Friday, March 31, 2017

195 Chibok School Girls Are Still Missing



On the night of 14–15 April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria. Responsibility for the kidnappings was claimed by Boko Haram, an extremist and terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria. 57 of the schoolgirls managed to escape over the next few months and some have described their capture in appearances at international human rights conferences. A child born to one of the girls and believed by medical personnel to be about 20 months old also was released, according to the Nigerian president's office.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chibok_schoolgirls_kidnapping
195 of the Chibok School girls are still missing and about 6 have been reported dead.


List of the abducted Chibok School girls as released by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), were Deborah Abge Christian, Awa Abge, Hauwa Yirma, Asabe Manu, Mwa Malam Pogu, Patiance Dzakwa, Saraya Mal. Stover, Mary Dauda, Gloria Mainta, Hanatu Ishaku, Gloria Dama and Tabitha Pogu.

Others were Maifa Dama, Ruth Kollo, Esther Usman, Awa James, Anthonia Yahonna, Kume Mutah, Aisha Ezekial, Nguba Buba, Kwanta Simon, Kummai Aboku, Esther Markus, Hana Stephen, Rifkatu Amos, Rebecca Mallum, Blessing Abana, Ladi Wadai, Tabitha Hyelampa and Ruth Ngladar.

Also abducted were Safiya Abdu, Naomi Yahonna, Solomi Titus, Rhoda John, Rebecca Kabu, Christy Yahi, Rebecca Luka, Laraba John, Saratu Markus, Mary Usman, Debora Yahonna, Naomi Zakaria, Hanatu Musa, Hauwa Tella, Juliana Yakubu, Suzana Yakubu, Saraya Paul, Jummai Paul, Mary Sule and Jummai John.

Not left out were Yanke Shittima, Muli Waligam, Fatima Tabji, Eli Joseph, Saratu Emmanuel, Deborah Peter, Rahila Bitrus, Luggwa Sanda, Kauna Lalai, Lydia Emmar, Laraba Maman, Hauwa Isuwa, Comfort Habila, Hauwa Abdu, Hauwa Balti, Yana Joshua, Laraba Paul, Saraya Amos, Glory Yaga and Naomi Bitrus.

Also, Godiya Bitrus, Awa Bitrus, Naomi Luka, Maryamu Lawan, Tabitha Silas, Mary Yahona, Ladi Joel, Rejoice Sanki, Luggwa Samuel, Comfort Amos, Saraya Samuel, Sicker Abdul, Talata Daniel, Rejoice Musa, Deborah Abari, Salomi Pogu, Mary Amor, Ruth Joshua, Esther John, Esther Ayuba, Maryamu Yakubu, Zara Ishaku, Maryamu Wavi, Lydia Habila, Laraba Yahonna, Naomi Bitrus, Rahila Yahanna, Ruth Lawan, Ladi Paul and Mary Paul, were also abducted.

Others include, Esther Joshua, Helen Musa, Margret Watsai, Deborah Jafaru, Filo Dauda, Febi Haruna, Ruth Ishaku, Racheal Nkeki, Rifkatu Soloman, Mairama Yahaya, Saratu Dauda, Jinkai Yama, Margret Shettima, Yana Yidau, Grace Paul, Amina Ali, Palmata Musa, Awagana Musa, Pindar Nuhu and Yana Pogu.

Other girls' names on the list included: Saraya Musa, Hauwa Joseph, Hauwa Kwakwi, Hauwa Musa, Maryamu Musa, Maimuna Usman, Rebeca Joseph, Liyatu Habitu, Rifkatu Yakubu, Naomi Philimon, Deborah Abbas, Ladi Ibrahim, Asabe Ali, Maryamu Bulama, Ruth Amos, Mary Ali and Abigail Bukar.

Deborah Amos, Saraya Yanga, Kauna Luka, Christiana Bitrus, Yana Bukar, Hauwa Peter, Hadiza Yakubu, Lydia Simon, Ruth Bitrus, Mary Yakubu, Lugwa Mutah, Muwa Daniel, Hanatu Nuhu, Monica Enoch, Margret Yama, Docas Yakubu, Rhoda Peter, Rifkatu Galang, Saratu Ayuba, Naomi Adamu, Hauwa Ishaya, Rahap Ibrahim, Deborah Soloman, Hauwa Mutah, Hauwa Takai and Serah Samuel, were also abducted.

The abducted Muslim schoolgirls were Aishatu Musa, Aishatu Grema, Hauwa Nkeki, Hamsatu Abubakar, Mairama Abubakar, Hauwa Wule, Ihyi Abdu, Hasana Adamu, Rakiya Kwamtah, Halima Gamba, Aisha Lawan, Kabu Malla, Yayi Abana, Falta Lawan and Kwadugu Manu.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Lidya Raises Funding to Expand Access to Capital for Underserved Small Businesses in Nigeria


Lidya Raises Funding to Expand Access to Capital for Underserved Small Businesses in Nigeria

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lidya, a leading fintech platform based in Nigeria, announced today that it has closed a US$1.25 million seed funding round to further its mission of easing access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The round was led by Accion Venture Lab, the seed-stage investment initiative of financial inclusion leader Accion, which invests capital in, and provides support to, innovative fintech startups that increase access to, improve the quality of, or reduce the cost of financial services for the underserved at scale. Newid Capital and several angel investors also contributed to the round.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Message For Irresponsible Nigerian Parents

For Irresponsible Nigerian Parents in Nigeria

This is for irresponsible Nigerian parents who leave their underage children unsupervised in the hands of careless housemaids and neighbors.

If you cannot sit down and take good care of children, PLEASE don't have them.
No child asked to be born.

Friday, March 24, 2017

US Nigeria Council Ushers in New Era in US - Nigeria Relations


US Nigeria Council Ushers in New Era in US - Nigeria Relations
A new business organization is advancing diversification and job creation in Nigeria
   
LAGOS, Nigeria, March 24, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The US Nigeria Council (USNC) was launched on Wednesday, March 15th, 2017 in Lagos at a dinner of leading Nigerian and American businesses.  Hosted by John Coumantaros, Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Uche Orji, CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the launch dinner was attended by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, US Consul General, John Bray, and the leadership of Nigeria's largest companies and major US investors.  The Council will work to create partnerships between Nigerian and American investors, bolstering the commercial dialogue between the two countries.  Ambassador Symington and Central Bank Governor Emefiele gave supportive remarks during the event.



The Nigerian business commitment to USNC was represented by the active participation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, Oba Oteduko of Honeywell Group, Jim Ovia of Zenith Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe of Access Bank Plc, Akinsowon Dawodu of Citibank Nigeria, Adewale Tinubu of Oando, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede of WAPIC, and Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group amongst others.  The Dow Chemical Company, Chevron, UPS, Procter & Gamble and Uber were some of the US businesses that sent senior delegations.  The Council also includes young entrepreneurs who have started companies in technology, agribusiness and education, including Tomato Jos, Mall for Africa and Andela.

Click here to continue Reading.

Vice President of Nigeria Recommends New Book On Pastor E. A. Adeboye


"This book of some of the testimonies of one of the greatest servants of God in this generation is worth reading and learning from. I recommend it very highly.”
~ Professor Yemi Osinbajo (Pastor Prof.) Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Osinbajo and Pastor Adeboye. 

 The amazing new book of the awesome testimonies of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye , General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), "Stories of Pastor E.A. Adeboye: The Power of Testimony" is now available in Amazon Kindle edition.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Beware of Acid Rain in the Niger Delta


Acid Rain in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in the oil rich Niger Delta of Nigeria.


Please if you're in Port Harcourt, avoid the rain.  It contains carcinogens that destroy body tissues and lead to cancer. Stop children from playing in the rain. It'll cause them immediate fever with subsequent deterioration. If,  however,  the rain has beaten you,  see that you dry your body immediately and don't allow it distil into the pores of your skin. Where you can,  take a bathe immediately adding disinfectant to the water and using good antiseptic soap. Don't let it have contact with your tongue as it can cause damage to the taste pods of your tongue and leave you with later tongue blisters. Stay away from Port Harcourt rain to stay safe.

- A Health Advice from Nativity Communications Company Limited

Yemen Tops 10 Unhappiest Countries in the World


When I wrote Yemen is burning! published on my Nigerian Times Blog on Saturday, June 4, 2011, my warning was ignored by the United Nations and the Arab League. But the street protests have degenerated into civil war with more than 16, 000 people killed so far.  The Saudi government intervened, but worsened the crisis by bombing hospitals and schools!


Yemen is the poorest country in the Middle East, because of corrupt and incompetent government that is too weak to confront religious intolerance and terrorism.

The following are the Top 10 unhappiest countries in the world according to the 2017 annual World Happiness Report  released on Monday.

Top 10 Unhappiest Countries

1. Yemen
2. South Sudan
3. Liberia
4. Guinea
5. Togo
6. Rwanda
7. Syria
8. Tanzania
9. Burundi
10. Central African Republic.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

World Water Day: Don't Waste Water!


World Water Day: Don't Waste Water!



WORLD WATER DAY


World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.


An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. In 2015, World Water Day has the theme "Water and Sustainable Development".
In 2016, the theme is "Water and Jobs," in 2017 "Wastewater" and in 2018 "Nature-based Solutions for Water".

http://www.unwater.org/campaigns/world-water-day/en/

Clouds Over Sidra: A Virtual Reality Documentary on the Syrian Refugee Crisis



Clouds Over Sidra is a 2015 virtual reality film about the Syrian refugee crisis. The movie was created by Gabo Arora and Chris Milk in partnership with the United Nations and Samsung.


The film features a twelve year old in the Za'atari camp in Jordan, home to 84,000 Syrian refugees.It follows her throughout the day from her family's tent, to school, to a bakery, to a computer lab and the camp football pitch. It is the first film shot in virtual reality for the United Nations.

The film was directed by Gabo Arora and Barry Pousman and co-Produced by Samantha Storr, Socrates Kakoulides, Christopher Fabian and Katherine Keating.[4]

It was first shown at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2015.

References

Monday, March 20, 2017

Consumption of White Yam is Why Yorubas Have More Fraternal Twins


Consumption of White Yam is Why Yorubas Have More Fraternal Twins 

Your consumption of yams and other dietary choices increase the chances of conceiving fraternal twins (True)
It is thought that the white yam contains fertility-inducing properties that trick the female body into releasing hormones that promote ovulation--this may partly explain the high fraternal twinning rate among the Yorùbá of western Nigeria.

Photo Credit: Full Circle.
Trevo Benefits.

Read more from "Elsevier Book Sheds New Light on the Origins and Development of Identical and Fraternal Twins".

Click here to read the full report.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Who Killed Nigerian Blogger Abdulhakeem Bauchin Bauchi?


Who killed popular Nigerian blogger and writer Abdulhakeem Bauchin Bauchi?

The horrifying gruesome murder of a Nigerian blogger and writer was reported by  several blogs and news websites yesterday. But none has told us who killed him or why he was kidnapped and murdered.

A Nigerian Blogger/Writer residing in Bauchi State by origin, Abdulhakeem Bauchin Bauchi has been found dead after he was declared missing. According to people who know him, his wedding ceremony was scheduled in few weeks before meeting his untimely end. His body was found slaughtered and dumped in a bush..
National Helm.
What could have caused his kidnap and murder?
He was not a popular human rights activist or whistle blower.
Was he murdered for personal reasons or political reasons?
The Nigerian police have to investigate the circumstances surrounding his kidnap and murder.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Relaxation Time at the 2017 iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival in Lagos



Relaxation Time at the 2017 iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival in Lagos



Relaxation time at the on going 7th annual iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival at the Freedom Park on Lagos Island, Lagos state. Friday, March 17, 2017.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Photo Documentary: Stephanie Linus Helps 35 Women with VVF in Kebbi State

First Lady of Kebbi State Dr. Zainab Bagudu with Stephanie Linus and one of the beneficiaries.

 NNPC/SNEPCo Sponsors Stephanie Linus’ Extended Hands Foundation To Repair 35 Women With VVF In Kebbi State
NNPC/SNEPCo Sponsored the Goodwill Ambassador of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Stephanie Linus’ Extended Hands Foundation to repair 35 women with VVF in Kebbi State where she was received by the Governor and the First Lady of Kebbi State.

The Extended Hands Foundation, a non-governmental organization with sponsorship from NNPC/SNEPCo has completed the successful repair of 35 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients in Kebbi State. The pool effort took place at the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development VVF Center in Gesse, Birin-Kebbi and received the co-operation of the Kebbi State Government.
Led by the founder Stephanie Linus, the Extended Hands Foundation team was received by the Governor of the state Dr Abubakar Bagudu and the First Lady Dr Zainab Bagudu. They both paid visits to the women at the VVF Center, showing their support for the cause.

Governor of Kebbi State Abubakar Bagudu and Stephanie Linus.

All the repairs have been completed successfully and the women are recovering well.
Commissioner for Women Affairs in Kebbi State and Stephanie Linus presenting an economic empowerment item to a VVF Patient after her successful surgery.
Items donated to the VVF Patients by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Kebbi State.
A VVF Patient giving Stephanie Linus hand-made beads designed by her with First Lady of Kebbi State Dr Zainab Bagudu.
Stephanie Linus with some Doctors and Nurses at the VVF Center.
A VVF surgery being performed by Dr Sa’ad Idris.
Governor of Kebbi State Abubakar Bagudu addressing some of the recipients of the free VVF surgeries.
Governor of Kebbi State Abubakar Bagudu on a visit to the VVF Center.
A VVF Patient getting ready for her surgery.
Dr Abubakar Bawa chatting with some of the VVF Patients.

Stephanie Linus, who spent some time with the women at the VVF Center during the course of the exercise, expressed her appreciation to the sponsors of the pool effort – NNPC/SNEPCo for investing in this cause. She also added that this was the second time the foundation was carrying out such an exercise in Kebbi state.

The team of medical staff was led by Dr Sa’ad Idris, a seasoned VVF Surgeon and former Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Abubakar Bawa, and other doctors and nurses at the VVF Center.

Against the backdrop of her Child Bride and Fistula advocacy movie, "DRY", Stephanie Linus has been taking the message of restoration and hope to real women suffering from VVF. This pool effort goes a long way to show that DRY is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with this condition.