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7 Online Lending Platforms in Nigeria -No 5 is the easy to use

IGBAJI U.C.
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7 Online Lending Platforms in Nigeria -No 5 is the easy to use

7 Online Lending Platforms in Nigeria -No 5 is the easiest

Do you know there are online lending platforms you can get a loan from apart from traditional banks, without any collateral?. It has become a known fact that the Nigerian economy has been ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to an increase in the interest rate of banks which give out loans to customers.

As such this has made it difficult for people to get a loan at the bank due to its high-interest rate and prolonged paperwork. Fortunately, you can now get a loan from several loan platforms in Nigeria without any collateral and with a very low-interest rate. This article presents you with examples of these loan platforms.

7. C24 loan

C24 is an online lending platform in Nigeria that provides retail loans for those in need finance immediately to solve their issues. The minimum amount that can be loaned out on C24 platform is N40, 000 while the maximum amount is N750, 000, for new users. The maximum for existing users or customers is N1, 000, 000.
To be eligible to get a loan from C24 loan platform, there are certain requirements you must meet which are:
• A valid national ID (Drivers License, International Passport, National Voter’s Card)
• An employment letter to certify that you are an employee or have a sustainable means of income.
• Passport photograph.
• 6 months bank account statement.
• Company Identification.
• Direct Debit Mandate.
The interest rate for C24 loans ranges from 12% to 60%.

Also Read: Top 10 Trusted Investment Platforms In Nigeria And How To Choose a Platform For Yourself

6. KiaKia loan

Kia Kia a loan platform that issues out loans at a very convenient interest rate. It also connects lenders to borrowers at a mutually agreed rate. The loans offered by Kia Kia ending platform ranges from N10, 000 to N200, 000 for seven days, minimum, and a maximum duration of thirty days.

Those who are diligent in paying back their loans, and on-time happen to gain access to higher amounts at a longer tenure with more flexible interest rates. If you are looking for an unsecured personal consumer loan, Kia Kia loan is best for you. It is also suitable for people who are not eligible for bank loans and also experiencing financial difficulties.

It is very easy to apply for Kia Kia loan, just follow the steps below;
• Login to the website and create an account with your accurate details
• Upload a valid means of identification
• Start an application chat on the site
• Enter your desired loan amount
• Choose the duration of the loan
• Upload a screenshot of your last 3 salary or business income alerts
• Agree with the terms and conditions of the loan, if your application is approved
• Authenticate your bank account
• Get credited

5. Opay or Okash loan

Popularly known as Okash loan, Opay loan is an online loan platform that provides loan for individuals who are ineligible for bank loans. Okash loan decisions are made of 15 seconds, and within 5 minutes, the applicant receives the needed loan after it has been approved. For new users, the initial amount to borrow is N10000.
The interest rates of okash loan are as follows: 15% for 15 days, 17.6% for 22 days and 23.2% for 29 days.
To apply for Okash loan follow the steps below;
• Download the Okash loan app from Google Playstore.
• Carried out the necessary registration process to completion as soon as the app is installed.
• Login, tap on the menu located at the top left of the app, click on ‘Promo code’ , then enter the code ACEXKN and click on ‘Apply Code’.
• Return to the menu and apply for your loan.

4. Renmoney

Are you looking for a lending platform that gives loan up to 6 million naira for micro-business, in Nigeria? Renmoney is that platform. To be eligible for Renmoney loan, one must have constant monthly earnings so as to be able to pack in when it’s time.

For business owners, they must have a good income statement history. The interest rate of Renmoney loan platform is 2.8% with a minimum loan amount of N100, 000. It does not require any collateral, the guarantor has a flexible loan tenure etc.
To be eligible to get a loan from Renmoney ;

• Applicant have a steady source of income that is verifiable.
• Must be confirmed staff in present employment.
• Have a functional saving or current bank account.
• •Must have a valid means of identification – International Passport, Driver’s License, National ID Card.
• You must have a clean Credit Bureau Report.
• You must not have a history of returned cheques in your account.
• One recent passport photograph (within the last 6 months
• Be between ages 22 – 59 years.
• Salary bank statement for the last 6 months (must be stamped by the bank).
• Utility Bill (PHCN, Water bill, OR Rent Agreement)
• Applicant must live and or work in Lagos State.

3. Branch

Branch is another top loan platform in Nigeria that allows people to get loans from N1000 to N200, 000 within 24hiurs, with an interest rate ranging from 15%-34%. It does not require a collateral to be eligible to get a loan from the branch.
To get a loan from the branch, the following procedures must be followed;
• First download the app from Google play store.
• Open an account with a branch through the downloaded app and fill the online form and submit for review.
• Apply for a loan.
• Receive the loan into your account.

2. FairMoney

FairMoney is a Licensed credit app that offers quick loan to meet necessities such as bill payments. You will need your bank verification number and debit card to get a loan (from 2,500 to 150,000.). The loan interest for FairMoney starts at 5% and can be up to 28% depending on the borrowing. It also has a duration of 4 to 26 weeks. If you repay your loan with FairMoney before the due date, you will be paying back at a reduced interest rate.
To apply for a loan,
• Download the FairMoney app from Google Play Store
• Create an account with the phone number linked to your BVN
• Answer a few questions and confirm your identity to receive a loan offer. If you accept it, you will receive your loan instantly in your preferred bank account!

1.Cabon (Paylater)

Formerly (and popularly) known as PayLater, Carbon Loan is an instant online loan app that allows you to access a loan in Nigeria in minutes. The 3-year-old loan app prides itself on its “simple digital finance management platform, ” providing instant online loans to meet urgent and unexpected cash needs. The platform accesses your bank verification number (BVN) to determine your credit value. The loan amount is up to N 20 million, while the interest rates vary.
Carbon is available online and in mobile apps (Android and iOS). Their interest rates are between 5 and 15%. It depends on the term of the loan repayment and the amount of money you want to borrow. In addition to being one of the top lending companies in Nigeria, Carbon also provides a platform for customers to top up airtime, transfer money and pay bills.
To apply ;
• First, download the cabon app from Google play store.
• Create and account.
• Register to provide all the details. Name, phone number, email, etc
• Upload your photo before you can access loans. The picture can be taken directly from the App
• Click on the “Request a Loan” button
• Wait for your loan approval. This usually takes only a few minutes
• After loan approval, you accept the offer and provide your card details. Usually, the duration of the loan ranges from 30 days to 12 months

Summary

The high-interest rate and long paperwork, as well as the inclusion of collateral before one is eligible to get loan from banks, have made it difficult and in so cases impossible to get a loan from banks.

As such you can agree that the above listed online loan 9latforms have come in handy, and they have made it easier for one to get a loan without any collateral with low-interest rates. So if you ever have any financial challenge and need to get a loan, you can choose from any of the various lending platforms listed in this article.

MANAGING PEOPLE AND THEIR EMOTIONS I -3 Categories of people

IGBAJI U.C.
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MANAGING PEOPLE AND THEIR EMOTIONS I -3 Categories of people

MANAGING PEOPLE AND THEIR EMOTIONS I

“When one educate themselves to communicate, they learn how to deal with a multitude of types of people” – Throne Shellman

People are all that look like us in this world; the best we can do is live at peace and in understanding.

Man is an emotional being; made with an ability to feel different things even at the same time. Man can be hurt, sad, happy, overwhelmed with joy, depressed and even suicidal. Our emotions form a platform of relation with others around us.

The emotions of people are going to differ from yours at a given point in time.
You will only find people who feel exactly the way you feel on some occasions; hence, the need to learn proper communication and relating skills. There are a few points to consider when relating to people.

BE SENSITIVE

Sensitivity covers the bulk of our communication. It is a mode of picking signals from people around us. How does my neighbour feel today? – will only receive an answer when we are sensitive enough.

We must learn to scan people’s moods at every given time before responding.

When you see someone moody or in tears, it is not time to crack a joke that may be expensive; especially when you are not sure of how the person will take it. We will consider three categories of people and how we should react towards them

  1. People you meet newly

We meet people every day, and this helps us make friends and form bonds.
However, when you meet people you must be sure to act the right way.

  • Take note of the nature of the person. Does this person enjoy your company? Is this person outspoken? Does this person feel comfortable with the issue you are discussing?
    People have very different ways of reacting to people they meet for the first time. While some may be happy to socialize, some may prefer not to, and some will be very selective.

If you meet a selective person for the first time, it’s okay to ask what they like talking about.

  • Don’t probe or ask too many questions. It is impossible to know someone in just day.
    Let the conversation flow. You don’t have to be too inquisitive about their private life. Raise intellectual discussions. Talk about the conditions that brought you together. Notice when they are getting uncomfortable with the conversation or when their response is not coming as it used to.
  • Don’t be pushy. Some people may not want to keep contact with you after your first meeting, and that’s just fine. Have a nice conversation and let them be.

2. People you meet consistently

There are people we will see every day at work, school, or the market. It is very common that we get used to people and forget that new days come with new emotions.
Don’t be rigid in the way you relate, be open to such changes.
Someone you converse with on a daily basis may not be interested in having a conversation on some days and that’s just fine.

  • Keep communication official and friendly. You can have conversations about the things that you have in common, while telling a few stories and jokes. Respect their boundaries and know what to do.
    With time, you may observe what other things they like to talk about and what other things you have in common.

3. People you are related to

Most times, we neglect the feelings of family members, because we are very close to them.
That your sister or brother may have days that are not too friendly. That may not be the time to talk about some available work or business.

Learn to address the problems of your relatives’ first people first. Ask how they do before initiating a conversation. Don’t assume they are doing okay and need no help.

As mentioned earlier, there are no direct rules. Being sensitive helps us be open to people and enables us to offer help and counsel in the right direction.

Sensitivity forms the bulk of our relationship with people and we cannot afford to ignore it.

As you step out daily, begin to reflect your sensitivity to people’s situations and watch your bonding become better.

FORMAL AND INFORMAL MEETINGS – 5 Dos and Don’ts

IGBAJI U.C.
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FORMAL AND INFORMAL MEETINGS – 5 Dos and Don’ts

FORMAL AND INFORMAL MEETINGS – 5 Dos and Don’ts

A meeting is a gathering of people together for a specific purpose. We regularly attend meetings with little or no idea of the type of meeting. As we climb up, it is important to become familiar with the intended mode and nature of every meeting we attend.

There are two types of meetings: formal and informal meetings. Every meeting you attend will fall into any of these categories. We’ll take a look at both categories one after another.

FORMAL MEETINGS

These types of meetings are what we commonly refer to as official meetings. Board meetings, association meetings, and many decision-making meetings are of the formal type.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL MEETINGS

  1. FORMAL LANGUAGE: Whenever you are attending a formal meeting, be careful not to use informal language. The participants in a formal meeting are usually addressed by their titles being attached to their names and not just their names.
    Formal meetings require you to speak formally when contributing or addressing an issue.
  2. AGENDA: Both formal and informal meetings may have agendas to follow to help guide the meeting.
    The difference is; while the agenda may be manoeuvred in informal meetings, it is strictly adhered to in formal meetings.

This is why you must prepare very before attending a formal meeting.
Try to itemize the points you will make before attending so you don’t skip any.
Some things that may reflect in the agenda for formal meetings may include

  1. Opening prayer (Based on the organization hosting the meeting)
  2. Opening speech/remarks (The chairman of the meeting usually gives this)
  3. Courtesies and apologies
  4. Reading and adoption of minutes of the previous meeting (we’ll discuss this under our next point)
  5. Matters arising
  6. Auxiliary matters (commonly referred to as AOB – Any other business)
  7. Closing remarks
  8. Adjournment of meeting
  9. MINUTES
    In formal meetings, there usually is someone to take note of the things discussed at the meeting. The minutes contain even the very small matters and points that were raised in the course of the meeting.
    This is usually done for record and reference purposes.
    This documentation is read in the organisation’s next meeting by the person who wrote it and adopted by someone or people present at it.
    Adoption of minutes implies that it can be used as a working document, and no corrections are to be made afterwards.
    Before the adoption, however, amendments can be made.

DO’S AND DON’T’S OF FORMAL MEETINGS

DO’S

  1. Make sure you are dressed formally or in the agreed dress code for the meeting
  2. Make sure you are seated before the time slated for the meeting (the time of commencement of the meeting is usually taken note of in the minutes)
  3. Address everyone with respect
  4. Some meetings may be recorded. Keep a good and neutral look during the meeting.
  5. Formal meetings usually take a very long time. Prepare before you attend. In case there are no breaks.

DONT’S

  1. Avoid using informal language. Even if you know the person you are addressing on a personal basis. Call their names with a title like Mr James, Dr Paul etc.
  2. Do not crack jokes. When discussing serious matters, it is unfair to crack a joke, especially unrelated ones.
  3. Don’t leave the meeting before adjournment unless under permission.
  4. Do not skip a meeting without sending an apology. This apology is documented in the minutes.
  5. Don’t use your phone or electronic gadgets unless you are allowed to do so.
    Your phone should be silent during formal meetings to avoid disrupting the meeting.

INFORMAL MEETINGS

Many of the meetings we attend daily are informal or semi-formal meetings.
Informal meetings hold mainly to pass information or get together.
They have very similar features.

FEATURES OF AN INFORMAL MEETING

  1. The length of the meeting is usually very short.
  2. Informal language may be used.
  3. Although an agenda may be used, it may not be followed strictly. In semi-formal meetings, some items on the agenda can be skipped or even replaced.

CHARACTERS TO PUT UP AT AN INFORMAL MEETING

  1. Though it may be overlooked, look good and decent.
  2. Do not overuse informal languages and slang. Be moderate..
  3. Try to inform someone when you are leaving. It is basic courtesy to do so
  4. Do not try to formalize an informal meeting. Leave it to flow.

While there are no strict rules to how meetings are organized and how participants should behave, it is important we learn and adapt these practices in our day to day meetings and gatherings.

 

LESSONS FROM COVID 19 – 5 steps to succeed post covid-19

IGBAJI U.C.
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LESSONS FROM COVID 19 – 5 steps to succeed post covid-19

LESSONS FROM COVID 19

Coronavirus; first pandemic for some, second for some others, and one in a few for yet another set of people.
When people say that whatever affects the government will most likely affect its citizens, it usually looks like a cliche, not until it shows up as a pandemic.

The economic situation dwindled, prices skyrocketed, and people were uncertain about the next day.
What now? We would ask ourselves.
Not to mention the losses. People have lost loved ones who were a source of hope to them.

We beheld excessive time in our hands but could barely use it.
Our weaknesses as individuals and as cooperate organizations began to surface.
The loopholes in our nation began to show up.
The freedom of movement and association we usually underrated was close to departing from us.

Gradually, time has begun the healing of our hearts, with scars still left as a proof.
Imagining another pandemic is something anyone would want to forbid; especially if it has the nature of coronavirus. Truly, some things are better left in our thoughts and imaginations.
Nevertheless, what are the lessons we have learnt? And what steps must we take to help combat another pandemic in the future?

  1. START SAVING
    For a start, saving up and investing will be tops of the list. The confidence that comes when there is food on the table is next to only a few.
    Saving always makes having something at hand easier; investment makes it possible to have something in the future.
    The pandemic revealed our weaknesses when it comes to savings and investment.
    What if another pandemic shows up? How would we survive if we don’t save up as individuals and as a government?
    When you have a little more and don’t save up or invest it.
  2. GIVE PRIORITY TO YOUR HEALTH

The higher the chances of a person acquiring a said virus in a pandemic, the more devastating it can be.
You may only have a certain percentage of control over your health.
Start practising and live a healthy lifestyle.
Eat more healthy foods that will help boost your immune system. Avoid sedentary living and increase physical activity to maintain healthy blood pressure. Be quick to address any health issues that may arise with time.
The effect of this is that there will be fewer chances of acquiring a virus, hence a more healthy mental state.

  1. TAKE NOTE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
    The community of people around you cannot be ignored. Build a good relationship with others to the best of your ability. It will help greatly when all you have to do is stay with these people.
    Take responsibility to ensure that the appropriate things are done and marginalization against individuals is avoided.
    If you can influence it, the worker should be paid his wages, the less privileged should be able to go to school, and more people should be employed.
  2. FIND ALTERNATIVES AND BE FLEXIBLE
    It will be necessary to find and get accustomed to suitable alternatives for a lot of activities as time goes on.
    It should be encouraged if a meeting can be held virtually and still have nearly the same level of impact a physical meeting will have.
    If a cashless system will be as effective as working with hard currency, then a system that allows this should be worked on.
    If a healthy distance can be kept between individuals in a working or learning space; then why not?
    Be ready to learn and adapt to technological improvements that may arise in the future.
  3. MAKE YOUR HOME CONDUCIVE
    The home should be structured in a way that will be pleasing and encouraging to stay in irrespective of the situations attached.
    Bond well with family members and loved ones. They may be all you have when dire situations show up.

While we must do everything possible to prevent ill fates such as a pandemic in the future, we should also learn and encourage others to develop abilities to adapt to situations, first in the mind, and then in the environment, we belong to.

BALANCE TIME AND ACTIVITIES -5 actions to take

IGBAJI U.C.
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BALANCE TIME AND ACTIVITIES -5 actions to take

BALANCE TIME AND ACTIVITIES -5 actions to take

“I don’t have time” has become a more common saying than “I don’t have money.”
Sometimes, our days look like a short truce. We’re up from bed, and in no due time, we’re back again; after going through a series of activities.

There is a feeling of fulfilment that comes when you plan to go to work, write, call someone, go somewhere else, read, cook, and have a nap, and you do accomplish all of them when the day is done.
You sleep without expecting any form of nightmares.

This tells us how key it is to balance our time and our activities.
There is no exact formula to a fulfilled day, just a few tips and guidelines which I have highlighted below:

  1. PLAN

Between the time you wake up, and when you stand from the bed, create a mental picture of what you want your day to look like, and the sequence you will expect it to follow.
Highlight your activities for the day in your mind, and begin to plan how you’ll accomplish them.
It’s okay to voice out some of these plans.

You can say to yourself – “I’ll visit my friend today after work, come home and cook, have a bath, read for a while, and go to bed”
Our minds have a way of registering these things and reminding us later.

  1. TAKE COMMITTED STEPS

When you finally get up, put these plans down in a diary or a notebook if you have one.
You can use the notepad on your phone.
Keep to the timing you have set for yourself, and adjust your plans to still fit in if you had a spill.

For instance, if I plan to read for at least two hours in the day between 10 am and 3pm, and I’m only able to complete 90 out of 120 minutes at 3pm, the advisable thing to do is cut thirty minutes from another schedule, and input the reading there. This means that there must be a scale of preference in the activities you do.

  1. MAKE FEASIBLE PLANS

While bogus plans may keep you on your feet and help you focus more, it may leave you feeling unfulfilled at the close of the day.
This is not good for your mental health, as it may even affect your sleep.
So make plans you can keep. It’s totally okay to say to yourself “I’m not sure I’ll be able to make this visit today, maybe some other time”

It’s okay to make a reading plan of just 2 hours every day if 4 hours is not feasible for you.

Learn to work and do things at your pace. Give enough time to sleep and leisure while making a schedule. Don’t assume you’ll sleep for 3 hours and be able to work perfectly well.

  1. DISCIPLINE

This perhaps is the crux of time management. Learn to work with time and with your plan.
Be disciplined enough to resist an outing that you don’t have spare time for.
Learn to curtail sleep once you have had enough for the day.

When it’s time, do it at once and don’t procrastinate. Whenever we procrastinate, we find that at the end of the day, we are not able to highlight boldly, the things we have done.

  1. TAKE A REVIEW

    When the day is almost up, take a review of the things you have been able to do and the ones you have not covered.
    If you have some time left, try to cover up for the day, otherwise, plan to do better in the days that follow.

Advantages of balancing our activities

  1. It helps us to give time to everything that deserves it, no matter how trivial.
  2. You will not be overwhelmed by one activity, and forget to do others. It will also help you avoid the stress and feeling of an unfulfilled day that comes with carrying over activities
  3. It makes you open-minded and easily approachable. People know that you can hear them out and not be too busy to attend to them.

If you’re just beginning, you may make mistakes from the onset. This is only enough reason to continue and not stop totally.
Take an intentional step today. Strike the balance!

Why is Mental Health important?

Chimnecherem Eke
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Why is Mental Health important?

Why is Mental Health important?

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of physical, mental, social and emotional well-being and not necessarily the absence of a disease or an infirmity. This means a man who is not mentally fit with the absence of injuries on the body and diseases is not healthy. Mental health is as important as physical health. People need to be healthy all around to be active. Every society needs mentally healthy people for rapid development.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health as defined by WHO is the mental well being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and is able to make a contribution to his immediate environment or community.

Therefore, mental health is required to develop an individual and his community at large. A human who is not mentally aware of his environment and cannot detect right from wrong may be mentally unfit or ill. Over the years, there have been a few discoveries as to why people are mentally ill.

Research shows that over 450 million people worldwide suffer from mental illnesses. WHO and its findings in 1992 concluded that in the year 2020, depression which mostly leads to suicide will be a burden and as we know, depression has become an order of the day in our societies.

What is Depression?

Depression is a clinical mental condition that is characterized by a change in behaviour. People with depression usually show signs of loss of interest in activities, the desire to be alone, moody appearance, depending on an individual, there could either be a loss of appetite or a rapid increase in appetite that may lead to obesity, excessive sleep or the loss of it.

All of these gradually affect a person’s way of living, costing the individual his social life, employment, education and can also lead to poverty. The causes of depression vary from psychological and emotional stress, biological and social sources. A way out is to seek medical attention. An individual with depression can also take antidepressants and seek cognitive behavioural therapy.

Mental health is so critical that it affects the productivity and quality of one’s life. If a person is mentally ill, it can tell on the decisions they make, it speaks in their behaviour and outrightly tells whether or not one needs help.

Why is Mental Health Important?

As earlier stated, the productivity of a person and life quality is greatly influenced by mental health. Suppose there happens to be a high rate of people with poor mental health in a society where young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 are dominant. In that case, there will be less social and economic development in that society.

Our mental health is important because it determines how we feel, live and act. A person’s mental health does not just affect the intellect, it also affects a person’s appearance. Poor mental health can also lead to poor eating and physical habits. Poor mental health or ill health can affect a person’s social lifestyle, it can also lead to unemployment, broken homes, etc.

If an individual’s mental health fails, it can lead to unsafe sexual health practices, drug abuse, crimes, etc. Findings have it that a poor state of mental health can diminish an individual’s health into a malfunction of the immune system.

Patients with diabetes, different kinds of body cancers, heart failures, etc. are most times found to be depressed, thereby decreasing their chances of health restoration. Mental health is important because it has a direct impact on; education, relationships, physical and emotional health, productivity, family and society at large.

Causes of Mental ill Health;

Infections which lead to brain damage
Heredity
Brain defects
Neurotransmitters

The World Health Organization has initiated programs and supports governments that advocate for mental health. The organization, however, insists that governments ought not to focus on mental disorders but rather promote psycho-social activities to build and strengthen mental health.

The need to have mentally stable individuals push for the development of societies is essential. Some of these mental health programs in communities include:

  1. Support for elderly populations
  2. Skills-building programs for children
  3. Youth development
  4. Early childhood interventions for detection and easy, swift treatment
  5. Promotion of mental health activities in schools and religious organizations
  6. Mental health awareness programs in communities
  7. Mental health interventions at work.
  8. These programs and more seek to promote the mental well-being of individuals in societies for personal and social development.
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