From Nigeria to Italy: Women trafficked into sex work tell their stories "I had no choice, I had to pay him... I was like a prisoner"

A Nigerian lady , Victoria, who was told she was going to Italy to study and work afterwards tells her story of how was forced into prostitution and how she sufferered in the hands of her traffickers
''They promised me an education. They promised me if I came with them I could go to school and get a good job" 18-year-old Victoria tells ITV her story from a small cafe house in Turin, a shelter for rescued Nigerian prostitutes.

The promise was the slick patter of a modern slave master, who saw Victoria in her native Lagos back in Nigeria, and realised she was rich pickings. Her trafficker, whom she trusted, said he could get her to Italy.
With little to live for in Nigeria, Victoria found the money to pay and with her head full of teenage dreams of a better life, she went for it. She is one of thousands of Nigerian women who take the gamble every year - the numbers have shot up in the past two years as the traffickers hide their victims in the endless flow of migrants heading to Europe.

Victoria's 2,500 mile journey became an epic of exploitation and abuse. By the time they'd got her to Libya, Victoria had been beaten and forced into prostitution: making money for her trafficker to pay off her now endless debt to him. Her eyes widen as she tells ITV presenter she had no choice. Her dismay is heartbreaking.

"I had no choice, I had no choice! I had to pay him... I was like a prisoner", she said.

But thankfully the shelter we're chatting in is a place of safety. Just a few weeks ago she arrived in Italy by boat via the now well worn route of thousands of Nigerian women. Before the traffickers awaiting her in Italy could pluck her from the crowd, she was spotted by a charity run by Princess Inyang Okokon, who was herself trafficked from Italy to Nigeria, via London, nearly 20 years ago.

Her husband Alberto is happy to admit he was once one of her paying clients.
But when he met Princess, his eyes were opened to the phenomenon of modern slavery: she was trapped in a life of prostitution in Italy, her documents kept by her female trafficker - and with massive debts to pay. He helped her get out. For Princess, Victoria's story is her story.

She and Alberto now run shelters for women just like her, but are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer numbers they are dealing with. The couple took the reporters onto the streets of Turin late at night: in one suburb there is a sex worker on almost every corner - nearly all of them we are told, will have been trafficked from Nigeria.

Wearing barely any clothes, they stoke fires they've made in small oil drums to keep warm whilst they wait for the next car to pull up (see video in the link) Rescuing them is dangerous work: the traffickers watch their every move.

ITV spoke to many of the women Princess and Alberto care for. All of them had tales of rape, beatings, enforced servitude. Two of them had babies with them - thrown onto the boats from Libya to Italy because their trade value went down when they got pregnant in Libya. Every single one of them had been bought, sold, used, and resold. They were treated as goods in transit.

Source: Itv News

Buhari’s daughter replies Ezekwesili's allegations

Hajiya Hadiza Buhari Bello, daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari  has debunked allegations of franchise infringement by the Bring Back Our Girls group, led by former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.

Hadiza who is President of theThe Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative (AFRISEI) and  Don Uche, the secretary said their organisation would never engage in illegal activities by stealing someone else’s franchise.

She explained that contrary to the allegation by Ezekwesili, her organization did not need to lean on the BBOG to be of service to the Chibok Girls and therefore had no reason to steal anything from BBOG or use its name to achieve any advantage.

According to her, the Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative has its own defined objectives and that it didn’t need to steal anybody’s ideas to operate in line with its own objectives.

Hajiya Hadiza Buhari Bello and Uche also explained that their  organization is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and issued certificate of incorporation on 14th July, 2016.

While praising the activities of the BBOG to raise and sustain awareness about the plight of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, the President’s daughter said that their organization had broader objectives beyond the Chibok girls.

They said though the Chibok girls are within the priority of their organization, its commitments to humanitarian causes does not end with Chibok schoolgirls.

“Given the size of the problem at hand, the more Organisations we have assisting Chibok and other devastated communities, the better for the country,” added the statement.

Hadiza Buhari and Uche added that as a charitable organization, AFRISEI is committed to empowering the youth and the less privileged in the area of job creation and skill acquisition.

It is also committed to supporting the education of the less privileged students, giving material support to the downtrodden and the internally displaced persons.

They also said AFRISEI is committed to educating the masses to discourage unhealthy practices such as child trafficking, child abuse, child labour and gender discrimination.

The AFRISEI President and secretary said there is no law that prevents their organization from assisting the Chibok schoolgirls.

As a charity organisation, the group can  offer help to people in distress, including the Chibok girls and the Boko Haram victims, they wrote.

Culled from NAN

Despite all i’ve been through, I’m happy –Tiwa Savage

Mavin’s first lady, Tiwa Savage, got so many mouths agape when she got an international deal so many of her colleagues only fantasise about.  The singer recently signed an international deal with Jay Z’s Roc Nation Records and some people began to insinuate that the deal might tear Mavin apart just as such deal allegedly tore apart Mo’hit Records which was then run by D’banj and Don Jazzy.

But then, the singer said she wasn’t going to let such apprehension affect the advancement of her career even as she claimed she wouldn’t know what caused the rift between D’banj and Don Jazzy.

“I really don’t think the international deal was what broke Mo’Hits. I would not like to think that and I don’t think any of us can really talk about that issue because it is only the two of them that really know what happened between them. For me, this is a blessing and I would not allow something that happened before to make me nervous. Maybe this is a way for us to get a second chance as Nigerian artistes and second chances rarely happen,” she said.

The singer who has been through the eye of the storm due to her recent marriage crisis told Saturday Beats that despite everything that has happened in her life, she is still happy.

“I am very happy, I am blessed. I have a child and I have no reason why I should not be happy. I have a beautiful, healthy son and a loving family. My career is getting stronger by the day. I just signed an international deal, why shouldn’t I be happy?

“Not everybody loved Jesus Christ, so who is Tiwa Savage in the scheme of things? I am nobody. I am just somebody God has put a talent in. In all honesty, when I encounter negative criticisms, I just focus on the people that love me. You cannot make anyone love you, so I try not to convince people that don’t love me. I would rather focus on the people that love me and make sure I do not disappoint them,” she said.

Culled from PUNCH.               

There’s a level of mental illness in Nigeria –Ajai-Lycett

Veteran actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, is currently unhappy about the current situation of things in the country. She bared her mind on this in an interview with Saturday Beats and according to the thespian, there is a level of insanity in Nigeria that has not been discovered.

She opened up on issues that bothered her as a mother, stating that except Nigeria gets its moral compass right, things would not change for the better.

“There is a level of mental illness in this country that nobody has recognised yet. It is not everybody that you see walking on the streets that is sane. How sane can a man be if he is taking a nine or 14-year-old girl for a wife? Is that person sane?

“As the saying goes, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is what we are seeing now. We need to find our moral compass because we have lost it totally. If we don’t find our moral compass, things would not change for the better.

“Now when people have power or money, they try to use that to dominate other people. If the people in power who are supposed to be our reference point are getting away with murder and no one calls them to order, the younger ones might want to assume that same position in future so they can do as they like. You see a situation where people drive against traffic in Nigeria and get away with it, why would you not have everyone go haywire? Why would you not find people defiling young girls? When ministers have meetings and they go to the universities to traffic our girls for their entertainment, how do you think our society is going to be well and orderly if these are the people leading our society?

“The young ones see that those people in power get away with anything and they aspire to be like them. You see people doing nothing in the national assembly but they have a fleet of exotic cars. How much is their salary? Admittedly, they are getting far more than they deserve but in a country where you don’t have good roads, is that their priority? Consequently, the young people would believe that the way to go is to make money by any means. Nobody is thinking about what they can put into the country; instead they are looking for what they can take out of the country. That is what our leaders have done, they have looted the country,” she said.

Culled from PUNCH.               

Police arrest suspects for defiling 12-year-old

The Abia State Police Command has arrested and paraded three suspects, who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl in Arochukwu Local Council Area of the state.

The suspects, who are 35-year-old Chima Ochiabuto, Immaculate Ogbonnaya (25), and Uche Nwaokoro (20) allegedly, defiled the minor at different occasions.

It was learnt that the incident was reported to the police after the girl got missing for two days and later returned to her guardian identified only as Oluchi.

The victim was said to be looking pale when she was returned to Oluchi.

According Oluchi, “I sent my younger sibling on an errand, but she absconded only to resurface after two days. When I asked her of her whereabouts, she didn’t say anything reasonable.

So, I alerted the youths in the community and in the process of questioning her, she told us that she was with some men who raped her and also said the other two had raped her in the past.”

The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adeleye Oyabade, confirmed that the hoodlums, who had taken their turn to defile the minor, were, were arrested following the alarm raised by the guardian.

Oyebade pointed out that the rape case was confirmed at Arochukwu General Hospital where the victim was admitted.

He said the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be arraigned in court.

While two of the suspects, Ochiabuto and Ogbonnaya, denied defiling the young girl, Nwaokoro confessed that it was the devil that led him into the ugly act.

Nwaokoro said, “It started one day when the girl’s aunty sent her to our house to call another girl named Chizoba for her sometime in the month of August.

“It was while she was waiting for Chizoba that the devil led me to touch her. Please I am sorry; it is the devil.”

Ochiabuto, however, claimed to have rescued the rape victim one night when her guardian sent her out of the house.

According to him, “I found this girl wandering around the village one night in the month of June. So, I asked what her problem was and she told me that the aunty sent her away for misbehaving.

“She spent only one night in my house, although I was tempted to touch her, but I didn’t do anything with her.”

Culled from PUNCH.               

Georgia teen loses leg after teacher's 'body slam,' attorney says

A 13-year-old boy had to have his right leg amputated after a contractor at a Columbus, Georgia, school "body slammed" him repeatedly, an attorney for the boy's family said.

Montravious Thomas was injured in September after an employee at Edgewood Student Services Center "body slammed" him three times when Thomas tried to leave the classroom to call his mother, family attorney Renee Tucker told CNN on Thursday.

Tucker says after the incident took place, officials at the school failed to provide Thomas with adequate medical care. At one point, school officials told the teenager an ambulance was on its way, but then told him he would have to ride the bus home and made him attempt to walk to the bus, the lawyer said.

When it was clear Thomas could not walk to the bus, Tucker said, the same contractor who disciplined him "threw him over the shoulder and carried him to the bus."

Thomas' mother took him to the emergency room that night and he was later airlifted to an Atlanta hospital, Tucker said.

School district cites safety issues
The Muscogee County School District says the contractor involved in the incident, Bryant Mosley, was a contract worker and is no longer providing services to the school district.

Mosley holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a masters in clinical mental health counseling, the system said.

"Mr. Mosley is specifically trained in MindSet curriculum, a system of preventing and managing aggressive behavior, and Georgia restraint requirements. It is our understanding that there were issues concerning the safety of the child and others in the room, which called for the use of restraint per state guidance," the district said in a statement.

In a Friday update to its original statement, the school system said, "Witnesses indicate that the child was up and walking and not in distress following the administered restraint."

The school system said it made multiple attempts to contact the parent by phone on September 12, the day of the incident, but was unsuccessful.

Edgewood Student Services Center is a school for students who have been temporarily removed from their current school because of behavioral problems or for breaking behavioral rules.

An attorney for the company employing Mosley -- Mentoring and Behavioral Sciences -- released a statement to CNN saying, "We are certainly very concerned for Montravious and our hearts go out to him. He and his family are in our thoughts as prayers."

The attorney, Robert Poydasheff Jr., said in the statement that he had advised the company "not to comment or speculate on the matter until we have completed our investigation. "There is very little information to work from," Poydasheff added.

An attorney representing Mosley individually said he would not comment on the case. Student was face-down on floor, attorney says Tucker said at one point, Thomas was face-down on the floor, with Mosley's weight on top of him.

She said if Thomas had received adequate medical care shortly after the incident, his leg could possibly could have been saved. He's expected to remain at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston for at least 30 more days and he'll need extensive occupational and physical therapy in the coming months, Tucker said.

Doctors performed several surgeries to try to restore the blood flow to Thomas' right leg before having to perform the amputation, the attorney said.
School district to conduct review
The school district says it is conducting a "thorough review of the incident to determine all of the facts and to make any necessary recommendations because the safety of all students and all employees is priority."

The Muscogee County School District statement says: "Physical restraint is allowed in Georgia public schools and educational programs in those situations in which the student is an immediate danger to himself or others and the student is not responsive to less intensive behavioral interventions including verbal directives or other de-escalation techniques."

The teen's attorney claims the method Mosley used is not part of the Georgia restraint guidance.

The incident happened on Thomas' first day at Edgewood, Tucker said. He'd been required to attend the alternative school for four days after having an issue with another student at his home school, she explained, adding that his family says he was not known for being violent or having outbursts at school nor had he ever been restrained by a teacher in the past.

Tucker has filed a request under Georgia's open records law to obtain any video that may exist of the restraint and Thomas' attempt to walk to the school bus, as well as his school records, but has not yet received any response.

The attorney said that while no charges or lawsuits have been filed yet, the family plans to move ahead with a civil suit in the near future.

Culled from CNN 

Buhari's kitchen comment! "Don't mind all these women activists, they're all hypocrites," divorcee tells Alibaba

A woman who is separated from her husband in 2005, due to peer influence. W is not in support of Aisha Buhari's interview, saying those supporting her should find a house for her if her marriage fails. As shared by Ali Baba

A very successful businesswoman, with her hands in different pies, sent this whatsapp message to me and today I received it from 3 people. One guy who is married and 2 ladies. I know one of them is separated from her husband and the other is a high court judge. The one that is separated, added this, "Ali, don't mind all these women activist ooo! Hypocrite ni gbogbo won.
The lady that caused the initial friction between my husband and I, before other things now led to us living apart, she is still in her husband's house Oo! I left ******* in 2005, going over 10 years now. The things that that woman fed my ears, and me ode, acted upon, is not up to half what her husband has done.
She made me believe that ******* was following one girl in Midas bank. And I we both went to harass the lady at work. Ali, We heard she went to Skin deep, at La Fayete Mall. We went to block her. It was crazy. Now her own husband fathered 2 children, from 2 different ladies. She did not leave Oo. Before I could know what was happening I decided to revenge to spite my husband.
That's how it now my own ended. In the end Sef, my husband had nothing to do with the girl. She was his godfather's babe. Now that MRS Buhari has talked anyhow, let all those praise singing her, find a house for her ooo. Because, if Buhari is like some men I know, it is finished. Greet your wife for me"

Woman raped and buried alive GRAPHIC WARNING!!!!

CORRECTION 

THIS HAPPENED 2012 AND NOT THE PROPRIETRESS. SHE WAS RAPED AND BURIED ALIVE IN BONNY ISLAND RIVERS STATE. 

Has Arik Air has become a slave camp where the Chairman is terrorising staff?

I received this email today and I am posting it as sent.

"Dear Sparkle,

This is an SOS for help. Please, publish it for the world to read.

Arik Air has become a slave camp where the Chairman is terrorising staff.

Staff are owed three months salary - July till date, yet there is no word from management.

The Chairman is concerned about upcoming 10th year anniversary while staff are in pain.

Despite not paying salary, Mr Johnson is sacking staff based on hearsay and text message.

He has planted his spies everywhere and they make false allegations. Last week he sacked a Lady Julia for calling his ward, Chairman's baby.

He suspended another staff for braiding her hair.

In August, he sacked Capt Obot because he refused to fly without his 2 months pay.

At international airport, we are forced to work without facilities. Other airlines have power but we board passengers in darkness. Other airlines have internet facilities but we are forced to use our personal internet.

The slave situation has turned many of us into corporate beggars from passengers. We rely on passenger crumbs to feed and cater for our family.

Arik Air aircrafts are not safe because pilot flying it are not paid. They are under a lot of trauma.

There has not been any salary review in the last 7 years or more.

In my years of working with Arik Air, our pensions are not paid and our tax clearance too.

Arik is a fraud because it owes all its vendors and insurers. Arik Air has zero credit worthiness.

Some crew say they have been locked out of hotel room because Arik refused to pay. Sim slots for pilots are also cancelled because they cannot make payments for simulator.

Everyday, we make huge sales but the money is diverted. Arik Air despite this still employs expatriate staff to do exactly what Nigerians are doing.

The expatriate staff are paid in dollars and usually paid 7 times what Nigerians are paid.

We don't have work tools. We buy our own rain boots, torchlight and pregnant security staff sleep on the tarmac for night duty.

We even sew our own uniforms. Arik Air gave us uniform last 7 years ago.

Security dept is the worst as we have two separate pay grade as graduates.

My colleague in catering says they recycle meals and never throw them away. That is if meals are not eaten on the plane, they are put back in the freezer for another time.

This can lead to food poisoning.

As we speak now the Chairman is overworking all staff under fatigue and pressure.

When union tried to come to Arik to register staff, the Chairman sacked staff that registered.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority is aware of what is happening in Arik but turning a blind eye.

The MD, Mr Ndule and DMD Capt Ado cannot stand up to the Chairman to tell him the truth. The same thing with the Chief Pilot. They are all yes men while we are suffering and smiling.

Arik Air is an accident waiting to happen."

Tonto Dikeh left speechless after her husband buys her 2017 Lexus SUV

The actress on social media, shared the photos of the car above and wrote

"I am indeed speechless by your love for me..Everyday I applaud myself for marrying such an awesome husband as you....Thank u my dearest husband for gifting me such a wonderful gift as dis cutie(Lexus LX 570 2017).
May God bless and enrich u dearly for me,You SHALL KNOW NOT LACK. Your Love has made me a better woman and I am grateful to God for letting our paths cross..I LOVE YOU SO MUCH #PAPAKING#MYKINGKONG #LOVERS #GIFT#PRAYINGWIFE #SANTA CAME EARLY@lexususa".

Local vigilante nab man allegedly raping a minor in Rigasa, Kaduna state

Local vigilantes nabbed the young man (pictured) while he was allegedly raping a minor last night at Makarfi Road, Rigasa, Kaduna State. No word on whether he has been turned into the authorities.

Photo Credit: Twitter/‏@MusadiqZ

Actor Ali Nuhu changes his mind, says Rahama Sadau's expulsion from Kannywood is unfair and might be reconsidered

About a week after saying the expulsion of his colleague, Rahama Sadau, from Kannywood for her role in a musical video was logical as he believes she violated the codes and ethics of Kannywood, actor Ali Nuhu, has now come out to say that her expulsion was unfair. In a chat with Channels TV, Nuhu said he has spoken to some of the excos in Kannywood and says he thinks they are going to reconsider their decision.

"I think that her expulsion is too rigid. If it was like giving her a warning or placing her on suspension, I can understand but expelling someone from her profession, I don't think its fair. I have spoken to some Excos of Kannywood. I think they are going to reconsider it"he said

Chimamanda Adichie is the New Face of Boots No7's make-up, campaign launches on Friday

Award-winning Nigerian author and feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the new face of Boots No7 make-up, with her debut campaign launching on Friday, October 21. Opening up about the campaign in Vogue’s November 2016 Real Issue, in "The New Face Of Beauty: You", she said:

"I think much of beauty advertising relies on a false premise – that women need to be treated in an infantile way, given a ‘fantasy’ to aspire to… Real women are already inspired by other real women, so perhaps beauty advertising needs to get on board.
The campaign launches on television, online, in print and in outdoor media on October 21, with Adichie speaking about how she used to fear being taken less seriously because of her love of make-up, but later came to embrace it as a tool, an enhancement and as part of her own identity. "I love make-up and its wonderful possibilities for temporary transformation. And I also love my face after I wash it all off,” she said in a statement. "There is something exquisitely enjoyable about seeing yourself with a self-made new look. And for me that look is deeply personal. It isn’t about what is in fashion or what the rules are supposed to be. It’s about what I like. What makes me want to smile when I look in the mirror. What makes me feel slightly better on a dull day. What makes me comfortable"

Source: British Vogue

Police rescue little girl brutalized by her father & stepmother over bedwetting

Police in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state have rescued a little girl who was badly brutalized by her father and step mother, for bed-wetting. According to twitter user, @MissTekenah: "I've heard cases of Child Abuse. But seeing a victim today brought tears to my eyes. I can't get over it. It shouldn't hurt to be a child For always urinating in bed, this is what her father n step mother did to her. There's no excuse for child abuse."

BBOG disowns fund-raising by Buhari’s daughter, peace corps

The #BringBackOurGirls coalition, has disowned a fund-raising organised in its name by President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hadiza and a group, the Peace Corps of Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.

The BBOG urged the public to disregard attempts at linking it to “this highly suspicious event.”

A non-governmental organisation, run by Hadiza, Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the ‘Chibok Girls Endowment Project’ with the the Peace Corps during which N3m was said to have been raised for the Chibok schoolgirls.

But the BBOG in a statement by Co-coordinators, Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yusuf, said it was not a party to the alleged fund-raising, noting that it was shocked and perplexed by the use of its name at the event.

The coalition said after 902 days of advocacy for the release of the abducted Chibok girls, it was disheartening to see attempts by external actors to use its name for selfish purposes.

The movement noted that it had carefully built its reputation as a well-organised and disciplined global movement that is completely self-funded, adding that it had contacted its lawyer, Femi Falana and was considering a response to the attempt to smear its name.

The statement read, “Following repeated enquiries from the media, we stumbled upon information of an event tagged “Official Inauguration and Signing of Memorandum of Understanding on the Chibok Girls Endowment Project” organised by the “Peace Corps of Nigeria” and “Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative”, with Hadiza Buhari-Bello.

“We are shocked, perplexed and completely dumbfounded to see the bold inscription of our hard-earned name, #BringBackOurGirls, on the event’s backdrop.

“We state categorically that we are not party to the said event and have absolutely no information of its origin. We urge the general public to disregard attempts at linking our movement to this highly suspicious event.”

“Together with our lawyers, Femi Falana & Co., we are considering a response to this attempt to smear our movement.

“We call on the general public and law enforcement agencies to be on the look-out for unscrupulous persons who may already be/are planning similar nefarious acts to deceive the local and international community.”

The group said it was a citizens’ movement and not a non-governmental organisation, hence the decision to fund its activities by sacrificial contributions of members.

“It will be highly injurious to allow it be dragged in the mud at this point. We therefore demand an immediate retraction and unreserved apology from the organizers,” it stated.

Culled from PUNCH

Mary J. Blige's estranged husband demands almost $130K per month in spousal support

Mary J. Blige's estranged husband, Martin Isaacs, is demanding a whole lot of money from her for a monthly spousal support as part of their divorce settlement.

Martin Isaacs who was Mary J's manager, filed for temporary spousal support, and according to the documents he filed, he says $129,319 per month is a reasonable amount to maintain his lifestyle.
His reason being that Mary J was the only breadwinner during their almost 13-year marriage and got him used to their lavish lifestyle. Adding that Mary J. earned between $1.5 to $5.1 million over the last 2 years.

He said he hasn't made any money since Mary fired him as her manager shortly after she filed for divorce. Even though the couple signed a Prep before they got married, Martin says it doesn't count because he signed it without a lawyer.

He also said Mary J has given him $85k since they separated.

Culled from Yahoo

C & S prophetess on trial for stealing turkey

A C & S prophetess, 41-year-old Sola Ajayi, who allegedly stole a Canadian-breed life turkey valued at N30, 000, is to remain behind bars, an Ile Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun ruled on Monday.

Ajayi was ordered to be kept in prison custody over his inability to perfect her bail.

Chief Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode had granted her bail in the sum of N30, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Ijiyode added that the surety must be a civil servant and should also reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

No civil servant showed up to stand surety for her and the magistrate remanded the prophetess in prison custody until the bail condition was met.

The accused was arraigned on a charge of stealing to which she pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 16 at about 4.00 p.m. at Iloromu Quarters, Mokuro, Ile Ife.

Osanyintuyi said the accused stole the life turkey valued at N30, 000, property of a woman, Khadijat Lamidi.

The offence contravened Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

Counsel to the accused, Mr. Olalekan Babatunde, urged the court to grant her bail. The case was adjourned to Nov. 26 for hearing.

NAN

BREAKING: EFCC detains Fani-Kayode’s wife, eight-month-old baby

"The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday detained the wife of former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Precious Fani-Kayode in Ado Ekiti.

Precious, who was a guest of Governor Ayodele Fayose, had gone to an Access Bank branch in Ado Ekiti around 3p.m. for transactions when she was detained by officials of the bank.

Sensing that she was not being promptly attended, she inquired from officials what the problem was and was told she was being detained on the instruction of the EFCC."

Culled from PUNCH

Dubai's Emir flies more than £250,000 of aid to Haiti in his private jet

The Emir of Dubai has flown $350,000 of emergency supplies to Haiti on his private jet.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum sent 90 tonnes of emergency supplies in his Boeing 747 to the Caribbean island in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

Around 300,000 Haitians have been forced by the tropical storm to live in temporary shelters after an estimated 1,000 people were killed when it struck the poor country.

Haiti is still reeling from the effects of the 2010 earthquake and an ongoing cholera outbreak which has killed around 10,000 people so far.

According to the Dubai government, the Sheikh's wife, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, personally oversaw the relief mission which included tents, mosquito nets, medical supplies and water purification units.

The United Nations has stated 1.4 million people in Haiti require urgent assistance appealing for $120 million (£98 million) in funds to help the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Princess Haya wrote in an Instagram post: "One image will forever be in mind, when I think of Haiti. I have seen in 2010, the devastation caused, and it was only because I was on an IHC envoy.

"The same cargo plane I came in today. Again today lives have been erased.

"It is all about what the country needs, but to a certain extent, it is also about what is given."

She praised the humanitarian actions of her husband the emir and the United Arab Emirates despite the wars and fighting currently besieging the Middle East.

The daughter of King Hussein of Jordan, Princess Haya added: "We, as Arabs, should be bankrupt. We fight on every front, and we have our own to feed and shelter.

"But please, if I can just tell you the sense of humility I knew because my country the UAE had given and my people the Jordanians are there fighting."

Culled from Business Insider

My wife rejected a millionaire to marry me — Zakky of the New Masquerade fame

Tony Akposheri, popularly known as Zakky in the now rested television drama series, The New Masquerade, is almost 29 years in marriage.

He met his wife, Anna, while on the set of that famous drama series that ruled the silver screen in the 80s. One thing led to another and they are today happily married with four children to show for their union. The couple recounts the evergreen story of their journey into marriage.

Years of marriage
We are almost 29 years in marriage. Our first child is about 27 years while our second child is 25 years. The other two are above 18 years.

How we met
I met my wife on the set of the now rested T V drama, New Masquerade. She came to play the role of Eze’s daughter in the drama series. She was in her teens when I met her. I approached her and we started dating. The rest is history. In fact, my colleagues then, Gringory Akabogu and Ovuleria, wife of Chief Zebrudaya in the New Masquerade drama series, encouraged me to propose to her.

The attraction
Her innocence and smartness attracted me to her. She’s multi-talented and very beautiful. But I didn’t propose to her immediately. She needed to be sure that I was real because most of the ladies then were always afraid of having anything to do with male celebrities.

Was I ready to marry?
Not really, but when I saw the qualities I was looking for in her, I made up my mind to settle down. She’s a good cook. I must confess that she’s the best cook I have ever met. That was one of the things that attracted me to her.

Ups and downs of marriage
I had nothing when I married her. Before then, there was a young millionaire suitor who was coming to ask for her hand in marriage. I was earning only N100 per episode in the New Masquerade while the lead character, Gringory, was earning N120. Then I was living in a room and parlour apartment, while her millionaire suitor had a duplex and cruising in posh cars. Things were not rosy for me then, but I think love conquers all things. She really loved me and ready to accept me for what I am.

Strength of marriage Understanding.
Marriage has to do with understanding. If you understand your partner, nothing on earth can come between the two of you. But if you love her and you don’t understand her, your marriage is bound to have a crack.

What gives joy in marriage?
The knowledge of the fact that I have somebody like her who overlooks my atrocities. I have offended her many times and many times she has forgiven me. That’s why I said marriage must be built on solid foundation of understanding and love.

What I would like to change about her?
Absolutely nothing. She’s everything to me. After 29 years, she’s still my best friend. She keeps me going on, and there’s nothing I can change about her.

Why marriages crash
Where there is no understanding, a marriage is bound to crash. My wife married me when I had nothing. She rejected a man who had everything to make her happy in marriage. She could have married the man, but she rejected him because of me. She did understand my kind of person. So many people go into marriage today without understanding their partners. Such a marriage is bound to collapse. Everything is not about money; even though money is essential in marriage, understanding is the driving force.

When I feel loved by her
All the time I feel loved by her, especially when she’s cooking in the kitchen. Not only that, watching her sleep peacefully beside me with her sweet breathe gives me joy. I feel loved and excited that I married my friend.

My husband doesn’t take things seriously —Wife
The secret of looking ageless after 29 years in marriage I have peace of mind, I don’t like any thing to bother me. I like expressing my mind and that is it. Yes, I married very early, at the age of 19.

Why I married him
I saw a man with a golden heart. His heart is open, he is free-minded. Like he said earlier, I had a suitor who was coming to me then. They even said the man proposed to me when I was born. As I was growing up, they introduced him as my uncle, until I travelled to Nasarawa State to spend my holiday, when he started touching me. At that point, I told him that he was supposed to be my uncle. When I came back to my village, I narrated the experience to my mother and that was how I rejected him.

Fear of marrying a celebrity
I didn’t entertain any fear because I was confident that anywhere he goes, he will definitely think about to me.

Things I don’t like about him
My husband makes fun out of everything. When you are talking about something serious, he doesn’t take that thing seriously. I like him for that.

What I cannot do for him
Nothing I cannot do for me apart from bringing a woman to him.

Culled from Vanguard

Katsina minor must take lie-detector test – Expert

Habiba Isa, the 14-year-old allegedly forced into marriage to a subject of the Emir of Katsina, Jamilu Lawal, must be made to take a lie detector test.

A security expert, Taiwo Oyenekan, who said this, added that only a lie detector could tell if her alleged consent to the marriage and conversion to Islam were genuine.

PUNCH Metro had reported that Isa was allegedly forcefully taken from her parents in Warkaza community, in the Kudun Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The family had alleged that Isa was abducted and forced into marrying Lawal.

The family had initially claimed that Isa, who was abducted on August 16, 2016, was married off to the emir, but further checks showed that Lawal, who allegedly abducted and converted Isa to Islam, married and held her incommunicado.

Isa clocked 15 years on Saturday, October 15, 2016, and should have been in school for the new academic term, but for her abduction.

Our correspondent reported that a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria, which visited the palace, was allowed access to the minor.

She was asked three questions by the Kaora Katsina, Alhaji Nuhu Abdulkadir, on behalf of the emirate council.

She was reportedly asked if she was forcefully converted to Islam and if she was forced into the marriage, to which she allegedly said no.

When also asked if she had started experiencing menstrual period before she met her husband, she allegedly answered in the affirmative.

Abdulkadir was said to have declared the marriage irreversible, adding that the three questions were in line with the Islamic religion.

But the security expert said only a polygraph could say if Isa’s replies were not forced.

He said, “When they are going (to the palace) the next time, they should not rely on the mere words of the girl, because they may not be from her heart. They should go with a polygraph, which is truth-test equipment.

“It is only the machine that can show if what she says is the truth or she is under coercion.  Also, they may need a consultant to ask pertinent questions demanding a yes or no monosyllable response. I believe it is wrong and uncultured to take a girl and marry her without the consent of her parents.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Ex-commissioner’s son, girlfriend burnt to death in Bayelsa

Mr. Mientei Ayawei, the son of a former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nimibofa Ayawei, and his girlfriend, identified only as Happiness, have been burnt to death in an apartment fire.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the NIIT area of Tombia, in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but a man close to Ayawei, who is presently the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue, said the fire was caused by a high electricity voltage.

The man, who did not want to be identified because he was not authorised to speak on the incident, said the high voltage caused the fire around 4am on the day.

He said the fire, which razed nearly all the rooms and valuables in the one-storeyed building, adjacent to Dannielo Pulo, a filling station owned by the former commissioner, started from the apartment where Mientei and his girlfriend were.

The man, who claimed to be a sibling of the victim (Mientei), said when the fire started, the duo of Mientei and Happiness were sleeping.

He said the deceased became aware of the fire after the room they were had been enveloped by smoke.

He said on the day, there were two other persons who were in another room in the house, adding that they managed to escape death by a whisker.

He said Mientei, 25, just completed his degree programme in Human Resources Management from a university in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Another source, who described himself simply as a pastor, said Mientei was from the Southern Ijaw area of the state while his girlfriend, Happiness, hailed from the Ogbia LGA.

He said the fire destroyed all the valuables in the house as many rooms were razed.

It was learnt that firefighters arrived at the scene after some hours.

The presence of the firefighters, was, however, said to have saved other buildings in the neighbourhood, including the filling station, from being consumed.

He said the firefighters did their best to put out the fire, noting that their efforts were commendable.

When PUNCH Metro visited the scene on Saturday, scores of sympathisers on the premises were still discussing the incident in hushed tones, wearing mournful faces.

One of the sympathisers, who gave her name only as Preye, said she saw the building burning around 5am, unknown to her that her friend, Happiness, was involved.

Preye said it was in the morning of Saturday she learnt that her friend had been killed by the fire.

Preye, who lamented that she had lost “a wonderful friend”, said they were together earlier in the day before her friend (Happiness) said she was going out.

She prayed that God would forgive Happiness, whom she described as “beautiful, easygoing, intelligent and amiable.”

When contacted, spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the inferno, saying the police also responded to distress calls on the inferno.

He, however, said he had not been fully briefed on the casualty figure.

He promised to make further contact with the Divisional Police Officer of the division to ascertain if the fire caused any deaths.

He had yet to get back to our correspondent as of press time.

Copyright PUNCH.

60-year-old driver rapes mental patient

There was chaos at Iya Abiodun bus stop, Ifo, Ogun State, after a security guard, Abdullahi Muhammed, caught a 60-year-old trailer driver, Lawal Bankole, allegedly having sex with his wife, Tope, on their matrimonial bed.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the two men could have killed each other but for the intervention of residents who separated them.

The suspect was said to have fled the scene, but was later arrested after Abdullahi reported the case at the Ifo Police Division.

Abdullahi, 45, an indigene of Kano State, told our correspondent that Bankole took advantage of his wife’s mental “condition to rape her.”

He said his wife’s mental problem started before he met her.

He said, “My wife has mental problem, which started during her first marriage. She had a surgery that time, but there was a complication which led to the problem. Her ex-husband rejected her, saying he could not live with a mentally-ill person.

“Her family had taken her to different prayer houses for solution to no avail before I came into the picture. I assisted them with money and they decided to hand her over to me in marriage.

“I made sure she stayed indoors always. All she does is to cook and wash my clothes. However, once in a month, she goes to visit her mother and returns. We have a child together, who is about two years old. Her condition is improving, but she is not totally sound yet.”

He explained that on Tuesday, he had returned from a trip to Lagos Island to meet Bankole on top of his wife.

He said, “I had returned from my trip when I met him on top of my wife. I had a cutlass and a knife at home and I wanted to kill him. But I had a rethink and I decided to hold him.

“But he tore my clothes and bit me. He fought me and took hold of the cutlass; I held him. We were fighting when people separated us and he escaped.

“However, I held on to his trousers, which contained his driving licence, some cash, phones and ATM cards. I used the items as my evidence. I reported the matter at the police station after which he was arrested.”

The wife, 24-year-old Tope, an indigene of Osun State, told our correspondent that the suspect gave her N200.

She said, “I have never met the man before. That day, he entered our compound and asked if I wanted to eat and I said yes. He gave me N200 and went away.

“He later returned and asked me to undress and I did. He put me on the bed and had sex with me. I knew he wasn’t my husband, but I couldn’t shout or do anything. Then my husband entered and caught him.

“The two men started fighting. I ran downstairs to call people. Our neighbours separated them.”

A human rights lawyer, Isaac Durowoju, said the accused had been boasting that nothing would happen to him, adding that the Investigating Police Officer had not treated the case with the seriousness it deserved.

He said, “The woman’s husband has refused mediation because he was not sure if the suspect has HIV or not. He also said in his culture, if any man makes love to another person’s wife, that woman from that point ceases to be his wife. But he said he could not abandon his wife because of her mental condition. And finally, how is he sure that the suspect is not diabolical?”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect would be charged to court.

He said, “The police have arrested the man and he has confessed to the crime. He took advantage of the woman’s mental condition. He will be arraigned in court.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Hired killer falls in love with target, demands sex

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old suspect, Tayo Adeyemi, who confessed to have been hired to kill a female hotel lodger in the Alakija, Satellite Town area of the state.

Adeyemi, who hails from Kwara State, told our correspondent that he was arrested by the police after he sneaked into the hotel, White House, and demanded that his target, simply known as Rosemary, had sex with him so he would spare her life.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeyemi, who dropped out of senior secondary school, was arrested by the Satellite Town Police Division last Thursday.

It was learnt that penultimate Wednesday, Adeyemi was brought by two gang members on a motorcycle to the hotel to kill Rosemary.

However, once Adeyemi laid his eyes on his supposed target, he reportedly fell in love with her and eventually attempted to rape her after she rebuffed his pleas to have sex with him.

Rosemary, however, raised the alarm.

The hotel management subsequently called the police, and Adeyemi was arrested.

Our correspondent learnt that one locally-made pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from Adeyemi, who had been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

The police said the suspect belonged to a three-man gang, adding that a manhunt had been launched for the fleeing two gang members.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, Adeyemi said he gave the woman N1,500 to have sex with her, adding that he fell in love with his target.

Adeyemi, who spoke in pidgin English, said, “I was working as a casual worker at a bottling company in the Apapa area before I met the gang members in the Ajegunle area. A friend, Wisdom, had invited me to stay in his house.

“His friends, who are Eiye Confraternity members, saw me and said they had a job for me. They said the job was to kill a woman. I said I could not do such a job, but they threatened to kill me and since they had guns, I was afraid.

“Finally, I was left with no option but to do their wish. One of them, Ahmed, gave me the gun and they brought me on a motorcycle to the hotel. But when I got to the hotel room and saw the woman, I fell in love with her and I had mercy on her.

“I told her that I was sent to kill her, but since I loved her, I would just have sex with her. When she declined, I offered her N1,500, and said I would take her necklaces and wristwatch away and lie to my gang members that she had been killed. But she raised the alarm.

“Everyone in the hotel called the police, the Oodua Peoples’ Congress and other vigilance groups. The hotel management called the police at the Satellite Town division.

“When my parents heard about my arrest, they were disappointed. I told them that I was being threatened by the cult members. I did not mean to kill the lady. Otherwise, I would have shot her and run away.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said the command would not give criminals a breathing space in the state.

Culled from PUNCH.

Transcorp Hilton Abuja gets global recognition

Transcorp Hilton Abuja has received the Signum Virtutis (seal of excellence) award in the hotels and resorts category in the 2016 Seven Stars Global Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards.

A statement by the hotel on Sunday said it received the honour on Saturday at a ceremony held in Marbella, Spain.

Transcorp Hilton Abuja is the only Nigerian hotel that has received the prestigious award, according to the statement.

“An elite panel of luxury lifestyle experts selected nominees and the eventual winners of the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards with voting open to the public,” it stated.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Valentine Ozigbo, who received the award on behalf of the hotel, said, “To again be recognised as a luxury hospitality leader by a global award body is truly an acknowledgement of Transcorp Hilton Abuja’s commitment to the delivery of world-class luxury hospitality.

“With the ongoing upgrades to the hotel and innovative service initiatives well underway, we look forward to celebrating more milestones and achievements as we continue to strive for the ultimate guest experience in every aspect of our service offering.”

Also speaking on the award, the General Manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Etienne Gailliez, said, “We are proud to be honoured with such a prestigious award as it further reinforces the status of our hotel as a leading provider of luxury hospitality experience in the region.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Shell, partners empower 60 Ogoni entrepreneurs

The Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture said it had trained another 60 youths in entrepreneurship, business planning, management and pitching as part of its employment generation initiatives in Ogoniland.

It said in a statement on Sunday that 50 of the trainees, who were successful in the final assessment, received start-up funds for their business ideas under the LiveWIRE Nigeria programme.

The SPDC JV said the youth were from Gokana, Tai, Eleme and Khana local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State.

It said at the graduation ceremony held in Port Harcourt, six beneficiaries of a similar programme in 2015 received ‘The Young Business Leaders Award’ for being outstanding in their business.

The General Manager, External Relations, SPDC, Igo Weli, said, “We are pleased that the LiveWIRE programme has continued to make positive impact not only on the lives of the latest beneficiaries, but also on youths in the Niger Delta.

“Like in the previous sets, these beneficiaries went through the entrepreneurship training, wrote business plans, pitched their business ideas, and in the end, the 50 best-performing candidates were selected.

“With the start-up grants we’re handing out, the stage is set for a new army of business owners and potential employers of labour to emerge in Ogoniland.”

According to the statement, more than 70 per cent of the 105 youths who benefited from a similar programme in 2015 are already successful business owners and employers of labour.

The Director, Enterprise and Promotion, Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development, Christian Bogba, was quoted as saying, “I hope other companies will borrow a leaf from what the SPDC Joint Venture has done today by contributing to the improvement of the economic wellbeing of the people and promoting peace.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Video of the Chibok girls

This is so emotional.  How do people still think this is a scam?

26-year-old Nigerian appointed London's first Young People's Laureate

26-year-old Nigerian poet and English teacher has been named as London’s first Young People’s Laureate.

Caleb Femi was given the prestigious role by a panel of arts bodies and individual judges, including The Roundhouse, the Poetry Society and Jacob Sam-La Rose.
The poet, teacher and photographer has been given the responsibility to raise the awareness of poetry in the capital, nationally and internationally.

Spread the Word's young laureate initiative funded by the Foundation for Future London, follows the young poet laureate for London scheme, a position held in the past by Warsan Shire, the Somali-British poet who hit the headlines for her role in Beyonce's visual album 'Lemonade' and also Aisling Fahey and Selina Nwulu

The laureate will also support the development of aspiring poets and youths, through development initiatives such as Poetry Lab and raising issues that affect them in his prose. Speaking about his new role, Femi said:
"I feel honoured and excited to be the First Young People’s Laureate for London. I want to maintain that awareness that anything is achievable. I also want to normalise poetry across all demographies."
The Nigerian teacher arrived in London at the age of seven and grew up on the North Peckham Estate, where Damilola Taylor lived before his murder in 2000 at the age of 10. Femi believes his professional and social backgrounds will equip him to address the issues affecting young black men and women.
"Because of where I have lived and taught, a school in Tottenham, I became familiar with a high percentage of the pupils who were young black boys and girls. The result is that I’m aware of the platforms and issues that are relevant to them. I want to translate these issues into poetry, which I believe will make them more understandable," he added.
During his year-long residency, the laureate will work alongside Spread the Word, London’s writer development agency, to develop a range of poetry opportunities and achieve his objectives. Among the projects Femi will lead include The Young People’s Poetry Prize and The Young People’s PoetryLab – a development project which will involve working alongside poetry mentors and practitioners.

At the end of his tenure, he will lead a development day, The Young People’s Poetry Salon, which will feature a showcase of the finest new young page and spoken word poetry talent in London. Femi, who started writing what he refers to as “grime” at the age of 16, has advice for aspiring poets.
"It’s important to read as much diverse poetry collections as possible – Indian, Caribbean and African. That will provide ideas as to where developing poets can fit in and how they can introduce something new."

Culled from The Guardian UK/Voice Newspaper/Caleb Femi

Sprinter Gay's 15-year-old daughter shot dead

American sprinter Tyson Gay's 15-year-old daughter has died after she was shot in Kentucky on Sunday.

Teenager Trinity Gay was pronounced dead at UK Hospital following a shooting in the early hours of the morning.

The Lexington Police Department confirmed that a homicide investigation is under way after witnesses stated that shots were fired from two vehicles outside a restaurant in Lexington.

A statement from Lexington Police said: "Around 4 a.m. Sunday, October 16, officers responded to the parking lot of the Cook Out restaurant located at 855 S. Broadway in reference to shots fired. Witnesses reported an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles, a grey Dodge Charger and a dark-coloured sports car with tinted windows.

"A juvenile who was struck at the scene was transported to a hospital by private vehicle and then transferred to UK Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.  The victim has been identified by the Fayette County Coroner’s office as 15-year-old Trinity Gay of Lexington.

"Officers located the Dodge Charger and detained two possible persons of interest for questioning. Police are still working to locate the other vehicle involved."

The 34-year-old 100 and 200 metre runner Tyson Gay told LEX18: "She didn't make it. I'm so confused. She was just here last week for fall break.

"It's so crazy. I have no idea what happened."

USA Track and Field tweeted: "Sending our thoughts & prayers to @TysonLGay & his loved ones as they mourn the tragic & senseless loss of his daughter, Trinity."

Culled from Yahoo

Clive Davis shares heartbreaking letter he sent to Whitney Houston after watching her on stage

Music mogul Clive Davis last week shared the heartbreaking letter he sent to late Whitney Houston after her infamous appearance at Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary concert in 2001 where she looked emaciated, sang out of tune, and looked like she was on drugs.

The contents of the letter are revealed in Clive's new documentary, Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives.' Read it after the cut...

Clive writes,

"Dearest Whitney, 
When I saw you Friday night at the Michael Jackson concert I gasped. When I got home, I cried. My dear, dear Whitney, the time has come. Of course I know you don't want to hear this. Of course I know that you're saying that Clive is being foolishly dramatic. Of course I know that your power of denial is in overdrive dismissing everything I and everyone else is saying to you. … I join your mother in pleading with you to face up to the truth now, right now, and there is no more time or postponement. You need help and it must begin now. I will stand by you with love and caring to see you through it to newfound peace and happiness in every way as a woman, as a mother, as a role model to inspire the rest of the world. Love, Clive."

"Nigeria is actually not worth dying for" - says son of a police officer who was assassinated 10 years ago

A Nigerian man - IG User: bluprint__ shared his late father's photo and wrote:

"I remember 16/10/2006 10 years ago just like 10days ago when my father died as a police officer serving his useless country he died and ever since then his country has forgotten him. No investigation on his assassination, no gratuity nothing not even hope for his 6 children and his poor widow. Nigeria is useless, Nigeria police are so useless
I remember how my dad was so passionate about his job, he didn't deserve to die and be forgotten that way. Nigeria is actually not worth dying for cause once you die it is finished for your family. Rest in peace dad and to other people who died serving their country. Your family and friends still have in you in their hearts."

Little girl allegedly being detained because her parents are Shi'ites members

This is according to politician Sola Kuti who posted this on twitter....

'A broken heart is like a sinking ship, don't sacrifice happiness in the name of love' - Iyabo Ojo

Yoruba actress Iyabo Ojo shared some words of advice, warning people to be cautious and not just sacrifice their happiness for anybody, especially people who make you miserable. Read below

"I dont get it too, why do i have to be with someone who makes me so unhappy all in d name of love?  Loneliness? Bcos of wealth? Status? Family? Society? Hell! No!! my happiness comes first always.
I'm sure if i wasn't happy i wont be able to give my kids n those around me so much love n happiness. Even my adopted kids love me silly & i love them too, it's bcos am happy thats why i can give happiness thats why i can show so much love 😉this is living!!!
Build great & sweet memories thats ur moment & thats all u own, Love ur God, ur self n those who love u. Run away from people who make u miserable & very unhappy, life is just too too short to waste or think of what pple will say about u, pls tell me, who made them judge over ur life, no one has d right to make u unhappy, when & if u find that root hold on to it & love it with all ur heart but if u dont pls pls dont stop living, do things that bring joy & gladness to ur soul, u will 4ever be young @ heart, note! no one is going to die with u or 4 u, learn to guide ur heart jealousy, A broken heart is like a sinking ship!!! Be careful who u sacrifice ur happiness 4!"

Drama as lady drags Lagos-based Irish lover before police for infecting her with HIV

Tears streamed down the face of 31-year-old Blessing (not real name) as she narrated how her whirlwind romance with a 67-year-old Irish construction worker in Lagos, ended in her getting infected with HIV.

For Blessing, her pain was not just because she had got the virus but that the man, she identified simply as Jim, even intensified his sexual intercourse with her after he learnt of his status more than two years ago.

Blessing walked into the Area F Police Command, Ikeja on Thursday, inconsolable to report Jim’s alleged action.

When she faced journalists on Friday, however, things took a dramatic turn as she screamed at reporters and shielded the man she had accused from being interviewed and photographed.

“You see what you have done now? We could have settled this at home,” she was heard telling the man, who also became furious and lashed out at reporters.

“Jackass, liars. Get out of here,” the Irish man told journalists.

When the scene calmed down somewhat, Blessing launched into a narration of a romance, which she said later devastated her.

She said, “We have been dating for some years. I work as a real estate agent, while he works with a construction company.

“In January 2014, he became ill. He was always sweating and running temperature. So, I accompanied him to see his doctor in a hospital in Ikeja. He was given treatment for malaria but the hospital also ran some tests and usually, they run HIV tests without telling the patient just to be sure.

“When the result came out, we went to see the doctor. I heard the man asking him if I was his sex partner but he said no. The man also asked if he could speak with him in my presence, he said no. When we left, he was given some drugs, which he hid from me.

“Any time he wanted to take the drug, he hid it. Then one day, I caught him taking the same drug. I asked him what it was for and he said it was for a recurrent leg pain he was getting. I wrote down the name of the drug and searched for it on Google. That was when I learnt that it was anti-retroviral drug used for HIV.

“I confronted Jim and asked if he had HIV, he denied it flatly. I then told him to give me his doctor’s number so that I could confirm myself. He said no. While he was sleeping, I took his doctor’s number from his phone and called the man. The doctor told me that he could not speak on the phone and said I should come and see him. When I went there, he broke the news to me that Jim was HIV positive. He then decided to run a test on me. It confirmed that I was HIV positive. I felt like dying.

“I was so angry because he deliberately infected me. I know this because he protected his family. Around the time we went to the doctor together, he sent his wife abroad to ensure she did not contract the virus. But in my case, the sex even intensified that I was happy that he was falling in love with me more every day.”

Blessing said after the initial test, which showed she was HIV positive, the doctor recommended a second test, which again proved that she was indeed HIV positive.

According to her, she was devastated and angry at how her life had changed for the worse.

“Jim denied that he infected me and even accused me of infecting him even though the doctor said this could not have been so considering the fact that it had not manifested in my body in any way, while he had fallen sick long ago,” Blessing said.

She said despite her anger, she still did not want to report the matter to the police.

She said, “But I told Jim that he had to take care of the cost of my medication and had to make sure I was comfortable since he was the one who infected me. He then agreed to pay me N2.5m.

“But he started abusing me. He would say no man would dare marry a girl with a disease like me. I threatened to report him to the police and he said I should go ahead. He said I would become depressed and commit suicide due to stigma if I did that.

“I packed out of his house in anger. Then, one day, I went to his house and found him in bed with my best friend. He did not care. The humiliation was why I decided to finally come to report to the police.”

In Nigeria, non-disclosure of HIV status to a sexual partner and deliberate infection of a partner are criminal offences enshrined in the Sexual Offences Act 2015.

Section 24 and 39 of the law criminalises the “intentionally, knowingly and willfully” transmitting HIVand an act where a person “intentionally fails to disclose to the person in respect of whom an act which causes penetration is being committed, that he or she is infected by HIV or any other life-threatening sexual transmissible disease.”

Jim, who was furious for most part of the encounter with journalists, continued to say that Blessing infected him instead.

“She wanted money from me,” he said.

Jim said he had been in Nigeria for more than 40 years.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DolapoBadmus, said the police were still conducting investigation on the case.

She said, “At the moment, we are treating the lady as the victim and the man as the suspect. If our investigation reveals anything to the contrary, we will amend our focus on the case.

“But we are also going to look for the friend, whom the complainant said she found naked with the man to determine her status. If we find her and she requires test and treatment, we will ensure she gets that as soon as possible.”

Culled from PUNCH.