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Saturday, 13 September 2014
Tips On Becoming A Great Blogger
Let's get one thing out of the way: blogging is difficult and if you
want to get the kind of traffic and exposure you really want then you
need to stay within a niche in which you are very good at. It really
does not have to be something you have been doing for ever, it only
needs to be something you love doing. Simply put, write about your
passion.
Having said that, I want you to know that you really do not need to be
an expert in a particular niche before you begin to sound and
look-like an expert in that field. This article is for would-be
bloggers who need to write great content about a niche they really do
not know much about.
Do you know it is easy to be an authority in a particular niche? All
you need is the dedication and ample time to do your research and our
old good friend, the Internet. If you have a lot of time, you could go
learn about the niche you want to write about. That could take
anything from over 52 weeks or more but if you are on a deadline, here
are some simple tips that can help you write about any niche. You can
also use it to improve your writing in your present niche.
Do your homework
One of the easiest ways to write about any topic is to learn all you
can about it. Let's take an example. I want to write about surgical
procedures. The first point to consider is to fire up my browser and
type the word "surgery" into my browser. What I want to achieve at
this point is to know all I can about surgery and to get a feel of how
other people have written about the topic. You can also do this if you
can lay your hands on publications or magazines that discuss the
topic. What you will be looking for at this point apart from learning
the rudiment is to note down links to researches, quotes, expert names
and sources that were mentioned and anything else that can be of
interest. Most especially you want to know what interest people about
the topic.
Talk to experts
After following step 1, you are now in a better position from where
you started. You now have a better understanding of the industry and
issues that people love to talk about. In the process of your
research, you might have come across an expert who had discussed any
issue pertaining to the topic you are interested in. This is possible
if you have followed the links you came across earlier in your
research. Now is the time to take it a notch further. Interviewing two
or three experts will give you a better insight into the topic and you
might even stumble upon facts or figures that have not been previously
discussed. You can even ask them for a quote or reference. If the
expert is not in your country, you can research their contact details
or simply shoot them a tweet online. People really don't want
unnecessary interruption so you have to be as authentic as possible.
Follow your leads
By this point you should have plenty of leads, quotes, figures and
fact. Once you have been able to cross check all facts and stats, you
can begin to write your first draft. The idea of this draft is to see
if you have been able to piece together a puzzle which you do not
understand.
After writing this first draft, you want to see if your article needs
improvement. There are no set rules or procedures for writing your
draft but it is important to state that it is usually a good idea to
leave your first draft for at least 24 hours before coming back to it.
Once you come back to it, you want to read it again and see how it
turns out by putting all the pieces together.
Once you do this, you need to see if there are no glaring omissions.
When writing a great piece, you need to be as specific as possible!
When you feel confident you can write with authority, it's time to do just that.
Putting it all together
This is where you put everything you have been writing together. At
this point, you will be dotting the 'I's and crossing the 't's.
Conclusion
Writing about any topic can be fun if you are ready to put in the leg
work required.
want to get the kind of traffic and exposure you really want then you
need to stay within a niche in which you are very good at. It really
does not have to be something you have been doing for ever, it only
needs to be something you love doing. Simply put, write about your
passion.
Having said that, I want you to know that you really do not need to be
an expert in a particular niche before you begin to sound and
look-like an expert in that field. This article is for would-be
bloggers who need to write great content about a niche they really do
not know much about.
Do you know it is easy to be an authority in a particular niche? All
you need is the dedication and ample time to do your research and our
old good friend, the Internet. If you have a lot of time, you could go
learn about the niche you want to write about. That could take
anything from over 52 weeks or more but if you are on a deadline, here
are some simple tips that can help you write about any niche. You can
also use it to improve your writing in your present niche.
Do your homework
One of the easiest ways to write about any topic is to learn all you
can about it. Let's take an example. I want to write about surgical
procedures. The first point to consider is to fire up my browser and
type the word "surgery" into my browser. What I want to achieve at
this point is to know all I can about surgery and to get a feel of how
other people have written about the topic. You can also do this if you
can lay your hands on publications or magazines that discuss the
topic. What you will be looking for at this point apart from learning
the rudiment is to note down links to researches, quotes, expert names
and sources that were mentioned and anything else that can be of
interest. Most especially you want to know what interest people about
the topic.
Talk to experts
After following step 1, you are now in a better position from where
you started. You now have a better understanding of the industry and
issues that people love to talk about. In the process of your
research, you might have come across an expert who had discussed any
issue pertaining to the topic you are interested in. This is possible
if you have followed the links you came across earlier in your
research. Now is the time to take it a notch further. Interviewing two
or three experts will give you a better insight into the topic and you
might even stumble upon facts or figures that have not been previously
discussed. You can even ask them for a quote or reference. If the
expert is not in your country, you can research their contact details
or simply shoot them a tweet online. People really don't want
unnecessary interruption so you have to be as authentic as possible.
Follow your leads
By this point you should have plenty of leads, quotes, figures and
fact. Once you have been able to cross check all facts and stats, you
can begin to write your first draft. The idea of this draft is to see
if you have been able to piece together a puzzle which you do not
understand.
After writing this first draft, you want to see if your article needs
improvement. There are no set rules or procedures for writing your
draft but it is important to state that it is usually a good idea to
leave your first draft for at least 24 hours before coming back to it.
Once you come back to it, you want to read it again and see how it
turns out by putting all the pieces together.
Once you do this, you need to see if there are no glaring omissions.
When writing a great piece, you need to be as specific as possible!
When you feel confident you can write with authority, it's time to do just that.
Putting it all together
This is where you put everything you have been writing together. At
this point, you will be dotting the 'I's and crossing the 't's.
Conclusion
Writing about any topic can be fun if you are ready to put in the leg
work required.
Mystery Of The Pregnant Pope
For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has tried to bury her story.
But of all the legends suppressed by the Vatican over the years, this
is one that refuses to go away. Now, a new film has brought to life
the story of the only female pope - and it is being shown this week in
cinemas cheek by jowl with the Vatican. And there are plans to bring
it to Britain.
For a church that still treats women as second-class citizens, it is
a source of considerable embarrassment and will once again raise the
question of whether Pope Joan, as she is called in medieval
chronicles, really did exist.
The Vatican claims that she was a mythical figure used by early
Protestants to discredit and embarrass Rome.
But the film - which stars John Goodman from Roseanne, David Wenham,
last seen with Nicole Kidman in Australia, West End regular Iain Glen
and, in the title role, German actress Johanna Wokalek - is billed as
'a true story'.
And it is a pretty extraordinary story: a woman of devout faith
disguises herself as a man to become a priest and is then elected
pope.
Only when she gives birth in the street while in a procession in full
papal regalia is her true identity revealed - after which, inevitably,
she meets a grisly end. What is more, the legend has it that she was
English.
Catholics have long been told there has only been one English pope -
Adrian IV in the 1150s. But according to many medieval chronicles,
John Anglicus - John the English - reigned from AD855 for two years,
seven months and four days before the astonishing revelation that he
was, in fact, a she called Joan.
Many of the medieval Books Of Popes, the principal source for the
history of the papacy during the Dark Ages, record the tale of a young
girl born of English missionary parents.
Raised in Germany at Fulda - the final resting place of St Boniface,
who had travelled there from his native Devon to convert pagans - it
is said she was clever and spent all her time in the libraries
Boniface had established.
They stoned the treacherous mother and child to death When she was 12,
she was told she could not continue her studies alongside the boys in
her class, but had to marry and have children.
She refused and, donning a monk's cowl and ankle-length tunic to pass
herself off as a man, ran away in the company of what some chroniclers
say was her teacher, others her lover.
They headed for Greece, a centre of learning, and Joan is said to have
impressed all of Athens with her learning. By the 840s, she set off
again - for Rome.
It was there that she caught the eye of Pope Leo IV, best remembered
for building the defensive Leonine walls that still surround part of
the Vatican. Believing, like everyone else, that she was a man, he
promoted her to his inner circle and, as he lay dying, recommended her
as his successor.
Popes at that time were often elected by popular acclaim of Roman
citizens and, thanks to Leo's patronage, Joan got the nod.
By all accounts, she was a virtuous ruler, powerful orator and even
found time to compose church music. Her downfall came when she became
pregnant and ended up giving birth in a papal procession.
Some accounts say that a bishop in her entourage - possibly the father
of her child - tried to convince the horrified crowds that this was an
act of God, who had the power to allow men to have babies.
But the Romans were wilier than that and - depending on which
chronicler you read - in their outrage they stoned the treacherous
mother and her child to death, or tied her to the legs of a horse to
be dragged through the streets of the city until she was dead.
A minority of writers say she was treated with a crumb of Christian
forgiveness and - in traditional fashion - was locked away in a
convent with her child.
The identity of the child's father is disputed. A few chroniclers
point the finger at the papal librarian Anastasius, who retains a
place in church history as an anti-pope who tried to seize the papal
throne by force around this time.
Whoever the father was, Pope Joan is a wonderful story and as
irresistible for writers and film-makers today as it has been down the
ages.
Lawrence Durrell wrote a novel about her, Caryl Churchill featured her
in a play, Top Girls, and Scandinavian screen siren Liv Ullmann
starred in a 1972 film about her.
But the question is: can the story be true? The straight answer is
that it is impossible to say.
The chroniclers who recorded Joan as fact include some of the most
distinguished medieval figures, including bishops, archbishops and
papal chamberlains.
None delighted in the tale, but recorded it in the interests of
accuracy. But they were not eyewitnesses, and were writing 200 to 300
years after the event.
But of all the legends suppressed by the Vatican over the years, this
is one that refuses to go away. Now, a new film has brought to life
the story of the only female pope - and it is being shown this week in
cinemas cheek by jowl with the Vatican. And there are plans to bring
it to Britain.
For a church that still treats women as second-class citizens, it is
a source of considerable embarrassment and will once again raise the
question of whether Pope Joan, as she is called in medieval
chronicles, really did exist.
The Vatican claims that she was a mythical figure used by early
Protestants to discredit and embarrass Rome.
But the film - which stars John Goodman from Roseanne, David Wenham,
last seen with Nicole Kidman in Australia, West End regular Iain Glen
and, in the title role, German actress Johanna Wokalek - is billed as
'a true story'.
And it is a pretty extraordinary story: a woman of devout faith
disguises herself as a man to become a priest and is then elected
pope.
Only when she gives birth in the street while in a procession in full
papal regalia is her true identity revealed - after which, inevitably,
she meets a grisly end. What is more, the legend has it that she was
English.
Catholics have long been told there has only been one English pope -
Adrian IV in the 1150s. But according to many medieval chronicles,
John Anglicus - John the English - reigned from AD855 for two years,
seven months and four days before the astonishing revelation that he
was, in fact, a she called Joan.
Many of the medieval Books Of Popes, the principal source for the
history of the papacy during the Dark Ages, record the tale of a young
girl born of English missionary parents.
Raised in Germany at Fulda - the final resting place of St Boniface,
who had travelled there from his native Devon to convert pagans - it
is said she was clever and spent all her time in the libraries
Boniface had established.
They stoned the treacherous mother and child to death When she was 12,
she was told she could not continue her studies alongside the boys in
her class, but had to marry and have children.
She refused and, donning a monk's cowl and ankle-length tunic to pass
herself off as a man, ran away in the company of what some chroniclers
say was her teacher, others her lover.
They headed for Greece, a centre of learning, and Joan is said to have
impressed all of Athens with her learning. By the 840s, she set off
again - for Rome.
It was there that she caught the eye of Pope Leo IV, best remembered
for building the defensive Leonine walls that still surround part of
the Vatican. Believing, like everyone else, that she was a man, he
promoted her to his inner circle and, as he lay dying, recommended her
as his successor.
Popes at that time were often elected by popular acclaim of Roman
citizens and, thanks to Leo's patronage, Joan got the nod.
By all accounts, she was a virtuous ruler, powerful orator and even
found time to compose church music. Her downfall came when she became
pregnant and ended up giving birth in a papal procession.
Some accounts say that a bishop in her entourage - possibly the father
of her child - tried to convince the horrified crowds that this was an
act of God, who had the power to allow men to have babies.
But the Romans were wilier than that and - depending on which
chronicler you read - in their outrage they stoned the treacherous
mother and her child to death, or tied her to the legs of a horse to
be dragged through the streets of the city until she was dead.
A minority of writers say she was treated with a crumb of Christian
forgiveness and - in traditional fashion - was locked away in a
convent with her child.
The identity of the child's father is disputed. A few chroniclers
point the finger at the papal librarian Anastasius, who retains a
place in church history as an anti-pope who tried to seize the papal
throne by force around this time.
Whoever the father was, Pope Joan is a wonderful story and as
irresistible for writers and film-makers today as it has been down the
ages.
Lawrence Durrell wrote a novel about her, Caryl Churchill featured her
in a play, Top Girls, and Scandinavian screen siren Liv Ullmann
starred in a 1972 film about her.
But the question is: can the story be true? The straight answer is
that it is impossible to say.
The chroniclers who recorded Joan as fact include some of the most
distinguished medieval figures, including bishops, archbishops and
papal chamberlains.
None delighted in the tale, but recorded it in the interests of
accuracy. But they were not eyewitnesses, and were writing 200 to 300
years after the event.
General Benjamin Adekunle Is Dead
Retired General Benjamin Adekunle, popularly known as 'Black Scorpion' is dead.
He died Saturday morning in Lagos, according to his wife, Folake.
Born in June 1936 in Kaduna, Adekunle served in the the Nigerian Army
from 1958-1974.
According to Wikipedia, Adekunle who served in the Congo crisis and
the Nigeria civil war assumed command of the Lagos Garrison as a
substantive Lt. Col.
"When the Nigerian Civil War erupted in July 1967, Adekunle was tasked
to lead elements which included two new battalions (7th and 8th) - to
conduct the historic sea borne assault on Bonny in the Bight of Benin
on 26 July 1968 (carried out by Major Isaac Adaka Boro's unit).
"This happened after the federal government gained confidence of most
south western ethnic groups as a direct result of Biafran push to
mid-west state and probe into Western region. Adekunle was promoted to
Colonel after the Bonny landing.
" The 6th (under Major Jalo) and 8th (under Major Ochefu) battalions
of the Lagos Garrison subsequently took part in operations to liberate
the Midwest following the Biafran invasion of August 1967. The 7th
(under Major Abubakar) stayed behind to hold Bonny. Because Major
Jalo's Unit was seconded to Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed's 2nd Division,
Adekunle was left with only the 8th Battalion at Escravos.
" He was therefore, protested to Army HQ and got the Lagos garrison
upgraded to Brigade status through the creation of the 31 and 32
Battalions (under Majors Aliyu and Hamman, respectively). This
formation, combined with elements of the Lagos garrison along the
eastern seaboard, was officially designated the 3 Infantry Division.
However, Colonel Adekunle did not think the name "3 Infantry Division"
was sensational enough nor did it project the nature of the unique
terrain in which his men had to fight. Therefore, without formal
approval from Army HQ, he renamed it the " 3 Marine Commando (3MCDO)."
The "Black Scorpion" as he came to be known, was easily the most
controversial, celebrated and mythologized figure in the war of
attrition that laid the foundations for Nigeria's contemporary crisis;
and threw a wedge into the national fabric. "
He died Saturday morning in Lagos, according to his wife, Folake.
Born in June 1936 in Kaduna, Adekunle served in the the Nigerian Army
from 1958-1974.
According to Wikipedia, Adekunle who served in the Congo crisis and
the Nigeria civil war assumed command of the Lagos Garrison as a
substantive Lt. Col.
"When the Nigerian Civil War erupted in July 1967, Adekunle was tasked
to lead elements which included two new battalions (7th and 8th) - to
conduct the historic sea borne assault on Bonny in the Bight of Benin
on 26 July 1968 (carried out by Major Isaac Adaka Boro's unit).
"This happened after the federal government gained confidence of most
south western ethnic groups as a direct result of Biafran push to
mid-west state and probe into Western region. Adekunle was promoted to
Colonel after the Bonny landing.
" The 6th (under Major Jalo) and 8th (under Major Ochefu) battalions
of the Lagos Garrison subsequently took part in operations to liberate
the Midwest following the Biafran invasion of August 1967. The 7th
(under Major Abubakar) stayed behind to hold Bonny. Because Major
Jalo's Unit was seconded to Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed's 2nd Division,
Adekunle was left with only the 8th Battalion at Escravos.
" He was therefore, protested to Army HQ and got the Lagos garrison
upgraded to Brigade status through the creation of the 31 and 32
Battalions (under Majors Aliyu and Hamman, respectively). This
formation, combined with elements of the Lagos garrison along the
eastern seaboard, was officially designated the 3 Infantry Division.
However, Colonel Adekunle did not think the name "3 Infantry Division"
was sensational enough nor did it project the nature of the unique
terrain in which his men had to fight. Therefore, without formal
approval from Army HQ, he renamed it the " 3 Marine Commando (3MCDO)."
The "Black Scorpion" as he came to be known, was easily the most
controversial, celebrated and mythologized figure in the war of
attrition that laid the foundations for Nigeria's contemporary crisis;
and threw a wedge into the national fabric. "
Podium Collapses At Pro-Jonathan Rally
The North Central rally of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN)
to garner support for President Goodluck Jonathan second term ambition
nearly ended abruptly on Saturday in Minna when the stand
accommodating dignitaries collapsed leaving many people injured.
The programme was mid-way when at about 11:05am the stand carved in
and dignitaries, protocol officers scampered for safety.
The Niger State governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, deputy governors
of Kogi and Sokoton Yomi Awoniyi and Muktar Shagari, the Secretary to
the Federal government, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, Senator, Ministers of
Information, Water Resources, Internal Affairs, National Planning and
Minister of State FCT were among the dignitaries on the stand.
But the wife of Niger State governor, Hajiya Jumai Babangida Aliyu,
her protocol officer, the Senator-Elect for Niger East Senatorial
zone, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, Director General of Protocol, Captain M.
Baro, Director General Public Affairs, Alhaji Tanko dada, some
protocol and detail officers attached to some dignitaries were not
lucky. They sustained various degrees of injuries.
The affected persons were rushed in National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) ambulances to a Bay Clinic ( a private hospital) and
General Hospital in Minna.
The development forced many delegates to head for their vehicles and
returned while the organisers continued to address a very scanty
audience compared with the crowd before the collapse.
Efforts to get the number of victims failed as calls to NEMA officials
could not be reached, while government officials were not forth
coming.
The Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu in his address
said that the incident should be regarded as a sacrifice and a sign
of success and victory for President Jonathan.
He however thanked God for minimising the havoc to injuries sustained
by few personalities.
to garner support for President Goodluck Jonathan second term ambition
nearly ended abruptly on Saturday in Minna when the stand
accommodating dignitaries collapsed leaving many people injured.
The programme was mid-way when at about 11:05am the stand carved in
and dignitaries, protocol officers scampered for safety.
The Niger State governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, deputy governors
of Kogi and Sokoton Yomi Awoniyi and Muktar Shagari, the Secretary to
the Federal government, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, Senator, Ministers of
Information, Water Resources, Internal Affairs, National Planning and
Minister of State FCT were among the dignitaries on the stand.
But the wife of Niger State governor, Hajiya Jumai Babangida Aliyu,
her protocol officer, the Senator-Elect for Niger East Senatorial
zone, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, Director General of Protocol, Captain M.
Baro, Director General Public Affairs, Alhaji Tanko dada, some
protocol and detail officers attached to some dignitaries were not
lucky. They sustained various degrees of injuries.
The affected persons were rushed in National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) ambulances to a Bay Clinic ( a private hospital) and
General Hospital in Minna.
The development forced many delegates to head for their vehicles and
returned while the organisers continued to address a very scanty
audience compared with the crowd before the collapse.
Efforts to get the number of victims failed as calls to NEMA officials
could not be reached, while government officials were not forth
coming.
The Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu in his address
said that the incident should be regarded as a sacrifice and a sign
of success and victory for President Jonathan.
He however thanked God for minimising the havoc to injuries sustained
by few personalities.
Reeva Steencamp's Family Shocked At Pistorius Verdict
The parents of Reeva Steenkamp have reacted with shock and disbelief
after a judge acquitted star athlete Oscar Pistorius of her murder,
convicting him of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.
"We were shocked. Shocked. Disappointed," June Steenkamp told
Britain's ITV News on Friday. "You know your heart drops because you
just want the truth," she said, referring to the death of her
daughter.
Earlier Friday, South African Judge Thokozile Masipa acquitted
Pistorius of murder, but found he acted "negligently" in killing the
blonde law graduate and fashion model by firing at her through a
bathroom door.
"Blade Runner" Pistorius walked free on bail ahead of what could still
be a stiff prison sentence. He had argued that he shot Steenkamp in
the dead of the night after he mistook her for an intruder.
The 27-year-old athlete -- whose journey from disabled infant to
Olympic sprinter inspired the world -- will hear his punishment when
sentencing begins on October 13.
The father of the victim said he found it difficult to believe
Pistorius' version of the events.
"There is still something missing," Barry Steenkamp told ITV News. "I
think there was more to the whole story, you know, coming up to the
actual shooting, the killing."
His trial had heard that in the early hours of Valentine's Day last
year Pistorius fired four hollow point pistol rounds into a locked
toilet door, hitting Steenkamp and causing her head to "explode" and
"amputating" her arm.
Masipa, dismissing swathes of prosecution evidence as inconclusive or
irrelevant, ruled that on the charge of murder "the accused is found
not guilty and is discharged. Instead he is found guilty of culpable
homicide".
Pistorius stared straight ahead as the conviction was read, showing
little emotion.
But from the courtroom gallery there were sniffles and shallow breaths
as friends and family of 29-year-old Steenkamp wept.
Steenkamp's father Barry looked at Pistorius and ran his hand over his
head while her mother June pursed her lips and shook her head.
"I just don't feel that this is the right (verdict)," she said in a
separate interview with America's NBC News after the final judgement
was handed down in Pretoria.
The mother said her daughter had died a "horrible, painful, terrible death".
"And I can't believe that they believe that it was an accident," she said.
Pistorius was escorted by more than a dozen policemen wearing bullet
proof vests out of the courtroom and into a heaving crowd outside.
Culpable homicide carries no mandatory sentence under South African law.
But Masipa -- who has a reputation for handing out stiff sentences --
could decide to fine Pistorius or put him behind bars for more than a
decade.
"It all comes down to how she feels, how bad the mistake was," said
Johannesburg lawyer David Dadic. "It's a very serious negligence
crime."
after a judge acquitted star athlete Oscar Pistorius of her murder,
convicting him of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.
"We were shocked. Shocked. Disappointed," June Steenkamp told
Britain's ITV News on Friday. "You know your heart drops because you
just want the truth," she said, referring to the death of her
daughter.
Earlier Friday, South African Judge Thokozile Masipa acquitted
Pistorius of murder, but found he acted "negligently" in killing the
blonde law graduate and fashion model by firing at her through a
bathroom door.
"Blade Runner" Pistorius walked free on bail ahead of what could still
be a stiff prison sentence. He had argued that he shot Steenkamp in
the dead of the night after he mistook her for an intruder.
The 27-year-old athlete -- whose journey from disabled infant to
Olympic sprinter inspired the world -- will hear his punishment when
sentencing begins on October 13.
The father of the victim said he found it difficult to believe
Pistorius' version of the events.
"There is still something missing," Barry Steenkamp told ITV News. "I
think there was more to the whole story, you know, coming up to the
actual shooting, the killing."
His trial had heard that in the early hours of Valentine's Day last
year Pistorius fired four hollow point pistol rounds into a locked
toilet door, hitting Steenkamp and causing her head to "explode" and
"amputating" her arm.
Masipa, dismissing swathes of prosecution evidence as inconclusive or
irrelevant, ruled that on the charge of murder "the accused is found
not guilty and is discharged. Instead he is found guilty of culpable
homicide".
Pistorius stared straight ahead as the conviction was read, showing
little emotion.
But from the courtroom gallery there were sniffles and shallow breaths
as friends and family of 29-year-old Steenkamp wept.
Steenkamp's father Barry looked at Pistorius and ran his hand over his
head while her mother June pursed her lips and shook her head.
"I just don't feel that this is the right (verdict)," she said in a
separate interview with America's NBC News after the final judgement
was handed down in Pretoria.
The mother said her daughter had died a "horrible, painful, terrible death".
"And I can't believe that they believe that it was an accident," she said.
Pistorius was escorted by more than a dozen policemen wearing bullet
proof vests out of the courtroom and into a heaving crowd outside.
Culpable homicide carries no mandatory sentence under South African law.
But Masipa -- who has a reputation for handing out stiff sentences --
could decide to fine Pistorius or put him behind bars for more than a
decade.
"It all comes down to how she feels, how bad the mistake was," said
Johannesburg lawyer David Dadic. "It's a very serious negligence
crime."
Chelsea 4-2 Swansea City: Costa Scores Hat-Trick
Diego Costa hit a superb hat-trick as Chelsea came from behind to beat
Swansea City 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Brazil-born Spaniard, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid in
the summer, took his tally for the season to seven as he inspired a
Blues fight-back following John Terry's early own goal,with debutant
Loic Remy adding a debut goal in the dying moments,though there was
time for Jonjo Shelvey to grab a late consolation for the visitors.
Swansea City 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Brazil-born Spaniard, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid in
the summer, took his tally for the season to seven as he inspired a
Blues fight-back following John Terry's early own goal,with debutant
Loic Remy adding a debut goal in the dying moments,though there was
time for Jonjo Shelvey to grab a late consolation for the visitors.
Arsenal 2 - City 2: Wenger Frustrated By Draw
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is frustrated with his team's 2-2 draw
against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners were seven minutes away from claiming three points in
their Premier League match at the Emirates before a late header from
Martin Demichelis ensured the scores finished level.
Wenger's side had come from behind after trailing in the first half
and while he was pleased at the quality shown by them to take the
lead, he was left disappointed at their inability to see the game out.
Wenger quotes on Arsenal.comreads, "I think we produced a game of top quality.
"It was a game of top quality between two very good teams, played at
tremendous pace, especially in the first half.
"We were unlucky to be 1-0 down in the first half and we did something
remarkable to come back and be in a leading position. The only
frustrating thing for me is that we didn't manage to keep the lead and
gave a cheap goal away.
"That's where we have room for improvement because it was a very
encouraging game but the way we conceded the second goal nearly killed
our game because we could have lost afterwards - it was just a mental
blow. But overall I think it was a top quality game."
Arsenal have now won one and drawn three of their first four matches
of the Premier League season.
against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners were seven minutes away from claiming three points in
their Premier League match at the Emirates before a late header from
Martin Demichelis ensured the scores finished level.
Wenger's side had come from behind after trailing in the first half
and while he was pleased at the quality shown by them to take the
lead, he was left disappointed at their inability to see the game out.
Wenger quotes on Arsenal.comreads, "I think we produced a game of top quality.
"It was a game of top quality between two very good teams, played at
tremendous pace, especially in the first half.
"We were unlucky to be 1-0 down in the first half and we did something
remarkable to come back and be in a leading position. The only
frustrating thing for me is that we didn't manage to keep the lead and
gave a cheap goal away.
"That's where we have room for improvement because it was a very
encouraging game but the way we conceded the second goal nearly killed
our game because we could have lost afterwards - it was just a mental
blow. But overall I think it was a top quality game."
Arsenal have now won one and drawn three of their first four matches
of the Premier League season.
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Danny Welbeck, Frank Lampard Handed Debuts As Yaya Toure Is Left Out
Deadline day signing Danny Welbeck will make his debut for Arsenal 12
days after completing his £16m move from Manchester United, as the
Gunners meet the blue half of Manchester in a repeat of last month's
Community Shield.
Welbeck is joined in the Arsenal squad by Aaron Ramsey after the
Welshman passed a late fitness test in an ankle injury he picked up
during Wales' 2-1 win in Andorra earlier this week. Ramsey is joined
in the midfield by Mathieu Flamini, as captain Mikel Arteta only makes
the bench as he returns from injury.
The pair will face former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who is
handed his City debut after completing a loan move to the reigning
Premier League champions from his new side New York City FC.
He partners Fernandinho in midfield as Fernando has been ruled out
through injury, but the bid surprise is that Yaya Toure has been left
out as he needs a rest following his performance for the Ivory Coast
against Cameroon on Wednesday.
The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend
James Milner and Jesus Navas are handed recalls, and will support
lone striker Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko drops to the bench. Former
Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is named on the bench and will have to
wait for his Emirates return, where he is also joined by ex-Gunner
Samir Nasri.
Line-ups:
Arsenal:Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini,
Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez, Ozil, Welbeck.
Subs:Ospina, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski
Manchster City:Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy;
Fernandinho, Lampard, Navas, Silva, Milner; Aguero
Subs:Caballero, Kolarov, Sagna, Mangala, Nasri, Sinclair, Dzeko
days after completing his £16m move from Manchester United, as the
Gunners meet the blue half of Manchester in a repeat of last month's
Community Shield.
Welbeck is joined in the Arsenal squad by Aaron Ramsey after the
Welshman passed a late fitness test in an ankle injury he picked up
during Wales' 2-1 win in Andorra earlier this week. Ramsey is joined
in the midfield by Mathieu Flamini, as captain Mikel Arteta only makes
the bench as he returns from injury.
The pair will face former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who is
handed his City debut after completing a loan move to the reigning
Premier League champions from his new side New York City FC.
He partners Fernandinho in midfield as Fernando has been ruled out
through injury, but the bid surprise is that Yaya Toure has been left
out as he needs a rest following his performance for the Ivory Coast
against Cameroon on Wednesday.
The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend
James Milner and Jesus Navas are handed recalls, and will support
lone striker Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko drops to the bench. Former
Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is named on the bench and will have to
wait for his Emirates return, where he is also joined by ex-Gunner
Samir Nasri.
Line-ups:
Arsenal:Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini,
Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez, Ozil, Welbeck.
Subs:Ospina, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski
Manchster City:Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy;
Fernandinho, Lampard, Navas, Silva, Milner; Aguero
Subs:Caballero, Kolarov, Sagna, Mangala, Nasri, Sinclair, Dzeko
Horror: Egypt Air Wrongly Flew Me To Another Country, Tore My Passport, Locked Me Up
A Nigerian medical student returning to school in Ukraine tells the
story of how he nearly died at the hands of Egypt Air officials who
wrongly routed him to Moldova, never gave him food for days and called
him bloody Nigerian before deporting him back to Lagos
Here is the story as written by JOSHUA KUNLE ABDUL-AZEEZ, the student
who is lucky to be alive and whose ordeal should interest Nigerians.
On Friday, August 15, 2014 my mother and I went to Egypt Air head
office at 22B Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, Lagos to book a
return ticket for me to go back to school to continue my studies at
Dnepropetrovsk Medical Academy, Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine. This was about
11:15 am.
On entering the Egypt air office we met Mr. Tony Nzan on counter 1 to
attend to us and we asked to book a ticket to Kiev, Ukraine. Mr.
Tony Nzan explained to us the itinerary for the flight going to
Ukraine after which we went to the bank to withdraw money and returned
to pay for the ticket and obtained two printouts, so that my mother
could have my return itinerary from Kiev next year.
(Photo: JOSHUA KUNLE ABDUL-AZEEZ)
We reviewed the ticket itinerary before leaving Egypt air's office and
immediately observed that the airport code indicated on it was
different from what we were familiar with, having traveled to Kiev
before. The ticket indicated an unfamiliar airport code.
We immediately brought this discovery to another ticketing officer's
attention who was seated at Counter 2, as we were informed that his
colleague, Mr. Nzan, had stepped out of the office. This ticketing
officer restated that the ticket was full economy and for Kiev,
Ukraine with all the segments confirmed. However, we remained
unconvinced, given that our prior experience indicated that the
airport code for Kiev, Ukraine would usually read "KBP".
On my scheduled date of departure (18th August, 2014) my mother and I
arrived for check-in at 10.30am. Given our apprehension, we once again
mentioned our concern to the agent at the check-in counter and
requested that she reconfirm the final travel destination indicated on
my ticket. She confirmed that the ticket indicated "KIV" and was bound
for Kiev, Ukraine. My mother then told her it should read Borispol
International Airport KBP not KIV or Chisinahu as was indicated on the
ticket.
Given our insistence over this and the fact that there was now a queue
building up behind us she called her supervisor, one Mr Lucas to
check the ticket. He asked us what the matter was and we explained to
him that we believed the routing on my ticket was wrong. We also told
him we had complained about this, the day the ticket was purchased but
that we were repeatedly told that the routing was to Kiev.
We also mentioned to him that we went back to Egypt Air's Victoria
Island office on Saturday morning (16th August ) still very concerned
about the ticket. The place was closed for business. My mum then asked
that I show Mr. Lucas and his colleague my residence and study permits
for Ukraine and reaffirm my intended destination to be Kiev in Ukraine
and not the place indicated on the ticket, which appeared to be
"Chisinahu."
Mr. Lucas proceeded to telephone Mr. Tony who issued the ticket to
reconfirm routing but Mr. Tony insisted that the code (KIV) was Egypt
air's code for Ukraine.
Mr. Tony also became nonchalant and abusive and said that my mother
"was just being troublesome". My mother then directed that I get the
boarding passes which had earlier been printed for me since they were
insisting it was Egypt Air's code for Ukraine and that they were
representatives of the airline. She warned Mr. Lucas that for the
airline's sake, she hoped that they were right and we were wrong. I
checked in my two suit cases with a total weight of 47.5kg and went to
the departure gate and boarded the flight.
I arrived Cairo shortly after 10pm same day and was compelled to
remain in the transit area for 14 hours, without feeding. No
accommodation was provided by the airline. I presented myself for
boarding at the boarding gate at 9am the following morning (August
19th) and was the third passenger on queue for boarding to Istanbul.
When it was my turn, the Egypt air boarding staff insisted that I
present my Ukrainian visa before processing my boarding pass. She
did not ask same of the passengers ahead of me. I explained that I had
a permit because I school there and presented the permit stamp on my
passport, whilst explaining that the document was in my hand luggage.
Still, she insisted that I moved aside and present the original
document. I then retrieved it from the luggage.
story of how he nearly died at the hands of Egypt Air officials who
wrongly routed him to Moldova, never gave him food for days and called
him bloody Nigerian before deporting him back to Lagos
Here is the story as written by JOSHUA KUNLE ABDUL-AZEEZ, the student
who is lucky to be alive and whose ordeal should interest Nigerians.
On Friday, August 15, 2014 my mother and I went to Egypt Air head
office at 22B Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, Lagos to book a
return ticket for me to go back to school to continue my studies at
Dnepropetrovsk Medical Academy, Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine. This was about
11:15 am.
On entering the Egypt air office we met Mr. Tony Nzan on counter 1 to
attend to us and we asked to book a ticket to Kiev, Ukraine. Mr.
Tony Nzan explained to us the itinerary for the flight going to
Ukraine after which we went to the bank to withdraw money and returned
to pay for the ticket and obtained two printouts, so that my mother
could have my return itinerary from Kiev next year.
(Photo: JOSHUA KUNLE ABDUL-AZEEZ)
We reviewed the ticket itinerary before leaving Egypt air's office and
immediately observed that the airport code indicated on it was
different from what we were familiar with, having traveled to Kiev
before. The ticket indicated an unfamiliar airport code.
We immediately brought this discovery to another ticketing officer's
attention who was seated at Counter 2, as we were informed that his
colleague, Mr. Nzan, had stepped out of the office. This ticketing
officer restated that the ticket was full economy and for Kiev,
Ukraine with all the segments confirmed. However, we remained
unconvinced, given that our prior experience indicated that the
airport code for Kiev, Ukraine would usually read "KBP".
On my scheduled date of departure (18th August, 2014) my mother and I
arrived for check-in at 10.30am. Given our apprehension, we once again
mentioned our concern to the agent at the check-in counter and
requested that she reconfirm the final travel destination indicated on
my ticket. She confirmed that the ticket indicated "KIV" and was bound
for Kiev, Ukraine. My mother then told her it should read Borispol
International Airport KBP not KIV or Chisinahu as was indicated on the
ticket.
Given our insistence over this and the fact that there was now a queue
building up behind us she called her supervisor, one Mr Lucas to
check the ticket. He asked us what the matter was and we explained to
him that we believed the routing on my ticket was wrong. We also told
him we had complained about this, the day the ticket was purchased but
that we were repeatedly told that the routing was to Kiev.
We also mentioned to him that we went back to Egypt Air's Victoria
Island office on Saturday morning (16th August ) still very concerned
about the ticket. The place was closed for business. My mum then asked
that I show Mr. Lucas and his colleague my residence and study permits
for Ukraine and reaffirm my intended destination to be Kiev in Ukraine
and not the place indicated on the ticket, which appeared to be
"Chisinahu."
Mr. Lucas proceeded to telephone Mr. Tony who issued the ticket to
reconfirm routing but Mr. Tony insisted that the code (KIV) was Egypt
air's code for Ukraine.
Mr. Tony also became nonchalant and abusive and said that my mother
"was just being troublesome". My mother then directed that I get the
boarding passes which had earlier been printed for me since they were
insisting it was Egypt Air's code for Ukraine and that they were
representatives of the airline. She warned Mr. Lucas that for the
airline's sake, she hoped that they were right and we were wrong. I
checked in my two suit cases with a total weight of 47.5kg and went to
the departure gate and boarded the flight.
I arrived Cairo shortly after 10pm same day and was compelled to
remain in the transit area for 14 hours, without feeding. No
accommodation was provided by the airline. I presented myself for
boarding at the boarding gate at 9am the following morning (August
19th) and was the third passenger on queue for boarding to Istanbul.
When it was my turn, the Egypt air boarding staff insisted that I
present my Ukrainian visa before processing my boarding pass. She
did not ask same of the passengers ahead of me. I explained that I had
a permit because I school there and presented the permit stamp on my
passport, whilst explaining that the document was in my hand luggage.
Still, she insisted that I moved aside and present the original
document. I then retrieved it from the luggage.
Boko Haram Video Journalist Killed"On Duty"
The video journalist responsible for capturing the activities of Boko
Haram sect was amongst those who were killed by Nigeria military force
yesterday Friday, during a gun-battle with the sect. The video
journalist who was believed to have shot several videos of past
activities of sect including the video of the abducted Chibok girls
was caught in a fierce battle while capturing yesterday battle on
camera. Over 200 Boko Haram terrorist including a dreaded commander of
the group named Amir were killed on Friday in Konduga near Maiduguri,
Borno State, report says.
One Nigerian army officer said a feared commander known only as Amir
was among the dead after a battle on Friday in Konduga town, 35
kilometres from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace
of the extremist group.
There were no military casualties, according to the officer and a
civilian self-defence group that fights alongside the soldiers. Both
spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to
speak to reporters.
Boko Haram has captured a string of towns in recent weeks stretching
over 320 kilometres alongside Nigeria's north-east border with
Cameroon in a new campaign to create an Islamic caliphate, mimicking
the Isis group in Syria and Iraq.
The extremists also have attacked a town and villages across the
border in Cameroon, but that country's state radio said Cameroonian
troops beat them off and forced them back across the border into
Nigeria.
The United States said last week it is about to launch a major border
security program for Nigeria and its neighbours, but gave no details.
Thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes in the latest
offensive, joining more than 1.5 million other Nigerians who are
refugees within their country or across borders in Niger, Cameroon and
Chad, according to UN figures.
Extremists who have taken other towns have told residents that their
next target is Maiduguri, the headquarters of the military campaign in
the north-east. Boko Haram has attacked the city several times, with
suicide and car bombs that have killed scores. In December they
launched a bold attack on an air force base on the outskirts in which
they destroyed five aircraft and in February an assault on the main
military barracks in the city, in which they freed hundreds of
detainees.
The soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed detainees in the aftermath of
that last attack, mostly civilians accused of belonging to or
supporting the insurgency. Amnesty International put the number of
civilians killed by the soldiers at nearly 700.
Nigeria's military is accused of massive human rights abuses in the
fight against the extremists, including the deaths of thousands of
illegally detained people
Haram sect was amongst those who were killed by Nigeria military force
yesterday Friday, during a gun-battle with the sect. The video
journalist who was believed to have shot several videos of past
activities of sect including the video of the abducted Chibok girls
was caught in a fierce battle while capturing yesterday battle on
camera. Over 200 Boko Haram terrorist including a dreaded commander of
the group named Amir were killed on Friday in Konduga near Maiduguri,
Borno State, report says.
One Nigerian army officer said a feared commander known only as Amir
was among the dead after a battle on Friday in Konduga town, 35
kilometres from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace
of the extremist group.
There were no military casualties, according to the officer and a
civilian self-defence group that fights alongside the soldiers. Both
spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to
speak to reporters.
Boko Haram has captured a string of towns in recent weeks stretching
over 320 kilometres alongside Nigeria's north-east border with
Cameroon in a new campaign to create an Islamic caliphate, mimicking
the Isis group in Syria and Iraq.
The extremists also have attacked a town and villages across the
border in Cameroon, but that country's state radio said Cameroonian
troops beat them off and forced them back across the border into
Nigeria.
The United States said last week it is about to launch a major border
security program for Nigeria and its neighbours, but gave no details.
Thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes in the latest
offensive, joining more than 1.5 million other Nigerians who are
refugees within their country or across borders in Niger, Cameroon and
Chad, according to UN figures.
Extremists who have taken other towns have told residents that their
next target is Maiduguri, the headquarters of the military campaign in
the north-east. Boko Haram has attacked the city several times, with
suicide and car bombs that have killed scores. In December they
launched a bold attack on an air force base on the outskirts in which
they destroyed five aircraft and in February an assault on the main
military barracks in the city, in which they freed hundreds of
detainees.
The soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed detainees in the aftermath of
that last attack, mostly civilians accused of belonging to or
supporting the insurgency. Amnesty International put the number of
civilians killed by the soldiers at nearly 700.
Nigeria's military is accused of massive human rights abuses in the
fight against the extremists, including the deaths of thousands of
illegally detained people
Three Die, Others Injured In Imo Crash
Three passengers are feared dead in a crash involving an Owerri-bound
passenger bus, which was crushed by a truck of a manufacturing company
in the late hours of Friday.
The bus, belonging to God is Good Motors, was said to be heading for
Owerri from Onitsha before it was crushed by the truck.
As of the time of writing, eyewitness said three bodies had been
evacuated from the wreckage of the bus, while four children,
apparently, the children of a woman who was among the dead, were
crying profusely at the scene of the crash.
passenger bus, which was crushed by a truck of a manufacturing company
in the late hours of Friday.
The bus, belonging to God is Good Motors, was said to be heading for
Owerri from Onitsha before it was crushed by the truck.
As of the time of writing, eyewitness said three bodies had been
evacuated from the wreckage of the bus, while four children,
apparently, the children of a woman who was among the dead, were
crying profusely at the scene of the crash.
Omawunmi 'Deliriously Happy' To Wed Soon
Bottom Belle sensation Omawunmi is engaged to her heartthrob and the
father of her daughter Tosin Yussuf.
In the course of the week her best friend Waje broke the news via
Instagram. It should be noted that Omawunmi gave a hint about her
soon-to -change single status during a TV interview when she declared
that she would probably get married next year.
Responding to the criticism that she has been secretive about her
relationship and the father of her daughter, she took to twitter to
explain.
"I'm of the opinion that I don't owe anyone any explanation. Just as
I'm not prompted by pressure to reveal, I'm also not prompted by
pressure to be discreet... I'm just me, and right now I'm deliriously
happy to (officially) share my world with the ones I love.... Thank you
to those who loved me nonetheless and thank you my loves," she said in
her tweet.
father of her daughter Tosin Yussuf.
In the course of the week her best friend Waje broke the news via
Instagram. It should be noted that Omawunmi gave a hint about her
soon-to -change single status during a TV interview when she declared
that she would probably get married next year.
Responding to the criticism that she has been secretive about her
relationship and the father of her daughter, she took to twitter to
explain.
"I'm of the opinion that I don't owe anyone any explanation. Just as
I'm not prompted by pressure to reveal, I'm also not prompted by
pressure to be discreet... I'm just me, and right now I'm deliriously
happy to (officially) share my world with the ones I love.... Thank you
to those who loved me nonetheless and thank you my loves," she said in
her tweet.
Three Helicopters Hovered Over Collapsed Building -Synagogue
A member of the media team of the Synagogue Church for All Nations in
Ikotun, Lagos, Mr. Oladapo Bankole, has alleged that three helicopters
hovered over the six-storey building, which collapsed on Friday 20
minutes before the building came down.
Bankole, who spoke with newsmen a few hours after the building gave
way, said three helicopters were seen at about 1pm hovering above the
building, which was under construction.
He added that one of the helicopters came close to the uncompleted
building, noting that the building collapsed 20 minutes after the
unidentified helicopters flew over the building.
According to Bankole, the building involved is standing between the
two canteens of the church.
At the time of the incident, he said some construction workers were at
work while some children were around the canteen.
Bankole said as of 3pm, no fewer than 25 persons had been evacuated
and taken to various hospitals including the General Hospitals at
Isolo and Igando.
He explained that since the church was not envisaging the accident,
the identification of the helicopters was not noted.
He however did not confirm the number of casualties in the building collapse.
He said, "For now, we don't have the casualty figure because the Lagos
State Emergency Agency has taken over the site, but as of 3pm, we were
able to evacuate about 25 persons through the emergency unit. There
were three children involved; fortunately the three of them are alive,
no foreigner was involved.
"We are still trying to understand what the mission of the helicopters
was; we weren't expecting the accident, so we didn't pay attention so
as to the identify the helicopters."
PUNCH
Ikotun, Lagos, Mr. Oladapo Bankole, has alleged that three helicopters
hovered over the six-storey building, which collapsed on Friday 20
minutes before the building came down.
Bankole, who spoke with newsmen a few hours after the building gave
way, said three helicopters were seen at about 1pm hovering above the
building, which was under construction.
He added that one of the helicopters came close to the uncompleted
building, noting that the building collapsed 20 minutes after the
unidentified helicopters flew over the building.
According to Bankole, the building involved is standing between the
two canteens of the church.
At the time of the incident, he said some construction workers were at
work while some children were around the canteen.
Bankole said as of 3pm, no fewer than 25 persons had been evacuated
and taken to various hospitals including the General Hospitals at
Isolo and Igando.
He explained that since the church was not envisaging the accident,
the identification of the helicopters was not noted.
He however did not confirm the number of casualties in the building collapse.
He said, "For now, we don't have the casualty figure because the Lagos
State Emergency Agency has taken over the site, but as of 3pm, we were
able to evacuate about 25 persons through the emergency unit. There
were three children involved; fortunately the three of them are alive,
no foreigner was involved.
"We are still trying to understand what the mission of the helicopters
was; we weren't expecting the accident, so we didn't pay attention so
as to the identify the helicopters."
PUNCH
Professional Sperm Donor Becomes Richest Man In Wyoming
Cheyenne| 36-year old James McIntyre from Wyoming, is certainly an
unusual kind of success story. Born with a rare combination of
chromosomal disorders, his sperm has a 99.86% chance of generating
boys, a specificity which has allowed him to make a fortune on the
international Fluid market. His motto: "It's a boy, or you get your
money back!"
The young and ambitious entrepreneur from Cheyenne, has already opened
his own sperm bank named McIntyre Fertility Bank. The facility claims
to have already dispatched samples of Mr. McIntyre's sperm in over 110
different countries over the last four years, suggesting that the
concept gender selection for children could be more universal than
what most people think. The satisfaction rate is exceptional amongst
customers, as only two of the tens of thousands of children born from
the sperm samples happened to be girls, leading to those customers
being entirely refunded.
unusual kind of success story. Born with a rare combination of
chromosomal disorders, his sperm has a 99.86% chance of generating
boys, a specificity which has allowed him to make a fortune on the
international Fluid market. His motto: "It's a boy, or you get your
money back!"
The young and ambitious entrepreneur from Cheyenne, has already opened
his own sperm bank named McIntyre Fertility Bank. The facility claims
to have already dispatched samples of Mr. McIntyre's sperm in over 110
different countries over the last four years, suggesting that the
concept gender selection for children could be more universal than
what most people think. The satisfaction rate is exceptional amongst
customers, as only two of the tens of thousands of children born from
the sperm samples happened to be girls, leading to those customers
being entirely refunded.
Oscar Pistorius Could Compete At Rio 2016
IPC spokesman Craig Spence says of Pistorius: "Providing he serves his
sentence then he will be free to compete in IPC competitions"
Oscar Pistorius will be allowed to compete at the 2016 Paralympic
Games if he is not in jail, the International Paralympic Committee has
revealed.
The South African, 27, was found guilty of culpable homicide on Friday
after the judge ruled he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by
mistake.
Sentencing will take place on 13 October, but Pistorius could compete
at Rio if he has served his sentence.
"We wouldn't stand in his way," said IPC spokesman Craig Spence.
Pistorious, nicknamed Blade Runner, won six gold medals at three
Paralympic Games and made history by becoming the first amputee
sprinter to compete at the Olympics.
IPC director of media and communications Spence said that the
organisation's thoughts were with the family and friends of Steenkamp.
But he said the IPC would not block Pistorius if he had served his
sentence and wanted to compete at Rio.
"Providing he serves his sentence then he will be free to compete in
IPC competitions going forward," Spence told BBC chief sports
correspondent Dan Roan.
"Oscar would need to decide first whether he wanted to compete and
then he would need to be selected by the South African National
Paralympic Committee.
Pistorius won his first of six Paralympic gold medals at Athens in 2004
"If he had served any punishment given to him before Rio then the ball
would be in his court."
But former Paralympian Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson doubts whether
Pistorius would make the Games - even if he had served his punishment
and was picked to represent South Africa.
"He'll have missed a chunk of time training and competing," added the
11-time Paralympic gold medallist.
"His sponsors aren't there anymore...financially he's in a very
difficult position.
BBC
sentence then he will be free to compete in IPC competitions"
Oscar Pistorius will be allowed to compete at the 2016 Paralympic
Games if he is not in jail, the International Paralympic Committee has
revealed.
The South African, 27, was found guilty of culpable homicide on Friday
after the judge ruled he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by
mistake.
Sentencing will take place on 13 October, but Pistorius could compete
at Rio if he has served his sentence.
"We wouldn't stand in his way," said IPC spokesman Craig Spence.
Pistorious, nicknamed Blade Runner, won six gold medals at three
Paralympic Games and made history by becoming the first amputee
sprinter to compete at the Olympics.
IPC director of media and communications Spence said that the
organisation's thoughts were with the family and friends of Steenkamp.
But he said the IPC would not block Pistorius if he had served his
sentence and wanted to compete at Rio.
"Providing he serves his sentence then he will be free to compete in
IPC competitions going forward," Spence told BBC chief sports
correspondent Dan Roan.
"Oscar would need to decide first whether he wanted to compete and
then he would need to be selected by the South African National
Paralympic Committee.
Pistorius won his first of six Paralympic gold medals at Athens in 2004
"If he had served any punishment given to him before Rio then the ball
would be in his court."
But former Paralympian Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson doubts whether
Pistorius would make the Games - even if he had served his punishment
and was picked to represent South Africa.
"He'll have missed a chunk of time training and competing," added the
11-time Paralympic gold medallist.
"His sponsors aren't there anymore...financially he's in a very
difficult position.
BBC
Schools Can Reopen - Health Minister
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Friday said that
there was no reason why schools should not reopen on Sept. 22.
Chukwu said this at a media briefing in Lagos.
"It is for the commissioners of education to advise the principals, at
least for public schools, as well as private schools on when they can
reopen.
"The ministry of health is like what the weather people are to the nation.
"They will tell you that the weather will be sunny, stormy or there
will be heavy downpour, but they can never directly, for example, stop
any plane from flying.
"It is for the aviation people to take the advice and combine with
other factors to decide whether flights will take off or not.
"So, I want to make it clear that from the technical point of view,
there is absolutely no reason why any school, except if they have
other problems that are not medical, cannot reopen,'' he said.
The minister said that the ministry had no objections to schools
resuming on Sept. 22.
"So, when the minister of education, working with the commissioners of
education, said they have revised the opening of schools from 13th Oct
to 22nd of Sept., we have nothing against that.
" If we did, we would have objected or let them know,'' he said.
Chukwu said the resumption would also give opportunity for children to
be taught about EVD.
"It will even give us opportunity to teach the children what EVD is all about.
" It is going to offer us opportunity to reinforce what we are already
teaching their teachers because the teachers are going through
programmes on how they should handle children who are sick.
"You notice that Nigeria has not closed any market, church, mosque and
children follow their parents to these places.
"So it doesn't simply make any sense yet to continue shutting down the
schools,'' he said.
Chukwu said that people should not relax as EVD was being contained.
"Luckily, we are still winning. Schools have to reopen. But that
doesn't mean we should go to sleep.
"We know now that there is no place in Nigeria now that we are
treating anyone for EVD, but we have not started celebrating yet for
the simple reason that we have not yet won the war.
"We do not want surprises.
"No one for now has active EVD in Nigeria, but that is not to say that
will be surprised if we have one tomorrow,'' Chukwu said.
(NAN)
there was no reason why schools should not reopen on Sept. 22.
Chukwu said this at a media briefing in Lagos.
"It is for the commissioners of education to advise the principals, at
least for public schools, as well as private schools on when they can
reopen.
"The ministry of health is like what the weather people are to the nation.
"They will tell you that the weather will be sunny, stormy or there
will be heavy downpour, but they can never directly, for example, stop
any plane from flying.
"It is for the aviation people to take the advice and combine with
other factors to decide whether flights will take off or not.
"So, I want to make it clear that from the technical point of view,
there is absolutely no reason why any school, except if they have
other problems that are not medical, cannot reopen,'' he said.
The minister said that the ministry had no objections to schools
resuming on Sept. 22.
"So, when the minister of education, working with the commissioners of
education, said they have revised the opening of schools from 13th Oct
to 22nd of Sept., we have nothing against that.
" If we did, we would have objected or let them know,'' he said.
Chukwu said the resumption would also give opportunity for children to
be taught about EVD.
"It will even give us opportunity to teach the children what EVD is all about.
" It is going to offer us opportunity to reinforce what we are already
teaching their teachers because the teachers are going through
programmes on how they should handle children who are sick.
"You notice that Nigeria has not closed any market, church, mosque and
children follow their parents to these places.
"So it doesn't simply make any sense yet to continue shutting down the
schools,'' he said.
Chukwu said that people should not relax as EVD was being contained.
"Luckily, we are still winning. Schools have to reopen. But that
doesn't mean we should go to sleep.
"We know now that there is no place in Nigeria now that we are
treating anyone for EVD, but we have not started celebrating yet for
the simple reason that we have not yet won the war.
"We do not want surprises.
"No one for now has active EVD in Nigeria, but that is not to say that
will be surprised if we have one tomorrow,'' Chukwu said.
(NAN)
Gabonese Authorities Refuse Nigeria's Eaglets Entry Into Libreville
The Nigeria Football Federation has sent a letter of protest to the
Confederation of African Football over Friday's disreputable incident
in Lome, which had Gabonese authorities disembark members of the
Golden Eaglets delegation from a Gabon-bound flight.
Having flown from their base in Calabar to Lagos and travelled by road
from Lagos to Cotonou as a result of the cancellation of all
Gabon-bound flights from Lagos, the delegation members were issued
boarding passes on the flight from Cotonou to Libreville, via Lome,
only to be subjected to the harsh treatment after landing in the
Togolese capital.
A team of 18 players and six officials, led by NFF Chief Technical
Officer, Siji Lagunju, an ex -international player, were speechless
when the airline informed them that Gabonese authorities had
instructed that they should leave the aircraft.
The protest letter signed by NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa
Amadu, reads: "On getting to Lome, our delegation Members were
disembarked and their luggage brought out of the aircraft, and told
that they would no longer be flown to Libreville, on the orders of
Gabonese Authorities.
"We strongly protest this harsh, unkind and unfair treatment of
players below the age of 17, who have had to go through this arduous
and tiring journey only to further their career in football. We are
very much aware that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has
stated clearly that football matches should not take place in only
three countries, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, as a result
of the Ebola Virus Disease pandemic.
"Our players have taken serious precautions and even have Ebola -free
Medical Certificates.
"The Nigeria Football Federation is sorely disappointed by this
attitude of Gabonese authorities and we implore CAF to come into this
matter and determine the issue of the qualifying fixture."
Confederation of African Football over Friday's disreputable incident
in Lome, which had Gabonese authorities disembark members of the
Golden Eaglets delegation from a Gabon-bound flight.
Having flown from their base in Calabar to Lagos and travelled by road
from Lagos to Cotonou as a result of the cancellation of all
Gabon-bound flights from Lagos, the delegation members were issued
boarding passes on the flight from Cotonou to Libreville, via Lome,
only to be subjected to the harsh treatment after landing in the
Togolese capital.
A team of 18 players and six officials, led by NFF Chief Technical
Officer, Siji Lagunju, an ex -international player, were speechless
when the airline informed them that Gabonese authorities had
instructed that they should leave the aircraft.
The protest letter signed by NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa
Amadu, reads: "On getting to Lome, our delegation Members were
disembarked and their luggage brought out of the aircraft, and told
that they would no longer be flown to Libreville, on the orders of
Gabonese Authorities.
"We strongly protest this harsh, unkind and unfair treatment of
players below the age of 17, who have had to go through this arduous
and tiring journey only to further their career in football. We are
very much aware that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has
stated clearly that football matches should not take place in only
three countries, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, as a result
of the Ebola Virus Disease pandemic.
"Our players have taken serious precautions and even have Ebola -free
Medical Certificates.
"The Nigeria Football Federation is sorely disappointed by this
attitude of Gabonese authorities and we implore CAF to come into this
matter and determine the issue of the qualifying fixture."
The Most Dangerous Day In A Woman's Life
Many across Nigeria will be celebrating a baby's delivery today.
Labour has ended with smiles, cheers and thanksgiving.
They say birthdays, funerals, weddings and naming ceremonies are the
commonest social pastimes in Nigeria.
Cue music........
What with the dancing, the food, the drink, the rituals...kolanut, salt,
honey, the Pastor, the Imam, the Priest...
Pregnancy and labour have been vanquished.
Baby is well....mother is -
Stop the music .....
Today, in Africa, the most dangerous day in a woman's life is the birth day!
Almost one third of all maternal deaths globally are concentrated in
two countries: India and Nigeria!
Globally, an estimated 289 000 women died during pregnancy and
childbirth in 2013, a decline of 45 percent from levels in 1990.
Most of them died because they had no access to skilled routine and
emergency care. Since 1990, some countries in Asia and Northern Africa
have more than halved maternal mortality.
There has also been progress in sub-Saharan Africa. But here, unlike
in the developed world where a woman's life time risk of dying during
pregnancy and childbirth is 1 in 3700, the risk of maternal death is
very high at 1 in 38. Increasing numbers of women are now seeking care
during childbirth in health facilities and therefore it is important
to ensure that quality of care provided is optimal.
Globally, over 10 percent of all women do not have access to or are
not using an effective method of contraception. It is estimated that
satisfying the unmet need for family planning alone could cut the
number of maternal deaths by almost a third.
Most maternal deaths are preventable. By far the commonest cause is
bleeding; bleeding during pregnancy, while in labour or soon after
delivery of the baby.
Infection, disorders related to high blood pressure, AIDS and
prolonged obstructed labour make up a significant amount. Abortion,
anaemia, embolism and rarely ectopic pregnancy make up the rest.
The Millennium Development Goal #5 set in 1990 aspires (a) to reduce
maternal deaths by 75 percent from 1990 to 2015; and (b) achieve
universal access to reproductive healthcare services by 2015.
As of 2011 Sub-Saharan Africa (including Nigeria) had the highest
number of births to women between 15-19 years of age in the world:
117/1000 women, relatively unchanged from 123 in 1990.
Early childbearing poses great risk to mother and child.
Another problem is family planning. In Nigeria, large differences in
contraceptive use persist between urban/rural populations, rich/poor
people, and the educated/uneducated. Healthcare during pregnancy is
important and must be provided by "skilled and equipped health
personnel"...i.e. a doctor, nurse or midwife.
MDGs Report
An important document titled "Nigeria 2013 MDGs Report" has been
released on the NPHCDA.org website.
It states: "...the maternal mortality rate is 350/100,000 against the
target of 250. The proportion of births attended by skilled health
personnel is currently 53.60% against the target of 100 per cent and
antenatal care coverage (at least one visit)" * the WHO recommends at
least 4 visits!* "is currently 67.7 per cent."
The Federal Government has established a MDGs Acceleration Framework
(MAF) for MDG 5 that they believe" will enable all the targets of MDG
5 to be achieved by 2015."
We are less than 500 days to the deadline.
Nigerian women, daughters, sisters and mothers are waiting.
Labour has ended with smiles, cheers and thanksgiving.
They say birthdays, funerals, weddings and naming ceremonies are the
commonest social pastimes in Nigeria.
Cue music........
What with the dancing, the food, the drink, the rituals...kolanut, salt,
honey, the Pastor, the Imam, the Priest...
Pregnancy and labour have been vanquished.
Baby is well....mother is -
Stop the music .....
Today, in Africa, the most dangerous day in a woman's life is the birth day!
Almost one third of all maternal deaths globally are concentrated in
two countries: India and Nigeria!
Globally, an estimated 289 000 women died during pregnancy and
childbirth in 2013, a decline of 45 percent from levels in 1990.
Most of them died because they had no access to skilled routine and
emergency care. Since 1990, some countries in Asia and Northern Africa
have more than halved maternal mortality.
There has also been progress in sub-Saharan Africa. But here, unlike
in the developed world where a woman's life time risk of dying during
pregnancy and childbirth is 1 in 3700, the risk of maternal death is
very high at 1 in 38. Increasing numbers of women are now seeking care
during childbirth in health facilities and therefore it is important
to ensure that quality of care provided is optimal.
Globally, over 10 percent of all women do not have access to or are
not using an effective method of contraception. It is estimated that
satisfying the unmet need for family planning alone could cut the
number of maternal deaths by almost a third.
Most maternal deaths are preventable. By far the commonest cause is
bleeding; bleeding during pregnancy, while in labour or soon after
delivery of the baby.
Infection, disorders related to high blood pressure, AIDS and
prolonged obstructed labour make up a significant amount. Abortion,
anaemia, embolism and rarely ectopic pregnancy make up the rest.
The Millennium Development Goal #5 set in 1990 aspires (a) to reduce
maternal deaths by 75 percent from 1990 to 2015; and (b) achieve
universal access to reproductive healthcare services by 2015.
As of 2011 Sub-Saharan Africa (including Nigeria) had the highest
number of births to women between 15-19 years of age in the world:
117/1000 women, relatively unchanged from 123 in 1990.
Early childbearing poses great risk to mother and child.
Another problem is family planning. In Nigeria, large differences in
contraceptive use persist between urban/rural populations, rich/poor
people, and the educated/uneducated. Healthcare during pregnancy is
important and must be provided by "skilled and equipped health
personnel"...i.e. a doctor, nurse or midwife.
MDGs Report
An important document titled "Nigeria 2013 MDGs Report" has been
released on the NPHCDA.org website.
It states: "...the maternal mortality rate is 350/100,000 against the
target of 250. The proportion of births attended by skilled health
personnel is currently 53.60% against the target of 100 per cent and
antenatal care coverage (at least one visit)" * the WHO recommends at
least 4 visits!* "is currently 67.7 per cent."
The Federal Government has established a MDGs Acceleration Framework
(MAF) for MDG 5 that they believe" will enable all the targets of MDG
5 to be achieved by 2015."
We are less than 500 days to the deadline.
Nigerian women, daughters, sisters and mothers are waiting.
Friday, 12 September 2014
Free Voice Calls Merged Into Google Hangouts App
Google on Wednesday began letting people use its Hangouts message
application for mobile devices to make free or low-cost voice calls
over the Internet.
"Hangouts already makes it easy to send a quick message, or start a
group video chat," Google product manager Amit Fulay said in a blog
post.
"But, sometimes it;s best to just call to say 'I love you,' and with
the new version of Hangouts you can."
Google is essentially merging capabilities of its Voice online calling
service with Hangouts, which became a hit feature in the technology
titan's Google+ social network because of its free group video chat
capabilities.
Calls are free between Hangouts users and to numbers in the United
States or Canada, according to Fulay, who described international call
rates as "really low."
Hangouts calls will be available in the new version of the application
tailored for mobile devices powered by Google-backed Android software.
On Apple devices or desktop computers, Hangouts calls should be
possible when the updated applications are used.
application for mobile devices to make free or low-cost voice calls
over the Internet.
"Hangouts already makes it easy to send a quick message, or start a
group video chat," Google product manager Amit Fulay said in a blog
post.
"But, sometimes it;s best to just call to say 'I love you,' and with
the new version of Hangouts you can."
Google is essentially merging capabilities of its Voice online calling
service with Hangouts, which became a hit feature in the technology
titan's Google+ social network because of its free group video chat
capabilities.
Calls are free between Hangouts users and to numbers in the United
States or Canada, according to Fulay, who described international call
rates as "really low."
Hangouts calls will be available in the new version of the application
tailored for mobile devices powered by Google-backed Android software.
On Apple devices or desktop computers, Hangouts calls should be
possible when the updated applications are used.
Foods For Strong Bones
Our bones remain strong throughout young adulthood. As we hit our 30s,
they slowly begin to thin out. In women, this process accelerates
after menopause, but there are ways to put on the brakes. One of the
best lines of defense is your diet -- eating the right foods can give
you the maximum bone strength and boost your bone density at any age.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds can bolster bone health in several ways. Walnuts and
flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Peanuts and almonds
contain potassium, which protects against the loss of calcium in
urine. Nuts also contain protein and other nutrients that play a
supportive role in building strong bones.
Salmon
Salmon and other types of fatty fish offer an array of bone-boosting
nutrients. They contain vitamin D, which assists in calcium
absorption. They're also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may also
help bones. Fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce bone loss
in women and may help prevent osteoporosis.
Milk
Calcium is the cornerstone of strong bones. Adults up to age 50 need
1,000 milligrams per day. Beginning at age 51, women need 1,200
milligrams every day, and when men hit 71, they need to hit that mark,
too. The pop star of calcium sources is undoubtedly milk. A single
8-ounce cup of milk, whether skim, low-fat, or whole, has 300
milligrams of calcium.
Soy foods
Half a cup of calcium-enriched tofu contains over 400 milligrams of
calcium. Soy milk is usually fortified with 300 milligrams of calcium
per cup. Soy has other bone-building benefits, too. New research
suggests plant-based chemicals called isoflavones strengthen bone.
Isoflavones are plentiful in soy foods, such as tofu. This may make
soy useful in warding off bone disease in postmenopausal women.
Hold the salt
Salt is a major culprit in depriving the body of calcium. The more
salt you eat, the more calcium gets carried away by urine. Sticking to
a low-salt diet can help you keep more calcium to strengthen your
bones.
Sardines
Milk and dairy products are not the only ways to get calcium. Another
excellent source is sardines. All those little fish bones have just
what you need to build bone mass in your own body. Eating three ounces
of canned sardines delivers a little more calcium than a cup of milk.
.Source: WebMD.com
they slowly begin to thin out. In women, this process accelerates
after menopause, but there are ways to put on the brakes. One of the
best lines of defense is your diet -- eating the right foods can give
you the maximum bone strength and boost your bone density at any age.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds can bolster bone health in several ways. Walnuts and
flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Peanuts and almonds
contain potassium, which protects against the loss of calcium in
urine. Nuts also contain protein and other nutrients that play a
supportive role in building strong bones.
Salmon
Salmon and other types of fatty fish offer an array of bone-boosting
nutrients. They contain vitamin D, which assists in calcium
absorption. They're also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may also
help bones. Fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce bone loss
in women and may help prevent osteoporosis.
Milk
Calcium is the cornerstone of strong bones. Adults up to age 50 need
1,000 milligrams per day. Beginning at age 51, women need 1,200
milligrams every day, and when men hit 71, they need to hit that mark,
too. The pop star of calcium sources is undoubtedly milk. A single
8-ounce cup of milk, whether skim, low-fat, or whole, has 300
milligrams of calcium.
Soy foods
Half a cup of calcium-enriched tofu contains over 400 milligrams of
calcium. Soy milk is usually fortified with 300 milligrams of calcium
per cup. Soy has other bone-building benefits, too. New research
suggests plant-based chemicals called isoflavones strengthen bone.
Isoflavones are plentiful in soy foods, such as tofu. This may make
soy useful in warding off bone disease in postmenopausal women.
Hold the salt
Salt is a major culprit in depriving the body of calcium. The more
salt you eat, the more calcium gets carried away by urine. Sticking to
a low-salt diet can help you keep more calcium to strengthen your
bones.
Sardines
Milk and dairy products are not the only ways to get calcium. Another
excellent source is sardines. All those little fish bones have just
what you need to build bone mass in your own body. Eating three ounces
of canned sardines delivers a little more calcium than a cup of milk.
.Source: WebMD.com
Prevention Is Better Than Cure, Do Health Check
For many people, going to the doctor for medical check-up is something
they avoid unless they become terribly sick. In fact, the hospital is
usually the last resort for most people when they are sick, not to
talk of when they are well.
But doctors note that the hospital is not only meant for the sick and
the ill, but it is also for those who seem to be well.
Family physician, Dr. Femi Omolola, notes that going to the doctor can
be a helpful way to determine one's health condition and also helps
one to make the necessary changes before small problems become bigger
issues.
Omolola says you must have "a sickness and in health relationship"
with your doctor by going for regular medical check-ups, even when you
are well.
According to the expert, terminal illnesses such as diabetes, cancer,
osteoporosis and heart diseases, which kill millions of people, could
be detected and prevented through regular medical check-ups.
Omolola states, "It is painful when I see hopeless cases that could
have been tackled if only the patient had come for screening or
check-up, may be 10-or five years earlier.
"Take, for instance, breast cancer. If lumps are removed earlier, the
chances of you developing breast cancer later in life would have been
reduced by 90 per cent. But if you don't come for screening or undergo
medical examinations, how will you know that you have a malignant
tumour growing inside of you?"
He adds, "Look at cervical cancer that is killing women every day; it
is curable when it is detected early. But if the woman does not go for
pap smear, how will the doctor detect it early? We must develop a
relationship with our personal doctor and you don't have to wait till
you are sick before you go for screening.
"Women, especially, need to have regular health checks. See your
doctor for regular medical check-ups to help you stay healthy and also
to pick up early warning signs of disease or illness.
"Many diseases such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes and
some cancers can be picked up in their early stages; and it is at this
early stage that treatment is effective."
Again, consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Lanre Durowoju, notes that 80 per
cent of sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis,
and other diseases that affect sperm motility and fertility could be
detected early if infected persons go for regular medical check-up.
The expert notes that many STDs and STIs usually would not give an
infected person any symptoms until they have caused irreparable
damages to reproductive organs, hence the need for regular testing and
screening.
Durowoju states, "If you are sexually active and you are between the
ages of 15 and 29, you should get tested for Chlamydia every year.
Chlamydia is very common and does not always show symptoms. It causes
infertility, but it can be detected through a simple urine test.
"Any man that has more than one sexual partner -- whether married or
single -- must undergo gynaecological screening every year to check for
STDs. It will not give you any symptoms if you are infected; so until
you do a basic urine test, you will not know and this could affect
sperm production and count. If you are at risk of other sexually
transmissible infections, ask your doctor about further testing."
How often should you have a medical check-up depends on your age and
your health condition. Doctors note and recommend that people of all
age groups need to go for checks at least once every two years.
Durowoju adds, "Even a three-month-old baby needs to be screened by a
paediatrician for signs of heart diseases, asthma, autism and other
diseases that could affect his or her health later in life. Most cases
of hole-in-heart could have been detected if the parents took those
children for health checks early.
"Prevention saves money, but chronic conditions require costly
treatment. Also, people who see their doctors regularly are more
likely to take steps to improve or maintain their health."
The doctors have said it all, ignorance is no bliss. Here are some
basic blood tests that experts recommend that one should do every year
to keep diseases at bay.
they avoid unless they become terribly sick. In fact, the hospital is
usually the last resort for most people when they are sick, not to
talk of when they are well.
But doctors note that the hospital is not only meant for the sick and
the ill, but it is also for those who seem to be well.
Family physician, Dr. Femi Omolola, notes that going to the doctor can
be a helpful way to determine one's health condition and also helps
one to make the necessary changes before small problems become bigger
issues.
Omolola says you must have "a sickness and in health relationship"
with your doctor by going for regular medical check-ups, even when you
are well.
According to the expert, terminal illnesses such as diabetes, cancer,
osteoporosis and heart diseases, which kill millions of people, could
be detected and prevented through regular medical check-ups.
Omolola states, "It is painful when I see hopeless cases that could
have been tackled if only the patient had come for screening or
check-up, may be 10-or five years earlier.
"Take, for instance, breast cancer. If lumps are removed earlier, the
chances of you developing breast cancer later in life would have been
reduced by 90 per cent. But if you don't come for screening or undergo
medical examinations, how will you know that you have a malignant
tumour growing inside of you?"
He adds, "Look at cervical cancer that is killing women every day; it
is curable when it is detected early. But if the woman does not go for
pap smear, how will the doctor detect it early? We must develop a
relationship with our personal doctor and you don't have to wait till
you are sick before you go for screening.
"Women, especially, need to have regular health checks. See your
doctor for regular medical check-ups to help you stay healthy and also
to pick up early warning signs of disease or illness.
"Many diseases such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes and
some cancers can be picked up in their early stages; and it is at this
early stage that treatment is effective."
Again, consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Lanre Durowoju, notes that 80 per
cent of sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis,
and other diseases that affect sperm motility and fertility could be
detected early if infected persons go for regular medical check-up.
The expert notes that many STDs and STIs usually would not give an
infected person any symptoms until they have caused irreparable
damages to reproductive organs, hence the need for regular testing and
screening.
Durowoju states, "If you are sexually active and you are between the
ages of 15 and 29, you should get tested for Chlamydia every year.
Chlamydia is very common and does not always show symptoms. It causes
infertility, but it can be detected through a simple urine test.
"Any man that has more than one sexual partner -- whether married or
single -- must undergo gynaecological screening every year to check for
STDs. It will not give you any symptoms if you are infected; so until
you do a basic urine test, you will not know and this could affect
sperm production and count. If you are at risk of other sexually
transmissible infections, ask your doctor about further testing."
How often should you have a medical check-up depends on your age and
your health condition. Doctors note and recommend that people of all
age groups need to go for checks at least once every two years.
Durowoju adds, "Even a three-month-old baby needs to be screened by a
paediatrician for signs of heart diseases, asthma, autism and other
diseases that could affect his or her health later in life. Most cases
of hole-in-heart could have been detected if the parents took those
children for health checks early.
"Prevention saves money, but chronic conditions require costly
treatment. Also, people who see their doctors regularly are more
likely to take steps to improve or maintain their health."
The doctors have said it all, ignorance is no bliss. Here are some
basic blood tests that experts recommend that one should do every year
to keep diseases at bay.
Matching Your Business With The Right Website
Your website is usually your company's first point of contact online.
Most times, visitors look up a company online before making a call or
a purchase, and their check-up often gives them an idea of the brand
itself. Sometimes, visitors land on a website and leave immediately
without taking any action. It may be because the website type does not
match the business or there is no cause for navigation at all.
To decide on a type of website for your business, first ask yourself -
what are the strongest points that will attract potential customers?
Is it our projects, the products or services, the team, etc? This is
usually a starting point to help you make the best choice out of the
following types of websites:
Parallax website
A parallax website is a one-page website that has a unique scrolling
effect which enables a visitor navigate to the top or the bottom of
the page and get all the information needed. It is usually broken down
into different sections to present information in different sections.
The most impressive feature of the parallax website is its illusion of
depth. It gives the impression that the web page has different layers.
Parallax websites are great for products or services that need a
powerful landing page to convert visitors to leads. In short, most
times, it doubles as a landing page to showcase a unique product or
service and incite the visitor to take an action.
This type of website works with minimal information,
straight-to-the-point benefits and captivating call-to-action buttons.
For example, a company selling a single product can decide to use this
website effectively to induce a free trial of their product.
Brochure/Resume
By far the most common type of website, the brochure or resume website
is as the name suggests. It showcases the products and services of a
business like a brochure or a resume; meaning it gives all the
information you need to know on all its pages. Boasting different
pages with different headers such as the Product, Services and About
Us pages, the brochure or resume website is great for SEO.
Most times, visitors do not spend time on a website. To encourage
that, some brochure websites feature sliders on the homepage to
showcase the strongest points of the business and incite the visitor
to visit particular pages where they can take an action e.g. book an
appointment. If not, brochure websites tend to be bulky and visitors
may just spend time on one or two pages and bail out without visiting
the most important pages.
This type of website works best for businesses with a lot of
information to showcase - such as multiple products and services, team
members, business summary and portfolio. Most companies use this type
of website as it provides enough space to showcase their strengths. Be
careful though. You don't want to pass too much information such that
the visitor loses curiosity to seek for more.
Content management website
A content management website enables updating of content regularly.
This type of website is perfect for companies with active blogs, news
websites, magazine-type websites and businesses with products that
need to be updated regularly.
To showcase new products or latest news, the home page can use a
layout to display information such that visitors get a summary of
upcoming events from the home page and click on links to view more.
Content management websites are great for SEO as the content is
updated without losing previous information.
Ecommerce website
A type of content management website, ecommerce websites are
predominantly for online shops. The homepage usually has a display of
products for sale.
The difference between the content management, brochure/resume and
ecommerce website is that the latter has some form of payment system
integrated into it to enable easy purchase. Also, ecommerce websites
are built to run round the clock, and need a lot of attention in terms
of updating inventory. Else, a visitor may purchase a product that is
out of stock and the website manager will have trouble cancelling an
order.
Combination
Some businesses may decide to combine two types of websites to
showcase their unique features. For example, a business may combine
both the brochure type website with that of the ecommerce.
Most times, visitors look up a company online before making a call or
a purchase, and their check-up often gives them an idea of the brand
itself. Sometimes, visitors land on a website and leave immediately
without taking any action. It may be because the website type does not
match the business or there is no cause for navigation at all.
To decide on a type of website for your business, first ask yourself -
what are the strongest points that will attract potential customers?
Is it our projects, the products or services, the team, etc? This is
usually a starting point to help you make the best choice out of the
following types of websites:
Parallax website
A parallax website is a one-page website that has a unique scrolling
effect which enables a visitor navigate to the top or the bottom of
the page and get all the information needed. It is usually broken down
into different sections to present information in different sections.
The most impressive feature of the parallax website is its illusion of
depth. It gives the impression that the web page has different layers.
Parallax websites are great for products or services that need a
powerful landing page to convert visitors to leads. In short, most
times, it doubles as a landing page to showcase a unique product or
service and incite the visitor to take an action.
This type of website works with minimal information,
straight-to-the-point benefits and captivating call-to-action buttons.
For example, a company selling a single product can decide to use this
website effectively to induce a free trial of their product.
Brochure/Resume
By far the most common type of website, the brochure or resume website
is as the name suggests. It showcases the products and services of a
business like a brochure or a resume; meaning it gives all the
information you need to know on all its pages. Boasting different
pages with different headers such as the Product, Services and About
Us pages, the brochure or resume website is great for SEO.
Most times, visitors do not spend time on a website. To encourage
that, some brochure websites feature sliders on the homepage to
showcase the strongest points of the business and incite the visitor
to visit particular pages where they can take an action e.g. book an
appointment. If not, brochure websites tend to be bulky and visitors
may just spend time on one or two pages and bail out without visiting
the most important pages.
This type of website works best for businesses with a lot of
information to showcase - such as multiple products and services, team
members, business summary and portfolio. Most companies use this type
of website as it provides enough space to showcase their strengths. Be
careful though. You don't want to pass too much information such that
the visitor loses curiosity to seek for more.
Content management website
A content management website enables updating of content regularly.
This type of website is perfect for companies with active blogs, news
websites, magazine-type websites and businesses with products that
need to be updated regularly.
To showcase new products or latest news, the home page can use a
layout to display information such that visitors get a summary of
upcoming events from the home page and click on links to view more.
Content management websites are great for SEO as the content is
updated without losing previous information.
Ecommerce website
A type of content management website, ecommerce websites are
predominantly for online shops. The homepage usually has a display of
products for sale.
The difference between the content management, brochure/resume and
ecommerce website is that the latter has some form of payment system
integrated into it to enable easy purchase. Also, ecommerce websites
are built to run round the clock, and need a lot of attention in terms
of updating inventory. Else, a visitor may purchase a product that is
out of stock and the website manager will have trouble cancelling an
order.
Combination
Some businesses may decide to combine two types of websites to
showcase their unique features. For example, a business may combine
both the brochure type website with that of the ecommerce.
Orji's Son Sues Sun Newspaper For N5bn
The first son of Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State, Chinedu Orji, an
engineer, has suedThe SunNewspapers Limited, owned by a former
Governor of the State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, claiming N5bn damages for
calling him "a terrorist."
Briefing journalists on Thursday in Umuahia, a member of the legal
team for Orji's son, Chief Chukwunyere Nwabuko, said the libellous
publication was contained on page 21 of the March 10, 2014 edition
ofThe SunNewspapers, which reads that, "it is not a secret affair as
his terrorist activities in the state are fully documented."
The counsel said the former governor had been using his media outfit
to publish malicious and libellous articles against Orji as well as
"his son, who does not even hold any position in government."
He gave the suit number of the case filled at Abia State High Court
holding at Ohafia as HOH/5/2014, adding that a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria, Livy Uzorukwu, is the lead council of Orji's legal team.
The three-point claims by the plaintiff include, "The sum of N5bn as
damages for libel; an unreserved apology to be published in at least
three editions of theDaily SunNewspapers; and an order of perpetual
injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies, servants
and associates from further writing, printing and publishing of the
said libellous matter or a similar one against the claimant."
Nwabuko further said that the Presiding Judge, Justice Anthony Chioma,
had already granted an order for the defendant to be served out of
jurisdiction.
The matter will come up for hearing on September 22.
engineer, has suedThe SunNewspapers Limited, owned by a former
Governor of the State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, claiming N5bn damages for
calling him "a terrorist."
Briefing journalists on Thursday in Umuahia, a member of the legal
team for Orji's son, Chief Chukwunyere Nwabuko, said the libellous
publication was contained on page 21 of the March 10, 2014 edition
ofThe SunNewspapers, which reads that, "it is not a secret affair as
his terrorist activities in the state are fully documented."
The counsel said the former governor had been using his media outfit
to publish malicious and libellous articles against Orji as well as
"his son, who does not even hold any position in government."
He gave the suit number of the case filled at Abia State High Court
holding at Ohafia as HOH/5/2014, adding that a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria, Livy Uzorukwu, is the lead council of Orji's legal team.
The three-point claims by the plaintiff include, "The sum of N5bn as
damages for libel; an unreserved apology to be published in at least
three editions of theDaily SunNewspapers; and an order of perpetual
injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies, servants
and associates from further writing, printing and publishing of the
said libellous matter or a similar one against the claimant."
Nwabuko further said that the Presiding Judge, Justice Anthony Chioma,
had already granted an order for the defendant to be served out of
jurisdiction.
The matter will come up for hearing on September 22.
San Lorenzo Stadium In Argentina To Be Named After Pope Francis
Argentine football club San Lorenzo has announced it will name its new
stadium after Pope Francis.
The pontiff has supported the Buenos Aires-based team since he was a boy.
San Lorenzo, one of the oldest teams in the Argentine Football
Association, is planning to build a new stadium in Boedo, a
working-class neighbourhood in the Argentine capital.
The new venue will be built on land seized from the club during the
time of military rule from 1976-1983.
Streak of success
The club announced its decision on Twitterfollowing a meeting of its
board: "Name of the future stadium on La Plata Avenue approved. It
will be called: Pope Francis."
San Lorenzo have had a successful year, winning the Argentine top
division and the Copa Libertadores
San Lorenzo players have been to the Vatican to meet their most famous fan
San Lorenzo played at its home ground in the Gasometro (Gasometer)
stadium in Boedo until 1979, when debts forced the club to sell the
ground to the military government.
It moved to the Pedro Bidegain stadium, often referred to as Nuevo
Gasometro (New Gasometre), in 1993, but fans have campaigned to return
to their historic grounds for years.
Fans donated money towards the purchase of the land, which the
military government had sold to a supermarket chain.
After a court action forced the supermarket chain to sell back the
land, the club drew up its plans for its new home ground, expected to
be inaugurated in 2016.
Pope Francis is the team's most famous fan and some supporters have
joked that their recent string of sporting success is down to him.
San Lorenzo recently won the Copa Libertadores - South American club
football's most prestigious competition - for the first time in the
club's 106-year history.
And last year they won the trophy in Argentina's top division.
But quizzed if his support may have played a part in his favourite
team's victories, the Pope said at the time of their Copa Libertadores
win that "I am very happy about it, but, no, it is not a miracle".
BBC
stadium after Pope Francis.
The pontiff has supported the Buenos Aires-based team since he was a boy.
San Lorenzo, one of the oldest teams in the Argentine Football
Association, is planning to build a new stadium in Boedo, a
working-class neighbourhood in the Argentine capital.
The new venue will be built on land seized from the club during the
time of military rule from 1976-1983.
Streak of success
The club announced its decision on Twitterfollowing a meeting of its
board: "Name of the future stadium on La Plata Avenue approved. It
will be called: Pope Francis."
San Lorenzo have had a successful year, winning the Argentine top
division and the Copa Libertadores
San Lorenzo players have been to the Vatican to meet their most famous fan
San Lorenzo played at its home ground in the Gasometro (Gasometer)
stadium in Boedo until 1979, when debts forced the club to sell the
ground to the military government.
It moved to the Pedro Bidegain stadium, often referred to as Nuevo
Gasometro (New Gasometre), in 1993, but fans have campaigned to return
to their historic grounds for years.
Fans donated money towards the purchase of the land, which the
military government had sold to a supermarket chain.
After a court action forced the supermarket chain to sell back the
land, the club drew up its plans for its new home ground, expected to
be inaugurated in 2016.
Pope Francis is the team's most famous fan and some supporters have
joked that their recent string of sporting success is down to him.
San Lorenzo recently won the Copa Libertadores - South American club
football's most prestigious competition - for the first time in the
club's 106-year history.
And last year they won the trophy in Argentina's top division.
But quizzed if his support may have played a part in his favourite
team's victories, the Pope said at the time of their Copa Libertadores
win that "I am very happy about it, but, no, it is not a miracle".
BBC
Lionel Messi's Hometown Bans Parents From Naming Newborn Babies After Barcelona Star
The hometown of Lionel Messi has banned parents from naming newborn
babies after the Argentine.
The Barcelona superstar will go down as one of the greatest
footballers ever as he continues to defy logic and break just about
every record in sight.
In his homeland, Messi is savoured as a god-like figure and came
within minutes of leading Argentina to World Cup glory this summer.
But should you live in Rosario, you cannot give your child the same name.
According to Gonzalo Carrillo, the civil register in Santa Fe, it is
"prohibited by law" to name babies Messi - because it is a surname and
not a first name.
It comes after a father in a different province reportedly named his
child after the 27-year-old.
Hector Varela told Marca: "I am Messi's father. Many people chose
Lionel as a name for their sons after Messi, but this is more obvious.
"I am proud to be the first Argentinian to name his baby after the
best soccer player in the world."
babies after the Argentine.
The Barcelona superstar will go down as one of the greatest
footballers ever as he continues to defy logic and break just about
every record in sight.
In his homeland, Messi is savoured as a god-like figure and came
within minutes of leading Argentina to World Cup glory this summer.
But should you live in Rosario, you cannot give your child the same name.
According to Gonzalo Carrillo, the civil register in Santa Fe, it is
"prohibited by law" to name babies Messi - because it is a surname and
not a first name.
It comes after a father in a different province reportedly named his
child after the 27-year-old.
Hector Varela told Marca: "I am Messi's father. Many people chose
Lionel as a name for their sons after Messi, but this is more obvious.
"I am proud to be the first Argentinian to name his baby after the
best soccer player in the world."
Many Feared Dead As Synagogue Church Of All Nations Building Collapses
Many people are reported to have died with several others injured
after a building inside the headquarters of the Synagogue Church of
All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos collapsed around 2pm this afternoon.
Many worshipers who lived inside the church were among those who died
while some are believed to still be trapped under the rubble of the
collapsed building.
Four ambulance buses have arrived the scene, taking the injured to the
hospital while the dead ones are being evacuated to the mortuary.
after a building inside the headquarters of the Synagogue Church of
All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos collapsed around 2pm this afternoon.
Many worshipers who lived inside the church were among those who died
while some are believed to still be trapped under the rubble of the
collapsed building.
Four ambulance buses have arrived the scene, taking the injured to the
hospital while the dead ones are being evacuated to the mortuary.
Liberian Woman Found Hanging At Isheri-Oke In Lagos
There was confusion on Bankole Street, Isheri-Oke, Lagos on Friday
morning when residents woke up to the sight of a woman hanging on a
tree.
The woman, popularly called Kate in the area, was found dead in a
black sweater and orange skirt under a pear tree.
PUNCH correspondent, who also visited the scene, gathered from the
residents that the woman did not live on the street.
Residents who spoke to PUNCH correspondent also said that the woman
was a Liberian who worked in a sachet water factory before she died.
While they said that the woman had been sickly for some time, the
residents said she did not appear to have any problem with anyone in
the community.
But after the outbreak of the Ebola disease that was brought to
Nigeria by a Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, some of the people in
the area opted not to have anything to do with her.
One of the residents who pleaded anonymity said, "We see her in this
neighbourhood every day. She always looked sick but people stopped
selling to her after the Ebola outbreak. It could be because she was
Liberian and looked sickly. This might have frustrated her."
Another resident who spoke to PUNCH correspondent after his request
for anonymity was granted said, "She attended a church in the area and
her church members still saw her yesterday. I used to see her every
day in the dress she died in. She was sick and people in this area had
avoided her, especially after the Ebola outbreak."
The PUNCH gathered from some landlords, who are members of the Isheri
Oke Community Development Association, that the incident had been
reported to the Isheri Police Division.
Efforts to reach the Baale (head) of the area, Chief Albert Bankole,
for comments proved abortive as he declined to speak to The PUNCH on
the issue.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, could
not be reached for comments.
Meanwhile, when PUNCH correspondent left the area around 11am, the
woman's body was still hanging on the pear tree.
PUNCH
morning when residents woke up to the sight of a woman hanging on a
tree.
The woman, popularly called Kate in the area, was found dead in a
black sweater and orange skirt under a pear tree.
PUNCH correspondent, who also visited the scene, gathered from the
residents that the woman did not live on the street.
Residents who spoke to PUNCH correspondent also said that the woman
was a Liberian who worked in a sachet water factory before she died.
While they said that the woman had been sickly for some time, the
residents said she did not appear to have any problem with anyone in
the community.
But after the outbreak of the Ebola disease that was brought to
Nigeria by a Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, some of the people in
the area opted not to have anything to do with her.
One of the residents who pleaded anonymity said, "We see her in this
neighbourhood every day. She always looked sick but people stopped
selling to her after the Ebola outbreak. It could be because she was
Liberian and looked sickly. This might have frustrated her."
Another resident who spoke to PUNCH correspondent after his request
for anonymity was granted said, "She attended a church in the area and
her church members still saw her yesterday. I used to see her every
day in the dress she died in. She was sick and people in this area had
avoided her, especially after the Ebola outbreak."
The PUNCH gathered from some landlords, who are members of the Isheri
Oke Community Development Association, that the incident had been
reported to the Isheri Police Division.
Efforts to reach the Baale (head) of the area, Chief Albert Bankole,
for comments proved abortive as he declined to speak to The PUNCH on
the issue.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, could
not be reached for comments.
Meanwhile, when PUNCH correspondent left the area around 11am, the
woman's body was still hanging on the pear tree.
PUNCH
Nigerian Man Arrested For Abducting And Molesting A Woman In The U.S.
A 29 year old Nigerian man based in Brookline, Massachusetts, Samuel
Okorie is accused of grabbing a woman at a public place & sexually
assaulting her. The incident took place over the weekend in a
residential neighbourhood.
According to police report, early Sunday morning, police came to the
house right, in Brookline and arrested Samuel Okorie. He was booked on
charges including molest, kidnapping and robbery. A 21 year old woman
identified Okorie as the man who sexually assaulted her. Police say
the victim ran up the street, crying for help. Neighbours said she was
screaming 'help me, help me'. When a neighbour approached her, she
said "he Molested me, he's coming to get me.".
Police report says Okorie grabbed the woman from behind near a gas
station on Saturday night, grabbed her cellphone and pushed her into
nearby bushes where he sexually assaulted her. Reports states that
Okorie then dragged the girl to his home where another intimate
assault took place.
Detectives said the victim attempted to escape many times but was
restrained by Okorie. Eventually she did manage to get away and ended
up at a neighbour's house down the street.
Neighbours described Okorie as quiet, friendly and were surprised he
was involved in something like this.
He has been arrested and is currently held at the Allegheny county
jail. His bail is set for $150,000. A hearing is scheduled for next
week.
Okorie is accused of grabbing a woman at a public place & sexually
assaulting her. The incident took place over the weekend in a
residential neighbourhood.
According to police report, early Sunday morning, police came to the
house right, in Brookline and arrested Samuel Okorie. He was booked on
charges including molest, kidnapping and robbery. A 21 year old woman
identified Okorie as the man who sexually assaulted her. Police say
the victim ran up the street, crying for help. Neighbours said she was
screaming 'help me, help me'. When a neighbour approached her, she
said "he Molested me, he's coming to get me.".
Police report says Okorie grabbed the woman from behind near a gas
station on Saturday night, grabbed her cellphone and pushed her into
nearby bushes where he sexually assaulted her. Reports states that
Okorie then dragged the girl to his home where another intimate
assault took place.
Detectives said the victim attempted to escape many times but was
restrained by Okorie. Eventually she did manage to get away and ended
up at a neighbour's house down the street.
Neighbours described Okorie as quiet, friendly and were surprised he
was involved in something like this.
He has been arrested and is currently held at the Allegheny county
jail. His bail is set for $150,000. A hearing is scheduled for next
week.
Ebola: South African Woman Tested Negative - Minister of Health
The South African woman suspected of the Ebola Virus Disease has
tested negative.
According to Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuch Chukwu, the test
conducted on the woman came back negative.
She is however being investigated for other disease.
The South African woman, whose identity was not revealed, flew into
the Murtala Muhammed International Airport from Morocco on Thursday.
She was treated as a suspected case and was being taken to Lagos'
Ebola treatment centre for tests to see whether she actually had the
virus, Reuters reports.
The traveller, who lives in Cape Town, filled out a health
questionnaire on her arrival at Lagos in which she acknowledged
suffering from diarrhea and vomiting, both possible symptoms of the
Ebola hemorrhagic virus.
"This person has been in Guinea and Sierra Leone since April and she
has symptoms," Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh, director of Port Health
Services at MMIA, told Reuters.
tested negative.
According to Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuch Chukwu, the test
conducted on the woman came back negative.
She is however being investigated for other disease.
The South African woman, whose identity was not revealed, flew into
the Murtala Muhammed International Airport from Morocco on Thursday.
She was treated as a suspected case and was being taken to Lagos'
Ebola treatment centre for tests to see whether she actually had the
virus, Reuters reports.
The traveller, who lives in Cape Town, filled out a health
questionnaire on her arrival at Lagos in which she acknowledged
suffering from diarrhea and vomiting, both possible symptoms of the
Ebola hemorrhagic virus.
"This person has been in Guinea and Sierra Leone since April and she
has symptoms," Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh, director of Port Health
Services at MMIA, told Reuters.
Oscar Pistorius Found Guilty Of Culpable homicide
A South African judge on Friday ruled Oscar Pistorius guilty of
culpable homicide in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
and declared him not guilty of murder.
Prosecutors said they were disappointed by the ruling but would decide
on whether to appeal only after sentencing.
A conviction of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, can bring a
maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Judge Thokozile Masipa said there was not enough evidence to support
the contention that Pistorius knew Steenkamp was behind a locked
toilet door in his home when he shot through the door in the predawn
hours of Valentine's Day last year. Masipa said prosecutors had not
proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Pistorius intended to kill
Steenkamp.
Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of negligently killing Reeva
Steenkamp and could face 15 years in jail.
Pistorius' family thanked Masipa for the lack of a murder charge in a
statement released Friday morning.
"It is a big burden off our shoulders and Oscar," the statement read.
"We always knew the facts of the matter. We never had any doubt in
Oscar's version of this tragic incident."
Still, the family noted there are "no victors in this."
"We as a family remain deeply affected by the devastating tragedy,"
they wrote. "It won't bring Reeva back, but our hearts still go out
for her family and friends."
Masipa said Pistorius' sentencing hearing would begin Oct. 13. Both
sides will be able to call witnesses to argue ahead of the judge's
ruling on if, or for how long, Pistorius is sent to prison for
negligently killing Steenkamp.
The killing by a national sports hero stunned South Africans, and
reactions on the verdict were mixed.
"Well, I think the verdict is shocking to say the least," said Leonard
Gray in Port Elizabeth, Steenkamp's hometown. "I think there is clear
evidence and indications that he committed murder in this case. ... I
feel sorry for Reeva Steenkamp's family because they are not going to
get any closure because this guy is basically getting away with
murder, in my opinion."
However, Shrina Padayachy, also in Port Elizabeth, called the judge's
verdict "fair and just because it's the prosecution that must prove
beyond a reasonable doubt, and from what I gather and seen, they
haven't."
The red-robed judge ordered Pistorius, 27, to stand before she
delivered the formal verdict on the multiple counts against him and
said it was a unanimous verdict, meaning she and her two legal
assessors agreed on the findings.
Unlike many other times during a trial that began in March, Pistorius
showed no emotion as he stood in a dark suit with his hands crossed in
front of him. The double-amputee Olympian was hugged by relatives when
the judge ordered a recess soon after announcing her verdicts. The
judge later ruled that Pistorius be granted bail with the same terms
as before.
Some legal analysts said they understood why Pistorius was found not
guilty of premeditated murder but were surprised that the runner was
not convicted of murder.
"We believe there is sufficient and credible evidence to secure a
conviction" on a murder charge, said Nathi Mncube, spokesman for the
National Prosecuting Authority. He added that any decision to appeal
the judge's ruling would come after the case is "concluded" with
sentencing.
The sentence for a culpable homicide conviction is at the judge's
discretion, and it can range from a suspended sentence and a fine to
up to 15 years in prison.
After the verdict, Pistorius sat with his sister, Aimee, on the wooden
bench where he has spent most of his six-month murder trial. She put
an arm around his shoulders and spoke to him.
For the first time in the trial, Pistorius left by going down the
stairs that led to the cells in the courthouse. That's because
Pistorius' bail expired after his conviction, and the judge was
considering whether to regrant him bail. One of Pistorius' lawyers,
Brian Webber, said Pistorius was taken to a "holding position."
culpable homicide in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
and declared him not guilty of murder.
Prosecutors said they were disappointed by the ruling but would decide
on whether to appeal only after sentencing.
A conviction of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, can bring a
maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Judge Thokozile Masipa said there was not enough evidence to support
the contention that Pistorius knew Steenkamp was behind a locked
toilet door in his home when he shot through the door in the predawn
hours of Valentine's Day last year. Masipa said prosecutors had not
proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Pistorius intended to kill
Steenkamp.
Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of negligently killing Reeva
Steenkamp and could face 15 years in jail.
Pistorius' family thanked Masipa for the lack of a murder charge in a
statement released Friday morning.
"It is a big burden off our shoulders and Oscar," the statement read.
"We always knew the facts of the matter. We never had any doubt in
Oscar's version of this tragic incident."
Still, the family noted there are "no victors in this."
"We as a family remain deeply affected by the devastating tragedy,"
they wrote. "It won't bring Reeva back, but our hearts still go out
for her family and friends."
Masipa said Pistorius' sentencing hearing would begin Oct. 13. Both
sides will be able to call witnesses to argue ahead of the judge's
ruling on if, or for how long, Pistorius is sent to prison for
negligently killing Steenkamp.
The killing by a national sports hero stunned South Africans, and
reactions on the verdict were mixed.
"Well, I think the verdict is shocking to say the least," said Leonard
Gray in Port Elizabeth, Steenkamp's hometown. "I think there is clear
evidence and indications that he committed murder in this case. ... I
feel sorry for Reeva Steenkamp's family because they are not going to
get any closure because this guy is basically getting away with
murder, in my opinion."
However, Shrina Padayachy, also in Port Elizabeth, called the judge's
verdict "fair and just because it's the prosecution that must prove
beyond a reasonable doubt, and from what I gather and seen, they
haven't."
The red-robed judge ordered Pistorius, 27, to stand before she
delivered the formal verdict on the multiple counts against him and
said it was a unanimous verdict, meaning she and her two legal
assessors agreed on the findings.
Unlike many other times during a trial that began in March, Pistorius
showed no emotion as he stood in a dark suit with his hands crossed in
front of him. The double-amputee Olympian was hugged by relatives when
the judge ordered a recess soon after announcing her verdicts. The
judge later ruled that Pistorius be granted bail with the same terms
as before.
Some legal analysts said they understood why Pistorius was found not
guilty of premeditated murder but were surprised that the runner was
not convicted of murder.
"We believe there is sufficient and credible evidence to secure a
conviction" on a murder charge, said Nathi Mncube, spokesman for the
National Prosecuting Authority. He added that any decision to appeal
the judge's ruling would come after the case is "concluded" with
sentencing.
The sentence for a culpable homicide conviction is at the judge's
discretion, and it can range from a suspended sentence and a fine to
up to 15 years in prison.
After the verdict, Pistorius sat with his sister, Aimee, on the wooden
bench where he has spent most of his six-month murder trial. She put
an arm around his shoulders and spoke to him.
For the first time in the trial, Pistorius left by going down the
stairs that led to the cells in the courthouse. That's because
Pistorius' bail expired after his conviction, and the judge was
considering whether to regrant him bail. One of Pistorius' lawyers,
Brian Webber, said Pistorius was taken to a "holding position."
Thursday, 11 September 2014
9/11: Americans Commemorate 13th Anniversary
Americans have commemorated the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terror
attacks with ceremonies in New York and Washington.
The ceremonies began just before 09:00 local (13:00 GMT) and included
a reading out of the names of those who died in the attacks.
In New York, the ceremony was held at the new National September 11 Museum.
In Washington, President Barack Obama led mourners in a commemoration
held on the White House lawn.
Ceremonies also took place at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania where
one of the hijacked planes crashed.
The anniversary comes just hours after Mr Obama laid out his strategy
to counter Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
"Our objective is clear: We will degrade and ultimately destroy [IS]
through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy," he
said in his address to the nation on Wednesday night.
Ceremonies began with a moment of silence at 08:46 am (12:46 GMT), the
time when the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center.
For all the brashness, energy and resilience of New York, the
commemorations marking this anniversary are a reminder that the city -
and, let us not forget, its neighbouring states - suffers still from a
civic form of post-traumatic stress.
Instead of an ugly, gaping wound at Ground Zero, there is now a
fine-looking memorial that traces the footprints of the twin towers.
Beside it is a newly opened museum housing artefacts from that awful
day.
With the construction of One World Trade Center, Manhattan's beloved
skyline has been repaired. But the emotional scars are still plain to
see.
For all the immense global repercussions of the attacks of September
11th, what is striking about the anniversary remembrances in New York
is that they are intensely personal.
The bell tolls, the national anthem is sung but always it is sound of
relatives reading the names of lost love ones that lingers longest in
the autumn air.
Family members then began the long process of reading the names of the
nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the attacks on New York, the
Pentagon in Virginia and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
In New York, relatives of those killed when two hijacked planes flew
into the World Trade Center gathered at Ground Zero to remember the
dead.
The new National September 11 Museum has been opened on the site to
mark the atrocities.
Nearby, the nearly completed One World Trade Center has risen 1,776
feet - the year of American independence - above Ground Zero.
It is scheduled to be filled with office workers by 11 September 2015.
Ceremonies were also held in towns and cities across America.
To mark the anniversary, former White House press secretary Ari
Fleischer is tweeting his memories and notes from the day it happened.
attacks with ceremonies in New York and Washington.
The ceremonies began just before 09:00 local (13:00 GMT) and included
a reading out of the names of those who died in the attacks.
In New York, the ceremony was held at the new National September 11 Museum.
In Washington, President Barack Obama led mourners in a commemoration
held on the White House lawn.
Ceremonies also took place at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania where
one of the hijacked planes crashed.
The anniversary comes just hours after Mr Obama laid out his strategy
to counter Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
"Our objective is clear: We will degrade and ultimately destroy [IS]
through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy," he
said in his address to the nation on Wednesday night.
Ceremonies began with a moment of silence at 08:46 am (12:46 GMT), the
time when the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center.
For all the brashness, energy and resilience of New York, the
commemorations marking this anniversary are a reminder that the city -
and, let us not forget, its neighbouring states - suffers still from a
civic form of post-traumatic stress.
Instead of an ugly, gaping wound at Ground Zero, there is now a
fine-looking memorial that traces the footprints of the twin towers.
Beside it is a newly opened museum housing artefacts from that awful
day.
With the construction of One World Trade Center, Manhattan's beloved
skyline has been repaired. But the emotional scars are still plain to
see.
For all the immense global repercussions of the attacks of September
11th, what is striking about the anniversary remembrances in New York
is that they are intensely personal.
The bell tolls, the national anthem is sung but always it is sound of
relatives reading the names of lost love ones that lingers longest in
the autumn air.
Family members then began the long process of reading the names of the
nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the attacks on New York, the
Pentagon in Virginia and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
In New York, relatives of those killed when two hijacked planes flew
into the World Trade Center gathered at Ground Zero to remember the
dead.
The new National September 11 Museum has been opened on the site to
mark the atrocities.
Nearby, the nearly completed One World Trade Center has risen 1,776
feet - the year of American independence - above Ground Zero.
It is scheduled to be filled with office workers by 11 September 2015.
Ceremonies were also held in towns and cities across America.
To mark the anniversary, former White House press secretary Ari
Fleischer is tweeting his memories and notes from the day it happened.
Anambra Varsity Renamed Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
The Anambra House of Assembly on Thursday passed a bill, changing the
name of the state-owned university at Uli to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu
Ojukwu University.
The bill was passed during the plenary of the legislature in Awka to
honour the former Biafra hero.
The decision followed the report of the House Committee on Education
which recommended the change of the name.
Mrs Rita Maduagwu (APGA Nnewi South 2), the Chairman, House Committee
on Education, recalled that the bill had been read the second time on
the floor of the house on Dec. 17, 2013.
She said that the committee found that the university's name had been
changed before from Anambra State University of Science and Technology
and that there were a number of provisions in the extant law that
required review.
"After due consideration of facts and information, the committee
recommends that the law establishing the university be repealed while
a new law aimed at amending the principal law be passed," Maduagwu
said.
Mr Valentine Ayika (PDP Njikoka1) said that the bill was due for
passage since it was read second time in December 2013.
Mr Tony Muonagor (APC Idemili North) said that the aim was to
immortalise the late Ojukwu and to encourage hard work among the
people of the state and Nigeria at large.
Mr Ebele Obi (APC Idemili South) said that the passage was a welcome
development.
Mr Obinna Emenakaya (APGA Anambra East) said that the application for
the change of name was long over-due since it was meant to immortalise
a man who fought and lived for the Igbo people.
The Speaker, Mrs Chinwe Nwaebili, said that the university would be a
multi-campus institution located in Awka, Igbariam and Uli.
She said members of the committee on education did a good work and
urged others to prove their worth on any assignment given at committee
level or otherwise.
(NAN)
name of the state-owned university at Uli to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu
Ojukwu University.
The bill was passed during the plenary of the legislature in Awka to
honour the former Biafra hero.
The decision followed the report of the House Committee on Education
which recommended the change of the name.
Mrs Rita Maduagwu (APGA Nnewi South 2), the Chairman, House Committee
on Education, recalled that the bill had been read the second time on
the floor of the house on Dec. 17, 2013.
She said that the committee found that the university's name had been
changed before from Anambra State University of Science and Technology
and that there were a number of provisions in the extant law that
required review.
"After due consideration of facts and information, the committee
recommends that the law establishing the university be repealed while
a new law aimed at amending the principal law be passed," Maduagwu
said.
Mr Valentine Ayika (PDP Njikoka1) said that the bill was due for
passage since it was read second time in December 2013.
Mr Tony Muonagor (APC Idemili North) said that the aim was to
immortalise the late Ojukwu and to encourage hard work among the
people of the state and Nigeria at large.
Mr Ebele Obi (APC Idemili South) said that the passage was a welcome
development.
Mr Obinna Emenakaya (APGA Anambra East) said that the application for
the change of name was long over-due since it was meant to immortalise
a man who fought and lived for the Igbo people.
The Speaker, Mrs Chinwe Nwaebili, said that the university would be a
multi-campus institution located in Awka, Igbariam and Uli.
She said members of the committee on education did a good work and
urged others to prove their worth on any assignment given at committee
level or otherwise.
(NAN)
Merging Duplicate Facebook Pages
If you're the page manager of a Facebook page, especially one that's
popular, you've likely encountered the issue of dealing with
duplicates pages either from your own organisation's mishaps, excited
fan communities or even from copycats.
The process of handling duplicate Facebook pages is probably one of
the least "sexy" aspects of using social media, despite it being
essential for your company's presence on the social network.
It's likely one of the more frustrating things a community manager has
to deal with, since the process of reporting duplicates and removing
them isn't always easy and can be a time consuming aspect of your
Facebook marketing.
It's not an isolated problem
According to The Next Web 5.5 per cent and 11.2 per cent of all
Facebook accounts are fake, which can account for 67.65 to 137.76
million fake accounts being used every month. These fake accounts
include both Facebook profiles and pages, sometimes misrepresenting
both individuals or businesses.
Your business isn't alone, even the most well-known, largest
organizations on Facebook deal with issues related to duplicate pages.
For example, a search for the 'Kmarts Facebook Page reveals the many
other pages that exist on Facebook that are either community-run,
copycat, or duplicates of pages for the chain's many store locations.
Some businesses have an official verified badge at the top of their
page that helps clarify the validity of their page and gives them
priority on Facebook search, but many other businesses aren't as lucky
enough to have access to this feature, especially small to medium size
businesses, to clarify which page officially represents their
business.
Regularly dealing with the duplicate Facebook pages of your business
is important since they can potentially misrepresent your company,
distract Facebook users from your official messaging on the social
network, could affect the effectiveness of your Facebook advertising
and litter Facebook search results with the wrong listings.
To appropriately deal with this issue, Facebook offers a reporting
feature that lets you merge duplicate pages with your own pages that
official represent your business. However, this process can be easier
said then done.
How to report duplicate pages you manage
The best-case scenario when merging duplicate pages is when you are
already the manager of the pages you wish to duplicate. This is very
easily done, especially if there was a mistake internally with setting
up more than one page for a part, department, product line, brand, or
location of your business.
Once merged, the page that you've decided to keep will gain all the
likes and check-ins from the other pages that were merged with it,
while all the content like photos, Facebook posts and all other data
from the other pages will be deleted.
There shouldn't be any issues with merging pages that you already
manage on behalf of your business. To prevent any potential issues,
make sure that the Facebook pages being merged are a match in terms of
their overall subject matter including name, about section, and the
description of the page.
As the page manager, these sections can easily be changed to match one
another on the duplicate page and make it more likely it will merge
with the correct page without issue.
How to report duplicate pages you don't manage
When there's a duplicate page that you don't currently manage the
process requires a few more steps to complete. First, start by
visiting the duplicate page that is currently misrepresenting your
business. To fix this, you've got to gain ownership of the duplicate
page to allow your team to merge it properly.
On the top right hand side of any Facebook page with the latest layout
as of summer 2014, locate where it says "like," "follow," and
"message." To the right of those buttons is another with three dots,
click on it and scroll down the menu that pops out to reveal a "report
page" option. Click on the "report page" option to reveal the
following menu of options about why you'd like to report the
particular page for being a duplicate.
popular, you've likely encountered the issue of dealing with
duplicates pages either from your own organisation's mishaps, excited
fan communities or even from copycats.
The process of handling duplicate Facebook pages is probably one of
the least "sexy" aspects of using social media, despite it being
essential for your company's presence on the social network.
It's likely one of the more frustrating things a community manager has
to deal with, since the process of reporting duplicates and removing
them isn't always easy and can be a time consuming aspect of your
Facebook marketing.
It's not an isolated problem
According to The Next Web 5.5 per cent and 11.2 per cent of all
Facebook accounts are fake, which can account for 67.65 to 137.76
million fake accounts being used every month. These fake accounts
include both Facebook profiles and pages, sometimes misrepresenting
both individuals or businesses.
Your business isn't alone, even the most well-known, largest
organizations on Facebook deal with issues related to duplicate pages.
For example, a search for the 'Kmarts Facebook Page reveals the many
other pages that exist on Facebook that are either community-run,
copycat, or duplicates of pages for the chain's many store locations.
Some businesses have an official verified badge at the top of their
page that helps clarify the validity of their page and gives them
priority on Facebook search, but many other businesses aren't as lucky
enough to have access to this feature, especially small to medium size
businesses, to clarify which page officially represents their
business.
Regularly dealing with the duplicate Facebook pages of your business
is important since they can potentially misrepresent your company,
distract Facebook users from your official messaging on the social
network, could affect the effectiveness of your Facebook advertising
and litter Facebook search results with the wrong listings.
To appropriately deal with this issue, Facebook offers a reporting
feature that lets you merge duplicate pages with your own pages that
official represent your business. However, this process can be easier
said then done.
How to report duplicate pages you manage
The best-case scenario when merging duplicate pages is when you are
already the manager of the pages you wish to duplicate. This is very
easily done, especially if there was a mistake internally with setting
up more than one page for a part, department, product line, brand, or
location of your business.
Once merged, the page that you've decided to keep will gain all the
likes and check-ins from the other pages that were merged with it,
while all the content like photos, Facebook posts and all other data
from the other pages will be deleted.
There shouldn't be any issues with merging pages that you already
manage on behalf of your business. To prevent any potential issues,
make sure that the Facebook pages being merged are a match in terms of
their overall subject matter including name, about section, and the
description of the page.
As the page manager, these sections can easily be changed to match one
another on the duplicate page and make it more likely it will merge
with the correct page without issue.
How to report duplicate pages you don't manage
When there's a duplicate page that you don't currently manage the
process requires a few more steps to complete. First, start by
visiting the duplicate page that is currently misrepresenting your
business. To fix this, you've got to gain ownership of the duplicate
page to allow your team to merge it properly.
On the top right hand side of any Facebook page with the latest layout
as of summer 2014, locate where it says "like," "follow," and
"message." To the right of those buttons is another with three dots,
click on it and scroll down the menu that pops out to reveal a "report
page" option. Click on the "report page" option to reveal the
following menu of options about why you'd like to report the
particular page for being a duplicate.
Modu Sheriff, Not On Jonathan's Delegation To Chad -- Abati
The Presidency, Thursday, said that contrary to media reports and the
accusation by the All Progressive Congress, the former governor of
Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff was not part of the President Goodluck
Jonathan's delegation to Ndjamena, Chad.
Addressing state House Correspondents, Special Adviser to the
President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said the President
was aware of the allegations levelled against the former Borno state
governor and would not interfere with investigations by security
agencies.
According to Dr Abati, Senator Modu Sheriff was neither on the
President's entourage to Chad nor did he participate in any of the
engagements that the president had in Chad.
Abati said that Modu Sherrif only joined other Nigerians living in
Chad to welcome President Jonathan at the airport and the picture
taken of the President with the former Borno governor which is the
subject of angst of Nigerians and the opposition part was at the
airport where he had come with other Nigerians to welcome the
president.
His statement:
"We have noted with surprise, the unnecessary hue and cry raised by
the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other bigoted critics of the
Jonathan Administration over the claim that the President is
"hobnobbing" with the former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu
Sheriff who was recently accused by the Australian, Stephen Davis of
being one of the chief sponsors of the terrorist group, Boko Haram.
"The totally erroneous basis for that charge was the spurious claim
that Senator Sheriff accompanied President Jonathan on his recent trip
to Ndjamena as a member of his entourage.
(Photo: MEETING: From right; President Idriss Deby of Chad; President
Goodluck Jonathan and former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu
Sheriff at a meeting in Chad on Monday. Photo: NAN.)
"Although Senator Sheriff himself has already given the lie to that
claim through his Media Adviser, the Presidency wishes to affirm, for
the purpose of emphasis, that the former Borno State governor was not
on President Jonathan's delegation to Chad.
"In keeping with President Jonathan's commitment to transparency and
openness in the conduct of government business, names of the key
members of his delegation were announced a day before his trip to
Ndjamena.
"They included the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki
(rtd.), the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola
Johnson, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen
Mohammed and the Director-General of National Space Research and
Development Agency, Prof. Seidu Mohammed.
"As can be easily verified from the complete list of members of the
Presidential entourage to Chad which was also circulated on Sunday and
never changed, Senator Sheriff's name was not on it. The only other
persons on the list were the President's aides, security personnel and
journalists.
"The APC and others who rushed to condemn President Jonathan for a
non-existent indiscretion would have found, if they took the least
trouble to double-check, that there was absolutely no factual basis
for their accusation.
"Those who associate with Senator Sheriff know that he has
longstanding interests in Chad and often spends a lot of his time
there. He happened to be in Ndjamena at the time of President
Jonathan's visit and joined other Nigerian residents of the Chadian
capital in coming to the airport to welcome their President.
"That was the full extent of his participation in the visit and it was
also at Ndjamena Airport that the pictures which formed the basis of
the bogus allegation of President Jonathan hobnobbing with an "accused
sponsor of terrorism" were taken.
"The former Governor's presence in Chad was certainly not at President
Jonathan's instance and he did not participate in any of the
President's discussions with President Idriss Deby or his other
engagements in Ndjamena.
"President Jonathan is fully aware of the allegation made against
Senator Sheriff by Stephen Davis. That allegation is already being
investigated by the security agencies who will make their findings
known to the public in due course.
"The President assures all Nigerians that he has not willfully taken
any action that could prejudice the outcome of that ongoing inquiry.
"He seizes this opportunity to reassure the nation once again of his
total commitment to doing all within his powers to bring all
identified and verified sponsors of terrorism to justice, and ending
the menace of violent extremism in the country".
accusation by the All Progressive Congress, the former governor of
Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff was not part of the President Goodluck
Jonathan's delegation to Ndjamena, Chad.
Addressing state House Correspondents, Special Adviser to the
President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said the President
was aware of the allegations levelled against the former Borno state
governor and would not interfere with investigations by security
agencies.
According to Dr Abati, Senator Modu Sheriff was neither on the
President's entourage to Chad nor did he participate in any of the
engagements that the president had in Chad.
Abati said that Modu Sherrif only joined other Nigerians living in
Chad to welcome President Jonathan at the airport and the picture
taken of the President with the former Borno governor which is the
subject of angst of Nigerians and the opposition part was at the
airport where he had come with other Nigerians to welcome the
president.
His statement:
"We have noted with surprise, the unnecessary hue and cry raised by
the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other bigoted critics of the
Jonathan Administration over the claim that the President is
"hobnobbing" with the former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu
Sheriff who was recently accused by the Australian, Stephen Davis of
being one of the chief sponsors of the terrorist group, Boko Haram.
"The totally erroneous basis for that charge was the spurious claim
that Senator Sheriff accompanied President Jonathan on his recent trip
to Ndjamena as a member of his entourage.
(Photo: MEETING: From right; President Idriss Deby of Chad; President
Goodluck Jonathan and former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu
Sheriff at a meeting in Chad on Monday. Photo: NAN.)
"Although Senator Sheriff himself has already given the lie to that
claim through his Media Adviser, the Presidency wishes to affirm, for
the purpose of emphasis, that the former Borno State governor was not
on President Jonathan's delegation to Chad.
"In keeping with President Jonathan's commitment to transparency and
openness in the conduct of government business, names of the key
members of his delegation were announced a day before his trip to
Ndjamena.
"They included the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki
(rtd.), the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola
Johnson, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen
Mohammed and the Director-General of National Space Research and
Development Agency, Prof. Seidu Mohammed.
"As can be easily verified from the complete list of members of the
Presidential entourage to Chad which was also circulated on Sunday and
never changed, Senator Sheriff's name was not on it. The only other
persons on the list were the President's aides, security personnel and
journalists.
"The APC and others who rushed to condemn President Jonathan for a
non-existent indiscretion would have found, if they took the least
trouble to double-check, that there was absolutely no factual basis
for their accusation.
"Those who associate with Senator Sheriff know that he has
longstanding interests in Chad and often spends a lot of his time
there. He happened to be in Ndjamena at the time of President
Jonathan's visit and joined other Nigerian residents of the Chadian
capital in coming to the airport to welcome their President.
"That was the full extent of his participation in the visit and it was
also at Ndjamena Airport that the pictures which formed the basis of
the bogus allegation of President Jonathan hobnobbing with an "accused
sponsor of terrorism" were taken.
"The former Governor's presence in Chad was certainly not at President
Jonathan's instance and he did not participate in any of the
President's discussions with President Idriss Deby or his other
engagements in Ndjamena.
"President Jonathan is fully aware of the allegation made against
Senator Sheriff by Stephen Davis. That allegation is already being
investigated by the security agencies who will make their findings
known to the public in due course.
"The President assures all Nigerians that he has not willfully taken
any action that could prejudice the outcome of that ongoing inquiry.
"He seizes this opportunity to reassure the nation once again of his
total commitment to doing all within his powers to bring all
identified and verified sponsors of terrorism to justice, and ending
the menace of violent extremism in the country".
Gates Foundation Pledges $50 mln To Fight Ebola Epidemic
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged $50 million on Wednesday
to support emergency efforts to contain West Africa's Ebola epidemic,
which has already killed almost 2,300 people in the worst outbreak of
the virus in history.
The U.S.-based philanthropic foundation said it would release funds
immediately to U.N. agencies and international organisations to help
them buy supplies and scale up the emergency response in affected
countries.
It will also work with public and private sector partners to speed up
to development of drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics that could be
effective in treating Ebola patients and preventing further spread of
the haemorrhagic fever-causing virus.
"We are working urgently with our partners to identify the most
effective ways to help them save lives now and stop transmission of
this deadly disease," Sue Desmond-Hellmann, the Foundation's chief
executive officer, said in a statement.
Latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show the Ebola
outbreak, which began in March, has infected almost 4,300 people so
far, killing more than half of them.
The deadly viral infection is raging in three countries - Guinea,
Liberia, Sierra Leone - and has also spread into neighbouring Nigeria
and Senegal.
The WHO said on Tuesday the Ebola death toll jumped by almost 200 in a
single day to at least 2,296 and is already likely to be higher than
that. It has previously warned that the epidemic is growing
"exponentially" and there could be up to 20,000 cases in West Africa
before it is brought to a halt.
Chris Elias, the Gates Foundation's head of global development, said
in a telephone interview the group would be assessing over coming days
where funds could be best spent.
Some would go to the most acute and immediate needs, he said, and some
would be put towards more longer-term research into treatments and
ways of preventing future outbreaks.
"The spread of this disease has really happened because of the very
weak health systems in these very poor countries," he said. "We need
to be thinking how we can build up those health services, how we train
healthcare workers, and how we make sure they have the equipment they
need to do their jobs."
The Gates money comes after the British government and the Wellcome
Trust medical charity last month pledged 6.5 million pounds ($10.8
mln) to speed up research on Ebola, a disease for which there is
currently no licensed treatment or vaccine.
The WHO has backed the use of untested drugs, as long as conditions on
consent are met, and is hoping for improved supplies of experimental
medicines by the end of the year.
Britain's minister for international development, Justine Greening,
welcomed the Gates support, saying the "serious health, social and
economic risks posed by one of the worst outbreaks of the disease
require the entire international community to do more to assist".
The Gates Foundation - set up by the billionaire founder of Microsoft
Bill Gates to fight disease and poverty in poor countries - has
already committed more than $10 million to fight the Ebola outbreak,
including $5 million to the WHO for emergency operations and research
and development assessments and $5 million to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF
to support efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
In its statement, the foundation said it would also give an extra $2
million immediately to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) to support incident management, treatment, and health
care system strengthening.
to support emergency efforts to contain West Africa's Ebola epidemic,
which has already killed almost 2,300 people in the worst outbreak of
the virus in history.
The U.S.-based philanthropic foundation said it would release funds
immediately to U.N. agencies and international organisations to help
them buy supplies and scale up the emergency response in affected
countries.
It will also work with public and private sector partners to speed up
to development of drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics that could be
effective in treating Ebola patients and preventing further spread of
the haemorrhagic fever-causing virus.
"We are working urgently with our partners to identify the most
effective ways to help them save lives now and stop transmission of
this deadly disease," Sue Desmond-Hellmann, the Foundation's chief
executive officer, said in a statement.
Latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show the Ebola
outbreak, which began in March, has infected almost 4,300 people so
far, killing more than half of them.
The deadly viral infection is raging in three countries - Guinea,
Liberia, Sierra Leone - and has also spread into neighbouring Nigeria
and Senegal.
The WHO said on Tuesday the Ebola death toll jumped by almost 200 in a
single day to at least 2,296 and is already likely to be higher than
that. It has previously warned that the epidemic is growing
"exponentially" and there could be up to 20,000 cases in West Africa
before it is brought to a halt.
Chris Elias, the Gates Foundation's head of global development, said
in a telephone interview the group would be assessing over coming days
where funds could be best spent.
Some would go to the most acute and immediate needs, he said, and some
would be put towards more longer-term research into treatments and
ways of preventing future outbreaks.
"The spread of this disease has really happened because of the very
weak health systems in these very poor countries," he said. "We need
to be thinking how we can build up those health services, how we train
healthcare workers, and how we make sure they have the equipment they
need to do their jobs."
The Gates money comes after the British government and the Wellcome
Trust medical charity last month pledged 6.5 million pounds ($10.8
mln) to speed up research on Ebola, a disease for which there is
currently no licensed treatment or vaccine.
The WHO has backed the use of untested drugs, as long as conditions on
consent are met, and is hoping for improved supplies of experimental
medicines by the end of the year.
Britain's minister for international development, Justine Greening,
welcomed the Gates support, saying the "serious health, social and
economic risks posed by one of the worst outbreaks of the disease
require the entire international community to do more to assist".
The Gates Foundation - set up by the billionaire founder of Microsoft
Bill Gates to fight disease and poverty in poor countries - has
already committed more than $10 million to fight the Ebola outbreak,
including $5 million to the WHO for emergency operations and research
and development assessments and $5 million to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF
to support efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
In its statement, the foundation said it would also give an extra $2
million immediately to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) to support incident management, treatment, and health
care system strengthening.
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