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Seasoned scholar as Pioneer Vice Chancellor of New University of Environment and Technology: Expectations, prospects

The Atlantic Bell
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Seasoned scholar as Pioneer Vice Chancellor of New University of Environment and Technology: Expectations, prospects

One basic fact of life is that change is always permanent. For Nigeria, the issues of high-level youth unemployment, climate change, and industrial underdevelopment, which have continued to pose fundamental challenges to nation-building and growth, are about to be tackled headlong.

The signing into law, the establishment of the first University of Environment and Technology in Nigeria and the subsequent appointment of key officers for the institution situated in Ogoni, Rivers State is one step that has the potential of igniting Nigeria’s journey towards socio- economic growth.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who gave the nod for the establishment of the university in Rivers State late last month, appointed the Governing Council and principal officers to enable the university to commence academic activities this year. Among those appointed were Prof Don Mon Baridam, a management expert and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

Also from the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Chinedu Mmom, a professor of Geography and Environmental Management, a researcher and scholar listed among the first Eight Hundred(800) scientific Researchers in Nigeria by Google Scholar, H-index and Citations, 2015 edition was named the Vice Chancellor.

It is a known fact that a Vice Chancellor in a university is the architect and chief driver of a university’s birth and early growth. He is expected to lay the structural academic and cultural foundation that will determine the future of the new university. His task includes setting the vision and establishing the reputation that will define the school in the years to come.

The establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Rivers State is a dream come true for the people of the Niger Delta region and the country at large. It would not only address the core issues of the environment, but also be a hub for innovation and human capital development, with its core objective of training future scientists, engineers, environmentalists, and tech innovators. It is not in doubt, that for Nigeria to develop and strive to close the industrialization gap with advanced countries, these are the professionals needed to rejig the economy and enable the people to confront issues like energy transmission, pollution control, smart agriculture and digital infrastructure.

Moreover, the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoni would not only act as an economic catalyst for overall development as the local economy would receive a boost, it would help Nigeria meet its international climate obligations as it will serve as a research centre for climate and climatology.

For such a university with great potentials to commence on a strong footing and build a firm foundation that would enable it attract researchers and funding from across the globe, it was only proper that a seasoned academic, sound administrator, charismatic, and innovative leader be drafted to actualize the dreams of those who clamoured for the establishment of a university that would help solve the environmental challenges of the Niger Delta and Nigeria. Professor Chinedu Mmom is that dream Vice Chancellor. He is a class act in academics and administration as examplified from the numerous positions he has held in the past.

His published profile says it all.
Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, JP, DSSRS is distinguished academic, an erudite scholar and an astute Administrator. He is a very disciplined personality with a good moral upbringing from a Christian home. He is very hardworking, dedicated to duty, self-motivated and prides himself with integrity. He possesses sound emotional, physical and mental dispositions. His goal in life is to be a famous (World Class) academic and administrator; a character builder and human capital developer.

Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom is a Professor of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt. Prof. Mmom is a researcher and scholar listed among the first Eight Hundred (800) Scientific Researchers in Nigeria by Google Scholar, H-index and Citations, 2015 edition. He was the Director, Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies [CDRMDS], a University of Port Harcourt and National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA] collaborative initiative. Professor Mmom is currently the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt (two term Dean).

President Tinubu signing into law the bill establishing the university of environment and technology

He was a Research Advisor, Ogoni Restoration Project, the Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Port Harcourt, 2014. During his appointment, he developed additional index for measuring successful remediation of contaminated soil using vegetables as bio-indicators. He is an Adjunct Scholar, Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, University of Port Harcourt, Adjunct Scholar, Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS), University of Port Harcourt [2006-date]; Adjunct Professor, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research & Training (ACE-CEFOR). Professionally, Prof. Mmom is a Fellow of Nigerian Environmental Society (fmr. Chairman, Rivers State Chapter), Member, International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA-USA). Fellow, Occupational Safety & Health Association [FOSHA], Fellow, Emergency, Crisis and Risk Management Institute, Member, Association of Nigerian Geographers, Registered Environmental Manager with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP-USA). He’s the 153rd Inaugural Lecturer of the University of Port Harcourt and spoke on the title: ORDER IN DISORDER: RE-THINKING INSIDE THE BOX. He’s a Member, National Technical Working Committee (NTWC) on development of the Medium Term and Long Term National Economic Development Plan and Vision 2050. 2020-date

Prof. Mmom is a Professorial Assessor/ External Examiner to many Universities in Nigeria and very special to mention, an External Assessor to the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos. Prof. Mmom has supervised and produced over 120 Undergraduates, 52 Master’s Degree and 18 Ph.D Graduates.

He has varied research interests, ranging from Environmental Impact Assessment, Urban Planning & Environmental Resources Management and Disaster Risk Management. He is a member of many project teams and Boards and an Environmental Consultant to many firms within and outside Nigeria. He is a recipient of the honour of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS). He was the immediate Commissioner for Education, Rivers State, 9th July, 2022 to 25th May, 2024. He is a member of Governing Council, Federal College of Education, Potiskum, Yobe State. He is an Ambassador for Peace and holds an honorary Chieftaincy title of: Eze Ocha-okpo 1 of Omuanwa town. He is an Alumnus of the Nigeria’s prestigious National Institute and the 9th President of SLEPM 9 of the National Institute. He’s fairly traveled to most parts of world and enjoys playing Football, Tennis and Snooker.

With such a pedigree, his appointment was a decisive move to set solid academic and administrative foundations with this world acclaimed distinguished researcher, innovator with profound institutional leadership acumen.
There is no doubt that Professor Mmom is the right man to lead the new university to a glorious start. It is clear that the decision to appoint a core professional with a distinguished track record in research, innovation and institutional leadership as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the new university Is a strategic step to align the institution’s vision with global best practices, ensuring that it becomes a hub for cutting edge technological advancement and sustainable environmental solutions.
Known for his high work rate and relentless pursuit of excellence and result, Professor Mmom hit the ground running as he assumed duties on Thursday, 7th August 2025. He, together with other members of the Governing Council, inspected the university campus as part of preparations for the commencement of academic activities. The visit enabled the team to assess, evaluate, and review infrastructure in readiness for commencement of academic activities this year.
Meanwhile, the Federal University of Environment and Technology has established a liaison office to ensure that strategic linkages and strong relationships with stakeholders, aimed at driving growth and achieving excellence, are seamless.

Shocking: Rivers Loses N96 billion revenue in cassava plant underutilisation

The Atlantic Bell
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Shocking: Rivers Loses N96 billion revenue in cassava plant underutilisation

It is estimated that the Rivers State Government may have lost over N96 billion in revenue owing to the low capacity utililization of the multi-billion Naira Cassava Processing Plant in the state.
In 2021, the Rivers State Government commissioned the Cassava Processing Plant located at Afam in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state. The plant was envisaged to process 45,000 metric tons of cassava tubers to produce 12,500 metric tons of high-quality cassava flour per annum.
The Cassava Processing Plant, a key agricultural asset, was established to address the challenges of value addition of the cassava crop in the value – chain sub sector. The company was inaugurated on May 28, 2021, under a Public-Private partnership venture between Rivers State Government, Shell, Vieux Manioc BV of the Netherlands, and the Netherlands embassy.

At the inauguration of the plant in 2021, economic experts had predicted that about $16million(about N24 billion) annually in taxes could be unlocked for the Rivers State Government with the application of modern technology to manufacture, process and create more added value from cassava.

Moreover, food beverages and pharmaceutical firms in Nigeria, which import starch and glucose, would readily patronize the cassava processing company in Rivers State, which is said to be the biggest plant in West Africa.

Aside from the enormous revenue expected from the plant, it was projected to engage over 3,000 cassava farmers who would feed the plant.
At the commissioning of the plant in 2021, the former Project Manager, Mr Reuben Geissen, who later became the General Manager had this to say: ”We have a factory that is operational and that can benefit 3,000 farmers, on a yearly basis, with a steady income by buying- off their cassava tubers. It will also have a multiplier effect across the agricultural sector as rural agriculture is still a labour intensive activity in this part of the world”.
However, the much expected revenue from the plant has failed to materialize, four years after. Bureaucratic bottlenecks were said to have cropped up shortly after the commissioning of the plant and the rolling out of its first set of 50 kilogram bags of product.

The Atlantic Bell gathered that the first issue that stalled production was the dissolution of the company’s board of directors, which played a crucial part in the preliminary stages of preparations for the start up of the plant. That action, shortly after the commissioning of the plant, left the company without adequate supervision to help actualize its core mandate.
Three years after the commencement of operations, Reuben Giessen who had become the company’s General Manager, wrote to the Rivers State Government for financial support to enable the completion to complete two more production lines at the factory to enable them churn out more products.

Following that request, the now suspended Governor Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, visited the company on March 7,2024, to ascertain the level of “effectiveness and efficiency” of the company.

After the visit to the company, the now suspended Rivers State Governor had this to say: ”I got a request from the people who are managing the cassava processing plant that we need to extend our support to them to complete two production lines that will give them a standard that they can start to supply in earnest to a lot of distributors who need the products from their plant. And I felt it would be proper for me to see what we have already invested, the stage they are at, so that it will encourage us to give more support. From what I have seen here today, it is really impressive, I can assure them that we are going to give the financial support to ensure that the production lines are all completed. This is to encourage them to go into full supply of the products with international standards to anywhere in the world. “

Barely nine months after the visit of the now suspended governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to the company and a pledge to invest additional funds by the Rivers State Government, a tragedy of immense proportion hit the company and Rivers State.
On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Dutch expatriate managing director and chief executive officer of the Rivers State Cassava Processing Plant, Reuben Giessen lost his life when he drowned in Aleto River along the Eleme section of the East – West Road, in Rivers State.
He crashed his vehicle into the river while fleeing from suspected kidnappers who attempted to way lay him. The tragic nature of his death stalled production the company.

About three months after the death of the Chief Executive of the Cassava Processing Company, the politically turbulent cloud, which had hovered over Rivers State for over one year, took a toll for the worst.
President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025 announced the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the state legislators for an initial period of six months, as a way of calming political tension, protect critical national assets in the state and promote reconciliation among the political gladiators.

The Atlantic Bell could not confirm whether the suspended governor had made good his promise to support the Cassava Processing Company with additional funds before the death of the Chief Executive or before his own suspension.
However, what The Atlantic Bell authoritatively gathered is that, “nothing is happening at the company,” an official of the state government who prefers anonymity, told our reporter.

We further learnt that the Rivers State Sole Administrator is unhappy with the situation at the cassava plant and has requested a comprehensive report from the company. The report we also gathered was turned in this week, and what the outcome would be is left with the authorities at the moment.
One of the most infuriating aspects of the situation at the company which the authorities are expressing is the obvious lack of technology transfer to indigenous hands to enable them run the plants, especially in the situation which the company finds itself, in the absence of the expatriates. Another worrisome aspect is the inadequate supply of raw materials to feed the plants. It has been surprisingly difficult to feed the plant with enough cassava tubers and even when that is done, the inability to put the two remaining production lines on stream are hampering the realization of the expected revenue from the plant.

Some economic experts are worried that enough study may not have been carried out before the plant was established and that the company ought to have endeavoured to establish its own cassava farms to feed its plants, knowing that there are specific varieties of the product required.
As it stands today, the people of Rivers State are watching and waiting to see how the Multi-billion Naira company, which has the capacity of adding the production of starch and perhaps glucose in future, and reducing the state’s over dependence on oil, would become something everyone would be proud of or whether it would become another waste of taxpayers money.

RIVERS ADMINISTRATOR CAUTIONS RING ROAD CONTRACTOR

The Atlantic Bell
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RIVERS ADMINISTRATOR CAUTIONS RING ROAD CONTRACTOR

The Administrator of Rivers State Ibok Ete Ibas has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the extent of work at the Port Harcourt Ring Road Project.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Rule Implementation, led by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, Ibas described the contractor’s performance as “regrettable.”

He said that despite receiving 77% mobilization totalling N150 billion of the N195 billion contract sum, the project remains largely unexecuted.

According to Ibas, worse still, is the fact that the contractor has requested an 87% variation, potentially inflating the total cost to N367 billion.

Ibas issued a stern warning against contractors who fail to honour lawful agreements and terms.

It would be recalled that the Ring Road Project in Rivers State was flagged off by the now suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara in October 2023 with Julius Berger as the contractor. A three-year time frame was agreed upon for the completion of the multi-billion Naira project, which traverses six local government areas of the state.
Work on the Ring Road Project was progressing smoothly until the suspension of democratic structures in Rivers State over political disagreements in March 2025. This subsequently led to the appointment of a sole administrator to govern the state.

Julius Berger, the contracting firm thereafter, requested a variation in the cost of the project, citing the rising costs of materials.
With no assurance from the government that its request for variation would be met, Julius Berger began by downsizing the workforce before finally pulling out from all the sites of the project.
The Ring Road Project is one of the flagship projects of the suspended Governor Fubara’s administration in Rivers State.

Why Business Researches Have Not Impacted Industries In Nigeria- Professor Wali

The Atlantic Bell
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Why Business Researches Have Not Impacted Industries In Nigeria- Professor Wali

A university Don, Professor Andy Wali, has posited that for marketing and business research from tertiary institutions to sufficiently impact on the civic community and industries, there is the urgent need to adopt new methodology, given the evolving change in market dynamics and technology.
Delivering his Inaugural Lecture titled, “Rethinking Impact In Marketing and Business Research Through The Interpretivist Lens,” Prof Wali, who delivered the 116th Inaugural Lecture of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt on Wednesday August 13, 2025 at the University’s Senate Building, said the time had come for scholars to rethink their marketing and business research findings for the benefit of the civic community and industry.
According to Wali, who is a Professor of Strategic Marketing and Social Constructivist Techniques at the Rivers State University, the eminent disconnect between the academic and civic communities is due to the “perceived negligence in conducting ethically and value oriented research in business sciences and specifically in marketing schools within the Ivory Tower.
Prof. Wali stated that his postulation was not aimed at discrediting existing researches in the areas of marketing and business, but with a view to redirecting the attention of scholars within business sciences and allied disciplines to the decline in research occasioned by certain ethical improprieties and those he termed “colonialists in the Ivory Tower “.
The university Don lamented that research in the ivory totally geared towards, and are made only for academic and promotion exercises, urging scholars to redirect their researches towards contributing in shaping business development and deepening service users’ experiences. He noted that a properly harnessed research output would bring about enhanced teaching quality, which would invariably lead to the production of quality graduates that can further translate to industry productivity and societal development.

Prof. Wali, at the lecture identified the rationale for declining impact in marketing and business research in industry and civic community, which he attributed to research misconduct, relevant departure in research value and policy making, poor mentorship and training, poor research archivization and management systems, inadequate funding and poor institutional infrastructure, poor communication and dissemination.
The university Don stated that over the years as a researcher and scholar, he had focused on closing the gap on poor research using qualitative paradigm through focus group interviews, single interviews, nethnography and narrative analyses to explore problems within consumer behaviour and experiences, higher education and marketing ethics in Nigeria and the United Kingdom context, respectively.

Furthermore, he mentored emerging scholars to embrace methodological diversity by using qualitative methodology, which can come through a reform in postgraduate programmes in marketing and business sciences.
Proffering solutions to the challenges of marketing and business research meeting the needs of the civic community and industry, Prof. Wali advocated the establishment of a Centre for Behavioural Science And Industry Studies, which, according to him, “will drive a new research order in all functional areas of Business and allied disciplines, and to attract industry-oriented researches and institutional grants.
Prof. Wali further advocated the establishment of a data repository for all researchers within the university, training and sharing success stories by researchers and integration with other paradigms.
The 116th Inaugural Lecture of the Rivers State University was well attended by renowned dignitaries, including the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Zeb Obipi, former Vice Chancellors of the University, scholars and researchers, members of the university community, and friends of the Inaugural Lecturer.

EPL: Battle of Old Trafford: It’s Gyokeres and Sesko in eyeball to eyeball blockbuster

The Atlantic Bell
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EPL: Battle of Old Trafford: It’s Gyokeres and Sesko in eyeball to eyeball blockbuster

If history is anything to go by, then Sunday’s opening match of the English Premier League (EPL) between Manchester United and Arsenal Football Clubs at Old Trafford portends danger for Arsenal
Historically, Manchester United have been known as the opening weekend specialists having won the opening day fixtures over the years with 22 victories in a 66.7% success rate and they have, in recent times, played the opening weekend matches at Old Trafford, nine seasons in a row.
For the 2025/26 season which kicks off this week, Manchester United would be hosting Arsenal in the opening weekend only for the second time, the last happening in the 1989/90 season (36 years) ago, when United beat Arsenal 4-1.
The clash which is the stand out fixture in the first week of the new season is already eliciting the usual thrilling feuds, sparking a rivalry that encapsulates the blockbuster meetings of the clubs from their fans across the globe.
Manchester United fans are in an upbeat mood. Who wouldn’t be? At least if historical antecedents favour you. This clash, on Sunday, is only the fourth time the two teams will contest a league fixture in August, with United winning the previous three, including the famous 8-2 walloping and 2011.
However, for Arsenal Football Club and its supporters, history does not play football, as they believe that current realities of the potentials of both clubs give a clue as to what happens on Sunday at Old Trafford.
For a team that has consistently been runners-up of the English Premier league title in three seasons, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, it’s a pointer to the strength, at least, when compared to a Manchester United team that ended the last season on the 15th position, their worst in recent times.
What, however, makes this season opening encounter more interesting and fascinating is that both teams have broken the banks to bolster their teams.
In a move, signifying their intentions to drop the toga of perennial runners-up, Arsenal approached the transfer market with zeal and gusto. They brought in the likes of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £51m, Christian Norgaard from Brentford for £15m, Christian Mosquera from Valencia, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Noni Madueke. The star signing was Viktor Gyokores from Sporting Lisbon of Portugal.
Not wanting a repeat of the worst performance of last season, Manchester United with an eye on returning to the top echelon of the league brought in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo, Diego Leon and star striker Benjamin Sesko. Not done yet, the team is still in the hunt for Carlos Baleba to bolster their midfield.
Sunday’s encounter is even more peculiar as two key signings from both sides, Victor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, were wanted by the teams they face in the encounter.
While Arsenal initially wanted Sesko, the player turned them down, preferring to join the Red Devils. On the other hand, Manchester United had eyes on Gyokeres, who had his mind fixed on joining Arsenal. This circumstance will further spur Gyokeres and Sesko to want to outpunch each other during the encounter.

While Arsenal initially wanted Sesko, the player turned them down, preferring to join the Red Devils. On the other hand, Manchester United had eyes on Gyokeres, who had his mind fixed on joining Arsenal. This circumstance will further spur Gyokeres and Sesko to want to outpunch each other during the encounter.
The statistics of both players coming into the encounter on Sunday have further raised the stakes. Viktor Gyokeres scored 39 goals in 33 matches last season with Sporting Lisbon in the Liga Portugal. He took 103 shots in 33 matches in the 2024/25 season, 73 of which were on target. The 1.87cm, twenty seven year old Swedish born player had a shot accuracy rate of 70.87% and a pass completion rate of 73.83%
Benjamin Sesko, on the other hand, plied his trade in the 2024/25 season with RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, where he started in 30 matches and scored 13 goals. With a height of 1.95 cm, Sesko, the 24 year old Slovenian, showed how good he is in the air, winning 70% of aerial duels during the season.
Sunday’s encounter will be the 245th time Arsenal and Manchester United will be locking horns since 1919. In their last 244 meetings, Arsenal won 90 times, Manchester United won 99 times, while 55 matches had ended in draws. In matches involving both clubs, Manchester United has the record of the longest unbeaten streak of nine games from 1954- 1958 and 1991 – 1995. However, on current strength, Arsenal has the unbeaten streak of six games from 2023 to the present.
Whichever way victory goes on Sunday between both clubs, it will certainly be a pointer to how the teams would fare in the 2025/26 English Premier league season, which promises to be very exciting and extremely competitive.

US OPEN: All eyes on Canadian Teenage sensation,Mboko

The Atlantic Bell
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US OPEN: All eyes on Canadian Teenage sensation,Mboko

As the final Grand Slam of the year gets underway at Flushing Meadows in the United States of America, from August 24 2025, tennis lovers all over the globe would have their eyes on the newest teenage female tennis sensation from Canada, Victoria Mboko. It was her stunning Canadian Open triumph weeks ago over former world Number One, Naomi Osaka in the final, that turned the eyes of the tennis world on her. Victoria Mboko, the 18 year old had downed fellow Grand Slam champions, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff( the top seed), and Sofia Kenin in earlier rounds of the Canadian Open to send tongues wagging. The 18 year old raised in Burlington, Ontario, becomes the second – youngest player in the Open Era to defeat four Grand Slam champions in a single tournament. The only player to accomplish such a feat was 17 year old Serena Williams at the 1999 US Open. Mboko’s mesmerizing win in Canada vaulted her rankings, blossoming from the little known wildcard to the tournament headliner and household name in tennis, at least for now. Her feat in Canada has earned her a place among the female tennis players to be seeded at Flushing Meadows in the United States, having jumped from 85th to 24th in the world rankings. That’s certainly remarkable for a teenager who started the year outside the top 300. Mboko’s history: Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Congolese parents, but grew up in Toronto. Won her first professional singles title at the ITF W25 tournament in Saskatoon in 2022, which she successfully defended in 2023. Won four consecutive ITF World Tennis Tour events to begin 2025, adding a fifth in March. In second place for most ITF World Tennis Tour women’s singles titles won this year. Began 2025 ranked at No 333, but rose to be No 24 in the rankings updated recently following her victory in Montreal. Qualified for her first Grand Slam main draw at the French Open, where she reached the third round Coached by former world No 3 and 1998 Wimbledon finalist Nathalie Tauziat.

Teens from Local School Amaze as Runway Models at DisArt Show

The Atlantic Bell
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Teens from Local School Amaze as Runway Models at DisArt Show

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Top Fashion Trends to Look for in Every Important Collection

The Atlantic Bell
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Top Fashion Trends to Look for in Every Important Collection

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Designer Fashion Show Kicks off with Great Success at Variety

The Atlantic Bell
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0
Designer Fashion Show Kicks off with Great Success at Variety

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Olivia Wilde Looking Forward to New Patterned Dress Collection

The Atlantic Bell
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0

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

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