For those who do not know her, Ban Soon-taek is a quiet first lady, married to the secretary general of the United Nations but rarely vocal on global issues. She showed another side, as a champion of human rights equalling her more famous husband, at a recent event on ending female genital mutilation (FGM).
Her ringing call to “end harmful traditional practices and unleash the power of young girls” came on at an event organised in the margins of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York on 18 April. She thanked participants for endeavouring to “change a harmful tradition into an empowering mission”.

Mutilation would have been a terrible violation of our daughter's rights

Ban took her inspiration from a meeting organised by the Guardian between her husband and the young British anti-FGM activist Fahma Mohamad two years before in London. She paid tribute to this newspaper’s contributions, expressing hope that the media would continue to “help us spread the message that girls need education, not mutilation”.
As chair of the event, I listened with great interest as Ban spoke about how Fahma was reaching out to address risks to Diaspora communities in developed countries where most people are unaware that FGM is a threat. Her efforts mirror those of my own organisation, Finally Girls Matter, which I founded along with my daughter to protect women and girls of all ages and in all places – including in societies where the practice is largely ignored.

 Source: guardian

A father allegedly put ecstasy in a female student's drink so that his son can rape her. This took place in a residence hall during a two-day event at Illinois State University (the Preview), which is meant for students to find out more about the university before classes start in August. Parents can attend the event but stay on separate floors inside the Hewett residence Hall.

According to a prosecutor, Shawn Childs Jr, and his father, Shawn Childs Sr, were in the hall along with other incoming students when this incident happened. A woman, who has not been named, told authorities Childs Sr put a pill in her soda before she went back to her room feeling ill. His son then followed her inside and raped her twice. This took place between 10 and 11 pm.

The father and son duo have now been arrested. Childs Jr and his father (who had 22 ecstasy pills in his pocket during the arrest) were arrested at a train station, as they were about to head to Chicago.

While Childs Jnr has been charged with four counts of criminal sexual assault, his father, who has faced previous convictions for attempted murder, domestic battery and weapon charges, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

The opposition party took to their twitter handle to congratulate Pres. Buhari on the commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna railway today July 26th. The party also extended congratulations to former President Goodluck Jonathan for the conceptualization of the project. They also commended former Finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the "work put into the structure & funding of the project". See the rest of the tweets after the cut .

The mother-in-law of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, has reportedly been kidnapped in Brazil by criminals demanding 120 million reais (£27.8 million) in ransom.

Aparecida Schunck, the mother of Ecclestone's wife, Fabiana Flosi, was captured in Sao Paulo on Friday night, according to Brazilian news magazine, Veja.

 

According to Veja, a source reportedly close to the police investigation told them that the criminals have demanded the ransom money be paid in pounds sterling and split into four plastic bags.

£27.8 million is the largest ransom ever demanded by Kidnappers in Brazil, a country where the rate of crime especially kidnapping and robbery has sky-rocketed in the last one year.

 

Formula 1 boss Ecclestone is the UK's fourth richest person with an estimated £3.2billion fortune and one of the most powerful people in sport.

Bernie Ecclestone divorced his wife of 25 years, Croatian model Slavica Radic to marry Fabiana and they both live in London but Fabiana's mother continues to live in Sao Paolo.

Ecclestone and his wife are yet to publicly say anything about the reported kidnap.

– An ambassadorial nominee has faltered while singing the national anthem – Vivian Okeke, one of the ambassadorial nominees had to be helped to finish singing the national anthem – She was the first nominee to be screened out of the 47 ambassadorial nominees One of the Ambassadorial nominees, Vivian Okeke faltered when she was asked to sing the national anthem before the people assembled. Vivian Okeke, who is the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, was present at the 240th anniversary of U.S. independence celebration held in Lagos on Thursday, June 30, 2016. Here she is pictured:
Read more: https://www.naij.com/904831-shame-see-buharis-nominee-couldnt-sing-national-anthem-photos.html

After months of controversy and drama Peter Okoye apologizes to fans for his behaviour and says Psquare is back and better.

 Nigerian pop singer, Peter Okoye has apologized to fans for his counter-productive behaviour that has led to the temporary split of the group Psquare.

Peter Okoye in an Instagram video posted today (July 25, 2016) apologized to fans for the way he has behaving for the last few months and announced that the successful pop group Psquare is back.

Peter Okoye also wrote a lengthy apology letter on his Instagram page chronicling the origins of Psquare, and taking responsibility for the drama and controversy that has engulfed the group over the last few months.

He also stated that the group is about to start a new journey with his brother/manager Jude Okoye. Earlier this year Peter Okoye announced that he would no longer work with Jude Okoye for his lack of direction. 

You can read Peter Okoye's full apology below;

"My dear fans, P-Square is back. Ours is a journey that started from our mother’s womb. It was a journey that started from Primary School, continued to St. Murumba College, to when we were in University in Abuja. It was a journey in which we shared childhood memories and grown-up dreams. We are back because brothers do not let each other wander in the dark alone. We are back because we have tried the lonely road and it was not the same.

"I want to take responsibility for what has happened and sincerely apologise to you our fans. For supporting us throughout this journey we owed you so much more than what you have had to endure and I apologise for that. We are embarking now on a new journey with exciting new management (Jude Okoye), new music and new ideas.

Peter Okoye knew about the concert, and even made a promotional video with his brother Paul, stating his involvement in the show.
(Youtube) 

"We cannot thank you enough for all your prayers and support throughout this difficult period. Maya Angelou once said that brotherhood is a condition that people have to work at. We will continue to work on that and you can be prepared to be blown away by this new phase of P-Square.

"God bless you all and be assured that you have not seen anything yet!

Peter Okoye."

In July, Peter Okoye threatened to sue his brother Paul Okoye for performing at a concert in Congo with the Psquare brand. 

It was later revealed that Peter Okoye knew about the show in Congo but pulled out when his demands were not met by the organizers.

Following issues arising from friction between Peter and Jude earlier this year, the singing and dancing duo split up as Jude got fired from his role as manager, causing bad blood for over a month.

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Taking to Instagram today, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, Gaga revealed they 'have been taking a break but still love each other.

Yesterday, July 19, 2016, it was reported that Lady Gaga and former fiance, Taylor Kinney broke up after five years.

According to TMZ, the pair who got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2015, parted ways earlier this month.

Now, the "American Horror Story: Hotel" star has finally opened up on their split. Taking to Instagram in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, Gaga revealed they 'have been taking a break but still love each other.

ALSO READ: Whatever happened to the eccentric pop singer?

She wrote, "Taylor and I have always believed we are soulmates. Just like all couples we have ups and downs, and we have been taking a break. We are both ambitious artists, hoping to work through long-distance and complicated schedules to continue the simple love we have always shared. Please root us on. We're just like everybody else and we really love each other."

Recall that the 'Born This Way' singer and the actor first met on the set of her 'Yoü and I' music video in 2011, in which he played her naked, bathtub-dwelling love interest. The pair started dating several months later, split for a brief period in May 2012 before getting back together the following month.

ALSO READ: Singer finally gets driving license at age 30

They got engaged in February 2015, with Gaga sharing a close-up photo of her stunning heart-shape diamond ring. “He gave me his heart on Valentine’s Day, and I said YES!” she captioned the shot.

 

Sometimes, we get the correct sexual information which can make us really good in the bedroom, but most times, we fall for myths that are only ruining our sex life.

We all learn about sex through a bunch of different sources. Sometimes, we get the correct information which can make us really good in the bedroom, but most times, we fall for myths that are only ruining our sex life.

Here are three sex myths you might be believing that is making you terrible in bed.

Marriage/commitment ruins sex

Most people are of the belief that getting married automatically ruins your sex life. Sure, a lot of people struggle with monogamy, but giving up on married sex will only end up hurting you. In fact, studies have shown that married couples have more sex than single people do. Also, being married means you can build sexual trust with one person, which can make sex more intimate.

How it affects your sex life

If you go into marriage or a long-term committed relationship believing that sex will be bad, then it will. You will find yourself hesitating to try new things or pleasing your partner. In the long run, your partner will fell undesired and sexually frustrated, making him/her believe you are not that good in bed.

Men cannot be monogamous, but women naturally can

Traditional theory has proclaimed that men are more likely to cheat than women. Also that men have more desire to step out on their relationship; this is not true. New studies have shown that men and women have the same rate of cheating tendencies. Another study shows that infidelity is related to power as opposed to gender. This means that as women acquire more power and confidence at work, they become likely as men to cheat. Most have speculated that women remained faithful in the past because they completely depend on their men to support them.

How it affects your sex life

As a man, choosing to believe that cheating is natural and being unfaithful will ruin whatever sexual connection you have with your partner. No woman will completely give herself sexually to a man who has betrayed her. Also, if you believe that all a woman wants is commitment or marriage, you are less likely to focus on her sexual needs.

Men are visual creatures, women are not

Most people believe that men are moved by what they see while women respond to what they hear. This is not a hundred percent true. Just as men also like to hear great things about themselves, women are also attracted to what they see.

How it affects your sex life

Men who hold this belief usually assume that taking care of their body is of no importance to their partners. The truth is, taking care of yourself helps you build confidence and there is nothing more confident than a sexy, fit man in the bedroom. It increases her level of attraction to you, thus, making it more likely that she will be sexually satisfied by you.

President hosts ex-Assembly chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with some ex- leaders of the National Assembly.
Two meetings were held at the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the Villa were former Senate Presidents David Mark and Ken Nnamani, former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari (now Katsina State governor) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Senator  Ita Enang.
Nnamani and Masari arrived at the same time. Mark arrived at the President’s office together with Enang about one hour later.

But it was not clear whether Mark and Enang met Nnamani and Masari at the President’s office as Nnamani and Masari were said to have been driven away from the President’s office’s entrance.
Nnamani and Masari, who trekked by the Council Chamber in the clear view of reporters on their way to the President’s office, were not seen going out through the same way.
The agenda of the meetings were unknown, but they may not be unconnected with the strained relationship between the Presidency and the Senate leadership.
Mark was appointed to lead a team of peace makers at last week’s executive session of the Senate. It was being speculated last night that his visit to the Villa might be part of his effort to normalise the relationship between the Senate and the Presidency. It was not immediately clear yesterday whether the meetings were part of the peace moves.
Mark, who came out after about 30  minutes in the President’s office, did not speak to reporters as he walked through the corridor, followed by a protocol officer.
His visit to the Villa was the first since he stepped down as Senate President last year.
No official statement was issued on the meetings.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is facing Senate Standing rules forgery trial along with his deputy Ike Ekweremadu, recently alleged that there was a cabal in the Presidency behind his travails. But he was told to face his trial.
Besides, there were speculations that some senators suggested that they should “go for the jugular” at an executive session.
Asked what that meant, according to a source, a senator said “impeachment of course”.
The suggestion was roundly condemned, even as the Senate denied that it was ever discussed.

Twenty persons, including students and passersby, were injured yesterday when students of Alvan Ikoku Federal Collage of Education (AICE) in Owerri, the Imo State capital, protested a hike in their tuition fees.
Six vehicles on the campus were damaged in the melee.
The students, who barricaded Orlu Road and disrupted vehicular movements, caused a gridlock on the road.
The school’s management has shut down the college indefini
The college Provost, Dr. Blessing Ijeoma, who confirmed the closure, said nine government vehicles were vandalised during the protest.
She said: “We have approved an indefinite closure of AICE, following students’ protest and we have directed that every student should vacate the school premises.”
Some of the students told reporters that the school management increased the fees from N10,000 to N30,000 without consulting them.
The protesters said the tuition fee was equally hiked from N30,000 to N70,000.
They said the protest was meant to make the management feel the students’ plight.
But the provost dismissed the students’ claim, saying they should have restrained themselves from such a destructive protest.
Dr Ijeoma said: “Hoodlums from the area seized the opportunity to cart away school property, including the computers at the ICT centre.”

The Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation will meet in Abuja on Monday to interview three persons shortlisted for the Super Eagles’ Head Coach position, and thereafter forward the name of the successful candidate to the NFF Board.
Nigerian Salisu Yusuf (54), Belgian Tom Saintfiet (43) and Frenchman Paul Le Guen (52) are the candidates in the running.
On Sunday, Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green, told thenff.com: “We have concluded arrangements for the interview process to take place at the NFF secretariat on Monday and thereafter, we will forward the name of the successful candidate to the NFF Board, which will deliberate on it and thereafter make their decision public.”
Green made it clear the committee will only settle for the candidate they see as most qualified and capable of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
Saintfiet coached the National Teams of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Yemen, Malawi and Togo, and also worked with the Qatar U-17 side, Young Africans FC of Tanzania and Free State Stars FC in South Africa.
Yusuf was capped by Nigeria at U20 level, won FA Cup titles with El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri as a player and coached top clubs Kano Pillars, El-Kanemi Warriors and Enyimba FC. He assisted Super Eagles’ head coaches Samson Siasia and Stephen Keshi (of blessed memory), and was caretaker coach for two friendlies that the Eagles won against Mali and Luxembourg in Europe at the end of May.
Le Guen, 52, played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He qualified the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals and also coached Oman.
Source: nff

Members of Women Concern Group are protesting against the harassment by Dino Melaye to women in Lagos.
They are protesting against the alleged verbal assault on Senator Oluremi Tinubu by Senator Dino Melaye, during an executive session within the Senate chamber.
Melaye was said to have annoyed the Senator who is the wife of the All Progressives Congress leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by allegedly using unparliamentary languages on her during a heated debate at a closed session.

It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver (Mahatma Gandhi)
Do not hold the delusion that your advancement is accomplished by crushing others (Marcus Tullius Cicero)
The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty (Zig Ziglar)
To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear (Buddha) 

 President Muhammadu Buhari pictured in military outfit during his visit to military formation in Zamfara State on Wednesday, July 13.

Since Buhari became the president, Nigeria has been on fire as the government is now that of the north, for the north and by the north. President Buhari has northernized and Islamized almost all the major positions in Nigeria, and he erroneously sees himself as a puissant personality who can do anything and gets away with it. Now, Nigeria is about to "die" because of Buhari's blunders. People are warning of the imminent break up of Nigeria, if things should continue this way. The president must change his ways, or else, he will go down in history as the worst and the last president of a country once called Nigeria. Nigerians are yearning for even a skerrick of his positive action towards ameliorating the injustices pervading his administration so far!
Talking about some of the appointments President Buhari has made so far, one sees them as the rewarding of mediocrity at the expense of merit. How many can I count? Let's look at the replacement of Dr. Ibe Kaichukwu as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru. Kaichukwu, a well known global player, being replaced by a "Lilliputian"? It makes no sense! I warned professionals, such as Kaichukwu, against joining Buhari's inept government, as I knew that they would be disgraced sooner or later. Just think of it: Kaichukwu was a man making about a million dollars a year before becoming the junior oil minister.
Until his appointment, Dr. Kaichukwu was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon Mobil (Africa). His short profile in NNPC's website reveals that he's a First Class Graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Nigerian Law School. He also holds Master's and Doctorate Degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School. He started his working career with the Nigerian/American Merchant Bank, before moving on to Texaco Nigeria Limited, from where he joined the Exxon-Mobil. Think of the violent anger his removal, as the NNPC boss, is generating in his Niger Delta. Even some of the Niger Delta militant groups did condemn the newly constituted Board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, and demanded the appointment of someone from the zone as the GMD. One of the groups was quoted by Punch as having said: "It is an insult on the Niger Delta region that the Minister of Petroleum who also doubles as the President of Nigeria is from the North, the Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru and four other members of the board are also from the North".
The appointment that has made most Nigerians to fulminate was that of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) founder, Hadiza Bala-Usman, as the Chairman of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). She was priorly rewarded for her role in helping in bringing down Goodluck Jonathan's government with an appointment as the chief of staff to Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State. The daughter of the late Dr. Yusufu Bala Usman, whom I learnt did her youth service in 2008, with no prior working experience, was catapulted from obscurity to unmerited limelight, just like that, in order to reward her for helping sell the scam called "the abduction of the Chibok Girls" to the electorates during the 2015 election.
Since Buhari became the president, religious animosity, ethnic strife and tensions have heightened; and there is a sense of foreboding that the demise of Nigeria is almost at hand, as the country will not shock-absorb all these and still remains an entity thereafter. Boko Haram terrorists; the agents of destruction, marauding as Fulani herdsmen, and some Islamic fanatics have killed so many Christians. Because of all these, the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) warned that the country is tottering on the edge of precipice, thereby telling this president to do something immediately to arrest the ugly situation before it becomes too late. In its words, as captured by elombah.com, the group noted that "all over the nation, religious extremists, under various identities, have been engaged in serial murder of Nigerians of other faiths. Today, the worst terrorist organization in the world, Boko Haram, and the fourth most terrible terrorist organization globally, the Fulani herdsmen, are operating in Nigeria. These are separate from the attacks by security forces against the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) in the South East and the conflict in the Niger Delta between security forces and militants".
While expressing its condolence to families that have been affected in all these gruesome mindless and unwarranted murder of Nigerian citizens, this group, the National Christian Elders Forum, further expressed its shock that a modern state can descend to such level of barbarity and bestial extermination of human lives! It warned that Christians can't be panicked out of Nigeria, as long as the nation exists, unless it's ready to divide along religious and tribal lines. Still in its words: "If Nigeria is to remain a nation that all the citizens will call their home, Islamic leaders must champion the cause of dismantling the "doctrine of hatred" and promote democracy which guarantees freedom of choice for all the citizens. Those pushing for Sharia ideology should be persuaded by their Muslim counterparts that in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society like Nigeria, Sharia, as a national ideology, cannot stand. If this is not done, and done quickly, then the nation that is tottering on the edge of the precipice will be pushed beyond the brink. Christians constitute a significant portion of the Nigerian population, and, it is impossible to have Nigeria without Christians".
In Part 1 of this article, I asked how manage did Nigerians elect Buhari as president, and Comrade Prince Afoke Okporua offered a part of the answer by writing that some journalists owe Nigerians an apology for conspiring with the APC propaganda machinery to throw up a man who knows nothing about governance except body language. He asked if those journalists are all comfortable now, accusing them that for their personal gratification, they threw conscience to the wind, concealed history and threw a nation of over 170 million people into administrative uncertainty. He singled out the journalists with The Nation, Punch, Sun and Leadership Newspapers respectively, and others who conspired with Femi Adesina, who was the President of Nigerian Guild of Editors prior to the 2015 Presidential election, as those to tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians. For him, this call has become imperative in view of the national quagmire the country finds itself. In his words:
"If journalists had not sold their pen to APC but opted to bring to national limelight the debilitating historical antecedents of certificateless Buhari, the country won't be experiencing these woes. The inability of journalists to expose Buhari, for who he is, just as they did to IBB in 2011, is responsible for this unscrupulous reality that has befallen the largest black nation on earth. Our Naira is so weak and still getting weaker before the dollar, unemployment has skyrocketed and more jobs are still threatened, our economy has plummeted from the largest in Africa and among the global best to one that is without a place as far as economic theory and indices are concerned, the judiciary has been pocketed, the legislature and her independence doomed, Nigeria is now a pariah nation before the international community, terror, kidnapping, robbery and bombing has crescendoed, fuel went up to #145 under APC, Tomatoes suddenly got Ebola even as the price of other commodities hit all time high in the market. Since APC took over a year ago, nothing good has happened to Nigeria. The much talked about corruption is but a witch hunt as APC still harbours corrupt politicians. This is man's inhumanity to man; in this case, the media's insincerity to Nigerians. The fourth estate of the realm has failed to salvage Nigeria when it matters most. They should commence their atonement by exposing the ills of the PMB government".

As if the bad news is not enough, the government continues to churn out lies to deceive Nigerians the more: Femi Adesina, the president's spokesman, while having the audacity to say that suffering "Nigerians should forever be grateful to Buhari" for becoming the president, lied that only few Nigerians are experiencing hardship. Remember that when Buhari went to England for medical treatment, the same Adeshina lied that the president was not sick, but was in England to rest; and few hours later, we learnt that the president went to England to treat ear infections. Thereafter, we were told that the president has also brain cancer. What? Brain Cancer? So, Ayo Fayose was right, during the campaign, when he warned Nigerians that Buhari is brain sick, but, his allegation was dismissed as that of a "mad man". Just read what Cable Nigeria wrote on January 15, 2015:

"Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, says Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has health problems and may soon return Nigeria to the Yar'Adua's scenario, if he becomes president. President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua collapsed during his campaign in 2011 and fell terminally ill two years after being sworn in. In a statement, Fayose said: "In the north, there are so many qualified, brilliant and credible people who can rule the country well. Why is Obasanjo going after an old horse that may collapse mid-way? Nigerians should know the state of health of Buhari. His age and health cannot stand the rigours of the office. Nigerians deserve to know the health status of Buhari." He accused ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo of attempting to plunge the country into crisis".
One should acknowledge a good point, no matter who made it. We all know that a cabal has hijacked Buhari's government, just as another (cabal) did during Yar'Adua's time. Infact, the present cabal has concealed the true health conditions of president Buhari, and this was pointed out by the PDP, when it tweeted that President Muhammadu Buhari is being held hostage by a cabal in Aso Villa. The tweets read: "There is a cabal around President Muhammadu Buhari who are trying to plunge Nigeria into serious crisis. Mamman Daura (DSS Director-General) is the head of that cabal. The cabal are the ones running the country. They have turned the President into a prisoner. The cabal have convinced the President not to come clean and tell Nigerians that he is ill. They are managing the President secretly. The cabal prevents everyone from seeing the president including his ministers and aides. The President is a prisoner in Aso Rock (the Presidential Villa), Abuja, Nigeria".
Knowing, with all certainty, that Buhari didn't develop the cancer of the brain this year (if he really has the problem), it must have been with him for years, why did he contest the election, knowing that such health challenges can subject Nigeria to Yar'Adua's scenario once again? Buhari knows what happened to Yar'Adua and the problem it created in the polity. If he's patriotic, as he claims, he wouldn't have contested, because, if anything should happen to him in office (God Forbids), it will create such chaos that Nigeria would not survive it thereafter as an entity. I can't understand how Buhari will put his selfish interest above that of Nigeria's.

Pastor Sunday Adelaja, a Nigerian, is the founder of the Embassy of God Church in Ukraine, one of the biggest churches in Eastern Europe. Adelaja, in this interview, speaks on the many controversies dogging him, including the most recent one alleging he had sexual relationship with 20 women in Russia

What would you say ignited sexual accusation leveled against you in Ukraine?
First of all, the media is making too much noise about it. I was said to have confessed to some people in Russia about having sexual relationship with 20 women but I have not been to Russia in the last 10 years. It's part of a conspiracy by some former members of my church leadership who, after hearing that I was leaving for Africa, decided to take advantage of the vacuum to gain for themselves temporary benefits. This is nothing new really. In the Bible, Paul spoke of similar situation. He warned that when he departed from his congregation, the wolves will come in sheep's clothing to take over. To attain that goal, they are ready to do anything.
How were you able to scale the controversy and the other ones you were enmeshed in?
Just being focused on what I have to do. Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them. I just keep on bearing fruits, kingdom fruits. Secondly, I don't see controversy as a bad thing. I see it as a propeller of destiny. To me crisis is just a traffic light on the path of destiny. So if you really believe in God and your heart is pure, all things will work out for good at the end of the day. Just be focused on what you are called to do.
Did you ever think of becoming a pastor when you were growing up?
I didn't. The first thinking I had was when I was 16years old, I attended a camp meeting in the Anglican Church, where I met a young man in his 30s who, after finishing his master's degree in England, came back to Nigeria and became an Anglican priest. He was so charming and charismatic that I wanted to be like him. Soon after that, I forgot about it until I got saved at the age of 19. At the same age, while in Russia, I had an encounter with the Lord; that was when I got the confirmation that I am called to be a minister. But that did not happen until years later.
How do you compare worshiping here with worshipping in your base, Ukraine?First of all, whenever I come to Nigeria, my mission is not to start a church. I come for national transformation. I am more interested in changing Nigeria than starting a church. I already have a thriving church in Ukraine. My greatest achievement in Ukraine is not that I was able to start the church, but that God was able to use me to impose kingdom values on the society. It could be that I will eventually have a church in Nigeria, but God has to speak to me specifically on that.
You spoke like you may ultimately have a church in Nigeria. What makes you believe such a church will be accepted here?
Like I said earlier, my focus is not to establish a church in Nigeria. Church is not my focus, the kingdom is my focus. That is the mandate of God for me; to teach the Nigerian churches how to practically apply kingdom principles in order to bring change and transformation to our society.
We have many pastors who have been accused of sacrilege in Nigeria. What is your view about them?
When people fail, sin or make mistakes in life, especially when they are pastors, you must first of all think of how to help them and restore them, rather than seeking to destroy them further. Jesus said they that are without sin should cast the first stone. But when we know that we are all fallible, we have to extend mercy to others rather than passing judgment. This does not just pertain to pastors or ministers, all men must be treated with some amount of understanding.
What is your biblical definition of miracle?
Miracle is something that is beyond the ability and capacity of man. It is a solution that requires supernatural intervention.
Differentiate between wealth and religion.
Religion is the act of discovering and worshiping God while wealth, in particular material wealth, is a resource that God gives to those who know the laws of wealth creation. Wealth should be used to advance the cause of God on earth. Wealth therefore is a tool to pleasing God. It is a tool to be used to accomplish God's intentions on earth.
When you eventually relocate to Nigeria, will you retain your church in Ukraine?
When I relocate to Nigeria, even though I will remain the Senior Pastor of The Embassy of God Church in Ukraine, I will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the church. I intend to face the work in Nigeria squarely and visit Ukraine occasionally.We have over 400 churches in Ukraine, and each one of them is independent. They have their own names, buildings, budgets and pastors. While each is led by a Senior Pastor, we have a board that oversees the network of the Embassy of God Church. It is that board that will manage the churches when I am gone.
 

NEW DELHI: Two Indians, abducted last month from Benue state of Nigeria, were released today, the External Affairs Ministry said here.        
"Mr Mangapudi Srinivas and  Mr Kaushal Anish Sharma, who were kidnapped in the morning of 29 June from an area called Boko, near Makurdi in Benue state of Nigeria, were released today morning at 1030 hrs IST.      
"Both have spoken to their families. Sharma's wife profusely thanked the External Affairs Minister for ensuring safe release. She also thanked the Ministry and the Mission for keeping the family informed of developments almost on daily basis," MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.  
The duo - Srinivas (from Andhara Pradesh) and his colleague Sharma (from Karnataka)- were travelling to Dangote Cement Plc Plant in a car from their residential quarters when a group of armed men had abducted them at a traffic signal.         
Swarup had earlier said that "as far as our information goes there is no hand of terror group Boko Haram and it seems local criminal elements were responsible for the act".

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has threatened to kill or injure ExxonMobil workers in Nigeria after the US supermajor finally declared force majeure on crude flows following a reported pipeline attack last week.

On Friday, July 15, 2016
Paul Osuyi, Asaba, said that renovation works are going at the personal house of the late former coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi at Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The remains of the late footballer and former captain of the national team will be interred at his home in Illah.
Final burial ceremonies for the late tactician who died last month will begin in Abuja on July 26 while the interment will be in Illah on July 29 and outing service on July 31.
Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Mr. Patrick Ukah who inspected the renovation works yesterday told newsmen that the state government was assisting the bereaved family to keep the building in proper shape.
According to Ukah who was conducted round the premises by the late footballer's elder brother, Sylvester and nephew, Ebuka Ofuonye said the renovation has become necessary in view of calibre of persons coming to pay their last respect for the fallen hero.
Ukah assured that the state government would participate actively during the burial ceremonies.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- Africa's largest city is closing dozens of mosques, churches and nightclubs in a bid to reduce noise for its 20 million residents long used to lusty hymn-singing, honking horns and boom boxes that rattle the foundations of homes.

The state government of Lagos is on a mission to make the seaside city free of noise pollution by 2020.

"It's a great menace," said Adebola Shabi, general manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency. "Studies have shown that noise levels affect the amount of violence and affect our health."

The agency has shut down more than 70 churches and 20 mosques this year as well as a dozen pubs, hotels and clubs, he said.

Authorities act on complaints from neighbors, first gathering stakeholders to discuss noise limits. If the din continues, the establishment is closed.

But many people are afraid to lodge complaints, according to several people interviewed by The Associated Press.

"I have a church and mosque on my street and they're in competition to see who can be louder," said sculptor Charlie Chukwu. "When the Muslims bought a small speaker, the Christians bought an even bigger one."

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ended earlier this month, he's awakened at 3 a.m. by calls to prayer, while his nights are raucous with Christian hymns.

He has not made an official complaint. "If you call the authorities, then you are seen as the anti-Christ, against religion, and you become the enemy on the street," Chukwu said.

Receptionist Dora Ugu said the foundations of her home shake when her neighbor turns on his boom box. "Even when the power goes out, as it frequently does, he will get out of bed to put on his generator and then it's boom, boom, boom," she said. It's particularly upsetting for a neighbor who has a small baby.

When they complained to the man, he cursed and scared them. So the two women have not filed a complaint.

Noise levels of 97 decibels have been registered in residential neighborhoods where the limits are supposed to be 55 decibels by day and 45 at night, said environmental protection official Shabi. In commercial areas the limits are 90 decibels by day and 80 at night, and in mixed areas 65 decibels by day and 55 at night, he said.

"When your noise exceeds these limits it becomes noise pollution, and we will shut you down," he said firmly.

A recent verdict by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos nullifying the 45 per cent tariff increase by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Com­mission (NERC) has created a chaotic situation, as NERC has indicated its resolve to launch a legal challenge to the ruling. Last week, the court declared the hike illegal and ordered NERC to immediately reverse its action. Following the verdict, officials of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) on July 15, 2016 held a press briefing in Yaba to applaud the verdict and urge the electricity agency to comply with the ruling.

A recent verdict by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos nullifying the 45 per cent tariff increase by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Com­mission (NERC) has created a chaotic situation, as NERC has indicated its resolve to launch a legal challenge to the ruling.

Last week, the court declared the hike illegal and ordered NERC to immediately reverse its action. Following the verdict, officials of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) on July 15, 2016 held a press briefing in Yaba to applaud the verdict and urge the electricity agency to comply with the ruling.
In his judgment last Wednesday, Justice Idris had ruled that the tariff increment of February 1, 2016 was carried out without following due procedures. The judge declared that the increment should be set aside, describing it as procedurally irregular. He ordered an immediate reversal to the former tariff rate and awarded N50, 000 costs against the NERC.
At a press conference, NLC national president, Ayuba Wabba, urged the regulatory body to reverse the illegal hike in compliance with the rule of law, warning that labor unions would not hesitate to bring the regulatory body before the court if it failed to obey the court’s judgment. Bobbi Kaigama, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), cheered the verdict and implored them to hold the regulatory agency accountable to implement the ruling.
However, the NERC has reversed its earlier pledge to abide by the court’s order. The commission later disclosed that it planned to appeal Justice Idris’s judgment. At a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Tony Akah, NERC’s acting chief executive officer, stated that the commission respected the court’s judgment, but added that the judgment was a setback on the progress made so far in the power sector. He declared that he had instructed the commission’s lawyer to appeal the decision.
“The commission respects this decision of the court, but we are dissatisfied because it represents the reversal of the commercial foundation upon which contracts for gas, hydro, coal and solar feedstock for the production of electricity have been predicated,” Mr. Akah said.
He urged investors in the power sector not to panic or lose trust in the sector. “The commission remains committed to continuously provide the right regulatory framework that would promote private sector investment in the electricity supply industry and also protect the interests of electricity customers as enshrined in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005,” he said at the briefing.

Simon Utebor, Yenagoa
The residents of communities near the Atlantic Ocean and coastlines in Bayelsa State have appealed to the Federal Government and the relevant authorities to save them from ocean surge and coastal erosion.
Settlements and communities affected in the Niger Delta include Forcados and Ogulagha in Delta State.
Others are Anibeze, Peremabiri, Famgbe, Anyama Ijaw, Anyama Ogbia, Twon-Brass, Sangana, Ekeni and Ezetu areas of the state.


Also Kula, Soku and Bonny in Rivers State to Queens Town in Cross River are being threatened by the menace of the Atlantic Ocean.
An indigene of Sangana, Henry Otonye, said the community was gradually disappearing from the surface of the earth while they had lost substantial part of their ancestral lands to ocean encroachment.
Otonye said that apart from the imminent disappearance of the communities, there was the threat of increased inter communal clashes.
He said, “People are now relocating from most of these communities. Communities have lost roads, electricity generators,church buildings and school buildings.
“When you go to those on the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean such as Brass, Sangana, Odioma, Koluama, even graves an ancestral homes were now in the water.
“Homes are being desserted.You can see that this can lead to communal crisis when people begin to shift inwards into lands where they are in contention with their neighbours,” Morris said.
He called for concerted efforts to halt the encroachment of the Atlantic Ocean which has been reportedly worsened by rising sea levels due to increased oil exploration.
A leader in Nembe community and Chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation, Bayelsa State, Chief Nengi James, noted that the menace had posed serious challenges that required the nation to focus on and address urgently.
James said, “Those living along the bank of the Atlantic Ocean are being threatened.
“As I talk, both public and private infrastructure have been submerged includding jetties, churches and buildings.
“Abari, the maternal community of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, is almost off from the world map.We need to find solutions to these challenges.”

Basketmouth took to Instagram today, July 13,2016 to shower her with words of love and affection.

 Basketmouth and wife Elise Okpocha mark 5th wedding anniversary (Instagram)

  

 Popular Nigerian comedian, Basketmouth is celebrating his wife, Elsie Okpocha as she turns a year older today.

 "I've been thinking of the best birthday wish, best lines, something that will blow your mind, something out of this world.....but then I realized.....those are just words, words can't quantify what you mean to me, how you make me feel, how you've blessed me with love, peace and happiness. I can only use words to wish you a happy birthday but not what you mean to me. Happy birthday baby," he wrote alongside a photo of her.The duo got married in November, 2010 and are blessed with two children  a boy Jason and a girl Janelle.

Iyanya was on top of the world a few years ago. He was the golden child of the celebrity scene but these days it seems he is struggling to get back on top.

Four years ago pop singer Iyanya was scorching hot. The MTN Project Fame winner had dropped his chart topping single 'Kukere' and the smash club hit 'Ur Waist' and he was the new kid on the block with all the hits.

During this period Iyanya transcended just the world of music and established himself as a pop celebrity. His rippling biceps, Aztec tattoos and suggestive waist movement hooked millions of ladies in Africa's most populous country. His romance with Ghana's sweet heart Yvonne Nelson and a love triangle involving Nollywood's bad girl Tonto Dikeh dominated headlines all over the country. A new star was born.

In 2016 Iyanya's stock seems to have dipped as he no longer hogs the headlines. When his name pops up on sites then the stories are not really favourable. The last two stories of Iyanya that have trended are how he plans to set up his music label due to unfavourable conditions in Triple MG and him not being able to allegedly pay his hotel bills.

His third album 'Applaudise' released in 2015 quickly disappeared from the consciousness of Nigerians and on the shelves as well. It's been a while Iyanya scored a major hit. Nowadays Iyanya's celebrity lifestyle doesn't get the nation buzzing as it used to. His last high profile relationship with Francis Freda even though it got a lot of attention was hardly enough to bump Iyanya back into the top tier of hot celebrities in the country. Something has clearly gone wrong in his celebrity make up.

The celebrity game in Nigeria is hard and fast and there are new eye candies for women to dote on. As for muscles even his label mate Selebobo is showing off what he is made of. On the music front, Tekno of Triple MG has been dropping more hit singles than Iyanya so it's not surprising that the attention has shifted from him.

Iyanya's powers decline, a new force has risen from his record label. His name is Tekno, and he is currently one of the best pop acts right now in the country.

"Why has Iyanya stalled and Tekno accelerated? Because unlike Iyanya, Tekno possesses something that cannot be bought; he is new. And everybody loves new" writes Joey Akan, Music Editor at Pulse on the dwindling fortunes of Iyanya.

"Where Tekno has risen, Iyanya has found difficulty in growing, and pop culture is ruthless in kicking out stars as quick as they are made. Attention span is fickle, and as Iyanya has lost ours, Tekno has found it, and he is keeping it for now" he further writes.

This is the summation of the plot- Iyanya has failed to hold our attention and unfortunately he has been eaten up by more captivating and younger stars.

Can Iyanya get back to the summit? Yes, he can. All he needs to do is create more compelling and captivating content- not just only music only. We need to be invested in him once again as a celebrity. He needs to make us thirst and hunger for what he is offering. Hopefully he is getting ready to do so. 

Do you ever witness anything interesting or exciting? Just take out your phone and send us the exclusive pictures or video and we will pay you cash. More information here or just e-mail to futurekidda@gmail.com or Whatsapp to 07060880561. Please include what, who, when, where, why. 

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) factional leader, Ali Modu Sheriff, has claimed that he has the backing of majority of PDP governors.

However, he did not disclose the names of the governors on his side.

Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, stated this in an interview on Tuesday, July 12, through his deputy, and former National Vice-Chairman, South-South of the PDP, Cairo Ojuogboh.

Ojuoghoh, who also said the two factions are meeting to find a solution to the crisis, expressed confidence that the PDP will come out stronger by the time the internal problems are resolved.

“What is happening today in the PDP is what is going to save the PDP. If this crisis didn’t arise, the party would have been wallowing today in ignorance," he said.

“Apart from three governors, whose names I don’t want mention, 12 other PDP governors are backing Sheriff.

“If you look at what is happening in the party, there is no elder in the party. The newsmen always make the mistake to say that the Governors’ Forum is in support of one group; the Board of Trustees is in support of one group and members of the National Assembly are in support of one group. That’s wrong.

“Have you heard any member of any of these bodies speaking out in support of anyone?

“They are all waiting for Sheriff to win so that there will be jubilation in the body polity of PDP and the country,” Ojuogboh claimed.

He described Sheriff's emergence as PDP chairman as divinely orchestrated, saying God does not make mistake.

Do you ever witness anything interesting or exciting? Just take out your phone and send us the exclusive pictures or video and we will pay you cash. More information here or just e-mail to futurekidda@gmail.com or WhatsApp to 07060880561. Please include what, who, when, where, why.

Deola Adebiyi of Omogemura shows how to achieve a natural glowy makeup look for workdays that call for soft makeup finish.

 The beauty blogger shows in easy steps how to achieve an overall glow all over the face for a radiant effect without packing on too much products on the face. The look perfect enough for everyday wear is done in simple steps showing off picture perfect and not an overly done face.To rock the look effortless, there's an option of going sans eyeshadow to finish the look clean and natural as much as possible while creating a barely there makeup without the face looking unkempt.

The makeup look is perfect for when there's no time to do a full face of makeup for work, casual visits and more.

Watch Adebiyi take on the look in easy steps as inspiration.

A Nigerian lady has been reportedly killed in far away Oman, a country in the middle east, by some unknown persons, few months after relocating to that country.

The information was posted on social media by a Nigerian based in the country, Tokunbo Kenneth Aladere, who said the Nigerian community has been trying to locate the deceased's family members, to no avail.

Aladere therefore urged anyone who knows the lady or has useful information on how to locate the family to get in touch with him.

This is what he posted on his Facebook page:

"Pls, if anyone knows this lady, should contact her family. She came to Oman like 5/6 months ago.

She was killed in cold blood & they are planning to bury her here without her parents awareness. Pls forward & let's get her people involved. Thanks"

The DKM chairman posted a couple of snaps on his snapchat last night to give his fans an insight into what he has been up to. First he went to a Gun Range in Atlanta to relieve some stress and then he went to the studio with American rapper Young Thug.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/889858-escaping-riot-show-see-davido-spotted.html

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is big business. It’s trans-global and sometimes organised by centuries-old formal agencies, on a for-profit basis. Like most other efficient businesses, it markets itself as in the interest of the consumer, into whose lifestyle expectations it is firmly embedded.
These observations imply no disrespect for the immense suffering which FGM causes. Across the globe there are probably 200 million women and girls now alive who have experienced (and survived) FGM.
Cutters are often paid. Until recently nearly all excisors were medically untrained, but increasingly, excision is undertaken by qualified clinicians, giving FGM in the eyes of some, a veneer of respectability. The World Health Organisation regards the medicalisation of FGM as the greatest threat to its final eradication.
FGM boosts low-paid medical workers’ incomes, and attracts kudos and power for traditional excisors in communities where other high-status work is hard to come by.

Horrific gateway to the adult world

In some areas of Africa, deeply rooted ‘tradition’ demands that local girls undergo FGM, and sometimes other harmful traditional practices (beading, breast ironing etc), if they are to gain access to a husband and the adult world.
Without FGM they are considered ‘unclean’; perhaps they will be cast aside from their community. The economic prospects for the girl and her family (as they will receive no bride price) may be as dire as those of the excisors, if FGM is abandoned.

Cost to women

An estimated 10-30% of those who undergo FGM may die from it, either directly because shock, haemorrhage or infection, or from further complications when giving birth. Infants whose mothers die or cannot care for them have a much higher likelihood of dying as well. Women’s much needed contributions to the local economy, of labour and enterprise, are lost.
Then there’s the difficult question of land. In some traditional African communities women own land in their own right. But women who have not had FGM may be refused adult status, and so the land may go back to their menfolk. Instead of becoming modern citizens by refusing mutilation, women may therefore be reduced to the status of chattels.

Diaspora: a marriage at what cost?

In western societies FGM may itself cause the very outcome it is intended, back ‘home’, to avoid. Girls experiencing FGM in places such as the UK may, like their African counterparts, withdraw from school, especially as they reach puberty, resulting in an alienation from mainstream society.
Given the huge human and hidden fiscal costs of not addressing FGM in the developing world, should UK Aid be conditional, in those countries most affected, on solid evidence that FGM is being tackled by the domestic authorities?
Demanding an end to FGM would hit several universal targets, including health, efficient use of funds, and human rights. It could be more feasibly achieved by developing world national governments than putting an effective stop to corruption or re-couping lost tax.
Somehow, the message has to be brought home, that FGM is a very costly crime. Ultimately, that can only happen if those in governments and international agencies with the most influence, are willing to speak out and provide real leadership. Has anyone done the math?

the costly, organised crime against women and girls was first seen on https://www.theguardian.com/society/blog/2016/apr/13/fgm-costly-organised-crime-africa