2019 ~ This is Better Pikin's Blog

2 Oct 2019

Labour set Oct. 16 for strike over minimum wage

Organised labour on Wednesday threatened to embark on a nationwide strike from Oct. 16, if the Federal Government fails to reconvene the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment on the new minimum wage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at a meeting with the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC)-Trade Union Side) in Abuja, warned that labour would not guarantee industrial peace in the country if their demands were not met by government.

Public sector workers in Nigeria have been contending with frustrations from day to day, following the inability of the Federal Government and organized labour to reach a deal over a new wage that came into effect more than six months ago.

In a statement jointly signed by NLC the President, Ayuba Wabba, his TUC counterpart, Quadri Olaleye and Simon Anchaver, Acting Chairman of JNPSNC (Trade Union Side), the unionists said that labour had all along demonstrated restraint and patience with government.

They noted that labour had to moderate its initial position of having 66.6 per cent upward salary adjustment for workers on salary grade level 07 to grade level 17 by accepting downward adjustment of 29 per cent for officers on salary levels 07-14 and 24 per cent adjustment for officers on salary grade levels 15-17.

"Despite this patriotic gesture, government has kept insisting that it can only pay 11 per cent for officers on grade levels 07-14 and 6.5 per cent consequential wage increase to public workers for officers on levels 15-17."

According to them, the naira has suffered devaluation from N150 to $1 in 2011 to N360 to $1 in 2019, a depreciation of 140 per cent.

The unionists said that since the last national minimum wage of N18,000 was put in place, workers had been forced to suffer huge inflation and astronomical hike in the prices of essential goods and services.

27 Sept 2019

BREAKING: BBNaija 2019 Organizers Shock Housemates With Surprise Evictions

Adediji Ademola10:36 No comments

It was shocking that barely 10-days to the end of the 2019 edition of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show, organizers have announced a new twist.

The housemates, who will be expecting the regular Sunday night evictions will be in shock as organizers have announced that 'surprise eviction' will begin tonight, Thursday, September 26.

Betterpikins blog gathered that there are only 10 housemates left in the house and 5 of them are already nominated for possible eviction come Sunday.

The five housemates up for eviction are, Tacha, Mike, Ike, Elozonam and Cindy.

Meanwhile, last week, Diane who again escaped nomination for possible eviction joined Seyi who won the HOH challenge, Frodd who won the Veto power, Mercy who bought immunity and Diane/Omashola saved by Frodd's Veto power to proceed to the final week of the show.

Who do you think will be evicted? Kindly drop your comments.

1 Feb 2019

See Funke Akindele 'Jenifa' Reaction To ‘Moral Instruction’ Album By Falz

Adediji Ademola05:29 No comments

Falz dropped his brand new album, Moral Instruction earlier this week and it has resulted into alot of reactions from fans, some like the fact that Falz is speaking out while some feel Falz is putting himself into a mess by trolling the government. Some Nigerian celebrities have applauded Falz for a job well done. Funke Akindele has as well reacted to Falz new Album.

She posted on her Instagram page, she wrote: "Hi!!! Pls Take 25mins of your time today to listen to this Masterpiece #MoralInstruction by @falzthebahdguy. Don't just listen for listening sake, deliberately try to pick out the messages (not just one line ) embedded in each song and see what changes you can make to either your life, community or Nigeria as a whole. Nigeria and Nigerians need restructuring and reorientation. One step at a time we would get there but let's take that first step NOW. #MoralInstructionTheAlbum #AvailableEverywhere #ChangeAgent #Bahdguys"

As the title implies, the new record follows the rapper as he tackles several topics dealing with Nigeria's social ills and issues with political & social awareness throughout its nine tracks. The album notably samples Fela Kuti, who was undoubtedly outspoken about similar issues himself, in some of its standout songs.

"Johnny" flips Fela's "J.J.D. (Johnny Just Drop)," "Follow Follow" samples the afrobeat king's scathing attack on the Nigerian military "Zombie," "Amen" features elements from the hit "Coffin For Head of State" and "E No Finish" interpolates "Army Arrangement."

Additionally, the cover art for Moral Instruction was crafted by Nigerian artist and longtime Fela collaborator Lemi Ghariokwu—the man behind many of Fela Kuti's iconic covers.

Falz had just recently dropped the music video for the album's single, "Talk," which deals issues like greedy politicians, an ineffective president, and Nigerian's penchant for conspicuous consumption.

#Funke Akindele reacts to Falz Album 2 Falz Funke Akindele Bello Moral Instruction: The Album

'Big Brother' Reveals New Houseguests for Season 20

Adediji Ademola05:22 No comments

The 16 new players will soon enter the 'Big Brother' house to compete for $500,000.

Big Brother's milestone season 20 premiere is right around the corner, but first who will be playing the game and fighting all summer long for the $500,000 grand prize?

Well, it's a brand new cast of 16 characters. Among them is 26-year-old virgin Scottie Salton (a fan of season 8 winner Evel Dick Donato), who once got cat-called while working at AMC during Fifty Shades of Grey. There's also fitness model Angela Rummans, 26, who will miss "social media" and her "roster of boy toys in L.A." once she's sequestered inside the Big Brother house.

Kaitlyn Herman, 24 is a crystal-collecting life coach who is often caught sleeping with her eyes open, which, she says, "is terrifying for the people I live with." Her favorite player is season 18's Victor Arroyo. Faysal Shafaat, a 26-year-old substitute teacher also picks Arroyo as his favorite.

Chrissy "Swaggy C" Williams, 23, is a big fan of season 18 and 19's two-time runner-up Paul Abrahamian, while 30-year-old pro football player Kaycee Clark favors Abrahamian's rival, Cody Nickson.

The oldest castmember in the group is 40-year-old New Jersey native and former undercover cop Steve Arienta. Speaking of undercover, 25-year-old Brett Robinson and 21-year-old Haleigh Broucher both pick season 16 winner and former police officer Derrick Levasseur as their favorite gamer.

Overall, it's a bit of a wacky group and all fans can do now is expect the unexpected and read their official bios below.

Let the games begin.

Faysal Shafaat
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 26
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Current City: Orlando, Florida
Occupation: Substitute Teacher
Social Media: Instagram
Fun facts about yourself: Secretly loves Taylor Swift. I'll listen to her while I work out and my favorite line is, "It's a love story, baby just say yes." I wet the bed until the age of 10, which helped me be skilled at laundry at an early age.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Victor Arroyo! He played every challenge like it was his last, and won his way back in multiple times.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game?Finding a loyal person or two, use my social game and let my physical gameplay show at the end more than the beginning. Don't let the other houseguests know I'm a powerhouse from day one.
Bayleigh Dayton
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 25
Hometown: Lee Summit, Missouri
Current City: Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation: Flight Attendant
Social Media: Instagram
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? I love Donny. You rarely run across genuine hearts, but he was as real as it gets.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? I want to be "Miss Congeniality" and not be fake or too nice. I want to stay clear of the drama and let the bombs self-destruct. But I also want everyone to fear me just a little. My dad always said that defense wins games, so let's just say my D is going to be full coverage.
Fun facts about yourself: First-ever African-American Miss Missouri. I'm a closet "dweeb" who loves cartoons and Marvel comics.
Tyler Crispen
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 23
Hometown: Rossford, Ohio
Current City: Hilton Head, South Carolina
Occupation: Lifeguard
Social Media: Instagram
My life's motto is: Do whatever the hell you want.
What do you think will be the most difficult part of living in the Big Brother house? Getting people to believe anything I say. When I'm lying, people think I'm telling the truth, but when I'm telling the truth people think I'm lying.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Victor Arroyo for his resilence, Zach Rance because he's hilarious and Dan Gheesling for being a savage.
Angie "Rockstar" Lantry
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 34
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
Current City: Columbia, Maryland
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom.
Social Media: Linkedin
Three adjectives that describe you: Eclectic, entertaining and magical.
Which past Big Brother cast member did you like most? Joey from season 16, but she did not last very long. She was super cute and had the idea of female empowerment, but showed her cards way too soon. And Frankie from season 16. He was colorful, fun, everywhere in everyone's business and he always had glitter.
Kaitlyn Herman
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 24
Hometown: Plainview, New York
Current City: Encino, California
Occupation: Life Coach
Social Media: Twitter Instagram Website
Fun facts about yourself: I'm often caught sleeping with my eyes open, which is terrifying for those I live with. I went to a psychic medium with the hopes of connecting to my deceased grandfather, but the medium surprised me by revealing I would soon be one of the most influential self-help women in the world.
What do you think will be the most difficult part about living inside the Big Brother house? Not having my crystals, essential oils, yoga mat, books or my journal. I have my daily rituals for self-love and I will have to come up with new ways to make time for myself.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Victor Arroyo from season 18. I was always rooting for him, especially when he got back in the house after winning the battle back. He was such a good competitor and had such a sweet side to him. I loved his energy so much as a human being and genuinely enjoyed watching his journey. Plus, he and Nicole are a match made in heaven.
Scottie Salton
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 26
Hometown: Shorewood, Illinois
Current City: Chicago, Illinois
Occupation: Shipping Manager
Fun facts about yourself: Got catcalled while working at AMC during Fifty Shades of Grey. I'm a 26-year-old virgin who has never been kissed. Got grounded when my brother threw up on me.
My life's motto is: When the shark is hungry, he eats!
Which Big Brother castmember did you like most? Evel Dick. I like players who can win comps and put their personality into their strategy. I also like players who can back up their talk. He was genuinely himself and I respect that.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? I want to knock out the floaters and butterflies first.
Angela Rummans
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 26
Hometown: Hilton Head, South Carolina
Current City: Playa Vista, California
Occupation: Fitness Model
Social Media: Instagram
Three adjectives that descibe you:Spontaneous, scheming and headstrong.
What do you think will be the most difficult part about living inside the Big Brother house? Lack of social media, not being able to talk to my mama and having to release my roster of boy toys in L.A.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Rachel Reilly. I love how physical she was on the show. I see a lot of myself in her. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm kind of a freak athlete and I love to compete. I'm a fierce competitor and nothing brings me more joy than beating men at sports.
Rachel Swindler
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 29
Hometown: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Current City: Las Vegas
Occupation: Vegas Entertainer
Three adjectives that describe you: Sarcastic, loyal and passionate.
Fun facts about yourself: I can do a killer monkey impression. My friends call me "Craychel." I use my power over men to make huge tips on the job.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Britney Haynes because she's hilarious! She had great balance between her social and physical game.
Applied to be on season 19.
Chris "Swaggy C" Williams
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 23
Hometown: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Current City: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Occupation: Day Trader
Social Media: Instagram
Fun facts about yourself: I have a photographic memory. I'm taking swimming lessons.
Which Big Brother cast member did you like most? Paul, Paul, Paul. That man got robbed of a million dollars. He is a top five Big Brother player of all time, and he didn't even win. He's better than every single winner over the last 12 years aside from Derrick, Evel Dick, Dan and Rachel, and I didn't even like Derrick's game.
Kaycee Clark
Courtsey of CBS
Age: 30
Hometown: San Diego, California
Current City: Temple, Arizona
Occupation: Pro Football Player
Social Media: Facebook Instagram
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? I liked Cody just because he was so different and such a badass. He went against the grain when everyone else in the house wanted to follow Paul because he was a previous castmember. Cody was a competition beast. The only thing I would say he could have had a better social game.
Fun facts about yourself: Moved to Scottsdale for a girl then broke up after a few months living there, but ended up staying there and made a new life for myself! Big Brother is the only TV show I watch and it's my tradition with my dad.
Winston Hines
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 28
Hometown: Somerset, Kentucky
Current City: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Occupation: Medical Sales Rep
Social Media: Instagram
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Paul Abrahamian. His mix of gaining other's trust while simutaneously screwing them was iconic.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? I hope to use my interpersonal skills to gain trust from key individuals identified early. But unlike Cody from last year, you cannot come in and split the house too early. It's a waiting game.
Sam Bledsoe
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 27
Hometown: Stuarts Draft, Virginia
Current City: Stuarts Draft, Virginia
Occupation: Welder
Fun facts about yourself: Used to be a hairstylist before becoming a welder fabricator. I catch critters like snakes and racoons with my bare hands.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Daniele Donato. She's a smart girl who happens to be pretty. Not a pretty girl who happens to be smart.
Steve Arienta
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 40
Hometown: Parsippany, New Jersey
Current City: Wanaque, New Jersey
Occupation: Former undercover cop
Three adjectives that describe you: Stubborn, competitive and funny.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? I don't know all of them, but it would be Mike "Boogie." He made me laugh and was a strategist.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game?Honestly, no. Anyone that goes into the game with a set strategy is set for failure. It's hard to create one without knowing the players involved.
Brett Robinson
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 25
Hometown: Oakdale, Connecticut
Current City: Charlestown, Massachusett.
Occupation: Cyber security engineer
Fun facts about yourself: I hack into friends' computers for fun.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Derrick. He has a way of gaining control without upsetting people. He also has the ability to stay unnoticed enough so he does not come to mind during conversation or voting.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? I plan to go in and establish a minor amount of control initially. Then immediately pull back from the spotlight. From there, I will rotate face time with every single person in the house. It will have to be handled tastefully. I also plan to lie about my career and life. I want people to think I am just a dumb surfer, model guy. Then I will slowly plant my seeds of stories throughout the entire house, causing chain reactions that I will have to dynamically calculate on the fly.
JC Monduix
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 28
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Current City: West Hollywood, California
Occupation: Professional Dancer
Social Media: Instagram
Which past Big Brother houseguest did you like most? Josh Martinez. He represents the kind of people I grew up with. Made me feel at home. I'm glad he won.
What do you think will be the most difficult part about living inside the Big Brother house? I'm very good with people. It could be difficult to be liked by everyone, but I will do my best.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? Yes and I am already thinking about it. I am going to be the sweetest small guy that everyone would want to hug and kiss.
Haleigh Broucher
Courtesy of CBS
Age: 21
Hometown: Village Mills, Texas
Current City: College Station, Texas
Occupation: College Student
Social Media: Twitter
Three adjectives that describe you. . . Classic, cautious and contagious.
Which past Big Brother castmember did you like most? Derrick from season 16. He played an honest and goal-oriented game. There was never a move he made that made me question him, and he made it to the end without being nominated. Plus, he's the cutest person in the world I just want to hug him.
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? I plan on using my school major — psychology — to analyze and deceive the houseguests. I plan on feeling out the houseguests first, then pinpointing what makes them tick and rolling with it.