Good families; good nations: The missing point in Nigeria

By Evelyn Okakwu

The place of the family in ensuring the full development of a nation can never be over emphasized.

Often times the family pattern prevalent in societies determine, to a great deal of extent, the cultural adaptability of the people.

Shortly after president Goodluck Jonathan assented to the provisions of the same sex marriage act 2014, countries of the west, particularly, the European Union, United States and Canada came up against Nigeria, describing its action as a violation of its citizens rights.

US Secretary of states, John Kerry stated that anti-gay marriage law represents an ugly restriction to the freedom of assembly, association and expression for all Nigerians. Kerry even added that the anti-gay

law does not tally with Nigeria’s international legal obligations and negates democratic reforms and human rights protections”.

the hunter has certainly become the hunted: more BH troops captured

Troops on cordon and search along Djimitillo Damaturu road axis on Friday night had an encounter with a group of terrorists after their hideout was discovered by troops, the defence headquarters has said.
The Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, a Major General, said the fierce fight to dislodge the insurgents from their hideout, near a market, resulted in the capture of machine guns and rifles.
Some of the insurgents were killed, the statement said.
“Some of the terrorists are believed to have died in the fire that gutted the house where they had made their base,” Mr. Olukolade said. “A soldier was killed while another was wounded and is undergoing treatment.”
In Gulak, Adamawa State, the defence spokesperson said troops caught up with some of them who were in the process of blowing up a bridge to deter troops advance.
“The terrorists were not lucky as they died in their encounter with troops,” Mr. Olukolade said.
“The troops are continuing with the cordon and search of the town and environs after overpowering the terrorists.
“A lot of arms have been recovered in the process. Troops are also dismantling the terrorists group’s flags hoisted in the towns.”

Ibori's Conviction caused British Government 4.4 billion

The Senate has said the conviction of former Delta state leader, James Ibori caused the British Government N4.4 billion.
this was revealed at the 2015 budget defense of some agencies, like the EFCC, NDLEA, among others.
Although it was also stated that the money was not paid by the Nigerian Government. reports reaching us say the cost was procured, as part of necessary procedures to ensure Iborie's conviction.
Details later...

From the foreign scene: Syria Zimbabwe, America...

Kurdish Fighters Seize Key Islamic State Stronghold in Syria 

Islamic terrorists

 

Kurdish fighters say they have "liberated" a northeastern Syrian town that has been a key stronghold of Islamic State militants.

A spokesperson for the People's Protection Units, or YPG, confirmed to VOA that the Kurdish fighters had seized the city of Tal Hamis, in Hassakeh province.

“This victory is a huge blow for IS terrorists because they orchestrated their attacks against Qamishli and other Kurdish cities in Syria and Sinjar region in Iraq from this city," he told VOA's Kurdish service. "In this operation a significant number of local Arab forces also helped them because people came to realize that there is no future under this terrorist organization."
Map of Hassakeh province, Syria, showing Hassakeh and QamishliMap of Hassakeh province, Syria, showing Hassakeh and Qamishli

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 175 Islamic State militants were killed by Kurdish fighters and air strikes by the U.S. led coalition in recent days.

400 men cut their testicles off believing it would help them meet God

Singh has had trouble with the law in the past, but has never been convicted

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has an estimated net worth of $26million

A man dubbed ‘the guru in bling’ allegedly convinced up to 400 men to cut off their own testicles so it would bring them closer to God. Ouch.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who has an estimated net worth of $40 (£26) million and has 50 million followers worldwide, is head of the socio-spiritual organisation Dera Sacha Sauda. He also stars in films.

And the preacher allegedly convinced up to 400 men to carry out castrations on themselves because it would bring them closer to God.
The procedures, which witnesses say were conducted at a hospital owned by Singh, took place around the year 2000 but are coming to light because those involved are speaking out for the first time, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Singh was charged with conspiracy involving the murder of an investigative journalist in 2002 and several female followers claim he sexually assaulted them but he has never been convicted.

The current case was brought by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, who accuse Singh of grievous bodily harm.

pictures of Genesis Ali; Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz's son shared by parents

Alicia Keys, her husband, Swizz Beatz, their new son, Genesis Ali Dean, their other son, (right) and Swizz's son from first wife (left).

Alicia keys and her husband Swizz Beats shared this beautiful pixs of their son recently, in an efforst to make public, their latest arival, and new addition to the beautiful family

PDP’s allegation of secrete aoth to become VP, sickeniing – APC

Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress has said the “sickening and outlandish claim” by the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation that the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, plans to become Vice President through the back door is designed to divert attention from the success of the party’s presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), at the Chatham House in London on Thursday.
In a statement in London on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the PDP and the Jonathan Administration still did not have any answer to what the APC described as “an epochal moment that has separated the wheat from the chaff.”
The APC said, ”Our presidential candidate’s globally-acclaimed outing has presented Nigerians, and indeed the global community, with a choice between a bumbling, ineffective, incoherent, clueless, visionless and incompetent President and an assertive, knowledgeable, dignified, purposeful and principled President-in-waiting.

Man grows huge 46DD breasts after taking medicine for autism

Austin Pledger

A man who grew huge breasts after taking anti-psychotic medication as a boy has won $2.5 million (£1.6 million) damages.

A court ruled Austin Pledger, 20, was ‘not adequately warned’ he would grow size 46DD breasts as a side effect of using Risperdal.

At the time, Risperdal was not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children.
Pledger, who has autism,

Interesting! Buhari's latest response to questions by Nigerians

General Muhammadu Buhari, (rtd)

Reports reaching us have made public the answers given by General Muhammadu Buhari, who is    contesting for the seat of the president under the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), during his recent interview at the Royal Institute of International Affair, Chatham House, in

London, United Kingdom.

 According to the report, “Millions of Nigerians have been waiting for his speech to debunk rumours over his poor health and to ask questions concerning Nigeria’s challenges”.

 The report further says, Nigerians sent in their questions to await Buhari's arrival and

Jega might go for teminal leave soon

Prof. Jega

APC senators in the national assembly  have alleged that the INEC Professor Attahiru Jega, the chairman of INEC, will be directed to embark on terminal leave next week.

According to a report by The Cable, the former governor of Benue state and senate minority leader, Judge Akume said "the head of service would direct Jega to proceed on terminal leave next week.

The senators condemned the attempt to remove the INEC chairman under any guise, saying his removal would be tantamount to “subversion of the system”. “Only dishonest politicians fear Jega as chairman of INEC,” the report adds.

 According Senator Akume: “We have received information that next week Jega will be served a letter from the head of service directing him to proceed on terminal leave. We wonder why the government wants to tamper with the current arrangement of INEC.”

the hunter has become the hunted! how Nigeria's military arrests terrorist disguised as women, as others drawn in lake chad

By Evelyn and Sheila Okakwu

the Director of Defense information, Major General Chris OLukolad has astated that the military yesterday apprehended some terrorisdts disguised ass women.
this happened in Baga where air strikes against the insurgents have been highly sucessful, Olukolade stated.
He added that the Nigerian airforce has intensified its air strikes in towns such as Goza, Bama an Sambisa Forrest  stressing that security has already been biffed up in Bama to prevent a possible comeback
meanwhile previous reports revealed that a large Number of Boko Harram insurgents got drowned at the lake chad basin while trying to flee away from the heavy bombardment by the Nigerian air force heralding the advance of the Nigerian troops on the mission to flush out insurgents from Bbaga Olukolade stated. He added that not even the strategies of over 1500 spot with land mines on the rough leading to the town could save the terrorist from aggressive moves of the advancing Nigerian troops. Many of the terrorist died while a substantial Number of them fled with various degrees of injuries in the series of encounter along the rout. Olukolade added that 5 anti aircraft guns and a variety of raffle wear recovered from terrorist while over 34 motorcycles and 5 vehicles were destroyed. Olukolade pointed out that clean up operations wear currently ongoing in Gagigana, Ngaze, Ngenzai, Marte junction kilometer 90, yayo, Kekeno, kukawa, cross kawa, Amirara, Kichimeter, Borokari, Barati and Kauwa. The troops reported to have taken over Baga  where about 2000 people who reportedly were killed in January this year.

The Federal Government has also stated that it wants to catch the group's leader shekau alive, while recent reports reveal that the the terror group has started pleading for the return of the innitial cease fire agreement 

New photos from Roswell crash are ‘smoking gun that proves aliens exist’

The actual ‘Roswell Slides’ have yet to be revealed

Undiscovered photographs which are said to show a humanoid alien creature found near Roswell in a crashed spacecraft in 1947 are to unveiled this May.
UFO sites such as Inquisitr describe the ‘Roswell Slides’ images as a ‘smoking gun’ which proves that aliens exist.

The pictures were supposedly found in an envelope in an attic, left by a geologist who worked near Roswell in the 1940s.
 The slides will be unveiled in a ceremony by UFO researcher Tom Carey, broadcast live from the 10,000-seat National Auditorium, Mexico City, on May 5th.
Researcher Anthony Baraglia says, ‘What is depicted is really there, accurately reflected in the emulsion as an actual moment in time in 1947. Science has weighed in and has determined that these are real slides that are really from 1947.’
‘The Only Conclusion: This humanoid is not a deformed person, mummy, dummy, simian or dead serviceman.’
‘It is not a creature that finds its origin on Earth.

Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual, says that other ‘UFOlogists’ are more sceptical.

Watson says, ‘There is already a considerable amount of cynicism and scepticism about thse pictures, epecally since we have been promised the real evidence for the Roswell crash in the past, and they have turned out to be fakes and hoaxes.
‘The so-called Alien Autopsy films of the recovered aliens from the crash, although very graphic, are now admitted to be re-enactments of the real film that got lost or destroyed. So that evidence is useless though still hotly debated in some quarters of ufology!

As for these latest pictures, well the sceptics are out in force. One of the major niggles is that they are not being shown until the 5 May at a UFO conference in Mexico. As one YouTube commenter puts it:
“I can see…they… are milking this thing for everything they can possibly get. While claiming you were vetting authenticity of the slides you were actually focused on the most important human aspect of this whole situation – The Bottom Line: swinging a Mexican conference with all the major UFO players, international live streaming pay per view, a documentary, a book, advanced booking at all major UFO symposiums, merchandising, mass multimedia platform, social networking, and don’t forget merchandising.
“Kodachrome t-shirts and alien sticker included with $350 one day conference entrance pre-order? Ka-ching. Well, at least you have your priorities in order.”
‘This continued speculation, reinforces the concept of the Roswellian Syndrome put forward by Joe Nickell and James McGaha. They note that there are five main stages to this myth making process.

1. The Incident. This is the event that initially triggers the crash retrieval rumours.
2. Debunking. The recovered wreckage is quickly given a mundane explanation.
3. Submergence. The story lingers in the fading memories and speculation of the local population.
4. Mythologising. As time passes faulty memory, exaggeration and deliberate hoaxing comes into play.
5. Re-emergence and Media Bandwagon Effect. The story resurfaces in the media and takes on a life of its own.

‘This process also plays out with other crash retrieval cases and UFO incidents. Roswell is only the tip of the iceberg, as there have been nearly 300 alleged flying saucer crashes throughout the world since 1947. Like the Roswell incident, they become more spectacular and mysterious as time passes.’

Driverless cars to hit British roads for the first time EVER

The future has officially arrived.
Britain has today given the nod to driverless cars being trialed for the first time ever in a £19 million government-funded project.
And it means that if you live in either Greenwich, Milton Keynes, Coventry or Bristol you could be seeing one of the test vehicles as early as summer time this year.
Here are a few of the vehicles:

One of the driverless cars expected to hit the roads in Milton Keynes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And one driverless ‘shuttle’ that will be hitting the roads in Greenwich

The decision today follows a government review showing there is no legal barrier to the testing of automated vehicles on public roads.
Despite the trial cars being given the green light, it could be several years before driverless cars are available to consumers.
First the government must publish a code of practice – expected this spring – and then it will be summer 2017 before domestic regulations are reviewed and amended to accommodate the new technology. this could see changes to the MOT test and a possible review of the Highway Code.

Jega not under threat of sack, to conduct 2015 elections”

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, is not facing any threat of sack, and will lead the Commission to conduct the now rescheduled general elections, his office said Tuesday.
There had been speculations that Mr. Jega might be removed by the Presidency months to the expiration of his five-year tenure.
The Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party are allegedly plotting to remove the INEC Chairman over claims that he had not only become too independent-minded, but had openly blamed the military for the postponement of the elections.
Mr. Jega had last Saturday attributed the postponement of the elections to security challenges in the North East region.
He also said the military and security agencies had informed the commission that they would not provide security if the polls were to hold February.
However, in a telephone interview on Tuesday, Mr. Jega’s media assistant, Kayode Idowu, denied knowledge of moves to ask his boss to proceed on terminal leave preparatory to his exit in June, insisting that the chairman would conduct the rescheduled polls.
“I’m not aware that he is going on terminal leave,” Mr. Idowu told PREMIUM TIMES. “He has an election to conduct. You don’t go on terminal leave when you have an election to conduct.”
Mr. Idowu said the commission regulates its service procedures.
According to him, “INEC shall not be regulated by any other law”.
Under Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, the chairman of INEC can only be removed by the President “acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct”.
The independence of the electoral body is also provided for under the Constitution.

PT

Witness: Boko Haram Kills 7 of 20 Cameroon Hostages

Suspected Boko Haram militants from Nigeria have killed some of the passengers they seized from a bus in Cameroon on Monday.
A witness tells VOA that the kidnappers killed seven of the 20 hostages and dumped their bodies on Cameroon's northern boundary with Nigeria.
Chetima Ahmidou, the principal of a government school in the area, said his brother, who was driving the bus, was found with one of his arms and one of his legs chopped off.
He said the kidnappers freed three elderly women and are still holding 10 hostages, including eight girls ages 11 to 14.

 Cameroon military spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck and local governor Midjiyawa Bakari confirmed the dumping of the bodies but said they were waiting for information on the casualty total.

VOA

Deformed piglet born with a ‘penis on its head’

The animal survived its birth but died after being rejected by its mother

A deformed piglet with a human-like face and a penis on its forehead has been born, a farmer has claimed.
Tao Lu, from southern China, said the strange piglet even survived his birth, however he was rejected by his mother and therefore died shortly after, even as Tao tried to feed him from a bottle.
Tao, 40, put images of the piglet online where they quickly went viral before being brought by a Chinese news agency.
He said he was inundated with calls almost immediately from wealthy people offering large sums of money for the piglet thinking it had survived.

‘It is a shame it died, I could have got more money for it then for the rest of the family put together based on what people were offering me on the phone,’ he said.
The piglet’s 18 siblings were all reportedly born without any defects.
Taod says he now hopes to put the piglet’s corpse on display for visitors.

‘Feminist’ says she aborted baby because it was a boy

the story adds that the blogger was dissapointed, by the fact that her body betrayed her, in giving her a man, that why she killed the baby

A blogger has claimed that she aborted her baby when she discovered it was a boy because of bad experiences with men.
In her blog, the author, known only as Lena, wrote that she found out she was pregnant in 2012 and describes the father as ‘the donator’.
Describing the pregnancy as a ‘diagnosis’ she said that she was ready to have a child.
She also claims to be a feminist, fighting women’s rights ‘to the point of eschewing a career’.
But from her writing – if what she’s saying is actually true – she appears to be something of a misandrist.
She wrote: ‘One of the more prominent themes that I saw in these places was that men generally would look down on us, refuse to help us, or hardly even lend an ear so that we could air our grievances.’

Court Strikes Out Case Against Igp Over Death Of Police Armament

A Federal High court sitting in Kaduna has struck out a case brought before it by family of the late Kaduna state police armament officer DSP Nanbol Audu while in police custody   because of lack of

jurisdiction. The presiding judge, Justice Evelyn  Anyandike while delivering the judgment over the jurisdiction said her court  lacks the authority to hear the matter subsequently strike out the matter.

The Counsel to the Family Barrister Edeoga Ogbu said the battle  to seek justice for the late police officer continue as  his family are filling another suit at the kaduna High Court as directed by the Federal High Court.

It would  be recalled that the Kaduna Police Commands Armament Officer DSP Nanbol Audu,  was arrested during an attempt to steal firearms from the Commands Armory  and was latter said to have

committed suicide in detention. The suspects and two others according to sources came to the Armory

with two unknown persons in a private vehicle, parked behind the Armory and loaded some firearms into the vehicles.

The Policemen on guard suspecting a  foul play  immediately stopped the vehicle from leaving the premises.

"Upon interrogation, the State Armament Officer could not give satisfactory account of his action which led to his arrest and the two other occupants of the vehicle one Zingkur Joseph of Trade Centre Jos and Samuel Adamu Of Kuru Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State, respectively.

'During search at the spot, 11 G3 Rifles already concealed under the vehicle seat were recovered," the CP said.

Ambursa added that, further investigation revealed, one of the two civilian suspects is a blacksmith who specialize in manufacturing locally made firearms.

"The two suspects came from Jos, Plateau State on arrangement to purchase the said firearms from the Armament Officer at the cost of N400,000," CP said.

Other exhibits recovered are:N400,000 cash,Yellow Mercedes Benz 230-E with Registration number LGT 588 RJ used in concealing the arms.

 The family of the deceased quickly came to his defences saying he was innocent and his killing was a plot to eliminate him to cover some atrocities.

Polls shift: Security must not be political – EU Chief Observer

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation mission, Mr. Santiago Fisas has said, though security was critical to successful polls in the country, but it must not be political.

Mr. Fisas stated this in a press statement released in Abuja yesterday by the Observation Mission. He noted that the body was seriously concerned on the elections postponement noting that elections must be held to make government accountable.

His words, “We are seriously concerned at this delay and the reason given. Security is critical but must not be political. People have to be able to vote, elections have to be held so that government is accountable”.

The Spanish born parliamentarian informed that they are looking unto the security agencies to give full support to INEC and all the people of Nigeria in the holding of polls on 28 March and 11 April.

He said the Observation Mission will continue observing the elections in Nigeria despite the recent development.

Fisas said the team acknowledges the different views about INEC's postponement of the general elections to 28 March and 11 April, following statements by respective security chiefs who unanimously reiterated that safe elections could not be guaranteed at this time.

Continuing, he informed that the EU EOM commends the peaceful reaction so far to the postponement and will continue observing the electoral process, while encouraging all political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to consider the extra time as an opportunity to further prepare for the election days.

“More voters can collect their Permanent Voters Cards, candidates can elaborate on their proposed policies”, said Chief Observer.

 He further advised that the polls should not be delayed again in order to rekindle electorate hope in the political arrangement.

Fisas emphasized “For citizens to have confidence in the electoral process, the polls should not be further delayed. People need to know this and to see what is being done by the different authorities to make this happen. We will be here in different parts of the country observing the next crucial weeks in the run up to the election and beyond.”

It should be recalled that the European Union was invited to deploy an observation mission by the Nigerian authorities and has signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The EU EOM is independent from any EU institutions or Member States and is committed to remain neutral and abide by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct, as well as the laws of Nigeria.