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Saturday, 20 July 2013

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde arrives in Bayelsa for MBGN 2013 Finale | Check Out her Look

OMOTOLA stylishly land in Bayelsa for MBGN 2013.
This evening, one lucky girl will be crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria for 2013 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
We hear lots of celebrities will grace the red carpet and one of the many is Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. The 35 year old movie star who is among the panel of judges, made a stylish touch down to the South-South city.
She arrived in a pretty multi-coloured blouse, black leggings and Christian Louboutin pumps. Trying to go incognito by hiding her smouldering eyes under dark shades,  she styled her outfit with a silver necklace, a Hermes belt and red bag.
Tres chic, right? Let us know what you think about the look.

Goodluck Jonathan commissions police estate in Lagos


Nigerian president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan on Friday, July 19, commission the police estate at Idimu area in Lagos, south-west Nigeria.
The event, which was attended by the incumbent inspector-general of police, Muhammed Abubakar, senator Paulinus Nwagwu, chairman, senate committee on police affairs and his counterpart in the federal house of representatives,Hon Usman Bello Kumo had in attendance other prominent persons.
Mike Okiro, who is now the chairman of the police service commission, who initiated the estate project when he was the inspector-general of police, was visibly elated has the police estate project was abandoned by two of his successors.
Named: Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Estate, our reporter learnt that a 3-bedroom flat at the estate, which is meant exclusively for members of the Nigeria police force, goes for N8million to Police Officers.
Speaking at the occasion, Jonathan showered encomiums on the police for bringing the Mike Okiro police estate project to reality. He however advised that the standard of the estate should be maintained

Nollywood twins Chidiebere & Chidimma Aneke release new photos,, hot or not?

Chidinma and Chidiebere are simply known in Nollywood as the Aneke Twins. The actresses and movie producers just released some lovely new photos. More pics ...
  

Woolwich murderer Michael Adebolajo attacked & injured in prison


 
Michael Adebolajo, one of the two men who attacked and killed soldier Lee Rigby on May 22nd at Woolwich, has been injured in an attack in the prison where he's being kept, according to reports.

Prison officials said the attack occurred on Wednesday July 17th at HMP Belmarsh prison and Michael is believed to have lost two teeth during the violent incident.

Daily Mail reports that several officers were called in to help after Adebolajo began acting violently, and he was injured during the subsequent melee in the prison’s high-security wing.
The murder suspect received medical treatment in the prison but did not need to go to hospital.

Nigerian student graduates with First Class from UK University

Nigerian student Ihuoma Njoku just graduated with a First Class degree in Computer Sscience from the University of Manchester. Worthy of celebration. Congrats girl!

Swarovski version is just £350 not £1.2m.. Amosu wrote.

It now makes sense. I for talk since. Who gives away a £1.2m bottle of champagne or anything for that matter...just like that? Luxury designer Alexander Amosu has cleared the confusion. He took to his instagram page to explain that there's a Swarovski diamond edition of his Taste of Diamond champagne. The diamond encrusted bottle is worth £1.2m, while the Swarovski version is just £350. 

This is probably the version Don Jazzy and Peter Okoye got. Una come dey gawk since. Hisss.! :-) He reacted to the Daily Mail article about the price of the champagne. more after cut..


"Wow!!! Seems the media has taking my instagram & changed it to their own. Swarovski diamond edition as stated in my instagram is £350 not £1.2m" Amosu wrote

The list of the Senators who voted marriage for underage girls

Support the #ChildNotBride movement.

Below is the list of the Nigeria Senators who voted for underage marriage in Nigeria...
            
1. Sen. Abdulmumin M. Hassan (Jigawa South West, PDP)
2. Sen. Abdullahi Danladi (Jigawa North West, PDP)
3. Sen. Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West, PDP)
4. Sen. Ahmed Barata (Adamawa South, PDP)
5. Sen. Akinyelure Ayo (Ondo Central, Labour Party)
6. Sen. Alkali Saidu A. (Gombe North, PDP)
7. Sen. Bagudu Abubakar A. (Kebbi Central, PDP)
8. Sen. Dahiru Umaru (Sokoto South, PDP)
9. Sen. Galaudu Isa (Kebbi North, PDP)
10. Sen. Garba Gamawa (Bauchi North, PDP)


12. Sen. Gobir Ibrahim (Sokoto East, PDP)
13. Sen. Gumba Adamu Ibrahim (Bauchi South, PDP)
14. Sen. Hadi Sirika (Katsina North, CPC)
15. Sen. Ibrahim Bukar Abba (Yobe East, ANPP)
16. Sen. Jajere Alkali (Yobe South, ANPP)
17. Sen. Jibrilla Mohammed (Adamawa North, PDP)
18. Sen. Kabiru Gaya (Kano South, ANPP)
19. Sen. Lafiagi Mohammed (Kwara North, PDP)
20. Sen. Lawan Ahmad (Yobe North, ANPP)
21. Sen. Maccido Mohammed (Sokoto North, PDP)
22. Sen. Musa Ibrahim (Niger North, CPC)
23. Sen. Ndume Mohammed Ali (Borno South, PDP)
24. Sen. Sadiq A. Yaradua (Katsina Central, CPC)
25. Sen. Saleh Mohammed (Kaduna Central, CPC)
26. Sen. Tukur Bello (Adamawa Central, PDP)
27. Sen. Ugbesia Odion (Edo Central, PDP)
28. Sen. Umar Abubakar (Taraba Central, PDP)
29. Sen. Usman Abdulaziz (Jigawa North East, PDP)
30. Sen. Ya’au Sahabi (Zamfara North, PDP)
31. Sen. Zannah Ahmed (Borno Central, PDP)....
32. Sen. Ahmad Rufai Sani (Zamfara West, ANPP)
33. Sen. Ahmad Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP)
34. Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwano (Kano North, PDP)
35. Sen. Ibrahim Abu (Katsina South, CPC)..

Culled from CKN

Funke Akindele removes Oloyede from her social media accounts

Following an official statement released a few hours ago by Funke Akindele's camp confirming the end of her one year marriage, the star actress has removed her estranged husband's name, Oloyede, from all her social media accounts.

She's also spoken for the first time about the end of her marriage. She told Stella Dimoko Korkus:
First of all let me clarify that I have not replied any SMS or spoken to anyone on this development before now and neither have I threatened to sue anyone. I do not know who sent out that SMS denying that my marriage is over. That was what necessitated me sending out a press release so as not to confuse the public, especially my fans whom I'm so passionate about.
Yes my marriage has crashed. Let the people who are laughing at me continue laughing.  My job afterall is to make people laugh. Let those who are without sins or mistake cast the first stone. Let them continue judging me. God is the overall judge. He is the one I look up to.

4 Armed Robbers Captured in Anambra State


Anambra State has already started enjoying the dividends of the security vehicles given to all the 177 communities and some organizations in the State with the arrest on Tuesday, of four armed robbers at Agulu, the hometown of Governor Peter Obi.

Luck ran out of the robbers, with ages ranging between 18 and 21 years, when on a tip off, the vigilante people of Agulu community ran after them, after they allegedly killed somebody at  the neighbouring Awgbu.

During ensuing gun battle,  three out of the four robbers were demobilized, while one ran into the bush and escaped. Luck however ran out of him when the vigilante group, through intensive and well coordinated search arrested him at another village in Agulu, Nwanchi.

The leader of the group, known as Favour (alias King) was said to be from Umunze.  Two of the armed robbers, who refused to disclose their names were said to hail from Ebonyi State and Ogabru area of Anambra State. The fourth one, Sunday Gege (alias Obodo)...

The robbers confessed to killing one woman from Awkuukwu at Agulu, who was returning from a trip to Achi, Enugu State. They also confessed to shooting and killing another person from Awgbu on Monday, the fallout of which led to their capture.

Speaking to the press, the Chairman of Agulu Vigilante group said that Anambra people should be grateful to Peter Obi for the new security equipped vehicles, saying that if not for the vehicle, the old one they were using before would not have matched the speed of the robbers. He also said that the payment of 10 vigilante people in each town out of the 177 communities in Anambra had boosted the morale of the vigilance people.

Meanwhile, the armed robbers have been handed over to Special Anti-robbery Squad at Awkuzu . The Police PPRO, DSP, Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the arrest of the robbers.

Gov Obi orders Vigilante Operatives not interfere in the affairs of other communities.

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has charged vigilante operatives in the state to restrict their activities within their respective communities and not interfere in the affairs of other communities.
The governor who said this during the commissioning of over 300 security vehicles worth over 1 billion naira purchased for   vigilante groups in the state warned that anybody found wanting in this regard will be sanctioned.
He advised the vigilante members to be up and doing and make efforts to see that crime is eliminated in Anambra State. Each vigilante outfit in the state was expected to get one vehicle for its operations.
The event, which was held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital, also witnessed the issuance of cheques to traditional rulers of various communities for payment of one year salaries of 10 vigilante members in each community.
Governor Obi said that in a bid to curb crime in the state, every Anambra indigene will in no time be registered for issuance of Anambra State identity card for proper identification. He therefore urged Presidents-General and women leaders of all communities to ensure that people in their communities get registered in the interest of security .
Reacting, the traditional ruler of Onitsha and Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe thanked the governor for his good work in the state, noting that he is the first governor ever to donate jeeps to traditional rulers and now security vehicles to vigilante groups. He prayed that God gives him strength and grace to do more.
On the other hand, the governor, while addressing the issue of flood disaster, said that it is on record that flood this year will be more disastrous than that of last year, adding that  this is why he has started working to ensure that flood is controlled in the State especially in Onitsha. He pleaded with “Ndi Anambra” to assist government to ensure that flood is minimised by always keeping their environments clean and disposing refuse as supposed and not dumping it in the drainages.

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

HIV infection is a blessing to me says Gloria Asuquo, 24, diagnosed HIV positive at 12

*Gloria
From the depths of distress, disillusionment, dejection and the certainty of untimely death occasioned by HIV infection through blood transfusion at the tender age of 12, Gloria Asuquo, has risen to become a vibrant, assertive and ambitious young woman who is taking a decisive and incisive battle to one of the world’s most dreaded infectious disorders – HIV/AIDS.
In an encounter with Sola Ogundipe in Abuja, the energetic 24-year-old recounted the frustrations of living as a pauper in addition to the ignominy of HIV stigma and discrimination.
Today, Gloria who once contemplated death until sheer luck and doggedness turned her fortunes around and brought unhindered access to the elusive, life-saving treatment has undergone a transformation. The same HIV infection that took her to the brink of total despair is today a source of her blessing. How did it happen? She tells it all in this encounter.

Living with HIV stigma
Excerpts:
I’m a young person diagnosed HIV positive at 12. I was in Primary six going to JSS1. I got infected through blood transfusion. The stigma was so much I couldn’t bear it. There were drugs at that time, but they were too expensive for my parents to afford. Each time my father raised the money to pay for my drugs, my mother would challenge him. Why are you giving her the money? she would ask. We know that she would soon die. Why is she taking the drugs? Why are we wasting money?  My mother went to the Church and told the Reverend who announced my status to the community.
He advised I should be taken to one of the General Hospitals and abandoned there to die. But my father refused to heed such advice. Rather, he challenged the Reverend to take one of his four children to the hospital and abandon her there to die first, only then would he obey the instruction. The pressure became too much.
My mother separated me from the rest of the family. She demarcated my own part of the house separate from the others. The stigma became too much.
Escape from home
One day I could not bear it again. The pressure was too much for me to bear. I had to break the window and jumped out to escape from home at the age of 12. I escaped to an unknown village called Oki. I went to Jabi Park in Abuja, I had only N800. I didn’t know where to go, but just wanted to leave and even die.
Death wish
I wanted to die. I was in the bush; I had stopped using my drugs which at that time cost N15, 000 per month. Test for CD4 count was N6, 000, viral load N12, 000. Where was I going to get that kind of money? I wasn’t working, I just told God to let me die.
Before then, I went to NTA and shared my story. I told them I was HIV positive; I wanted to declare my status to the world. They said I should cover my face, but I said no. I wanted the world to know my story so that if I die, everyone would know what killed me. Breaking the stigma is an individual thing. If you want to come out to testify, nobody can take that away from you
Saved
Then I met Dr. Anthony Agu, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. When he asked about my parents, I burst into tears. He took me to the University and I told him my story. He took me to his house, gave me a room to stay. But he told me not to disclose my status to his family. He enabled me continue my education and in 1996, I finished my school.
Back to treatment
Dr. Agu then told me that he heard that the drugs were now free that I should go and try. So I went back to Gwagwalada General Hospital where I met Dr. Ajayi. When he asked if I had been taken my drugs, I said yes. I lied to him because I was afraid that if I told him I had not been on drugs, he would send me away.
But he placed me on the drugs. That night I went back to Nsukka, but never went back home. Dr. Ajayi got all my details and related to Dr. Pat Matemilola and Professor Babatunde Oshotimehin who were all looking for me. Eventually, it was Godwin Odemije of Radio Nigeria that came to look for me, and brought me back home. In 2006, I developed typhoid and ovarian cyst. Doctors said I would be operated upon because I stopped using my drugs for a number of years. To the glory of God, I’m still on firstline drugs.
HIV infection as blessing
God first, but the treatment has kept me alive till today. If there were no free drugs, by now, I would have been a forgotten issue. People would have forgotten me, my name would not be written anywhere. HIV has become a blessing to me. I am sitting with important people. If not for HIV, I would not meet Ministers, and Ambassadors and so many important people. If not for HIV, I would not have ever fly in an aircraft. I’m proud to be HIV positive. Today, I’m a testimony in my family, there is no meeting at which they do not seek my opinion. I’m proud that I’m HIV positive.
Make treatment available
I’m still pleading to the Ambassadors and everyone in the country to make these drugs accessible especially the youths and women. We are the most vulnerable and do not have anywhere to go. We are tomorrow’s leaders. We may be driven out when we are diagnosed with HIV because the general belief is that HIV is contracted through promiscuity. But HIV can be contracted through many ways.
The three zeros
If the drugs are made to be more available, only then can we truly have the three zeros, that is, zero related deaths, zero new infection and zero stigma. As a young person I cannot come out but keep quiet and spread it, but if we provide access to treatment, give free education, employment and there is no stigma, I bet you, these three zeros will be achieved.
Ambition
I’m dreaming to become a medical doctor. I want to achieve this. HIV has nothing to do with my future. I would match it and overcome it. I need you to help me achieve my dream and also to find a cure to HIV. I want my name to be great, so that it will be said that Gloria Asuquo found a cure to HIV. I want a scholarship so that I can achieve my goal.

Baba Suwe takes NDELA to Supreme Court: N25m compensation



Dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos division against his drug case with NDLEA, popular comedian Mr. Babatunde Omidina, famously known as Baba Suwe, has moved to lodge an appeal at the Supreme Court urging it to uphold the earlier judgment of the Ikeja High Court.

Justice Yetunde Idowu of the High Court, had earlier awarded N25 million compensation to the comic actor after he was detained for several days by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) which wrongly accused him of drug related offences.
The notice of appeal filed by the actor’s counsel, Bamidele Aturu, is praying the apex court to set aside the decision of the appeal court and uphold that of the trial court, which awarded monetary compensation to him.
The Appeal Court had on May 31, quashed the judgment of the lower court, which ordered the NDLEA to pay him N25 million as compensation for detaining him for several days over allegation of drug trafficking.
Contrary to the judgment of Justice Yetunde, the appellate Court, in its ruling delivered by Justice Rita Pemu, considered all the three vital grounds of appeal in favour of the appellant (NDLEA).
The NDLEA had, in its appeal, asked the court to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the lower court.
Justice Pemu of the Appeal Court in her lead judgment, unanimously adopted by two other justices, Chima Nweze and F. O. Akinbami, described the N25 million damages awarded to Baba Suwe as erroneous, oppressive and superfluous.
She held that even though the trial judge had discretion to award costs in a fundamental human right suit, such award of damages must be based on law and not arbitrary.
“Damages must be based on law, even though it is at the discretion of the trial judge. The award of N25 million to the respondent was based on wrong premises and it is uncalled for.”
She further held that no evidence was placed before the court to warrant such outrageous award, adding that the court ought not to have overburdened NDLEA with such award of damages. 
However, no specific date has been fixed for hearing of the appeal in the Supreme Court.