 2013, the organization has provided direct services through emergency funds, immigration specified medical with civil surgeon, ethnic food, survivor empowerment training, and referral to other organizations within and outside the state of Minnesota.

I hope that you can join me at this event to support a worthy cause - human trafficking and domestic abuse prevention, rescue for victims, and empowerment for survivors.

To support, you can give your tax deductible donations to The Enitan Story  or buy a ticket for yourself or a group of eight.

Hope to see you there. It's a night of Live music and food tasting from across the world.





Sunday, May 31, 2015

How To Part Clean Line For Braids

The Facebook Public Figure

Now, it's official. I have a Facebook Public Figure page. It took me a long time to get there.

Perhaps, you have been trying to do something too, or you are not sure whether to do it or not, I encourage you to take the step to do it today.

You may find out that it does not take much. Plus, it may be worth it.

With the Facebook Public Figure page, I will be able to communicate with a lot more people than using my personal Facebook page. I can share all my work and connections with more people around the world.

Read my post about it on my website, www.bukolaoriola.com and leave your comments here or there, or go on Facebook to like my Public Figure page and lets chat.

Talk to you soon.

Bukola

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Female Genital Mutilation Sound off

Image credit: International Business Times
I just read a news report about Nigeria's former president Goodluck Jonathan passing a law that protects women. It is the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and the Immigration Act, 2015.This law protects women from going through the agony of having their genitalia removed for no medical reason.
According to the United nations, it is a violation of a person's basic human right to have her genitalia removed or cut. 
With many human rights issued going on around the world today. I am happy that the Nigerian girl or woman is now free from the violation of their basic human right.
You can read my post about it on my website. It is entitled, FMG: Cruelty against women and girls

Friday, May 29, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari's Inaugural Speech

Inaugural speech by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari following his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29th May, 2015 I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy.

Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.

I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation.

Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.

I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. A

t the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive. I thank all of you. Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue. Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethenen should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it.

Here I would like to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria. I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.

At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.

In recent times Nigerian leaders appear to have misread our mission. Our founding fathers, Mr Herbert Macauley, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr Eyo Ita, Chief Denis Osadeby, Chief Ladoke Akintola and their colleagues worked to establish certain standards of governance.

They might have differed in their methods or tactics or details, but they were united in establishing a viable and progressive country. Some of their successors behaved like spoilt children breaking everything and bringing disorder to the house. Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins.

What is now required is to build on these legacies, to modernize and uplift Nigeria. Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives we must consciously work the democratic system.

The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution. We shall rebuild and reform the public service to become more effective and more serviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilize the system. For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously.

The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office. It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today. Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account.

While the Federal Government can not interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch. However, no matter how well organized the governments of the federation are they can not succeed without the support, understanding and cooperation of labour unions, organized private sector, the press and civil society organizations.

I appeal to employers and workers alike to unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity. The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today - and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism. My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into. With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people.

For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure. The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja.

The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police. Since then through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion Boko Haram became a terrifying force taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory. Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. At the end of the hostilities when the group is subdued the Government intends to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a reccurrence of this evil.

For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko haram. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations. We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces. Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land.

We are going to erect and maintain an efficient, disciplined people – friendly and well – compensated security forces within an over – all security architecture. The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place. I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians.

I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people. No single cause can be identified to explain Nigerian’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less. Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way to bring light and relief to Nigerians.

Unemployment, notably youth un-employment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick – start these enterprises. We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure.

Your Excellencies, My fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much goodwill abroad as now. The messages I received from East and West, from powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill and high expectations.

Nigeria therefore has a window of opportunity to fulfill our long – standing potential of pulling ourselves together and realizing our mission as a great nation. Our situation somehow reminds one of a passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and miseries. We have an opportunity. Let us take it. Thank you Muhammadu Buhari President Federal Republic of NIGERIA and Commander in-chief-of the Armed forces.

Culled from Paul O. Ibe's Facebook page

As Nigerians welcome a new leader....

Picture credit: vanguard Newspapers
Today,Nigerians welcome a new leader, President Muhammadu Buhari as president. Along with him were also elected governors being inaugurated into their various offices today. There is a great task ahead of these elected officials.

While I congratulate the president and all the governors elect, I will like to say that they should help us find the missing girls from Chibok. It's been over a year and it seemed to be an impossible task to rescue the girl.

However, I believe that those girls can come back home with a collective effort. Although, more rests on the shoulders of the president, I will like to encourage all the governors to work with him to help us find these innocent girls.

 It has been a bitter pill for me to swallow since those girls went missing last year. I attended a boarding secondary school, in fact, two boarding schools, just like those girls. I couldn't have imagined being kidnapped while writing the most important examination at the school. I hope that proper rehabilitation institutions can be set up for their recovery once they are rescued. I am being hopeful here.

Wherever you are, please, join with with other people around the world who are advocating for the rescue of these girls to press upon the Nigerian government to help bring the girls back home. Again, I congratulate the president and governors and urge to bring back our girls.