Plot me no plots …Hon. Femi Gbajabiamilia absolves self of complicity in wife’s 50th birthday gift

That Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, the legislator representing Surulere 1 Lagos Constituency, at the Federal House of Representatives, has been in the eye of the storm in the last few days is a fact that needs no contestation. No thanks to a piece of information that sent both the new and traditional media in a frenzy that he coughed out whooping N75million to buy a wonder-wheel for his wife, Salamatu, as a gift for his golden age attainment, at a period such as this when the economy has just been barely pulled out of recession economic austerity and when his religion, Islam, expects him to be ascetic.

 

The four-time House of Representatives member has reacted in his quest to set the record straight and disabuse the public mind against the notion created by the deliberately acerbic news.

Critics of Gbajabiamila’s will do right to acknowledge that his salaried income of over 15 years puts him in good stead to make such acquisition in honour of his wife. What lawmakers earn is another matter but the fact remains that such gift is very affordable to a man in Gbajabiamila’s position.

The four-time House of Representatives member has reacted in his quest to set the records straight and disabuse the public mind against the notion created by the deliberately skewed news.

Gbajabiamila, whom many have acknowledged as one of the shinning lights of the 8th National Assembly and one of the most meticulous and committed legislators in Nigeria on the basis of his robust representation and ever-present empowerment programmes whose beneficiaries extend beyond his Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, took out time to render his stewardship on the one hand, and how he had been saving towards the event in appreciation of a wife who has been his loyal friend and stood by him through thick and thin.

According to the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, the birthday celebration was not an impromptu event but one that had been anticipated and planned for over a couple of years, to convey his gratitude to a wife who has weathered all kinds of storm with him.

“I could never have been half the man I am today without her support and unbelievable understanding. Truly, the monetary value of any gift real or imagined, pales in significance when I consider how much of a ‘rock and pillar’ she has been to me…(it was) an expression of deep appreciation and love for my wife of almost 30 years, rather than one of flamboyance,” Gbajabiamila said.

He explained that he was not unmindful of the pervasive poverty bedeviling the country, and especially the need to be conservative and ascetic in the month of Ramadan. He took these into consideration and decided to make the matter a private family affair witnessed by relatives and friends in moderate numbers.

Ordinarily, that kind of event would have attracted the crème de la crème due to Gbajabiamila’s clout and political network but he chose to make it a private affair, in sensitivity to social and economic realities of his immediate environment.

With regards to his stewardship in the National Assembly, Gbajabiamila comes off as a utilitarian politician with socialist leaning. It is to his credit that a bill which seeks to criminalise and prohibit the issuance of estimated electricity bills, perennially foisted on Nigerians by power distribution companies, DISCOs, has passed second reading and is slated for public hearing next week, June 5 precisely, all things being equal.

This will be a watershed in the history of power billing in Nigeria and the entire populace will be benefit from it. The sponsorship of the Nigerian Students Loan Bill (2016), the Nigerian Labour Act (Amendment Bill (2017), the Physically Challenged (Empowerment) Bill (2017), Amendment to Immigration Act (2016), the National Minimum Wage (Amendment Bill to mention few, are also to his credit.

Gbajabiamila’s constituency outreach programmes range from Entrepreneurial Empowerment Programme conducted by SMEDAN for 250 youths, drawn from nine wards in Surulere 1 Federal constituency, the training and distribution of fish farming tools to 100 youth and women, his partnership with Eko Club (Atlanta Georgia,USA) to provide free medical outreach, presentation of CCTV tool box to 50 youths trained on installation and maintenance of closed circuit television, to football tournaments, and many others worthy of mention but for space constraint.

Gbajabiamila has certainly achieved commendable feats as a federal lawmaker, what he appears to have failed to be very mindful of was the ubiquitous power of the social media and inclinations of critics to be mischievous and economical with the truth.

 

Just one image and…boom! The lawmaker’s act of love was misconstrued as a flagrant insensitivity and disregard to his people’s plight. Such a stickler for robust legislative deeds and responsibilities couldn’t have been apathetic to prevalent realities.

Perhaps he should have been mindful of being misunderstood in his need to celebrate his virtuous wife. Discretion is the better part of valour and Gbajabiamila has certainly learnt the hard way.

The lawmaker’s successes should never be beclouded by the misinterpretation of an act of love that was taken out of context by his critics and detractors jostling to gain a few column inches and crucify him. Gbajabiamila might have misjudged the pulse of the nation and let his guard down. But even so, what he has achieved in his constituency cannot be ignored or eroded. The facts are there for all to see.

It will be of great disservice to the man, if he is continually crucified because he let his guard down as a public servant and allowed his heart to rule his head in his quest to be a man and husband appreciative of a inestimable wife.

Several people have made expensive public gestures to their loved ones and intentionally so, so their joy can be shared and witnessed by many. Gbajabiamila should not be maligned for that.

While injustice, swift and erect, sweeps unrestrainedly across the social space, and tramples over him in reckless abandon, his exploits and achievements as a lawmaker establish him as a man with a patriot’s heart and the soul of a revolutionary.

Update: ‘We have zero tolerance for allegations pertaining to sexual impropriety’ – Unilag reacts to leaked nude photos of English professor

Following LIB’s exclusive report about sexual impropriety in the English department of the University of Lagos, the school management has released an official statement promising to investigate the issue and not treat the matter with ‘levity’

 

LIB Exclusive: Nude photos of Unilag professor who molests female students released! ‘I feel so dirty for even allowing such an old man touch me’ – victim says

 

Read the full statement below…

The attention of the University Management has been drawn to a news report trending on social media in respect of an alleged sexual harassment involving an alleged lecturer in the University of Lagos.

The Management has a zero tolerance for allegations pertaining to sexual impropriety, and has a well-established policy against such practices.

We wish to reassure all our stakeholders, students, parents, members of staff and the general public that Management will not treat this matter with levity. Management will tackle the allegation with every sense of responsibility and seriousness that the matter deserves. The issue would be thoroughly investigated with transparency.

Management respectfully solicits information from members of the University community and pledges confidentiality and protection.

Communication Unit,
Corporate Affairs Directorate

Everton confirms Marco Silva as new manager for the 2018-19 season.

Everton has announced Marco Silva as the new manager for the 2018-19 season.

The 40-year-old Portuguese coach was unveiled today following the departure of the club’s former manager Sam Allardyce.

 

After inking a deal with the premiership football club which is expected to last for three years, Silva told evertontv:

‘I’m really proud to be the new Everton manager. I’m excited and I’m really happy to take this big challenge for us as a club and for me as a manager.’

‘I want to express my thanks to Farhad, to the chairman (Bill Kenwright), to the board of directors and to Marcel as well for the confidence in my work. I know the huge history of Everton as a club and what the fans expect. I’m sure with everybody working together I will be ready for this challenge.

‘We have a lot of work to do in this next month and it is important to prepare everything in the right way. But there will be even more important work to do from the start of pre-season into the first Premier League match of next season.

‘I know what our fans expect – they expect results but not only results. I want our fans to be proud when they see our team on the pitch. I want them to feel that we are committed, that we are working hard and enjoying our football because that is important as well.

‘We want to build a great connection between the squad and the fans, and I’m sure that with our attitude and demands of commitment then our style of play will see that, I believe.

‘Everton is a really ambitious club and that is what I want. What we are seeing now are good changes at the club. The club is changing its approach. But one thing we cannot change and nobody wants to change is the huge history and ambition of the club.

‘Everybody knows Everton’s history. When you are a club like Everton, you only have one solution – to aim to win. In football it is impossible to win every match but we must do everything to show in every game that we have ambition. That is what I want and I’m sure we will show that every single week.’

”APC is not a hiding place for those that have criminal questions to answer”Lauretta Onochie reacts to jail sentence of ex-Taraba gov who defected to APC

Yesterday an Abuja High Court sentenced former Taraba state governor, Pastor Jolly Nyame, to 14 years imprisonment for misappropriating N1.64 billion while in office.

Nyame served as Taraba governor with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for two terms, but defected to the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in 2014 and met with President Muhammadu Buhari when he was a candidate.

 

In a post she shared on Facebook, presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, says Nyame’s sentencing has shown that APC is not a place for criminals. Read her post below

REALITY, NOT PERCEPTION.
? For 7 years under the PDP led government, Ex Gov. Jolly Nyame stood at the door steps of justice.

? Then he defected to APC, and in three years, Honourable Justice Adebukola Banjoko, led him to the bowels of Justice, giving the people of Taraba, the justice they deserve. This is a clear signal that the War on corruption is in full swing.

? It’s evidence that our laws can reach everywhere. This is a clear evidence that APC is not a hiding place for those who have questions, criminal questions to answer. The long arm of the law will grab all those who believe that by joining APC, they are washed clean. APC is not a harbour for those running from the law.

? It’s a victory for all law abiding citizens of this nation and hope for all those Wards, Local Government Areas, States, Constituencies and Senatorial Districts where their elected leaders and Representatives have betrayed their trust by going to, and staying in bed with corruption and impunity.

? We must thank this worthy Judge who withstood all forms of pressure and inducements from corrupt Lawyers and Godfathers. Honourable Justice Adebukola Banjoko is a shining example of a Judge in the Criminal Justice system that is slowly but surely, emerging in our nation.

? The days when justice is for sale, are coming to an end.
The days when only the poor gets punished for crimes are nearly over.

? Our laws are gradually coming after only those who abuse them.
Our nation is on the mend.
I don’t know about you but I’m mighty glad to be alive to see these beautiful days in our nation.
I’m also glad that I’m part of the greater Nigeria, making corruption a thing of the past

? Are you part of the greater Nigeria fighting corruption? If not, join today!
Ma Su Gudu Su Gudu.

”Not all good looking young men out there are “yahoo yahoo” boys” Zonal PPRO writes open letter to SARS officials

The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, has written an open letter to SARS asking the bad eggs in the police unit to stop the unlawful arrest of well dressed young men walking on the street with claims that they are ”Yahoo Yahoo boys”.

 

According to Dolapo, a lot of the well dressed young men are “hustling” up and down to make ends meet.

Read her open letter below

OPEN LETTER TO SARS OPERATIVES.
Bad eggs within the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), please be informed that not all good looking young men out there are “yahoo yahoo” boys, a lot of them are young Nigerians “hustling” up and down to make ends meet.

Kindly note that some young upcoming stars believe that weaving, plaiting and designing their hairs rastafarianly is another way to be accepted as an entertainer (even though most times it doesn’t appeal to me). Some couple of days ago, I saw the son of a high ranking officer with a dreadlock hair style, does that Indicate that he’s a fraudster?! Hell “No”, that young man is well trained and brought up, he’s just shooting his shot in the entertainment world. It will therefore be highly unfair for any security agent to arrest him under the guise of being a yahoo boy.

Dear colleagues in SARS, can we do more in combating violent crimes?! Can we take a clue from the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team whose main aim has been to rid the nation of criminal elements? This team has done a lot to protect our nation, they always sacrifice their comfort and sleep ! By so doing they’ve been able to abort violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robberies etc. They have not only rescued victims but made arrests (Evans, Offa robbery etc).

Dear SARS we appreciate the ones among you doing what is right while we advise the bad eggs to take a clue from IRT team and stop causing pains to legit young men and their families. Please note that it is not right to accost anyone on the road and start checking his or her phone, respect people’s privacy and rights!…THANK YOU. God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria, God bless Nigeria Police Force.

President Buhari signs ‘Not Too Young To Run Bill’, asks ‘can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019?’

Today, President Buharihas signed the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill into law.

 

The bill was passed by the National Assembly last year to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the Constitution to reduce the age qualification for president from 40 to 30; governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30; House of Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25.

 

During his speech while signing the bill, the president joking said, ‘but please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections’.

 

Read his full speech below…

 

1. First, I would like to welcome you all to the State House. Today is a significant day for all of us in Nigeria, and most especially our young people – and role they play in our democracy, politics and national life.

2. We are gathered here for the signing of the “Not Too Young To Run Bill”, a landmark piece of legislation that was conceived, championed and accomplished by young Nigerians.

3. The coordinators of the Not Too Young To Run movement have now established a formidable legacy – which is that, in our maturing democracy, if you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat.

4. These efforts have resulted in the heroic task of enshrining in law, a reduction of the minimum ages for elective office in Nigeria.

a. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the State Houses of Assembly will be reduced from 30 to 25 years;

b. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the Federal House of Representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; and

c. Eligible age for aspirants for Office of the President, will be lowered from 40 to 35 years.

5. Surprisingly, the age limits for Senators and Governors was not reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this Bill. This is an issue that may need to be addressed going forward.

6. Nevertheless, your focus and contributions have now successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy and expanded the playing field for youth participation in politics.

7. You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your mark on the political space, just as you have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment, technology, and several other fields.

8. You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone.

9. This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this Administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work for you.

10. You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes an Act of the National Assembly.

11. Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment, but also through Nigeria’s boundless prospects.

12. You should inculcate the spirit of self help. Those who complete their training should not just sit down and wait for government or private sector to employ them. You should be innovative and turn your hands to any legitimate work that will enable you to sustain yourself.

13. You may have noticed already that every one of you represents one of our 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. This is because today is about preparing for the bright future of our country.

14. I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise, economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your States or at Federal levels, or as State Governors – and even someday, as President. Why not?

But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections!

15. Finally, let me say how proud I am, and how proud the entire country is, of what you have accomplished. Congratulations and best of luck with continuing to work to make Nigeria a greater country for us and future generations of Nigerians.

16. God bless all the young people of Nigeria and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meghan Markle and Harry are returning wedding gifts worth “millions” to comply with strict royal rules

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning hundreds of wedding gifts believed to be worth more than £7m.

Following strict palace guidelines, royal aides are trying to stop companies from using the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex in a bid to get publicity. As a result, they are returning gift sent by business organizations.

Kensington Palace on receiving freebies from businesses say: “When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of the Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.”

Kensington Palace’s guidelines state: “Gifts offered by private individuals living in the UK not personally known to the Member of the Royal Family should be refused where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself.”

Harry and Meghan specifically requested well-wishers did not send gifts and instead donate to a list of chosen charities that champion issues that are close to their hearts.

 

 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau granted their request by issuing a statement on the couple’s wedding day to say the country would donate £29,000 to a youth charity called Jumpstart. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden told reporters that on behalf of the country, New Zealand was making a £2,500 donation to a charity the supports children and families of prisoners called Pillars. The Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the country will make a donation to the Invictus Games charity, which is hosted in Sydney this year.

Injurious Publication: Facebook user pleads guilty to lying in Court after alleging Governor Ortom’s convoy hit and killed a seller (photos)

A Facebook user, Mr. Kuhe Albert Hemmense has pleaded guilty to charges brought against him concerning a malicious publication wherein he alleged that Governor Ortom’s convoy hit and killed an engine oil seller in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

 

Kuhe Albert was arraigned by the Benue State Police Command on Wednesday, for impersonating as a public servant and for false publication against the person of Governor Ortom, thereby contravening sections134, 392 and 394 of the penal code law of Benue State 2004.

Prosecuting Police officer, Inspector Michael Iorundu told the Court that Mr. Albert was arrested following a complaint by one Mr. Jimin Geoffrey, Special Assistant to the Governor on Media on the alleged post.

When the charges were  read to the suspect, Kuhe Albert pleaded guilty, although he later denied that he did not understand the question that was thrown at him by the Judge, Mrs Felicia Ikyegh.

Counsel to the suspect, Donald Ierkwagh applied for his bail and Mrs. Ikyegh granted same in the sum of N30,000 and one surety in like sum who must be resident in Makurdi, as there was no objection for a the bail application by the prosecuting counsel.

The case was later adjourned to the 5th July, 2018 for further mention.

It will be recalled that Kuhe posted on social media(Facebook) categoricallly stating that on 20th of May, 2018 at about 07:40 hours the Governor’s convoy hit one Aondohemba Ioryisa of Makurdi along LGEA Primary School Wurukum, Makurdi and abandoned him by the road.

He further posited that Aondohemba Ioryisa died while receiving treatment in a private Hospital in Makurdi due to internal bleeding.

Heartbroken dad who lost his two young sons in hit-and-run by drugged driver hanged himself in hotel room

A heartbroken dad hanged himself in his hotel room in Corfu after his two young sons were killed by a drugged up driver in a hit-and-run crash, an inquest has heard.

Father-of-four Reece Platt-May, 30, was devastated by the death of two of his children, so he took his life. He was found dead by a friend just weeks after he watched the killer of his two sons jailed.

 

Corey, 6, and Casper, 2, killed in car crash

 

Reece had been on holiday on the Greek island with friends and was due to fly back to the UK on May 17. But his lifeless body was found by a friend on the day he was due to return home, Coventry Coroners Court heard today.

Detective Sargent Catherine Fowler, of West Midlands Police, said at the hearing: “Mr Platt-May had recently lost two of his children in a road collision. He had flown out to Corfu, Greece for a holiday with friends. He was due to return to the UK on May 17. A family member had contacted the police after receiving a call from those in Corfu.

“Mr Platt-May had hanged himself and was found by a friend- the time of death was around 2am UK time.”

 

Reece and his sister close to scene of his sons’ death

 

Less than a month ago, the taxi driver had bravely stood in front of a court and declared “time will never heal this” as he watched the killer of his sons sentenced.

Corey, six, and two-year-old Casper died when Robert Brown, 53, ploughed into them as they crossed a main road in Coventry. The youngsters had been on their way to the park with their mum Louise, 28, who witnessed the horror collision on February 22.

 

 

Brown, who has over 207 convictions, had taken cocaine when he struck the children travelling at more than 60mph in a 30mph zone. He was jailed for nine years last month, a sentence which was slammed by the family of the victims.

 

Brown

BBNaija’s Uriel explains why she is determined to always dedicate her life to the care of her mother who suffers dementia

Big Brother Naija season 2 housemate Uriel Oputa has opened up about her life, depression, her mum’s health issues and why she is determined to always take care of her mum who is suffering from dementia.

In a recent interview with Women Ng, Uriel said her 64-year-old mother was widowed at 36. They lived in the UK at the time and she had 5 kids to take care of. She had a chance to return them to Nigeria so their father’s family will take care of them but she chose to keep them with her and struggled to take care of themselves by herself. This, she said, has made her determined to stand by her mum and take care of her, even if it means dedicating her life to her till she’s as old as 40 years.

 

 

Uriel explained to Sola Abe of Womens.NG:

“I grew up in the UK but my dad died when I was two years old, so I didn’t grow up in a household with a father. My mum was my father and is my mother.

We started to notice quite early because we’ll be watching stuffs and she’ll be asking you the same questions over again. One day, she tried to cook chicken but ended up putting the whole chicken packet with the plastic inside the microwave. If nobody came at the right time, the place would have exploded. She’ll be cooking, frying something, everywhere will be smoky and she won’t notice. She’ll come inside the house, she will leave the front door open and she won’t know. It was very scary. My mom would normally go to work and come back, but we noticed she will go to work and wouldn’t know how to find her way home and she will call us and be crying that she doesn’t know her way back that someone should come and get her that she doesn’t know where to go, she doesn’t know the right step to take, she’s lost and this is a route she has been taking for many years, and that she doesn’t even know the way to our house.

She had a stroke, so from the stroke, she developed this illness, brain damage. Her body is shutting down slowly. Like now, we’re in Nigeria; she doesn’t know where we are. She keeps asking me, are your brothers coming? Are we in London? Then she says, ‘I want to go and see my mother’ and I say, ‘mummy, your mother is dead.’ Yes, but I want to go and see her. So, everything doesn’t make sense to her sometimes.

I was still very young and I still wanted to live my life fully but because of her, I wasn’t able to live my life fully. I started caring for my mum at a very young age when I was supposed to be hanging out with my friends; I was at home looking after my mum.

Uriel adds:

My mum had a choice. She was 36 and a widow. She had a choice to dump us, in fact, ‘take them back to Nigeria, and let them stay with their father’s people. Let me live my life, I am 36 years old, I can get married again.’ Give us out to my father’s family but she didn’t do that. She hustled, sweated for five children.

There’s been a time when before I entered the big brother house, I was in Nigeria for many years and I actually thought about giving up this dream of being an entertainer and just dedicating my life to looking after my mum. I didn’t care if I wasn’t going to get married, I didn’t care I wasn’t going to have children, I just wanted to do that for my mum. And however long it took for her to pass away; I’ll just dedicate my life to her. Even if I’m 40 or 50 and she goes, I know that I’ve done something.

Like yesterday, she woke up twice to go to the toilet and she can’t really walk so I had to guide her, hold her and walk slowly. Sometimes, as a human being, when someone wakes you up in the morning, you’ll be angry. At 3am, she’ll wake you up. At 5 am in the morning, she’ll wake you up again that she wants to go to the toilet. She can wake you up two to three times in a night, but when I look at her face, I know it’s not her fault. If my mum has the power to get up and go, she will go. Why will she want to trouble her child?

She said she’s been advised multiple times to put her mother in an old people’s home or get a caretaker for her so Uriel can live a full life and enjoy her youth, but she refused.

I said no. As long as I’m here with my mum, I will bath her, change her and do everything. Then, if somebody will just come, maybe come and go. Like now that I’m here with you, someone is with my mum, but as far as cleaning, bathing is concerned, I do everything for her. I don’t allow anybody to touch her food, I don’t like that.

 

Uriel said her mother sometimes forgets who she is. She gave an instance where her mother had just returned from church, so she went into the kitchen to get her some food. By the time she returned from the kitchen, her mother had forgotten who she was.

She screamed and said, ‘who are you.’ I thought she was joking but she was not. She was scared. She didn’t even allow me to come close to her. She started praying, shouting, then I realized that this is real. She does tend to forget sometimes. She’ll ask me, ‘are you my daughter and I’ll say yes.’ I had to show her pictures and that was it.

I realized that I’ve lost the mum I once knew. I realized that I’ve lost a part of my mum I could never get back. That strong woman that I knew, that woman that was fearless, agile, and prayerful. My mum can’t even pray now because the words don’t come to her head, you have to guide her through it. That woman is still my mum; I still see pieces of her but that woman have been replaced with somebody that is almost childlike, somebody that needs comfort, guidance, assistance, and care.

My brothers have lost their faith. They no longer believe in God how they used to, how we were taught growing up. They don’t really pray because they believe if God was a merciful God, if God was all those wonderful things, why would he let a woman that has given up so much of her life, even to others, suffer so much.

It’s sad but I see what they are going through and I continue to pray for my brothers, my mum and myself. I am the only girl but I’m the anchor that will keep the family together. I had to take over from where my mum left. My mum is a very prayerful woman. Losing my faith is like everything she fought for religiously didn’t mean anything.

 

As a result of the situation with her mother, Uriel says she sometimes goes through depression. She said she’s lost suitors because of her instability as she had to attend to her sick mum, and this has made her not to get married.

I think sometimes, it would be easier to lose your parents and for them to die than to see your mother die slowly in front of you. That one is not a good thing. It’s like torture and you’re deprived of so many things.

My depression came from having my own insecurities, not being where I wanted to be, having men promising me houses and cars but because of my faith, I always said no and I never understood why I always say no. That thing where, this is not how you were raised was so strong and I couldn’t part away from it. I was just frustrated. I became depressed.

My mum was a widow at 36 with five children. So, imagine seeing my mum work hard, nobody ever gave my mum anything. My mum has been a widow since she was 36 and I’ve not seen any man enter my house, I’ve not seen any man say, Blessing, let me give you money for your children. So that is how I grew up. I grew up seeing a strong woman. I grew up seeing a woman hustle. That’s all I know. I don’t know about a man giving me something. All I know is if you want something, work hard for it. I don’t know about opening my legs to somebody for a range rover. Yes, it’s easy but that is not the lifestyle I know.

Vladimir Putin invites North Korean leader Kim Jung-Un to Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who is currently in Pyongyang invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Moscow.

 

He said this during the first meeting between the head of the reclusive state and a Russian official “Come to Russia, we’ll be very happy to see you,” Lavrov told Kim in remarks released by the Russian foreign ministry.

 

Lavrov passed greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim, saying he wished him success in the “major undertakings that have been initiated on the Korean peninsula”, the ministry said in a statement.

 

Lavrov was the first Russian official to be received by Kim, Russian news agencies said. “It was the first official meeting with him face to face,” TASS quoted a source in the minister’s delegation as saying. The Russian foreign ministry also released pictures of the two men shaking hands and smiling. Russia’s top diplomat arrived in Pyongyang earlier Thursday, ahead of a landmark summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump.

 

His visit comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity to organise next month’s summit, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also meeting Kim’s right-hand man Kim Yong Chol in New York late Wednesday. Last month North Korea’s foreign minister Ri Yong Ho held rare talks with Lavrov in Moscow as Pyongyang moves to improve strained ties with global powers.

See pics of the Abuja metro line set to be commissioned by president Buhari

According to president Buhari’s personal assistant on new media, the president is set to commission this modern metro line which will ease transportation for Abuja residents.

 

Meghan Markle’s Duchess training has started and the syllabus is intense

It’s been reported that the newly titled Duchess of Sussex will undergo prestigious training to make sure she knows exactly what it takes to be a member of the royal family.

Over the next few months, Meghan Markle’s princess training will reportedly ensure she is totally familiar with everything a Duchess needs to know.

 

Queen Elizabeth’s assistant private secretary, Samantha Cohen, is reported by The Times to be guiding Markle through her first few months as a royal in an intensive “six months of listening.”

In an interview with InStyle, Alexandra Messervy, the Chief Executive of The English Manner, detailed just what will be taught in the esteemed training Markle will receive from Cohen.

In terms of etiquette, there may be some advice on British traditions such as tea parties and formal banquets. There will be discussions on Royal Ascot and key events in the royal year, public outings, garden parties. Her Royal Highness has already shown she has film star poise and grace.

 

The Duchess lessons will be an advanced course in royal formalities. According to Daily Mail, Cohen, aka Samantha The Panther, who earned her nickname for her no-nonsense approach, has already moved offices to Kensington Palace so training with Meghan Markle can begin.

This Tweet about Nigeria and judgement day will crack you up

Lol. Who else is packing their flags?

Southwest flight makes emergency landing after passenger is caught reportedly smoking marijuana in lavatory

Southwest Airlines flight 1250 was forced to make an emergency landing at San Jose International Airport (SJC) on Wednesday after a passenger was caught smoking in the aircraft lavatory.

The aircraft had departed from San Francisco (SFO), bound for Los Angeles (LAX) at around 3:30pm local time on Wednesday. However, after about 15 minutes in air, the aircraft began descending after a man was reportedly caught smoking in the aircraft’s lavatory. The smoke triggered an alarm, forcing crew to make the decision to divert.

The Boeing 737-700 (registration N7858A) eventually made an emergency landing at San Jose (SJC) at about 4:05pm.

Edmund Lo, a passenger, reported that the man in question boarded the aircraft in a wheelchair. Once in-flight, Lo said the man got up and walked around before going to the restroom once the plane reached cruising altitude. Moments later, the alarm sounded and when the man returned to his seat, he smelled like marijuana.

Southwest released the following statement:

Southwest Airlines Flight 1250 with scheduled service from San Francisco to Los Angeles landed safely after diverting to San Jose following indications a customer was allegedly smoking in the aft lavatory. The flight landed without incident where it was met by local law enforcement, and the customer in question was turned over to local authorities. Our employees in San Jose are working to accommodate the remaining 32 customers on other aircraft to continue their journeys.

 

No one was injured in the incident, and no delays were reported at the airport as a result, Southwest said.

Male twitter user says masturbation is more ‘evil’ than fornication and goes on to list the ‘disadvantages’

Mr Onyekachi here believes masturbation is so bad, it is a bigger sin than fornication. He even listed its disadvantages.

 

Kendall Jenner and rumoured new beau Ben Simmons spotted heading to a hotel after partying together (Photos)

Kendall Jenner, 22, and her rumoured new boyfriend Ben Simmons, 21, were on Thursday spotted leaving Hyde nightclub in Los Angeles before they made their way into the Waldorf Astoria together.

The pair who tried to keep a low profile while out together were first pictured at The Nice Guy for dinner and then later at Hyde nightclub before making their way to a hotel.

Their outing comes after news broke on Tuesday that Kendall was dating the Philadelphia 76ers point guard, who was accused of cheating on his ex-girlfriend singer Tinashe.

Continue to see more photos below.

“If i die today the world knows who is responsible for my death”- Blogger and former SA to Governor Dickson cries out

A Bayelsa blogger, Saint Mienpamo, escaped death on Tuesday, after he was attacked by persons suspected to be militants.

Mienpamo, who was a former Senior Special Assistant to Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, was beaten to pulp, and abducted by his attackers at about 6.30am on Tuesday.

According to Sahara Reporters, the attack was allegedly in connection to a report on his blog about the alleged attack on the boat of a former militant leader and immediate past Caretaker Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local council, Joshua Machiver, by some suspected members of the State Waterway Security.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, Miepano said the suspected militants arrived at about 6.30am in company of two policemen, under the guise of effecting his arrest over alleged illegal post on Facebook. Instead, he was beaten up, with his pictures taken naked.

He was later whisked away to the home of a popular former militant leader, Africanus Home, and threatened with death.

“I was beaten up for doing my work,” he said. “we have already reported the matter at the Ekeki Police Station.”

When contacted on the development, Spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asimin Butswat, said he had not yet been briefed on the incident,

“I will get back to you when I get details from the divisional police head in Ekeki Division,” he said.

Girl was “raped by priest after she complained to him nun had abused her at Catholic orphanage”

A woman who lived in a Catholic-run orphanage when she was a child was raped by a priest and repeatedly abused by a nun, an inquiry heard.

Helen Holland bravely waived her right to anonymity and came out publicly to describe years of “sadistic” treatment at the Nazareth House home in Kilmarnock while living there in the 1960s and 1970s.

Speaking at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry on Wednesday, the 59-year-old told how the sexual abuse began when she was eight years old. She said a nun at the home had told her the “the devil was inside” of her.

She said: “She took me into her cell and told me to take my clothes off.”

Ms Holland said she was then assaulted with a “hand brush”.

She said: “She took the hand brush … and asked if I could feel the devil. That was the start.”

 

 

Ms Holland said she told a priest what had happened in confession and that she “had to get the devil out”. The inquiry heard the priest then “marched” her back to the orphanage, describing her as the “most wicked child he had ever met”. At the orphanage, she said the nun joined them and they went into a room.

Ms Holland said:

He told her what I’d said. They looked at each other, the way people do when they have got an understanding but without language.

I ended up over what looks like a boardroom table with (the priest) raping me.

She was holding my hands across the table. I was told I was a brazen hussy and I must learn to keep my mouth shut.

 

The inquiry heard the witness was sexually abused over a four-year period and that she was raped by several men. She said she knew at least one of them was a priest.

The inquiry heard other children resident in the orphanage were subjected to vicious attacks by the nun, who punched, kicked and used a bamboo cane known as a “switch” because of the noise it made.

The inquiry heard Ms Holland reported the hand brush attack to social services when she was a child, but nothing was done. As an adult, she said she went to the procurator fiscal but was told the case would not be pursued because the nun was “too old and too infirm”, which the witness said she had challenged.

Ms Holland is now chairwoman of In-Care Abuse Survivors group, which campaigns for justice for those affected by such issues.

Ugandan parliament imposes ‘WhatsApp tax’ for social media users

On Thursday, the Ugandan parliament passed a law imposing a tax on people using mobile social media networks in an attempt to increase revenue, but rights groups say the levy is actually aimed at silencing dissent.

 

The tax for users of WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook is minimal, at 200 Ugandan shillings (five cents) a day, but adds up to about 18 dollars a year.

 

“As a government, we thought it would be good to impose taxes on some aspects of the social media,” deputy government spokesman Shaban Bantariza said. He added that “government is installing infrastructure like WiFi in areas around the country and it will not do this without our contribution through taxes.”

 

It was not quite clear how the tax would be implemented, but 24 millions Ugandans about half the population have access to the internet, according to the Uganda Communications Commission, mostly through mobile phones.

 

However, human rights groups expressed concern over the move, which reportedly came about after long-time leader Yoweri Museveni said social media helped spread gossip.  “This tax is detrimental to the enjoyment of freedom of expression,” said Livingstone Sewannyana, director of Uganda’s Foundation for Human Rights Initiative. “Its prohibitive. It shows the repressive nature of the state which is amassing as much revenue as it can to its advantage,” he added.

 

During the 2016 elections, social media networks were shut down because people were using them to communicate and mobilize anti-government demonstrations.