Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla announces they are expecting a baby girl.

         

                                     

The following are what the founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg posted on his Facebook page

"Priscilla and I have some exciting news: we're expecting a baby girl!

This will be a new chapter in our lives. We've already been so fortunate for the opportunity to touch people's lives around the world -- Cilla as a doctor and educator, and me through this community and philanthropy. Now we'll focus on making the world a better place for our child and the next generation.

We want to share one experience to start. We've been trying to have a child for a couple of years and have had three miscarriages along the way.

You feel so hopeful when you learn you're going to have a child. You start imagining who they'll become and dreaming of hopes for their future. You start making plans, and then they're gone. It's a lonely experience. Most people don't discuss miscarriages because you worry your problems will distance you or reflect upon you -- as if you're defective or did something to cause this. So you struggle on your own.

In today's open and connected world, discussing these issues doesn't distance us; it brings us together. It creates understanding and tolerance, and it gives us hope. 


When we started talking to our friends, we realized how frequently this happened -- that many people we knew had similar issues and that nearly all had healthy children after all. 

We hope that sharing our experience will give more people the same hope we felt and will help more people feel comfortable sharing their stories as well.

Our good news is that our pregnancy is now far enough along that the risk of loss is very low and we are very hopeful. 

Cilla and our child are both healthy, I'm extremely excited to meet her and our dog Beast has no idea what's coming. In our ultrasound, she even gave me a thumbs up "like" with her hand, so I'm already convinced she takes after me.

We're looking forward to welcoming her into the world and sharing more soon when she's ready to come out and meet everyone!

Wrestling legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper has died at the age of 61

 

 

 

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper has passed away at his home in Hollywood, California on July 31. The report revealed the wrestling legend died at the age of 61 due to cardiac arrest.
Rowdy, who was born Roderick George Toombs died in his home around noon on July 31. The wrestling legend is being said to have passed away in his sleep from cardiac arrest, according to TMZ. “I am devastated at this news,” Roddy’s rep said in a statement. “Rod was a good friend as well as a client and one of the most generous, sincere and authentic people I have ever known. This is a true loss to us all.” Although the 61-year-old was previously diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2006, a family source revealed Roddy was “cancer free” at the time of his death. Back in November 2014, the wrestler also announced that he was cancer free.
Roddy’s family also publicly made an announcement about his death. “Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper,” a family member said. The WWE wrestler is survived by his wife Kitty Toomb and their four kids. He has three daughters and one son who is currently pursuing a career in professional wrestling.
Our condolences go out to Roddy’s family and friends during this difficult time. His sudden loss has certainly rocked the wrestling community.

A Woman Stabs Robber To Death in Lagos

A middle-aged woman is currently recuperating in a Lagos hospital, after robbers stormed her rented apartment on the Lagos Island, during which she stabbed one of the assailants to death.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the woman, identified simply as Adenike, and her family were attacked on Tuesday at about 2am on Eyin Iga Street.

Our correspondent gathered that the robbers, who were armed with knives and cutlasses, reportedly gained entrance into the house after damaging the gates.

It was learnt that when the robbers got to Adenike’s apartment, there was a struggle during which one of the robbers, identified as Quadri Iginla, cut her with a knife.

Adenike was said to have wrenched the knife from Iginla, and stabbed him in the stomach.

The robbery suspect reportedly lost balance and fell off from the two-storey building.

Neighbours, who learnt of the robbery, were said to have alerted the police from the Adeniji Adele Division.

The other suspected robbers reportedly escaped after the police got to the area.

The policemen were said to have rushed Iginla, who was unconscious, to the Lagos Island General Hospital, while Adenike was also taken by her family to a private hospital.

When our correspondent got to the area on Thursday, it was learnt that Iginla died in the hospital.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, Adenike’s husband, who declined to give his name, said the robbers injured his wife in the hand with a knife, adding that there was a struggle during which Iginla was pushed off the building.

He said, “We cannot confirm the number of the robbers. They entered my apartment at about 2am. One of them injured my wife in the hand and there was a struggle. As this went on, other people called the police and a patrol van was sent to our street.

“The robbers quickly fled from the house. One of them, who had sustained a knife injury, fell off the staircases. The policemen took him to a hospital for treatment.”

A police source told our correspondent that Iginla was not attended to at the general hospital for lack of a vacant bed. He added that the robbery suspect died at a health center on the Adeniji Adele Road.

He said, “The police patrol team responded to a distress call on the street at about 2.30am. A male robbery suspect, Iginla, was found injured. The suspect and others, who are still at large, allegedly entered Adenike’s room. While making away with possessions, the woman overpowered one of them, and stabbed him in the stomach.

“She was also injured in the hand. During the struggle, others escaped, but the robber fell off the building. The police took the suspect and the victim to the hospital.”

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that Iginla’s girlfriend showed up at the police station, and wanted to know where he was being treated.

He said, “No one in the area knew the identity of the injured robber. His girlfriend showed up at the station, and was asking the police to let her stay with him, but they did not allow her.”

Our correspondent gathered that the knife had been recovered, while the case had been transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, confirmed the incident. She added that the command was on the trail of other members of the gang.

She said, “The team of policemen was led by the Divisional Police Officer, and the robbery suspect was found unconscious, having fallen from the two-storey building.

“He was rushed to a hospital where he later died. The corpse has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy. Investigation continues as the command is on the trail of the fleeing gang members.”

Comedian Ali Baba Shares His Encounter With a Witty Groundnut Seller in Lagos

A popular comedian and motivational speaker known as Ali Baba shares his encounter with a girl who sells groundnut in Lagos. This is what he wrote:

That's the babe that sells me "granorth". Very witty too. She said, "OGA ali make me sef popular NAaaa!" I hope this does it for her. A handsome former governor in the south south, who also goes through my Instagram, with a very filthy mind just asked me if the "2 nuts she is holding are mine" I said yes before I realized what he meant. Never mind. Please if you ever drive pass the front of Cool Fm, ask after her... For your own "granorth"."

PDP broke, set to sack about half of their work force.

                       
The loss of the Peoples Democratic Party  in the last general elections few months ago seem to have affected the party financially as it is set to reduce its work force by 50%.

Punch reports that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has concluded plans to sack half of its workforce.

Towards this end, National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, has communicated the decision of the NWC to all its directors.

Oladipo made the party’s decision known via a memo yesterday, which was directed to “all directors and PS/DD/HOD/SAs/PAs and Establishment Staff” of the party in Abuja.

It was titled “Re-organisation and restructuring of staff at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Oladipo said the report “on the reorganisation and restructuring of staff at the national secretariat” and decisions was approved at the latest NWC meeting.


He also said the salaries and allowances of those to be left behind would also be cut by as much as 50 per cent. The decisions of the NWC includes, “reduction of the allowance of all NWC members by 50 per cent and reduction in the number of security personnel attached to the national officers by 50 per cent.”

Other include “reduction of the salaries and allowances of all staff (Establishment and Staff of NWC members) by 50 per cent, effective August, 2015.

“Abolition of Research Directorate and transfer of its functions to the Peoples Democratic Institute.”

He added that “Establishment staff who would remain are required to obtain individual letter of revalidation from their state chapters within one month of this circular as to their suitability for service at the national secretariat.”

A source within the party said the “party lacks transparency and proper accountability.” Investigations also revealed thatthe decision was actually taken about a month ago by its NWC.

A senior staff of the party, who spoke on the issue but didn’t want to be named said, “We are in trouble in this party. The NWC members are lords unto themselves.

“There is no one to control them and the finances of the party. They have paid themselves several allowances. Even during the last Sallah break, they took money.

“But because we demanded for our furniture allowance, see the memo they gave us. The idea behind this is to sack us and then they will bring in their cronies.”


- Punchng.

Residents Discover Shallow Grave of New Born Baby in Benin

A shallow grave of a newly born baby was discovered at Aviation Street, off Joromi road in Benin City on Wednesday. 

A shocked landlord had raised alarm after he saw the fresh grave in front of his house. Residents opened the grave and saw the little dead baby. So heartbreaking.

A pastor forced his church members to eat live snake

 A South Africa pastor forced his congregation to eat live snakes during service after he told them it would become and taste like chocolate. The activity was based on a sermon regarding faith in which he declared that he had the authority to change everything into anything and it will obey because of our authority

19 Kenyan students suspended for arguing in favour of gay rights during a debate

The  group of 19 students – from St. Mary’s Kibabi Boys High School in Kenya – were sent home for a week last month, pending an investigation by the school into the allegations against them, after anti-gay students accused them of being gay.The teenagers were taking part in a group debate regarding gay rights. However, after the school boys vocalised their own support for gay people, their opponents accused them of being homosexuals themselves, and they were subsequently asked to leave school.

Man drinks Rat poison after his fiancee dumped him a week to his wedding

Emeka Odigwu, a 37-year-old Economics graduate of the Delta State owned University, Abraka has attempted committing suicide over his failed relationship to his longstanding lover.
He was discovered by the police.

According to reports, Emeka committed suicide a week to his wedding when his fiancée rejected his love at an outing with his friends in a popular fast food in Warri metropolis.

DSP Celestina Kalu, Police Public Relations Officer in the state said that the victim was rescued at a T-Junction in Warri by Police Patrol team on routine duty, adding that he was found almost lifeless around Jappa Junction gasping between his breaths around 10:30pm on Saturday night on the ground.

DSP Kalu disclosed that the Policemen who moved into him on the ground, recovered a letter he wrote, “I fell heartbroken and rejected by someone, whom I loved and had given my heart to over the years in the midst of a get together with my friends, I’d rather die and return to my mother’s earth”.

According to the victim’s younger sister Evelyn Odigwe, her brother had been dating that girl for more than three years running and just proposed to her recently in the presence of their entire family, thinking he had found his soul mate before the bubble burst.

Unconfirmed sources said that the girl (name withheld) allegedly dumped the victim when her childhood friend who traveled abroad six years ago returned with high hopes promises and asked her hand in marriage.

But the victim’s sister said that the Police recovered six sachets of rat poisons on the ground where he laid after he expressed disappointment on the fateful day and returned to his room, claiming he was going to bed.

According to her, “My brother may have gone to buy the rat poisons and drank them because he was really emotional over the girl’s attitude”.

PHOTO: See How A Nigerian Dancer, Kaffy Inspiring Youths

Kaffy is a mentor to so many people. She recently had a three-day dance workshop which ended on July 8.
Here are photos from the event:

  

 

     

LASTMA Official, Who Slumped on Traffic Duty, Dies

An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who slumped while controlling traffic on Ishaga Road in the Idi-Araba, Mushin area on Saturday, has died.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the official, Kazeem Lawal, was brought in dead to the Randle Hospital, Surulere, where his colleagues had rushed him.

Sunday PUNCH had reported that the official, who was among LASTMA officials on duty for an event at the Chapel of the Healing Cross, collapsed at about 1.30pm.

It was also reported that Lawal, who was gasping for breath, was rushed to a hospital after he did not respond to preliminary treatment.

Our correspondent gathered that Lawal, who was attached to LASTMA Zone 3, Iponri, died on the way to the hospital.

The matter was said to have been reported at the Alakara Police Division.

One of the colleagues of the deceased, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “He was initially taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, but he could not be attended to because of the ongoing strike action. He was then rushed to the Randle Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“We do not have any insurance policy. We do not have any hazard allowance. It is very painful.

“His family members are in disarray at present. We work round the clock, and we are usually overwhelmed. He must have collapsed from accumulated stress.

“Since the government sacked some LASTMA workers last year, there has been a burden on the workforce. Work posts, where seven personnel were handling, have been reduced to one or two.”

Our correspondent gathered that LASTMA officials, policemen and National Union of Transport Workers besieged the hospital on Sunday.

“The whole thing happened so fast and so shocking. By the time they took him to the Randle Hospital, he had died,” another LASTMA official said.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said he would get back to our correspondent on the matter.

He said, “I am still awaiting details on the incident. I will call you back when I have them.”

The Public Relations Officer, LASTMA, Bola Ajao, could not be reached as calls put across to her phone did not connect. A text message sent to her also had yet to be replied to.

Follow Me on Twitter @linda_irabor

Nigerian Celebrities Who Were Victims Of Sexual Abuse

Many victims of sexual molest and abuse often times shy away from going public with the experience because of the social stigma some attach To Molest victims. 

But these Nigerian celebrities have been able to share their sexual abuse experiences at different times. See celebs after the cut.....

BENSON OKONKWO - 'I Was Sexually Abused At Age 10 By A 35 Year Old Aunty

Nollywood actor Benson Okonkwo recently made a shocking revelation to Julia Blaise Blog (JBB) about his growing up days. According to him, he had a very ugly experience that has refused to leave him till date. According to him, at age 10 he was molested by a 35-year-old lady who was their neighbor.

“People feel that things are always rosy for actors, and they feel that it is all about glamour but the truth is that we have all had our ugly experiences. I have gone through a lot in life and that is what made me the Benson Okonkowo that many love and respect today in the industry.

“I was sexually abused at the tender age of 10 by my 35 years neighbor called Aunty Amaka. A lady who I loved and respected so much. She took advantage of me on that fateful afternoon after luring me with sweets and biscuits. She stole my innocence and ever since I have been haunted by that hurtful memory, that is why I put passion into my acting job because its takes away my pain.

LOLA OMOTAYO - OKOYE - "I Was Abused By A Priest In High School" 

While addressing a group of young women at Kinabuti's Dare2Dream Master Class event which happened in Lagos recently, Peter Okoye's wife and mother of 2, Lola Omotayo revealed that she suffered sexual abuse by a priest when she was in secondary school. 

"I couldn’t tell anyone because everyone would blame me, so I carried on the guilt and bitterness with me for years. I was filled with hate and I became an angry person, I was rebellious, I didn’t want to listen to anybody…and because I wanted to be expelled from school to avoid seeing this person, I would do so many terrible things, everything around me was just so negative, I felt I wasn’t good enough."

NIYOLA - "When I Was A Kid, I Was Molested" 

EME’s first lady, Niyola has revealed that she was molested when she was a little girl as she advocated for women rights in the country. 

Niyola was speaking with Pearl on SoundcityCityDivas show.
She said: 
“I have been molested quite a number of times. Thankfully, I haven’t been defiled. I have been molested by both people I never imagined would molest me…and obviously strangers as well.

And it wasn’t once, it wasn’t twice. It wasn’t three times. But what helped me was that I started to try to figure out at that time why anybody would want to do that to me or to any female. I realised it was cowardice

Alot of things could be done to prevent the situations and protect yourself. I remember for a very long time, I would never visit guys. And when I started to live alone when I was in school, you would never come to my room for any reason.

For a very long time I was paranoid. But I realised that if you share your experience with people, your fellow women, you’ll find that it’s not that big a deal that you can’t come out & talk about it because it’s not your fault that someone tried to molest you. Such people should actually be punished and brought to book.”

FOLUKE DARAMOLA - "I Was Deflowered By A Rapist" 

Yoruba actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako, has made a shocking revelation on how she lost her virginity to rapists.

Foluke, who is currently championing the course of her Non-Government Organisation, Action Against Rape In Africa, explained that her experiences as female child played a vital role in the establishment of the NGO. 

My first introduction to sex was rape. It was with one of our tenants. I got so close to him and saw him as an elder brother. He looked at me as someone that had been exposed because I was busty and he thought I had had a sexual experience before. So he had his way with me. Then it was not something you tell the whole world. People said we should keep quiet about it. Then they tried to make trouble with him but subsequently people said we should keep quiet about it. We had to try and manage it in our own way even though it affected me for a long time psychologically. I had to gradually get over it. I believed so much in the principle of keeping your virginity till you are married. I started showbiz from Teen TV on DBN with Chichi Okaro. Then I used to be so vocal and when we spoke about pre-marital sex and virginity, I was always so passionate about it. It was such a disadvantage and a pity for me.

Ice PRINCE - "My Aunt Molested Me At 13"

In a past interview with Sunday Express, Ice Prince revealed how his aunty molested him by force when he was just 13:.

“[i]I started singing in the choir when I was about 15,” he begins. “And at 13 I had my first sexual encounter. I would not say it was a good thing at all. It’s something I regret whatever it was. It wasn’t a sweet experience at all. I had this aunty, though we were not related, she was just a neighbor who was living close to us, who came into my room and slept with me. 
“It wasn’t a good experience at all. I was scared, very scared. I saw hell. It was a terrible experience. I am not excited talking about it at all. Sex is not that good. I think sex is over-rated. I don’t know. 
“She just came into my room and just forced me to do it with her… Oh, let’s not talk about it. I was so young and innocent. But she made me lose my innocence. The woman is still alive. I don’t think I have even seen her since then.” 

Follow Me On Twitter @linda_irabor

APC urges FG to probe past NLNG payments, condemns grandstanding opposition

Press statement from APC

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently unravel what happened to the past Company Income Tax/Education tax as well as dividends paid to the Nigerian government by the NLNG, against the background of published reports that the funds were never paid into the Federation Account as they should have been.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also described as a glaring example of grandstanding opposition the attempt by the PDP to distort the facts about the source of the $2.1 billion that was approved for sharing by the three tiers of government by President Muhammadu Buhari.

”Whereas the Presidency corrected the initial erroneous report that the shared money was sourced from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), the skittish opposition continued to insist it was from the ECA and that it was part of the ‘savings’ by the Jonathan Administration.

”Well, we can tell Nigerians that the $2.1 billion was sourced from the $1.6 billion Company Income Tax/Education Tax paid to the FG on June 17th 2015, over two weeks after the Jonathan Administration left office, as well as the $500 million tax paid by Shell. We can tell Nigerians that this is the first time the payment of the Income Tax/Education Tax by the NLNG was being disclosed by any government, in addition to paying it into the Federation Account for sharing, hence those who call it their ‘legitimate’ earnings should be asked why they did not demand the sharing of such ‘legitimate’ earnings in the past.

”We can tell Nigerians that apart from the said $1.6 billion NLNG payment for 2015, NLNG also paid $1.4 billion as Income Tax/Education Tax in May 2014, paid $0.3 billion as Education tax to the FG in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and $1.2 billion in VAT and With-holding Tax to the FG since 2009. These payments are just those made in the past six years alone, hence there were other payments before then.

”In addition, dividend payments totalling $4,728,136,946 was paid to the FG between 2004 and 2009, out of which only $127,851,348.19 was credited to the FG’s Independent Account with JP Morgan, leaving a balance of over $4 billion. The questions to ask therefore are why all the past taxes and dividends were neither fully paid into the Federation Account nor shared by the three tiers of government and what happened to the funds,” it said.

APC said now that President Muhammadu Buhari has started to ensure that all funds due to the Federation Account are paid in there as well as plugging all financial leakages, in an effort to restore transparency to the system, it is important to let Nigerians know why all due funds were not paid into the Federation Account in the past and what happened to such funds.

The party also said that as part of the investigation, the PDP must be asked where it kept the $5.5 billion which it said was the dividend paid to the FG by the NLNG before the 29 May handover.

”Since, according to the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan asked that the money be ‘left for the incoming administration to manage’. it is important for the party, therefore, to tell Nigerians in which account the money was ‘saved’ because it is definitely not in the Federation Account,” it said
APC insisted that for any opposition to be credible, it must not only be factual and truthful, it must eschew pandering.
”Had the PDP embraced these cardinal principles, it would not have, in the rush to belittle the package that was approved for the states by President Buhari and to discredit his administration, engaged in outright lies and selective perception. While the PDP became fixated on the source of the money shared by the states, it forgot that there were were other measures in the package that included a special intervention fund of between N250b and N300b from the CBN as a soft loan available to states to access for the purposes of paying backlog of salaries.

”The PDP also forgot the debt relief programme designed to assist the states to restructure their commercial loans of N660b, with a view to extending the life span of such loans and reducing the states’ debt-servicing expenditures. That way, the states are freed from their perennial inability to pay workers’ salaries, and more funds are available to the various governments to use for the benefit of the people. They have forgotten that the only time in the country’s history that this kind of rescue package was made was also during the tenure of Muhammadu Buhari as military Head of State,” the party said.

It advised those who are showboating and distorting facts to tarry a while, as what they are seeing is just the first step in a long journey to clear the rot left behind by years of purposeless governance, plug all financial leakages, ensure that all funds due to the Federation Account are paid in there for the benefit of all Nigerians and bring to justice all those who have mismanaged or looted the commonwealth.

”The revelations concerning the deep rot in the system that will come in the weeks and months ahead will shock even the most ardent critics of the Buhari Administration’s salvaging efforts,” APC said.

Boko Haram Member Who Disguised As A Woman In Yola

         

            
 A male boko haram member who pretented to be a woman was caught this afternoon in Yola.
The  terrorist was reported to have  confessed after much interrogation and torture that about 29 other members of the sect are currently in Yola and that  he was on his way to reunite with them for operations.

Hmmmm...... may GOD deliver us from the  hands of those terrorist.

Buhari approves N400billion for unpaid worker’s salaries

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved over N400bn to assist States finding it difficult to pay salaries of civil servants.
The relief package include the sharing of about $2.1b (N413.7bn) in fresh allocation between the states and the federal government.
The money was sourced from recent LNG proceeds to the federation account, and its release was okayed by the President.

It was also described as a Central Bank-packaged special intervention fund that will offer financing to the states, ranging from between N250bn to N300bn.
This would be a soft loan available to states to access for the purposes of paying backlog of salaries, as well as “a debt relief program proposed by the Debt Management Office, DMO, which will help states restructure their commercial loans currently put at over N660bn, and extend the life span of such loans while reducing their debt-servicing expenditures.”
About half of Nigerian States have not paid their workers in months.
The fund is expected to be released in few days.

Man Remanded Over Rape, Murder of 16 Year Old Girl

   

An Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure has remanded one Toba Afolasade, 26, in prison for allegedly killing a 16-year-old girl, Adejoke Olalekan.

Afolasade was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel on a two-count charge of killing and unlawfully defiling the 16-year-old girl.

The police prosecutor, Isah Atanegbe, while testifying before the court, said Afolasade committed the offence at about 3:30pm at Idi-Araba Camp Road, Ijegun via Ile-oluji, Ondo State on June 26,2015.

Atanegbe told the court that the accused person strangled the deceased while raping her.

 

The accused’s plea was not taken by the court because he had no counsel.

The prosecutor asked the court to adjourn the case to enable him send the duplicated case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, for legal advice. He also asked that the accused person be remand in Olokuta Prison pending the outcome of the advice from the DPP.

The Magistrate, Mrs Bob-Manuel consequently ordered that the accused remand in prison while adjourning the case till August 19, 2015

 

 

Bombs at mosque, restaurant in central Nigerian city kill 44

    
 (AP) — An emergency agency official says 44 people were killed by two bombs that exploded at a crowded mosque and an elite Muslim restaurant in Nigeria's central city of Jos.
Abdussalam Mohammed of the National Emergency Management Agency says 67 other people were wounded and are being treated in hospitals.
Witnesses who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals say the explosion at Yantaya Mosque came as a leading cleric who preaches peaceful co-existence was addressing a crowd during the holy month of Ramadan.
Another bomb exploded at Shagalinku, a restaurant patronized by elite politicians.
Jos is located where Nigeria's majority Muslim north and mainly Christian south collide. The city has been targeted in the past by bomb blasts claimed by Boko Haram Islamic extremists that have killed hundreds of people.

Early marriage, influence of social media & internet fueling Boko Haram activities in Nigeria says Emir Sanusi

The Emir of Kano Sanusi II says forceful marriage of young girls as well as the exposure of youths to social media and the internet is to a large extent responsible for the increased rate of youths joining the insurgency group, Boko Haram. The Emir said this while delivering his lecture at the 10th Annual Ramadan Lecture organized by Voice of Nigeria (VON), NTA and FRCN in Kaduna yesterday July 4

"Are we still living in the era which father can force their daughters into marriage without their permission? Yes we are. Early marriage, yes we are in Nigeria. And it is hurting and destroying our society. We are the ones to address these social issues because they are problems. And you know from taking her out of school and forcing her into marriage without education result to having a child from her who does not have a mother that can give the child proper training. That is a child that gets on drugs, Indian hemp or joins Boko Haram. All these things are connected. We have to face these challenges. Information technology and emergence of internet and social media, today youth go on the computer and they learn Islam from Facebook and twitter.

They learn Islam from videos, they watch on Facebook and after 14 to 15 hours watching new things, they need to become jihadists. They get up and go to Iraq or Syria or somewhere and join the group. And there are no controls. Right inside your house, your son can be sitting upstairs in the bedroom getting indoctrinated into becoming an extremist without your knowledge. We need to watch what our children watch. And we need to talk to them. If we do not give them the correct Islamic education, they will find the wrong education on the internet" he said

How To Boost Your Self Confidence

Self-confident people are admired by others and inspire confidence in others. They face their fears head-on and tend to be risk takers. They know that no matter what obstacles come their way, they have the  ability to get past them. Self-confident people tend to  see their lives in a positive light even when things aren't going so well, and they are typically satisfied with and respect themselves.
If you don't believe in your self how would you expect others to believe in you.

 "Low self-confidence isn't a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered--just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better." --Barrie Davenport

Don't just read this article for reading sake but try to practice it daily. It might seem  difficult initially but as time goes by you will begin to feel the foundation of self-confidence grow within you.
With some time and practice, you too can be a self-confident person, both inside and out, whom others admire and say "Yes!" to. The  following ways to boost your confidence are listed below


1. Stay away from negativity and bring on the positivity
This is the time to really evaluate your inner circle, including friends and family. This is a tough one, but it's time to seriously consider getting away from those individuals who put you down.
Be positive, even if you're not feeling it quite yet. Put some positive enthusiasm into your interactions with others and hit the ground running, excited to begin your next project. Stop focusing on the problems in your life and instead begin to focus on solutions and making positive changes.

2. Change your body language and image
This is where posture, smiling, eye contact, and speech slowly come into play. Just the simple act of pulling your shoulders back gives others the impression that you are a confident person. Smiling will not only make you feel better, but will make others feel more comfortable around you. Imagine a person with good posture and a smile and you'll be envisioning someone who is self-confident.
Look at the person you are speaking to, not at your shoes--keeping eye contact shows confidence. Last, speak slowly. Research has proved that those who take the time to speak slowly and clearly feel more self-confidence and appear more self-confident to others. The added bonus is they will actually be able to understand what you are saying.
Go the extra mile and style your hair, give yourself a clean shave, and dress nicely. Not only will this make you feel better about yourself, but others are more likely to perceive you as successful and self-confident as well.

3. Don't accept failure and get rid of the negative voices in your head
Never give up. Never accept failure. There is a solution to everything, so why would you want to throw in the towel? Make this your new mantra. Succeeding through great adversity is a huge confidence booster.
Low self-confidence is often caused by the negative thoughts running through our minds on an endless track. If you are constantly bashing yourself and saying you're not good enough, aren't attractive enough, aren't smart enough or athletic enough, and on and on, you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. You are becoming what you are preaching inside your head, and that's not good. The next time you hear that negativity in your head, switch it immediately to a positive affirmation and keep it up until it hits the caliber of a self-confidence boost.
4 . Be prepared
Learn everything there is to know about your field, job, presentation--whatever is next on your "to conquer" list. If you are prepared, and have the knowledge to back it up, your self-confidence will soar.
5. For tough times, when all else fails: Create a great list
Life is full of challenges and there are times when it's difficult to keep our self-confidence up. Sit down right now and make a list of all the things in your life that you are thankful for, and another list of all the things you are proud of accomplishing. Once your lists are complete, post them on your refrigerator door, on the wall by your desk, on your bathroom mirror--somewhere where you can easily be reminded of what an amazing life you have and what an amazing person you really are. If you feel your self-confidence dwindling, take a look at those lists and let yourself feel and be inspired all over again by you..

A 14year Old Boy,Raped his Sleeping Mother

A sleeping woman woke in the night to discover her 14-year-old son was raping her, a court heard.
She initially thought she might be dreaming, but shouted and screamed on realising the "enormity of the situation", it is alleged. Preston Crown Court also heard that the youngster, who has ADHD and is on medication, had been having behavioural problems and some years ago had been in the habit of climbing into bed with his mother.
The boy - from the Blackpool area, now aged 15, and who cannot be named for legal reasons - denies a charge of rape last year.

The court heard the woman had been out for a drink the night before the alleged attack and that, although she did not consume a lot of alcohol, it went to her head because she might have been drinking quickly.
Francis McEntee, prosecuting, told the court: "The allegation in this case is that the defendant raped his mother while she was asleep. The factual basis of this case is that he was in his mother's bed.
"The issue is not any assertion of consent, or belief of consent. It is the prosecution's assertion there was penetration and the defendant's denial of that allegation".
The prosecution said the woman had been asleep before waking and realising the "enormity of the situation, that her son was in the process of having sex with her".
The woman shouted and screamed and, soon after, was frantic, the court was told. Another family member asked her "Are you sure? Are you sure?" She responded by saying "I didn't dream it. I didn't dream it".
The court also heard that as a child, the boy used to get into his mother's bed, but that had stopped some years ago.
Mr McEntee added: "The defendant's account is that his bed was uncomfortable, there was damage to the bottom sheet, so he had gone in and lain in bed with his mother."
He also told the jury "you will hear his acknowledgement that his mother was naked, bar the brief underwear and you will hear his admission that she lay on her side and he was lying with his arm around her.

 

PHOTO: Malia Obama spotted hanging out with friends in Chicago

Malia Obama was spotted attending music festival Lollapalooza in Chicago this weekend.

President Obama's eldest daughter, who recently celebrated her 16th birthday, was attending the gig with friends - and a few burly Secret Service members on Sunday.

The teenager attempted to blend in with the crowd in a summery daisy-print skirt and top and some grungy boots suited for the muddy field - but failed to do so.

First daughter Malia Obama, who recently turned 16, had fun with friends this weekend at music festival Lollapalooza in Chicago

Malia Obama looked like any other festival-goer this weekend in a summery skirt and top teamed with heavy boots, perfect for muddy fields

  

July Babies: Countdown Begins For Omawumi And Tiwa Savage

There are tendencies that Music divas, Tiwa Savage and Omawumi are going to have their babies this July as their nine month course winds up.

The songstresses will deliver any moment from now outside the shores of the country.

In anticipation, Omawumi moved out of the country since April to Atlanta where she is expected to deliver her second baby.

The singer and hubby, Tosin Yusuf welcomed her first child, Kamillah in June 2011.

Although Tiwa Savage was spotted in Lekki last weekend however, it is not clear whether the Mavin Records diva would chose to put bed in Nigeria or abroad.

The Eminado crooner and hubby, Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun are expecting a boy as she had earlier dropped hints about her delivery few days ago when she shared her pregnancy experience.

“The very last part of pregnancy can be very emotional. A part of you just wants the baby out because of the physical strain it has over your whole body but a part of you will miss those precious private moments that only you and your baby share…moments when your baby kicks or moves and only both of you experience it, when you feel hiccups or when you know when baby is sleeping or awake…this is the most spiritual, emotional, physical journey I have ever been through…” she lamented.

Mother beaten by mob after she was found eating her 2-year-old daughter alive

An alcoholic mother was beaten by a mob in India after she was caught slicing off and eating her two-year-old daughter's scalp.

Toddler Bharati Mondal was rescued by her uncle Dablu after he heard her screams .He was horrified to find sister-in-law Pramila, 40, cutting the toddler's head and eating her flesh.He snatched away the terrified tot and rushed her to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries at a critical care unit. 

'It was around noon and I was resting at home when I heard loud cries of Bharati,'I ran to check on her but there the scene I saw was beyond shockingBharati was bleeding profusely as Pramila was eating the flesh of her head. I immediately snatched away Bharati from Pramila and rushed her to Malda Medical College and Hospital where she is admitted to ICU.'

As the news of the grisly attack spread, angry locals gathered at her house before tying up Mondal with ropes and beating her. The mother-of-three, who has an alcohol problem, confessed to the mob but was unable to explain her actions.

She was only saved when sister-in-law Mamta Mandal, 36, called the police who dispersed the angry mob.

Police inspector Kishna Das said Dablu Mondal, who lived next door to Pramila, was alerted by the child's screams on Wednesday.

'He there saw Pramila eating the flesh of Bharati's head. Soon villagers learnt about the incident and reached Pramila's house and started beating her in anger. 'We rescued the woman and sent her to hospital.'

Bharati is being cared for by doctors at the Malda Medical College and Hospital while arrangements are made to transfer her to a better equipped hospital in Kolkata. 

Pramila's husband Habu Mondal, went to Delhi  to work as a laborer last year but has not been seen since. The couple have two other children Parbati, eight, and son Swarna, two.

Police have prepared a case against Pramila who is expected to appear in court soon, police said.