₦airaland Forum

Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday to join other sub-regional heads to open the 37th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).



A statement copied to Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday evening and signed by the Deputy Information Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said, President Mills was met on arrival at Abuja by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas.



It said their talks centered on strengthening regional integration, trade and how Ghana could deepen its leadership role in the sub-region.



Dr Chambas took the opportunity to thank President Mills and Ghanaians for the support he received from them as the President of the ECOWAS Commission, which according to him gave him the opportunity to now head the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Nations.



Dr Chambas, who would be handing over as the ECOWAS Commission President, is to take up his new role as head of the 79 Nation ACP from March 1, 2010.



The Acting Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan later paid a courtesy call on President Mills at his hotel in Abuja to welcome him to the country and convey to him arrangements for the ECOWAS Session.



At the meeting, President Mills extended a message of goodwill from Ghanaians and assured the Acting Nigerian President of Ghana's support to his country.



Major highlights of the ECOWAS Session include the handing over by Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the situation in Niger and Guinea and the election of a new Chair of ECOWAS.

http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_politics/r_12536/

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday sentenced Sikiru Kolawola Aina, who claims to be the Oba of Igbo Elerin community in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos, to two-years imprisonment with an option of N1m fine for unlawfully creating and assuming the position of the Oba of Igbo Elerin community.

Mr. Aina, who was arrested by the Task Force in Lagos on December 30, 2007 was arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony; unlawful creation and assumption of a customary chieftaincy title; unlawful installation and appointment as Oba of Igbo Elerin without written approval of the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs; unlawful possession and impersonation.

While he was said to have committed offences contrary to sections 516, 88(1b, 1c & 2) and 484 of the criminal code laws of Lagos State, he was also said to have committed offences contrary to sections 36 (A & D) and 25 (1 & 2) of the Obas and Chief of Lagos laws.

According to the findings of the court, the defendant was alleged to have paraded himself as the traditional head of the community after a three-day celebration which he (Mr. Aina) claimed was meant to present him to the community, but was however found to be contrary by the court, stating that it was a coronation ceremony since he wore a robe, had a beaded crown and a traditional walking stick.

Guilty as charged

In the judgement, the presiding judge, Mojisola Dada found Mr. Aina guilty of three-counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful creation and assumption and unlawful possession.

Consequently, he was sentenced to two-years for the offence of conspiracy, two-years for the offence of unlawful creation and assumption and two-months for the offence of unlawful possession.

He was however acquitted on the impersonation and unlawful installation & appointment charge. Justice Dada held that the Oba of Igbo Elerin never at any time existed so there was no way Mr. Aina would have impersonated anybody.

Justice Dada further held that the sentence is to run concurrently, she also granted the defendant the option of paying N1 million fine, within 14-days into the coffers of the Lagos State government.

"I have considerations for the defendants' comportment throughout the trial and based on the Provision of Section 382, Cap c (18) of the Criminal Law which gives room for fine, I will give him an option of N1m fine which is to be paid within 14 days from today," she said.
Back.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5527448-146/lagos_court_sentences_fake_traditional_ruler.csp

Activities at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, stopped yesterday when over 2000 students took to the streets, protesting alleged increment in their school fees. The surrounding supermarkets and filling station were set on fire, banks were raided, while the Benin-Auchi-Abuja road was impassable as the protesting students barricaded the road, forcing all vehicular movement to divert through Iruekpen-Sabon-Gida-Ora-Afuze-Auchi road.

The students were protesting the hike in school fees from N26,000 to N76,000 for full-time students, and from N30,000 to N100,000 for part-time students.

The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Osareren, denied that there was increase in the school fees of students but confirmed that the governing council of the university met last week where issues on school fees were discussed.

Meanwhile, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), a non-profit group, on Monday condemned the recent increase in tuition fees at the University.

In a release jointly signed by the group’s national coordinator, and national secretary, Hassan Taiwo and Chinedu Bosah, respectively, the group called the state government and the school management to revert the fees immediately.

“The fees have been provocatively and unwarrantedly increased, and we see no justification for it given the socio-economic difficulties most Nigerians are passing through,” the release reads.

According to the group, the old fees, formerly between N20,000 and N30,000, is now between N54,000 and N100,000, depending on the level and the course of study. The part-time and the fresh students are now expected to pay N100,000; pre-degree students are to pay N90,000; science students are to pay N74,000, while non-science students are to pay N54,000.

The group also argued that it would be inconsiderate to ask citizens earning N7,500 as minimum wage to pay N100,000 for their wards’ university education.

Commenting on the issue, Information and Orientation Commissioner, Abdul Oroh, condemned the action of the students which he said was hijacked by hoodlums, adding that the police would be allowed to do its work and bring those responsible for the destruction of properties to book.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5527514-147/story.csp

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, on Monday said calls for the scrapping of the scheme were biased and unfair.

Tsiga made the remark in Keffi at the opening of a three-day interactive ‘Corpers’ Forum’ with the theme “Enhancing Youth Participation in National Development,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

According to the NYSC DG, “The forum is a sign of success as it will enable corps members open up and air their views on the challenges facing the scheme, as well as exchange of ideas on work ethics, corps members’ welfare, national security, among others.

“One current challenge is the growing clamour for the scrapping of the scheme. Such calls are not honest or necessary, given the achievements of the scheme in various areas of national development.

“Sectors like health and education have witnessed the input of these members, including national unity and community development, so there is an elitist bias in such calls.

“It is unfair for anyone to call for the scrapping of the only programme that affords the youth the opportunity to express themselves and to participate in the development process of the nation.’’

The Director, Corps Welfare and Inspection, Dr. John Abhuere, said the forum, which began in 1993, was to bridge communication gaps and give fresh breath to policy articulation.

“This forum is a deliberate policy initiative aimed at providing the opportunity for cross-fertilisation of ideas within the NYSC family.
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201002160544142

Permutations and Analysis of Mr President illness: matters of concern in a 21st century Nigerian politics with a Presidency

I have followed with keen interest the health status of President Yaradua for the past 20 months and since he assumed presidency. It is my avowed opinion therefore to analyse the course, effect, and review the best way forward to help a Nigerian leader from health perspective, and ensure that we, Nigerians, understand the battle being faced by Mr President. I am going to base my analysis on media reports from his governorship to presidency.

Chronology of President Yaradua’s Health.

   1. 6-month sick-off as a Governor.
   2. Collapsed on the presidential campaign.
   3. Flown out to Germany for flu-like illness.
   4. Incessant overseas trips for medical check-ups.
   5. Doctor shopping from Nigeria to Germany and then to Royal King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia.
   6. Approximately 180 days of sickness spent overseas out of? 24-month presidency.
   7. Flown out as an emergency for? Coma.
   8. Life support machines for? 73 days.
   9. Inability to recognise familiar individuals (disorientated).
  10. Organ replacement therapy being sought in order to sustain him in bed as at when he is transferred back to Nigeria.



The Mystery of Medical Terminology and Working Diagnosis used on Mr President 

         1. Churg-Strauss Syndrome.
         2. Anaphylaxis.
         3. Renal Failure.
         4. Acute Periacarditis.
         5. Flu.
         6. Renal Transplant.
         7. Mechanical Ventilation.
         8. Multiorgan Failure.
         9. Lung Cancer.
        10. Skin Cancer.

            (these terminologies have been used at different times to explain Mr President’s illness).

Analysis of the Sums

From the above the confirmed medical issues include.

   1. Renal Failure with frequent dialysis, (?1-3/week)Possibility of a failed renal transplant.
   2. Immunosuppression due to chemotherapy and frequent flu-like symptons.
   3. Vasculitis and eosinophilia culminating in allergy-like presentation. It was claimed that Mr President reacted to something hence the need for an emergency check-up in Germany at a time.
   4. Doctor shopping might be a trend to trace an expert who treated Mr President in Germany; who might have relocated to Saudi Arabia or as recommended by other experts. Acute Pericarditis could be part of the vasculitides or due to acute on-chronic pericardial effusion or uraemic pericarditis. Other differential is inflammatory, infective, malignant or drug induced.
   5. Could it be that Mr President had a silent myocardial infarction which presented as a Dressler’s syndrome from which he is recruperating.?
   6. Whichever working diagnosis that is being considered is likely going to be a multi-systemic disease.

Possibilities:

   1. Includes that of a multi-organ failure.
   2. Renal failure which was complicated by respiratory failure as well as congestive cardiac failure.
   3. All these require artificial kidney, mechanical lung, as well mechanically-driven (ventricular assisted devices) or chemically-driven heart.

A Clinically-orientated 3 D spatial Construct of Mr President’ Health

Precisely Mr President had to have induced coma, and fed by tubes so as to tolerate the treatment, as well as rest his organs.

If this is true?

   1. It must have been a huge burden on the immediate family and our beloved nation as a whole.
   2. The first family would have had several permutations on how to get over this.

Multi-organ Failure, survival, prognosis

   1. Survival from a single organ failure is 50-60%.
   2. A 2-organ failure carries a mortality rate of 60-75 %.
   3. 3 or more organ failure carries a mortality rate of 75-90%.
   4. Of those who survived, they do so with severe incapacitation, brain death, residual systemic, mono or multiple organ deficiencies including, stroke, cognitive impairment, blindness, life-time tracheostomy with inability to speak (asphaxia) .

Presidency: Morphological Function for healthy Polity

   1. Performance of human machine and the capacity of the office of Presidency will be very challenging if, all, the story we have had about Mr President, is true (cf. A. Saron).
   2. There is always a time for everything.

Where do we go from here?

   1. The love for the human, Mr President Umaru Yaradua, is what should be paramount to us at this stage.
   2. Sentiments should be removed from the equation.
   3. The FEC, AG and Chief law Officer cannot declare Mr President fit in abstract.
   4. Independent Medical Experts coupled with elderly Physicians (who abound in the Houses of Rep and Senate) should conduct thorough investigation into the health of Mr President and report to the House and FE.C
   5. Simply request for a report from the experts treating him
   6. The health of a president could not be hidden from those he presides over for 70 days.
   7. If you choose to be Mr or Mrs President, you become accountable to the people; a public possession including your welfare and household’s’ welfare.

A need for a sick leave

   1. Like all human, Mr President should be given leave for 1 year to recuperate. A biannual medical report should be provided to the FEC and House during this cool-off period.
   2. It takes not less than 6 months to a year for patients who survived the ICU to get over it, if at all….
   3. Besides some patients have spent over 240-260 days in the ICU.

Enough of meddling in the life of Mr President

   1. It is a national disgrace that people are playing politics with human life which is more precious than politics.
   2. Give this man a break for a while.
   3. If we cannot help him, do not saddle him with a responsibility beyond his spiritual, mental, physical and social ability, which is required for his office.
   4. Let the ‘vice principal’, ‘vice captain’, ‘deputy HOD’ act now to douse the tension, in the interest of our estate.
   5. Of the 150 million people, someone needs to call the short. Otherwise we become a rudderless ship.
   6. Who is responsible now, if we have a VP, who legally was declared unable to act?

      It is not a time for professional politician. It is a time for state men and state

      Women.

      Get well quick Mr President We continue to pray for you.

      God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

      Yours, for the advancement and progress of our beloved Nation.

      Dr Adebayo Taiwo Ezekiel Jolayemi

      MBChB, DA, FMCA, FCA, FANZCA, M.Med.SC, PGDEchocard.

For once, I am breaking my self-imposed rule not to comment on individuals but on institutions. This, I do fully well in the unswerving belief that the man is truly deserving of whatever encomiums I, or any other writer or commentator may pour on him. I do this also because Pastor Tunde Bakare may end up being the ONLY TRUE representative of the religious institution that has so far shown itself to be verily devoid of a conscience and is contented to watch its followers and the general citizenry suffer and be raped senseless by a rampaging political class.

In taking this stance, I am not making any distinction between the Christian Preachers and the Moslem Clerics that bestrides our Motherland, Nigeria! Indeed, I hasten to state categorically, at this point, that neither Imams nor Bishops have done anything to serve the interest of the poor masses in our country, rather, they have, in my opinion, simply lifted up the hems of their religious skirts and trousers and proceeded to join the wanton and rapacious raping and looting going on in our country.

In years past, and as a kid growing up in South West Nigeria, we used to be brought into a state of submission from being unruly with the mere mention of the name Alhaji Ajagbe’mokeferi of Ibadan – he was one of the few pious clerics that were known to speak truth to power at all times. However, his time and type have since been supplanted.

Today, Moslem Clerics and Christian Bishops, Pastors et al have openly discarded their heavenly ordained mission of providing succour to the oppressed and are openly competing for worldly lucre in the form of gigantic camps along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

They have further taken the realms of the battle for worldly wealth from the corridors of our roadways into the corridors of the political realm where they now struggle viciously and piously to attract patronage from the filthy and corrupt political class. Otherwise, how do you reconcile the incredible platform that is given to these political officers in the Churches and Mosques? It is mind-boggling that the Religious Leaders do not bat an eye-lid when inviting these thieving politicians to come and speak on the lecterns to the assembled congregation; but also go beyond that in ensuring the front rows of the places of worship are then reserved for these bigots as if to underscore the fact that these people are more important in the eyes of God than the regular worshippers! Cry!!

I cry because any decent man/woman of God would, and SHOULD, have rejected even self-invitations from the thieving politicians to attend their places of worship in order to address their congregation but alas, no, our Religious Leaders actively seek out political patronage, not I daresay, for the purpose of edifying God but for the benefit of themselves.

Anyway, to come to the crux of my musing today, I wish to put it on public record, my admiration of the man, Pastor Bakare for his involvement in the SNG marches. Pastor Bakare has earned my undying respect for being a lone voice in a forest peopled by the likes of Pastor Adeboye, Pastor Oyedepo, Pastor TB Joshua, Dr. Is-haq Akintola, Major Umar Abubakar, Oyakilome and a host of others whose listing would not serve the purpose of this write-up.

To start with, my admiration for the man does not stem from any previous knowledge of him save the sporadic mention of his names on the pages of news articles which I never read; as with all other religious writings. Hence, I had no prior knowledge of his patterns of thought.

Rather, this admiration stems from his willingness and open display of this purpose to speak for the oppressed of the society whom he must rightly see as his charge to be involved in the Save Nigeria Group. I am further impressed by his forthrightness in forsaking what most sceptics like me think of the Religious leaders in Nigeria by coming out of his comfort zone to condemn the drift in the nation’s political landscape.

To wit; I am of the frank opinion that religious leaders in Nigeria generally set out to exploit the masses in the same way as the politicians do, save the fact that they then promise their congregation a reward in Heaven for later and thereby avoid possible recriminations and expectations from their followers who may or may not be disappointed at the end of the day, after all there is no return ticket from the dead, so there is no comeback!

After previously writing about the failure of the military, the political class and the intellectual class in Nigeria to move the country forward and the inability of the Fourth Realm to prod their collective conscience, I had remarked about the implied complicity of the religious class in this unending rape of our collective psyche, but never for once, had I imagined any political leadership emanating from this direction – let us ignore the Reverend Okotie joke!

For these reasons, I move the motion that Pastor Tunde Bakare should be given the people’s award of “Man of the Year” for his selfless move which becomes even more glaring when compared with the see no evil, hear no evil and speak no Good stance of other religious leaders at this time of national crises!

Fellow Nigerians, let us please reward the selflessness of this Man of God and Man of the People by coming out on the Marches organised in our areas. It is the only way we can reward him and acknowledge him as worthy of the risk he is taking for the rest of us.

God bless Pastor Bakare, God bless Nigeria.

One in four parents won't discipline their children for fear of upsetting them, a study revealed today.

Researchers found that both mothers and fathers shy away from telling off their children because they don't want to be seen as unfair or too strict.

A third of parents admitted avoiding keeping their child in check in public because they didn't want others to think they were being too harsh.
Discipline: Parents shy away from scolding children for fear of upsetting them

Discipline: Parents shy away from scolding children for fear of upsetting them

And more than half (55 per cent) of those polled said they dished out less discipline than their own parents did.

Despite this, more than one in three said they feared a lack of discipline could lead to their child getting into trouble in future.

Three in ten parents admitted they were a 'pushover'.

A spokesman for Cadet150, which carried out the study to mark the 150th anniversary of the Cadet Forces, said: 'Discipline is all part of growing up and it's important for children that they are taught the difference between right and wrong.

'It seems children these days get a far easier ride than parents did twenty or thirty years ago.

'Our survey suggests mums and dads tend to avoid ticking off their children because it's easier than having to deal with them kicking up more of a fuss.

'They don't want to be seen as too strict and not enough of a friend their kids feel comfortable talking to."  The survey questioned 2,000 parents on their attitudes towards discipline.

Nine in ten adults considered themselves to be well-disciplined as a child - with six in ten being smacked or sent to their bedroom and almost half being ordered to bed early.

One in five adults said they were banished to bed without dinner, while one in ten had their 'ears boxed' or their mouths washed out with soap.

I am compelled to speak forth on this issue, honestly appalled at recent statements by a leading Pentecostal pastor and the blithe lack of public outcry thereafter.

Mahatma Ghandi was unequivocal in his assessment of our modern era of Christianity: “I like your Christ but I don’t like you Christians.” Sadly, Christ’s hypothetical ambassadors on earth, namely pastors, bishops, overseers and their kin, often fuel further such insipid insinuation by their questionable conduct and character. And thus, ‘sheep’ in their multitudes blindly follow in the direction (or misdirection) of their shepherds.

It appears our gravitas surrender to religious persona in Nigeria has stooped to such extent that we readily accept and endorse that which unmistakably contradicts the very Scriptures our faith is supposed to be anchored on. As long as the ‘pastor’ said it, we are ready to abide by and adhere to doctrines that actually pervert the essence of the very Gospel Christ lived and died for, which slyly sow the vicious seeds of enmity, discord and division throughout the vineyard.

In this instance, I am referring to the words of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the leader of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, who openly opined of recent that for Nigeria to live, God must literally execute, destroy and wipe out our corrupt leaders. In his own words, “You know, in Ghana, Rawlings shot them. But we can’t do that in Nigeria. So we are praying that those who refuse to change, God should kill them, they should die. Because there are some people, if they don’t die, Nigeria may not move forward. So we are praying that such people should die. God should kill them. God can kill. God makes a life, and God kills too. So there are some people who may have to die, some structures God may have to destroy to move Nigeria forward. ”(See clip on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULhEsq7RBiE)

Now I am by no means condoning the acts of corruption that pervade our government like a cankerous cataract blinding and binding our national vision and direction, nor am I admonishing silence or inertia on the part of ministers of God on this critical issue. But for God’s sake, where is the biblical backing for such a callous stance? It is unimaginable that a religious leader of such class and calibre could make these profoundly unethical, unscriptural and unmoral assertions at such a time as this. It indeed gives further credence to the crumbling reputation Pentecostalism in Nigeria is steadily gaining.

The question I pose for Ayo and his fuming fellows – has God created anyone that cannot change? Consider the case of Apostle Paul, a sworn enemy and persecutor of Christ who transformed into one of the greatest apostles in the history of the church. If Paul had been killed by prayers from the likes of Ayo, what story would then be told? What record would be written? And if some sinners are truly ‘unchangeable’, where then is the mystery of grace? Grace does not consider where one is coming from – whether a prostitute, armed robber or corrupt government official. Whoever desires can receive of His saving grace (Revelation 22:17). The corrupt official Ayo wants his God to eradicate could be Nigeria’s saviour tomorrow.

But it goes deeper. These utterances are simply products of an erroneous doctrine that has characterised the prayers and petitions of Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria for far too long. When you hearken to the prayers of these saints, as charismatically charged by their pastors, it invariably involves the casting and binding, loosing and booting, smiting and fighting of their enemies - whatever colour, calibre or class you can imagine. Prayer meetings often resound with blood-curdling shrieks of damnation and condemnation.

What then happened to the divine injunction in Matthew 5:44 – “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you?” Who will then eat from the table spoken of in Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies?” The focus has been shrewdly shifted from the root to the fruit, thus not providing any permanence in result and resolution. It is verging on stupidity to pray against human enemies, when there is a deeper unseen force behind them. Those prayers will yield fruitless results, nothing but mere noise.

In fact, I make bold to say such seditious statements and prayer points are actually leading people astray from the truth and away from Christ. They are not rooted in scriptural sanctity and security. Aside, they appear to be an open admission that the cruel grip of corruption now supersedes the forces and fight for good in our nation, thereby magnifying the satanic powers causing crises above the Almighty God, whom the Pentecostals serve. This is, of course, not true. Nigeria is God’s own nation, and we shall arise from our present darkness. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

So, what now is the way out? What should be the role of ministers of God in the community and nation? Romans 12:21 provides a practical answer: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” It is time for our religious leaders to practice what they preach, to lead their people by example, to be the change they desire to see. It is time for Christians to do what is good to change the bad they complain about, to be known as people who stand for justice, not merely against injustice, to not only discuss and deliberate on the problems but be a practical part of the solution. Being a pastor is not about a title, but a lifestyle.

Turning to a more touchy issue, it shocks me that this same man has the balls to define a pastor who, to me, is doing the real work of Christianity, as a devil. T.B. Joshua, although not treading traditional and conventional paths, is a father to the fatherless and a mother to the motherless – irrespective of religion or race. Whilst Ayo and his ilk cruise in their hummers and shuttle off in their private jets, TB is feeding the widows, orphans, dwarves, physically challenged, elderly - those rejected and neglected by almost everyone else. He even sent a team to Haiti. Who then is a devil? The one who exhibits love or the one who spreads discord? In any case, since Ayo’s mentor, Benny Hinn, has publicly attested to Joshua’s authenticity and sought his counsel, it’s about time he lays his pride by the side, comes out clean on his mistaken judgement, and gets his learning cap on.

I actually believe the Pentecostals, if ready to humble themselves, can learn many things from Joshua.  If the Nigerian church could forsake their petty differences and unite under the banner of one love, one faith and one hope, irrespective of tribe or denomination, what incredible potential lies therein to bring about positive change in our nation.

eina:
@vigasimple. OBJ drank garri in youtube just to make a show of it. Most of us dey shack garri frequently to ease hunger. Make OBJ try ease hunger by drinking garri just for a day let me watch him stand up on his feet.

Gbammmmmmmm

Half of women think that rape victims are to blame for their attack, a study has shown.

More than one in ten said that dancing provocatively, flirting or wearing revealing clothing made them partly responsible.

This blame culture is deterring victims from reporting the crime, according to the sexual assault clinics that carried out the poll.

Alarmingly, they also found that one in three men claimed they didn't think it was rape if they made their partner have sex when they didn't want to.

Thirteen per cent of men admitted having sex with a partner who was too drunk to know what was happening.

The poll of 1,000 adults found that 54 per cent of women believe rape victims should be held accountable for their attack.

Women were more likely than men to blame victims, with those aged between 18 and 24 the most likely to judge.

Twenty-four per cent of this age group said wearing a short skirt, accepting a drink or having a conversation with the rapist made victims partly responsible.

Nearly a fifth of women thought the victim was at fault if she went back to the attacker's house, while more than a tenth (13 per cent) said someone who had been dancing in a provocative way or flirting should be prepared for the consequences.

The Wake Up To Rape report also found that 14 per cent of women believe most rape claims are made up.

Campaigners called for more education in schools about sexual violence.

Elizabeth Harrison, manager of the Whitechapel Haven, one of three Havens centres in London that help victims of sexual assault, was one of those who conducted the study. She said: 'Women look at court cases and think she was drunk, she wore a short skirt, I don't do that so it won't happen to me.

'But rape can happen to anyone in any circumstances.

'It's particularly worrying that younger women are more likely to hold people responsible for what happens to them.

'The 18-24 age group were more likely to say that engaging in conversation in a bar or accepting a drink makes them partially responsible.

'But it is this age group that are more likely to be going out doing that. We need to get the message out in schools that rape is never your fault.'
This rape victim's attacker was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting at least 10 women

This rape victim's attacker was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting at least 10 women

The poll also revealed that one in five women wouldn't report a rape to the police, with half of these saying they would be too ashamed or embarrassed. A quarter said they would remain silent if they felt they had led the person on.

The prospect of having to go to court would deter 42 per cent of women from reporting the offence to police, the poll found.

Despite repeated Government promises to bring more sex attackers to justice, Britain has the lowest conviction rate in Europe.

Recent figures indicate that only one in 14 rapes reported to the police ends in a conviction.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Yexley, from the Metropolitan Police, said: 'Although the majority of women surveyed said they would contact the police, we understand that not everyone will feel comfortable approaching us in the first instance.

'The Havens offers invaluable help and support for people who may otherwise try to cope with the immediate effects of rape and sexual assault alone.

Sick of picking up your husband's socks or bickering over the washing up? Gabrielle and Jan Henning may well have hit upon the perfect solution for battling spouses  -  living next door to each other. Here, the pair, who are both 57 and have been married for 36 years, explain their unusual set-up to ANGELA CARLESS,
THE WIFE SAYS,

Every morning, my husband Jan brings me tea and toast in bed. We chat about the day ahead before I give him a lift to the school where he works, en route to the college where I teach art.

At the end of the working day, we'll often go shopping together and on Saturdays we make a habit of going for lunch.

I'm sure many married couples follow a similar domestic routine  -  but I'm certain our living arrangements differ hugely. For Jan and I don't share the same bed, or even the same house  -  he lives in a separate house next door. We have lived in mirror-image adjoining houses for the past ten years.
jan gabrielle hennig

Solution: Jan and Gabrielle Henning have the perfect life together,  living apart next door to each other

We have our own bedrooms, our own bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms behind our own front doors. We also have our own gardens separated by a fence, over which we chat. To my mind, we have the best of both worlds: separate lives and yet the trust and companionship of marriage.

To be honest, I think we've hit on an arrangement that most women secretly wish for, sick of the squabbling over the washing-up or their husband's shavings in the sink. Having separate houses puts paid to all that, but it also means that when we're together it's because we like each other's company, not out of habit or because we're forced to exist under the same roof. We appreciate and respect each other a lot more.

Our once-traditional marriage has evolved into a very modern relationship where we are effectively married singletons, but remain wholly committed to each other. Although I love my husband and he makes a great next-door neighbour, there's no way I want to live with him.

Chelsea have been handed another home draw in the FA Cup and will take on Manchester City or Stoke in next month's sixth round.

Troubled Portsmouth will take on Birmingham at Fratton Park as they look to emulate their FA Cup victory of 2008.

Fulham face a possible London derby in the quarter-finals, with the Cottagers drawn to play Bolton or Tottenham.
Didier Drogba

Heading through: Didier Drogba celebrates his goal as Chelsea centered to victory over Cardiff on Saturday

Sixth round draw:

Chelsea v Manchester City or Stoke

Fulham v Bolton or Tottenham

Reading or West Brom v Crystal Palace or Aston Villa

Portsmouth v Birmingham

Ties to be played on the weekend of March 6 and 7

Men would rather marry a woman with a ‘pleasant’ nature than a stunning stick-thin model, a survey has found.

The ideal wife would be a ‘thoughtful’ and ‘charming’ non-smoker, with a third of men favouring a gentle nature.

And in spite of the hours women spend trying to emulate the willowy models in magazines, men would rather settle down with a woman they can trust who will get on with their parents.

‘Even though men may fantasise about dating a mad, bad and crazy-to-know woman, the reality is that they would rather settle down with someone they can trust.

‘Having a personable demeanour is also essential if they’re to pass that critical meet-the-parents test. Because, even though he’s making his own way in the world, a man still wants approval from Mum when it comes to his partner.

‘The size-zero ideal is a myth, not just for women trying to attain it, but also in what men want. Men are happy with the simple pleasures in life and look for a stress-free relationship. A neurotic, stick-thin sleep-around couldn’t be further from their ideal match.’

Vulgarity and unfaithfulness are seen as the most offputting traits in the opposite sex, according to the survey of 731 men and women published this week in the Review Of Economics Of The Household.

And women most dread meeting men who are alcoholic, selfish or violent. Nearly half of women look for a pleasant personality in a man.

But while only 7.5 per cent of men want a 6ft Amazonian mate, 41 per cent of women want their partner to be tall as they subconsciously equate height with wealth.

ElRazur:
It is worth mentioning.

Seriously, I think they are just evil. One of their excuse was that one of them watched his dad killed his sister or something when he was young. What a joke.

Evil run throught thier veins.

ElRazur:
It may be worth pointing out that they are Muslims. 

That is my contribution for now.

This dont have anything to do with religion,is just a complete madness of the girl parents.

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A couple accused of starving a seven-year-old girl to death admitted her manslaughter today.

Angela Gordon and her partner, Junaid Abuhamza, entered the pleas in the fourth week of a murder trial at Birmingham Crown Court over the death of Khyra Ishaq.

Gordon's daughter Khyra died on May 17 2008 after being taken to hospital from the defendants' home in Handsworth, Birmingham, in an emaciated condition.

Both defendants told the jury they denied murder but admitted manslaughter.

Abuhamza's plea was accepted and he was found guilty of manslaughter by the jury, after direction from the judge, Mr Justice Roderick Evans.

The prosecution did not accept Gordon's plea and she remains on trial for murder.
Abuhamza, 30, who pleaded guilty to five cruelty charges at an earlier hearing, will be sentenced at the end of the trial.

Prosecutor Timothy Raggatt QC told the court: 'In the case of Junaid Abuhamza, the Crown has come to the decision not to proceed further because in the light of the medical evidence as to his mental health that has emerged during this trial, we no longer seek a verdict in this case.

'As far as Angela Gordon is concerned, the matters remain for the jury's ultimate decision.'

Khyra Ishaq died after succumbing to an infection.
Enlarge   Angela Gordon

Accused: Angela Gordon admitted manslaughter but has denied murdering her daughter Khyra

Earlier in the trial, Mr Raggatt told jurors that she was so emaciated at the time of her death that her condition was outside the experience of medical professionals.
Junaid Abuhamza

'Failed': Junaid Abuhamza admitted child cruelty charges

The QC told the court: 'The infection that brought about Khyra's death was one that was caused, and wholly caused, as a result of one thing - for months, quite literally months, she had been starved.'

Last week, Abuhamza told jurors he blamed himself for her death and felt 'like a failure'.

He said he hadn't noticed how thin she had become, adding: 'With all that was going on in the house, I couldn't see what was going on in front of me.'

Asked if he loved Khyra, he answered: 'I did, yes. I feel like a failure.'

Abuhamza last week told court how his father had beaten him with a stick, sexually abused him and made him sleep on the toilet floor.

He even claimed he saw his father beat his younger sister to death because she didn't flush the toilet.

Paul Lewis, defending, had previously told jurors: 'At the time we are concerned with, Junaid Abuhamza was not in his right mind, he was suffering from mental illness or schizophrenia, and this illness led to delusional beliefs.'

Five other children, who were also in the defendants' care, were also starved, the prosecution alleges.

Gordon, 35, formerly of Handsworth, Birmingham, denies five counts of child cruelty alleged to have been committed between December 2007 and May 2008.

The case was adjourned until next Wednesday.

shola123:
Thanks to all Nairalanders for the courage to dish out my FREE information.

And I sincerely believe you'll find useful information here pertaining to S.A!
Now, what you need to know about crimes rate in South Africa.

Crime in South Africa,
The high rate of crime in South Africa is of major concern for expatriates moving to or living in South Africa.

South Africa has got the highest crime rate per 100,000 residents in the world regarding assault,
despoil and murder as shown in various statistics and was getting lots of undesirable attention recently
for being dubbed as the 5th most dangerous city, so called "murder-capital" in the world.

South Africa is often referred to as one of the high-risk areas in the world with a murder rate on par
with that of Rio de Janeiro according to the United Nations in 2006.

With 1797 murders with a population of roughly 4,785,000 residents in Cape Town the murder ratio
is around 55 murders for every 100,000 persons. These are shocking figures for sure. But you should
know more about Crime in Cape Town and learn where most of the crime happens.
visit http://visasecret..com to read more of the crimes and precaution tips.

To Your Success!
Shola

Still waiting for the free info.

A woman referee has made history by becoming the first ever to take charge of a Football League match.

Amy Fearn, 31, was drafted in during the last 20 minutes of a clash between Coventry and Nottingham Forest when the referee was forced off the field with a calf strain.

The move to call her up from the touch line this week destroys one of the last bastions of male sporting dominance.

The crowd responded in highly amused fashion, cheering as she blew the whistle for the first time.

And if the financial analyst from Loughborough has her way, she could ultimately be refereeing in the Premiership.
Enlarge   Amy Fearn

Petticoat revolution: Referee Amy Fearn making her Championship debut on Tuesday night in the Coventry versus Nottingham Forest game

Women have run the line since the Nineties and petite Mrs Fearn had become well known as a League referee's assistant over the past four seasons.

But it was not until Tony Bates became injured on Tuesday night that she made the huge leap to taking charge.

The move was met with some raucous cheering and laughter from the benches, and a bit of whistling but proceeded without incident.

Married Mrs Fearn, who has been refereeing since the age of 14, said: ''It was great. I could get used to that every week.

'I always have a laugh with the referee before the game saying "Go on, give me 10 minutes". When it happened, it felt surreal.

'I understand there was a big reaction from the crowd but I didn't notice it at the time. I'm just glad there was nothing controversial in that 20 minutes. Football should be about the players, not referees.'

There was only one real spark during the game, after she added six minutes of extra time and then another two, prompting one fan to shout: 'Haven't you got a husband to go home to, love?'

Mrs Fearn said: 'Water off a duck's back. I just laugh and take it with a pinch of salt. At least that chant was original.'

Of her future ambitions, she added: 'It would be nice to referee in the Premier League one day, but obviously the competition is harder.

'My next promotion target is running the line in that division, but I started out as a ref and that is what I love doing - I want to continue being a referee.'

Coventry striker Clinton Morrison said: 'I thought she did really well and should definitely get to do it again. She must have been nervous - as any referee would on their first game - but she was not overawed and kept the game flowing,

'There is only one thing that matters about the person in charge and that is how good a referee they are.'

However a home win may have helped Mrs Fearn's cause.

In the past, the reception has not been so warm.

In November 2006, then Luton Town manager Mike Newell attacked her for ignoring calls for a penalty while running the line in their match with QPR.

He said: 'It is bad enough with incapable referees and linesmen but if you start bringing women into the game, you have big problems.

'This is Championship football. This is not park football. So what are women doing here? It is tokenism for politically correct idiots.'

He was fined £6,500 for the jibe and handed a severe warning by his club before giving a full apology.

It may come as something of surprise in many households, but it seems that men are spending longer getting ready to go out than women.

Apparently, men spend 83 minutes a day on personal grooming, including cleansing, toning and moisturising, shaving, styling hair and choosing clothes.

In contrast, women have their beauty regime down to a fine art and get hair, clothes and make-up done in just 79 minutes.

While both men and women might find the claims - based on a survey of 3,000 Britons - hard to take, the researchers have come up with another remarkable fact.

They reckon the average man spends just 19p less a month on grooming products than a woman, splashing out £25.22, or £302.64 over the course of a year.

The survey for Superdrug also revealed that in the morning men spend an average of 23 minutes in the shower - a minute longer than women.

Men also take a minute longer on cleansing, toning and moisturising.

iyeayo:
nothing really, just bored and looking for some attention. 

U got what u wants.

Schools in just one town are having to cope with pupils who speak 150 different languages, a survey has found.

They range from the Ghanaian dialect of Akan, through the African language of Chichewa and the ancient Aztec tongue of Nahuatl to the Indian language of Telugu.

This is as well as the more common foreign languages of Urdu, Punjabi and Polish.
Classroom

Mixed: Schoolchildren in Reading use 150 different languages. (Posed by models)

The survey in Reading, Berkshire, shows how schools are being put under mounting pressure by the rising levels of pupils who do not speak English as their first language.

In a bid to ease the burden, Reading Borough Council, is offering discounted English lessons for both children and adults.

The aim is to get children, whose command of English is often much better, to help their families learn it.

Lesley Reilly, head of adult learning at the authority, said: ‘Our aim is to involve stakeholders in community groups across the town to encourage people to join the English classes.

'Our target is to reach more men, unemployed people, learners recently arrived in Reading and parents of primary pupils.’

The classes are being run as part of English for Speakers of Other Languages, a government initiative to encourage people to integrate in the community.

The Government described the number of languages and dialects spoken by pupils in Reading as 'extraordinary' and conceded that it would place schools under extra pressure.

The figures suggest that language barriers are making it increasingly difficult for teachers to communicate with their pupils.

It was revealed in 2005 that pupils at Woodside High School in Tottenham, north London, spoke as many as 58 languages, with many arriving at the comprehensive unable to speak any English.

Pupils at a primary school in the West Midlands were found to speak 33 different languages in 2003.

Conservative MP Philip Davies said: 'It's very worrying and Labour's lax immigration policies are a huge factor in this.

'It is also a result of political correctness. We haven't really made people integrate properly into British society.’

yemiking:
at least one mugu don mail am, LOL

Johnny just come.

A football fan critically injured at a Premier League match yesterday has died.

The Blackburn Rovers supporter was found unconscious in a stand during yesterday's clash between Stoke City and Blackburn at Stoke's Britannia Stadium.

The 30-year-old fan, who was thought to have been hit on the head with a bin, was found unconscious. He was taken to hospital where he later died.
stewards at stoke city game

Stewards stand in front of the Blackburn Rovers supporters after hearing that fan had collapsed. After being treated at the scene the 30-year-old man was taken to hospital where he died this morning

The football fan was initially treated at the scene for a head injury and cardiac arrest, then taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

But Staffordshire Police today said the man died in hospital just before 2am today.

A 25-year-old man from Preston has been arrested over the incident.

A spokesman said: 'A 30-year-old man was pronounced dead at 1.55am this morning at University Hospital North Staffordshire.

'The circumstances are being fully investigated and a 25-year-old man remains in custody and is helping police with their inquiries.'

The victim was found collapsed in the concourse area of the south stand just after the half-time interval, where a group of Blackburn supporters were gathered.

Chief Inspector Adrian Roberts, match commander at the game which saw Stoke beat Blackburn 3-0, said there were just over 1,300 Blackburn fans at the game, and no Stoke fans were involved.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were called to the stadium just before 4.20pm yesterday.

A statement on the Blackburn Rovers website said the man was among a 1,300-strong Rovers following in the South Stand.

Stoke City said police were investigating the incident and the club would make no further comment.

Chykason:
My people, how u na de. Yes oh, make i introduce myself again. Na me be una Rev Fr Dr Mr Pastor Barrister . . .

Free madness part 3.

Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand will be named as the new England captain following the sacking of John Terry.

Steven Gerrard will be the vice-captain for England's World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Ferdinand made his England debut in 1997, and  played for his country at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Ferdinand

New captain: Ferdinand

He hasn't been a stranger to controversy himself, and was banned from the game for eight months in 2004 for missing a drugs test.

Fabio Capello met with Terry for only 12 minutes at Wembley, making the decision to sack the Chelsea defender as his captain in this World Cup year.

Terry released a short statement, which read: 'I fully respect Fabio Capello's decision.

'I will continue to give everything for England.'
Ferdinand

New leader: Ferdinand in action against Ukraine in October

Capello said: 'After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

'As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.
Rio Ferdinand

Way back then: Ferdinand on his debut for England against Cameroon in 1997

'What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first.

'When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain and also named a third choice. There is no reason to change this decision.
John Terry

Sacked: John Terry was stripped of the England captaincy after a 12 minute meeting with Fabio Capello

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank The FA, particularly Lord David Triesman and Ian Watmore for allowing me to make this decision in my own time and in the best interest of the team.