What are the most widely practiced religions of the world?

There are some 4,300 religions of the world. This is according to Adherents, an independent, non-religiously affiliated organisation that monitors the number and size of the world's religions.
Side-stepping the issue of what constitutes a religion, Adherents divides religions into churches, denominations, congregations, religious bodies, faith groups, tribes, cultures, and movements. All are of varying size and influence.
Nearly 75 per cent of the world's population practices one of the five most influential religions of the world: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.
Christianity and Islam are the two religions most widely spread across the world. These two religions together cover the religious affiliation of more than half of the world's population. If all non-religious people formed a single religion, it would be the world's third largest.
One of the most widely-held myths among those in English-speaking countries is that Islamic believers are Arabs. In fact, most Islamic people do not live in the Arabic nations of the Middle East.

 The world's 20 largest religions and their number of believers are:

1. Christianity (2.1 billion)
2. Islam (1.3 billion)
3. Nonreligious (Secular/Agnostic/Atheist) (1.1 billion)
4. Hinduism (900 million)
5. Chinese traditional religion (394 million)
6. Buddhism 376 million
7. Primal-indigenous (300 million)
8. African traditional and Diasporic (100 million)
9. Sikhism (23 million)
10. Juche (19 million)
11. Spiritism (15 million)
12. Judaism (14 million)
13. Bahai (7 million)
14. Jainism (4.2 million)
15. Shinto (4 million)
16. Cao Dai (4 million)
17. Zoroastrianism (2.6 million)
18. Tenrikyo (2 million)
19. Neo-Paganism (1 million)
20. Unitarian-Universalism (800,000)

Sugarsport’s Top Five Richest Nigerian Footballers

Only a week ago we shared our list of the richest footballers in the world. We promised to bring you the Nigerian version. Well, here it is.
The adventure of the likes of Stephen Keshi, Etim Esin, Daniel Amokachi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George overseas changed their fortunes from ordinary amateur footballers struggling with daily existence to professional footballers worth millions of naira. Investments of those who play the round leather game already amounts to billions of naira.
Here is Sugarsport’s list of the five richest footballers in Nigeria.
5) YAKUBU AIYEGBENI

Yak as he is popularly called is still widely regarded as the most successful Nigerian footballer to play in England. His assets include a mansion on Manchester Road, London, a duplex in VGC, 2 massive buildings in Benin city and hotels in Auchi,Edo State. The former Boro man owns a petrol station in Benin City which is run by his brother Momo Aiyegbeni. In his garage back home in Nigeria are a fleet of cars including a Range Rover and a BMW.

4) OBAFEMI  MARTINS

He’s been everywhere. The on loan UD Levante of Spain forward has played for top clubs like Inter-Milan of Italy, Newcastle united of England , Birmingham City of England, Vfl Wolfsborg of Germany , Rubin Kazan of Russia and currently Seatle Sounders in the US. Obafemi Martins is the fifth highest paid player in US Major League Soccer for the 2013 season, according to a players’ union release.
He is also the highest ever paid player for Seattle Sounders with an annual basic salary of $1.6million. The 28-year-old striker owns 2 mansions at VGC Lagos worth N500 million, a massive home in Como, Italy valued at N800 Million, and top hotels in Italy. He splashed N400million on his charity foundation not too long ago. He drives a Lamboghini worth N50m,Porsche Gemballa worth N20m, Bmw X6worth N 18M,and a Ferrarri sport car.

3) JOHN  MIKEL OBI

Sources say John Mikel Obi, the Chelsea midfielder is the current highest earning Nigerian footballer. He joined Chelsea in 2006 from Norwegian club Fc Lyn Oslo on a US$25 million. He is currently on US$120,000,(N20m), per week excluding bonuses, and income from participating at the UEFA Champions League.
The 25-year-old Jos born player owns mansions in Jos, Lagos and London worth about N800m. He has shares in top companies, and he recently launched a record label, MATURED MONEY MIND (MMM). He drives a Mercedes G Wagon, Black Mercedes G 500, a Range Rover Sport and a N30Million Bentley Continental. He once said, its very difficult finding a wife. Why won’t it be with all that cash…

Anger: Its causes, disadvantages and management (part 2)

We, the humans are incomplete without emotions. We are discussing anger, one of the human's emotions. There are so many adages relating to anger. An angry person on their back are called fractious, ratty, irascible, ratty testy, cynical, peevish, bad tempered and many things more. Diplomacy and tactfulness is the demand of this changing times- not anger and irritabilities. Anger achieves nothing but loses everything.

With the gut feelings come changes. The simple acts of laughter, happiness, frustration, woes, pain, pleasure, stimulus, excitement are not that a simple but very complex acts bringing up chemical reactions inside the body and physical changes in their wake take place. As is the case with all feelings and emotions, anger also triggers chain of chemical reactions bringing devastating changes in our body.

When are angry, the pressure of blood on the vessels mounts up, the beating rate of heat speeds up, shortage of additional adrenaline hormones develops in the body. The person prone to anger is certain to be the victim of blood pressure and when once it sets in your body, it would only go when you would go (up above the sky?). And mind you, it doesn't come alone but is always accompanied with all its relatives which a horde of diseases the likes of which are heart diseases, diabetic, kidney etc.

What is anger?

Psychologists opine that just like other emotions, anger also is an emotional state of mind but is complex more than the others noticed to occurring among all- children to the adults. Sometimes circumstances and situations take such turns that compels us getting angry or sometimes anger comes due to some incidences occurred in our past or due to some occurrence to take place in future.

This phenomenon of anger happens more or less with everybody but the situation becomes serious when we cannot control the outpour of our anger. Therefore it's vitally important to control anger before the matter slips out of hands.

Anger hammers whom?

Upon one research conducted on anger, it has transpired that 1 out of 5 persons are struggling with complications because of not having control the anger. It also ha been observed that anger gives invitations to various disorders of the likes of headache, sleeplessness, indigestion heart diseases besides several mental vexes. The persons not succeeding in keeping anger under the leash become problematic for the family members and the society. Thus, ultimately, it recoils down on you harming you alone, not others.

Keep thus your anger under the leash

Experts suggest, to control anger, pay attention to your nature first. If anger comes in seconds over smaller things happening around you, don't try solving any problem in a hurry. Give yourself time to solve the problem. Try to delegate your work if the workload has become a burden. If you have started feeling boredom in your work you are doing, take leave, go out on some trip.

Take sometime for yourself too. Just give it a thought over how many times over angers come in during the whole day long and analyse the reasons of each of your angers that comes to you just not to let that particular reason overpower you triggering the anger. Fix a time for sleeping because; mind you, this is connected to the cause of your anger. Don't keep awake till late in night. Irritation occurs after an incomplete sleep, anger in such condition comes in on smaller things and grips on anger loosen up automatically. Whenever the bouts of anger attack, some chosen shortcuts could be adopted to apply brakes over it:-

• Anger never lessens up by shouting at your family members, closing doors with a loud bang on somebody's face or throwing household accessories down noisily. Whenever anger makes you its victim, go in isolated corner facing the walls and squeeze out anger from your inside within to its last traces by shouting loudly. You will feel very light and better, believe me. This will also chase away the break of relationship with somebody going sour.
• Pondering over the reason of the anger, the mental provocation should be lowered down through mutual discussions with the individual in question. This will provide you succour and you shall at least be at your peace at last.
• Anger overpowers only when we consider ourselves weaker compared to the person in the front. It may be there is no reason at all of feeling like this, despite being so, a mountain gets created just out of a mole putting you in a hot soup. Close your mind for a minute and take long breathes. From this, you shall feel a great physical relief and mental peace.
• Before reacting under the pressure of anger, counting from 1-10 is the best panacea to pour waters on the fire of anger to extinguish it. Analysing the situation while doing the counts brings the intensity of fever of anger down to a safe level. If the temperature of your anger doesn't slides down even after reaching the counts of10, go on counting further upwards.
• It would be better not to solve a problem or settle a matter under the influence of anger. Make a little of physical movement or listen to a favourite song. When you cool off, ponder over the reasons of your anger.

Herbal remedies: 20 health benefits of neem (Dogon Yaro)

Neem tree has been described in Ayurveda’s prime text, the Charaka Samhita, as sarva roga nivarini (that which keeps all diseases at bay) or arishtha (reliever of disease).
Its extracts have been used in the Ayurvedic tradition for thousands of years for maintaining health and overall well-being. The roots, bark, gum, leaves, fruit, seed kernels and seed oil are all used in therapeutic preparations for both internal and topical use.
1. Neem, a tree native to India, is a vital ingredient in Ayurveda. Regarded as a ‘one tree pharmacy’, the Neem tree has several medicinal uses and forms an integral part of home remedies for the hair and skin.
2. Neem leaf has antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it effective in treating dandruff.
3. It also relieves dryness and itching, strengthens hair and promotes hair growth.
4. Traditionally, neem paste has been used to condition the hair and scalp.
5. It also soothes irritation, prevents dryness and flaking.
6. Neem is mentioned in most Ayurvedic formulations for the treatment of skin disorders because of its detoxifying properties.
7. The growth of acne-causing bacteria such as propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and staphylococcus epidermidis is also inhibited by neem.
8. The role of neem in acne is further supported by studies which have shown that it exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing P. acnes-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-8.
9. Neem oil and neem leaves are excellent skin care ingredients. The oil relieves dry skin and soothes itchiness, redness and irritation.
10. It also improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections such as acne, boils and ulcers.
11. Its antimicrobial properties help heal wounds without causing any infections or septic conditions.
12. For acne, neem tackles bacteria from the root and prevents the recurrence of pimples and blemishes.
13. It is especially beneficial for skin disorders like eczema and minor skin infections. Neem leaves also eliminate acne-causing bacteria.
14. It is also a gastro protective element and effective in healing ulcers.
15. It contains high level of antioxidants that help protect skin from environmental damage and from aging.
16. Neem oil contains fatty acid and vitamin E that gets absorbed easily into the skin, it helps rejuvenate skin cells and restore elasticity.
17. It helps maintain a glowing skin and balance skin tone.
18. The high fatty-acid content in neem oil helps prevent and treat scars from acne.
19. Neem leaves are also excellent exfoliants; it tightens pores and removes impurities when used as a mask.
20. It is an excellent healer of skin fungal infections.

Music Superstar D’banj rocks N1 Million Blazer to the 2013 Hennessy Artistry Finale in Lagos

They don’t call him BANGALEE for nothing.

Music superstar D’banj was at the 2013 Hennessy Finale which took place on Saturday 19th October 2013 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Koko Master was the headlining act of the show.

D’banj took to the black carpet in a custom black blazer with uniquely designed and placed crystals.  According to a media rep for the show, the single button blazer costs over 1 Million Naira and was sent in from the United States.

He completed his look with a white shirt, gold necklaces, dark shades and black pants. Are you loving the look?

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5 Things Super Successful People Do Before 8 AM

Rise and shine! Morning time just became your new best friend. Love it or hate it, utilizing the morning hours before work may be the key to a successful and healthy lifestyle. That’s right, early rising is a common trait found in many CEOs, government officials, and other influential people. Margaret Thatcher was up every day at 5 a.m.; Frank Lloyd Wright at 4 am and Robert Iger, the CEO of Disney wakes at 4:30am just to name a few. I know what you’re thinking - you do your best work at night. Not so fast. According to Inc. Magazine, morning people have been found to be more proactive and more productive. In addition, the health benefits for those with a life before work go on and on. Let’s explore 5 of the things successful people do before 8 am.

1. Exercise. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Most people that work out daily, work out in the morning. Whether it’s a morning yoga session or a trip to the gym, exercising before work gives you a boost of energy for the day and that deserved sense of accomplishment. Anyone can tackle a pile of paperwork after 200 ab reps! Morning workouts also eliminate the possibility of flaking out on your cardio after a long day at work. Even if you aren’t bright eyed and bushy tailed at the thought of a 5 am jog, try waking up 15 minutes early for a quick bedside set of pushups or stretching. It’ll help wake up your body, and prep you for your day.
2. Map Out Your Day. Maximize your potential by mapping out your schedule for the day, as well as your goals and to dos. The morning is a good time for this as it is often one of the only quiet times a person gets throughout the day. The early hours foster easier reflection that helps when prioritizing your activities. They also allow for uninterrupted problem solving when trying to fit everything into your timetable. While scheduling, don’t forget about your mental health. Plan a 10 minute break after that stressful meeting for a quick walk around the block or a moment of meditation at your desk. Trying to eat healthy? Schedule a small window in the evening to pack a few nutritious snacks to bring to work the next day.
3. Eat a Healthy Breakfast. We all know that rush out the door with a cup of coffee and an empty stomach feeling. You sit down at your desk, and you’re already wondering how early that taco truck sets up camp outside your office. No good. Take that extra time in the morning to fuel your body for the tasks ahead of it. It will help keep you mind on what’s at hand and not your growling stomach. Not only is breakfast good for your physical health, it is also a good time to connect socially. Even five minutes of talking with your kids or spouse while eating a quick bowl of oatmeal can boost your spirits before heading out the door.
4. Visualization. These days we talk about our physical health ad nauseam, but sometimes our mental health gets overlooked. The morning is the perfect time to spend some quiet time inside your mind meditating or visualizing. Take a moment to visualize your day ahead of you, focusing on the successes you will have. Even just a minute of visualization and positive thinking can help improve your mood and outlook on your work load for the day.
5. Make Your Day Top Heavy. We all have that one item on our to do list that we dread. It looms over you all day (or week) until you finally suck it up and do it after much procrastination. Here’s an easy tip to save yourself the stress - do that least desirable task on your list first. Instead of anticipating the unpleasantness of it from first coffee through your lunch break, get it out of the way. The morning is the time when you are (generally) more well rested and your energy level is up. Therefore, you are more well equipped to handle more difficult projects. And look at it this way, your day will get progressively easier, not the other way around. By the time your work day is ending, you’re winding down with easier to dos and heading into your free time more relaxed. Success!

The Royal Family Of UK

Foods everyone over 40 should eat

OATS

Top grain: Oats help reduce cholesterol

WHY? Oats contain beta-glucans, a soluble fibre that can help lower the unwanted form of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Avenanthramides – antioxidants unique to oats – protect against atherosclerosis (the build-up of plaque on artery walls), so giving oats an advantage over other grains.
THE EVIDENCE: Researchers conclude that eating just 3g of oats daily is enough to reduce total cholesterol by five to ten per cent.
It is estimated that the risk of developing heart disease drops by two per cent for every one per cent reduction in total cholesterol.
This is a must for the 50-plus group, as it is in this decade that heart-disease risk shoots up.
HOW TO EAT: Either as porridge or by adding a heaped tablespoon to plain yogurt.

CHERRIES

WHY? Cherries are useful in combating several conditions common in middle age, including gout and arthritis. They are a rich source of the antioxidant anthocyanin.
THE EVIDENCE: Gout, which affects mainly men, is linked to raised levels of uric acid, forming crystals within the small joints. In a trial, researchers gave healthy participants 200g of cherries at breakfast. They noted that the rate at which uric acid was excreted increased by 60 per cent.
HOW TO EAT: Eat a dozen cherries or drink a glass of unsweetened juice three or four times a week. Eat fresh with yogurt or seeds to ensure absorption of the beneficial vitamins.

Wonder foods: Almonds could help stave off diabetes and cherries help combat gout and arthritis