I am very sad and disturbed that we have not achieved much in the past 52 years. On my own assessment of how far we have gone in 50 years of independence, I will say we have gone some way but not very far in the area of women’s participation in politics and in governance.

After receiving a thunderous applause for the very inspiring/moving sermon he had just delivered, it was time for this man of God to bless members of his church for the new year.

Affiong Odebode is a seasoned banker who worked for 14 years at the International Merchant Bank, IMB. She was born into the family of Mfon, in Cross River State. Her father, late Asuquo Ima Mfon was an engineer with the Nigerian Ports Authority while her mother, late Amah Evelyn Mfon, nee Dadzie, was a Ghanaian and Cameroonian.

Our readers didn’t disappoint. We expected an influx of reactions on the piece with the above title, and this was what happened. And why not? Going on dates with members of the opposite sex is very important, because it’s an avenue to study and understand your love interest at close range.

When on Friday December 7, 2012, I read the headline ‘SENATE KICKS AGAINST EXTRA 9 billion naira for Vice-President’s residence’, in one of our national dailies, I felt very frustrated and disappointed, and I began to doubt if our rulers are really aware of the myriad problems Nigeria faces, and how to combat them. Or perhaps they do know, but don’t know which are of utmost importance to the nation.

Our culture as Africans demands that family members care for their elderly, and most families do this to the best of their ability. However, total commitment to this is declining due to pressures of everyday living and limited time and funds. Besides, our healthcare is yet to include special services for the elderly.

Chief(Mrs.)Victoria Folashade Thomas-Fahm’s may be taking a back seat on the fashion-designing scene these days, but she laid the platform for the Nigerian fashion industry. She was Nigeria’s first fashion designer and the first to own a boutique(Shade’s Boutique) in Nigeria.

Travails and trials around the world this year has made 2012 a most unpopular year for many. If it were within the power of some to cut its tenure short, they would readily do so. Poor 2012!

A mother of five, three of whom are undergraduates, Mrs.Chineze Ajoku, believes that children are more likely to turn out right if given some measure of freedom while growing up. The Head of Youth Department of the Roses Ministry, a faith-based non-profit organization, spoke exclusively to Vista Woman during a recent annual youth seminar put together by the Roses Ministry in Lagos. A graduate of English Language with a Diploma in Secretarial Administration, Mrs.Chimezie Ajoku is the MD/CEO of Cinet Bridal in Lagos.

Right from the early times, being female meant being a zero-class human being with no rights whatsoever, in any area of life. Maybe it was punishment for mother Eve, who not only disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, but added to her sin by giving the fruit to her husband Adam to eat.