“It was more important for me to be happy”: Rihanna confirms she is back with Chris Brown

Rihanna has finally spoken about her relationship with violent ex Chris and said things are different this time round

Splash

Chris Brown and Rihanna snuggle up on their first public appearance together since she forgave him

On the one hand we’re pleased Rihanna has finally opened up about what the hell is going on between her and ex boyfriend Chris Brown, because we’re ridiculously nosy. But we’re dismayed at what she’s said.

They are back together.

"I decided it was more important for me to be happy," she tells Rolling Stone magazine. "I wasn't going to let anybody's opinion get in the way of that. Even if it's a mistake, it's my mistake. After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I'd rather just live my truth and take the backlash. I can handle it."

She’s clearly thought about her decision a lot and was obviously very happy without him, but we can’t forgive him for smashing her face in during that violent assault three years ago, almost to the day.

As a reminder, they were on their way back from a pre-Grammys dinner the night before the main ceremony when they had an argument in his car. This resulted in him bashing her face against the dashboard and not letting her out of the car. It’s fair to say it was pretty horrific.

Just in case your memory is as bad as Rihanna's

AP

"He doesn't have the luxury of f***ing up again," she says of the incident, which resulted in him receiving a criminal record and a restraining order. "That's just not an option. I can't say that nothing else will ever go wrong. But I'm pretty solid in the knowing that he's disgusted by that.

“And I wouldn't have gone this far if I ever thought that was a possibility."

Since Chris dumped ex girlfriend Karreuche Tran ( who has just spoken about the love triangle ), he and Rihanna have been happy to be seen out together, with the singer even posting Twitpics of them in bed together.

Not that he deserves kisses...

 

...or hugs.

Instagram / badgalriri

Both her critics and fans alike were disappointed she had decided to apparently forgive Chris and it sounds like she realises this.

"When you add up the pieces from the outside, it's not the cutest puzzle in the world," she admits. "You see us walking somewhere, driving somewhere, in the studio, in the club, and you think you know.

“But it's different now. We don't have those types of arguments anymore. We talk about sh*t. We value each other. We know exactly what we have now, and we don't want to lose that."

They love a puff and a mean pose

EROTEME

She must be well chuffed about his recent alleged fisticuffs with another star in a car park then…

The full interview appears in Rolling Stone magazine, out Friday January 31.

Rihanna the cover girl

 

Do you think Chris and Rihanna will stay together?

Justin Bieber 'definitely didn't' grope a fan's boob, despite picture of him, erm, groping a fan's boob

The popstar's rep releases a denial and The Biebs himself tweets following a picture that shows him apparently copping a feel

Yesterday we all had a little chuckle at a picture of Justin Bieber copping a feel of a fan's boob . And then we got on with our lives.

But, when you've built your reputation on being a (relatively) squeaky-clean popstar , these mishaps need explaining away.

Which is no doubt why Justin's team today released a statement denying that he groped the fan's chest - despite the fact that the photo evidence seems to show him doing just that.

The photo first emerged after the Bieb took part in a meet and greet with a grope - sorry, group - of fans on Monday in Miami.

Having sneaked into the event wearing a fake wristband (ahh, we remember those days - we got THIS close to Peter Andre backstage circa 1996), mega-fan Jocelyn Bieber - to quote her Twitter name - met her idol and had her picture taken with him.

In the shot, Justin is seen kissing the brunette Belieber on the cheek - whilst his right hand appears to cup her boob.

'Erm, Justin - I think you just touched my boob'

BieberFever.com

And whilst the fan herself seems only too happy with the incident, judging from the grin on her face, Justin's 'people' are less than happy about it.

In a statement to E! Online , they called the apparent grope "ridiculous" and said: "That definitely did not happen."

So how did they explain the picture that would suggest it DEFINITELY DID HAPPEN?

"He was pulling away from her," they say. Which doesn't even make sense.

Whilst Justin himself hasn't directly addressed grope-gate, as we're calling it, he did post a Tweet that seemed to allude to the incident.

Justin Bieber: he likes to touch boobs and we cannot lie

He posted: "A lot of bs has been out there lately. Seems like it never stops. Answering for myself thru music. To everyone around the world. Thanks for believing. I AM GRATEFUL."

We're not sure why he wrote his tweet like a telegram, but that's not important.

Grope-gate is just the latest headache for the Bieb - he was recently forced to respond after pictures of him smoking what looked like a spliff emerged, and in a new interview with Billboard magazine he admits "I'm not in the happiest place I've ever been."

Cheer up, Justin - surely touching a boob makes life a little better?

Patrice Motsepe has announced he will give half the money generated by the Motsepe family's assets to assist poor South Africans.

Motsepe made his announcement on Wednesday in Johannesburg, amid speculation he was going to buy South Africa's Independent Newspaper Group from major shareholders Independent News and Media. Rumours also circled African Rainbow Minerals, of which he is the founder and executive chairperson, would make purchases in the platinum sector.

According to Forbes, Motsepe's net worth alone is at $2.65-billion as of November 2012.

Motsepe said the money given to the Motsepe Foundation would contribute in particular to addressing education and health issues in South Africa.

In a live video at the event, billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates commended Motsepe's decision.

The announcement was attended by the likes of King Goodwill Zwelithini, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Rabbi Warren Goldstein and other religious leaders.

Motsepe was recently in Davos – as was Denis O'Brien, Independent News and Media's biggest shareholder who met with President Jacob Zuma around "shareholdings in South Africa" – and expressed an interest in the media group, according to Bloomberg, leading to speculation he wanted to buy the South African media arm of the Irish publishing company.

Motsepe also expressed an interest in extending his holding in platinum, leading to discussions that his announcement might be related to the four shafts in Rustenburg that Anglo American Platinum is looking to mothball.

While in Davos he told Bloomberg that African Rainbow Minerals regarded platinum as a key sector and that they were looking for opportunities to buy platinum mines.

African Rainbow Minerals and Anglo American Platinum already have a joint venture at Modikwa Deep.

common misconceptions about cancer

Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. This list looks at some common misconceptions about cancer.

1.Cancerous Lumps

Misconception: Any lumps or large masses detected during cancer screenings are cancerous.

Not every abnormality is an automatic cancer diagnosis. It could just be a cyst that would either reabsorb itself into the body or need to be surgically removed. Some tumors are benign, meaning they are non-cancerous, however, determining which are benign, pre-cancerous, and cancerous is why screenings are important.

2.Positive Attitude

Misconception: All you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude, not treatment.

A good attitude does wonders to help alleviate the gravity of the situation. That’s why so many members of the cancer ward medical staff have a very pleasant demeanor. It certainly helps that the patient can maintain a positive outlook throughout treatment. However, cancer is much more than “mind over matter” and thus far, western medical research has provided the only avenue that has been repeatedly and comprehensively studied and consistently proves to be the most effective treatment against cancer.

3.Surgery Dangers

Misconception: Surgery could cause cancer to spread throughout the body

This myth probably originated decades before, when physicians could only diagnose the most advanced stages of cancer and surgeries were exploratory. Cancer treatment was still pretty rudimentary and without modern machinery, there was no way to fully determine if every cancerous cell was removed. Equipment has vastly improved since then and can provide a much clearer picture of what needs to be done during surgery.

4.Breast Cancer

Misconception: Only women get breast cancer.

Women are 100 times more likely to get breast cancer than men but since men also have breast tissue, it is still possible for them to develop breast cancer. The American Cancer Society states that roughly 2000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

For more information contact: gizzel.mbaga@gmail.com

Pringle and Aquascutum saviour Kim Winser launches own brand

The CEO who turned around the fortunes of Pringle of Scotland, Aquascutum and Agent Provocateur has launched an eponymous online fashion venture, Winser London.

Yasmin Le Bon wearing the Winser Trench

Winser London will be available solely online through winserlondon.com, and aims to offer women great pieces that work for more than just one season. Items include the classic Winser Trench, shift dresses, crisp shirts and wraps retailing from £35 to £350.

Winser is best known for her work as CEO of Pringle and Aquascutum, both of which we're ailing brands when she took the helm. She turned both into profitable, prestigious fashion labels, and went on to triple the profits of Agent Provocateur. She was awarded an OBE for services to the fashion industry in 2006.

IN PICTURES: The famous bodies of Agent Provocateur

"This project really excites me on so many levels, not only am I building a new fashion business with longevity in mind, it is also very personal to me because after my years in the fashion world, I have gained an understanding of what women want to wear," says Winser of her new venture.

Yasmin Le Bon for Winser London

The new collection is fronted by Yasmin Le Bon, who says it was "really lovely to be photographed in product I would genuinely want to wear."

The Winser London website will also feature editorial content, with different guest writers contributing content each month.

DO you believe in yourself?.

Believe in yourself and you can achieve,
Things you never thought possible.
Believe in yourself and you can discover,
New talents hidden inside you.

Believe in yourself and you can reach,
New high that you thought immeasurable.
Believe in yourself and you can elucidate,
The problem that defy every solution.

Believe in yourself and you can tackle,
The hardest of all situations.
Believe in yourself and you can make,
The complicated things seem simple.

Believe in yourself and you can enjoy,
The beauty of the nature's creation.
Believe in yourself and you can learn,
Skill of gaining knowledge from experience.

Believe in yourself and you can discern,
New depths in your life.
Believe in yourself and you can perform,
Way beyond your expectations.

Believe in your aim and work towards it,
With elation, determination and dedication.
Believe in yourself and you’ll feel blessed,
As you are the god’s special creation.

POEM: Believe in Yourself..

Believe in yourself -
in the power you have
to control your own life, day by day,
Believe in the strength
that you have deep inside,
and your faith will help
show you the way.
Believe in tomorrow
and what it will bring -
let a hopeful heart carry you through,
For the things will work out
if you trust and believe
there's no limit
to what you can do.

Don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do where there’s love and inspiration, YOU can’t go wrong!

How to Dress Well when You're Overweight..

Being overweight doesn't mean you can't look fabulous! All it takes is a little know-how and a healthy dose of confidence. Here's how to make the most of your curves...

Part One: Building a Strong Wardrobe

1. Wear well-fitting undergarments. It's true that your underclothes are the foundation of your look - it's hard to look good when you're wearing flimsy underwear that doesn't support you sufficiently.

• Buy a bra that fits (women). Not only will a good bra help lift your figure and make you look younger, it'll help you avoid backaches. If you're not sure what your size is, visit a department store such as Nordstrom or Dillard's (US) for a fitting. Do not go to Victoria's Secret - chances are you'll need an uncommon size, and they carry a narrow range of sizes.
• To lose a bit of girth around your hips and thighs, wear low-legged, high-waisted underwear in a firm, supportive cotton.
• Make sure you have sufficient coverage. Underwear that's too small is not underwear you should buy. If you can't find the right size at your mall or local stores, look online.

    2.Know the basics of how to accentuate or hide certain areas of your          body.
The colors, cut and patterns you wear can draw people's eyes toward or away from your figure. Here are some basics:

• Dark colors hide, while light colors highlight. So if you like your waist, wear a light belt over a dark shirt. If you want to hide your bottom half, wear dark pants and a lighter top.
• Big patterns will make you look bigger, while small patterns can make you look smaller.
• Don't put ruffles on anything you want to look smaller; do put them on areas you want to emphasize.
• Wear ruched or gathered fabric on areas you want to make look smaller. For instance, you might see a one-piece swimsuit with ruched panels over the belly.
• Know what colors look good on you. A flattering color can make your skin tone glow, while the wrong one can make you look sallow and washed-out.

 3. Find fits and textiles that will flatter your bottom half.

If you tend to carry your weight in your hips and legs (that is, you're "pear-shaped"), pay extra attention to these tips:

• Seek out tailored skirts and trousers. Avoid flared pants and wide-leg trousers.
• Avoid shapeless garments, like broomstick skirts and "one-size" dresses. Instead, find something with a nipped waist.
• If you're looking for a skirt, you can't go wrong with an A-line cut. Avoid pencil skirts.
• Buy at least one pair of well-fitting jeans. Skinny or straight-leg jeans in a dark wash look great.
• Be very careful with leggings. For some women, a long shirt or dress with leggings is a slimming and fashionable look. However, if you have larger hips, thighs, or bottom, it can look awful.

4. Dress to flatter your top half.

Depending on your body type, this could be the difficult or easy part. If you tend to carry your weight around your stomach and shoulders (or you're "apple-shaped"), these tips can help:

• Choose shaped T-shirts and dresses over "straight T" shirts and un-tailored dresses. They should be fitted closely to your natural waist and shoulders.
• For men, wear tailored shirts. Pay extra attention to making sure the neck and wrists are fitted.
• For women, skip spaghetti-strap or halter tops. You'll want your shirt to cover your bra straps, and they might be wide.
• Wear full-length cardigans and jackets - don't opt for cropped lengths.
• If you like your forearms, wear a three-quarters sleeve. If you dislike your arms, wear full sleeves or short sleeves - breaking up your arms in the middle with a sleeve will look even more unflattering.
• If you're wearing skinny jeans or leggings, try a tunic-style top that's a bit flowing. Wearing a top that's not fitting is fine as long as your bottom half looks tailored and well-fitted.
• Button-down shirts must fit properly across the bust and stomach. That means there's no pulling of the fabric at the button. If it does, the shirt does not fit.

   5. Accessorize!

Beautiful and unusual accessories not only make your wardrobe more versatile, but are blind to weight gains or losses.

• Larger women can pull off large, bold jewelry that would overwhelm smaller-framed women. Teeny earrings and pendants may get lost on you, however.
• A big handbag bag can help make you look smaller, as it does not look tiny next to you.
• Two or three chunky bangles will make a plump wrist appear slender. Wearing long dangly earrings elongates the neck.
• Good boots, such as "equestrian-style" boots can cause the illusion of a slender calf. A good pair of boots makes wearing a skirts or pants a positive joy.
• If you have heavy legs and ankles, avoid delicate or flimsy footwear; it will make it look as if you are about to fall over, or sink into the floor. A wedge heel, on the other hand, looks marvellous, however stout your legs are. 

Part Two: Before You Go Shopping

1. Get into the right frame of mind. A few small mental shifts can make all the difference in how you look, and (best of all) they're absolutely free. Cultivate your confidence in these areas:

• Stop paying attention to sizing tags. Especially in the US, clothing sizes can be extremely arbitrary and not standard from designer to designer. Don't focus on maintaining a certain size, and then find yourself heartbroken when the garment that fits you is bigger than that. Instead, focus on finding clothes that fit. If it helps, cut the sizing tags off all your clothing.
• Spend time taking care of yourself. You are worthy of attention, and you deserve to feel your best. Schedule time each day for grooming, and don't break the appointment. Telling yourself it's OK to look sloppy because you're already overweight is the worst thing you can do. Pay attention to your skin, hair, fingernails and toenails, body hair (optional) and makeup (optional).
• Accept your body as it is for today. You might have long-term goals for changing your body, but chances are they won't happen overnight. Instead of obsessing over what your physique is not, appreciate what it is for just this day. Remember, you only get one body - be nice to it!

      2.Wear clothing with confidence. Whatever you put on, make sure you're wearing the garments, and not vice versa. If you struggle with confidence, try these things:

• Don't buy "tent" clothing. Clothes that are too big might seem like they're doing you a favor by hiding your body, but they're actually communicating a lack of confidence. Instead, buy what fits and rely on colors, patterns and embellishments to draw the eye away from your flaws (see more on that below).
• Practice good posture. The way you carry your body can make all the difference in how your clothes look. Keep your chin up high, your shoulders back, your spine straight, and your hips centered over your feet. When you walk, don't shuffle and barely lift your feet off the ground - instead, practice the sort of "gliding" walk that beauty queens learn, that doesn't cause your body to bounce up and down very much. You can practice this with the old balance-a-book-on-your-head trick.
• Fashion is supposed to make you feel good. Clothes are not supposed to make you feel bad about yourself. They are supposed to provide comfort, protection, modesty, and aesthetic pleasure. If it isn't happening, that's not fashionable for you.
3. Know your measurements. Putting a measuring tape around yourself might seem like your worst nightmare, but you have to know your size if you're going to dress well. Try to remove yourself from the situation as much as possible, and recognize that these are just arbitrary numbers - they're not measurements of who you are as a person.


• Buy a soft measuring tape, which can be folded into a coil. Seamstresses and tailors use these. Or, if you're short on cash, ask if you can have your measurements taken at your dry cleaner's.
• Take the measurements for your neck, bust and underbust (for women), waist, hips, and thighs.
• Write down your measurements. Keep this information handy whenever you're shopping, so that you'll know exactly what you need.

4.Get a good seamstress or tailor. Sometimes your size just isn't fitted well "off the rack". You may have an ample bosom but a skinny waist, for instance, and so most clothing that fits your bosom swallows your waist. Instead of walking around in clothes that don't flatter, bring them to a professional to alter to your size. Ask your dry cleaner for a recommendation.

Part Three: Shopping for Clothing

1. Make shopping a positive experience. If you dread going shopping because it forces you to focus on your size, try to turn it around and make it a fun event. Take an upbeat friend with you, or go in with the attitude that nothing can get you down today. See the employees as people who care about clothing and would be excited to help you look your best. If someone proves you wrong, move on to the next salesperson.
2. Focus on quality over quantity. Instead of buying numerous sloppy, frumpy pieces of clothing that don't flatter you, invest in a few well-made items that you love and will last awhile.

• Don't just cruise the clearance racks. Sales are fine if you see something you'd buy anyway for a great price, but don't make them the exclusive focus of your shopping. Think about it this way: A few high-quality items that make you feel amazing and last for 3 or 4 years are ultimately a better value than 10 or 15 items from the clearance rack that wear out quickly and make you feel less than your best.

3. Buy age-appropriate clothing (more relevant for women). Here's a good rule of thumb: If someone 20 years younger or 20 years older than you would also be shopping in this department, then readjust. You don't want to look too young and seem like you're trying to hard, but you also don't want to buy clothes that age you. If you're unsure, look around at the other customers - are they about the same age as you?

4. Look at your potential purchases from different angles. Sit down in front of the dressing-room mirror. Many overweight women do not realize that what looks good standing up is disastrous sitting down. Does your skirt ride up and show a lumpy thigh? Can you wave to a friend across the room without straining at your sleeve? If there is the least chance that you will feel uncomfortable, find an alternative: there's nothing worse than the suspicion that any sudden movements will split your seams.

Tips..

• Be well groomed. A size 20 woman who smells discreetly of Chanel, has a lovely manicure, sits elegantly, and sports a lush, glossy head of hair, will win out every time over a skinny girl who looks like she needs a shower.
• Be aware of the power of illusion. Sometimes you meet women and are so bedazzled by their antique necklace, forties handbag, customised skirt and exquisite make-up, that it's some time before you realise they're probably a size 18. If you leave the house thinking you look fabulous, chances are several others will think so too.
• Don't wear things that are too tight on you. A test was carried out in which two women were stood, one was wearing her size in clothes and one was wearing a size tighter and 97% women thought that the one in the smaller clothes was a larger size. Not only will wearing tight cloths cause your body parts to bulge out, it will be hard to bend, sit or even walk!
• Big hair is a great help. It balances out your size. Big women with short boyish haircuts risk the pea-head look. Shoulder-length curls are probably best, but any fullness and gloss is a great complement to round, plump shoulders and a large bust.
• Cleavage is a weapon to be used whenever possible. A beautifully exfoliated and moisturised bust, not falling out but peeking out over a scoop neck or between the unbuttoned seams of a fitted shirt, will induce most people to forgive any other failings in your body.
• Try out a wrap dress. These are far from the cure-all that some think them, but over trousers they may work for you.
• Learn to sew! Making a calf-length A-line skirt for pears, or a slender knee-length skirt for apples, is the easiest thing in the world, and even done by hand only takes an afternoon. You will then have a well-fitting item that no-one else has.

QOUTE FOR TODAY..

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."  Jackie Robinson.

HEALTH: Uncleanliness in food and water can caues AMOEBIAIS..

Amoebiasis (also known as spelt amebiasis) is an infection caused by the parasite entamoeba histolytica. It is usually contracted by ingesting water or food contaminated with amoebic cysts. Amoebiasis is an intestinal infection that may or may not be symptomatic. When symptoms are present it is generally known as invasive amoebiasis. People with amoebiasis have Entamoeba histolytica parasites in their faeces. The infection can spread when infected people do not dispose of their faeces in a sanitary manner or do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet. It is usually transmitted by contamination of drinking water and foods with fecal matter, but it can also be transmitted indirectly through contact with dirty hands or objects. After infection, it may take from a few days up to two to four weeks before becoming ill. Some people with amebiasis may carry the parasite for weeks to years, often without symptoms.

Although rarely, amoebiasis can cause abscesses in the liver, lungs, and brain or even elsewhere in the body. Symptoms take from a few days to a few weeks to develop and manifest themselves, but usually it is about two to four weeks. Symptoms can range from mild diarrhoea to dysentery with blood and mucus. The blood comes from amoebae invading the lining of the intestine. Rarely, amoebiasis can cause an abscess in the liver. After infection, it may take a few days, several months or even years before you become ill but it is usually about two or four weeks. To trace the cause of the illness, it is necessary to know what you ate and drank and where you travelled in the weeks before you became ill. The parasite can cause ulcers to form in the intestine resulting in amoebic dysentery. Under these circumstances the diarrhoea becomes watery and bloody, the abdominal pain becomes more severe, and fever develops.

Causes of Amoebiasis;
Amoebiasis is caused by a protozoa. Amoebiasis is commonly spread by water contaminated by faeces or from food served by contaminated hands. It can also spread to other organs like the liver, and brain by invading the venous system of the intestines. Asymptomatic carriers pass cysts in the faeces. Contaminated drinking water can also spread infection. The disease may also spread y oral-anal contact.
Common causes and risk factors of Amoebiasis:

• Eating contaminated food.
  
• Anal or directly from person to person contact.
  
• Eating Non-Veg foods.
  
• Unhygienic conditions and Poor sanitation areas.
  
• Eating vegetables and fruits which have been contaminated by the harmful bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms of Amoebiasis;
The most common symptoms of amoebiasis are diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever. Rarely, amoebiasis can cause an abscess in the liver. Entamoeba histolytica parasites are only found in humans. After infection, it may take a few days, several months or even years before you become ill but it is usually about two or four weeks.
Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Abdominal cramps.
  
• Nausea.
  
• Painful passage of stools.
  
• Loss of Weight.
  
• Severe stomach pain.
  
• Loss of Appetite.
  
• Profuse diarrhoea.

Treatment for Amoebiasis;
As a result two different sorts of drugs are needed to rid the body of the infection, one for each location. Metronidazole, or a related drug such a tinidazole, is used to destroy amebae that have invaded tissue. It is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the site of infection. Antibiotics, such as Metronidazole are necessary, and are given for 5 days for amoebic dysentery and for 10-14 days if there is a liver abcess or extraintestinal spread. Large abcesses in the liver may require drainage, using an ultrasound scan to localise the abcess accurately and position the drainage needle.
Treatment may include:

• An anti-diarrhoeal medication may also be prescribed. Metronidazole can produce a metallic taste in the mouth and may give rise to nausea.
  
• Make a leaf paste with dried neem leaves and an equal quantity of turmeric powder mixed with mustard oil. This should be applied on the body and left for an hour or so and then the person should bath.
  
• If amoebiasis causes an abscess on your liver or other organs and the abscess does not respond to antibiotics, it may need to be drained surgically.
  
• The juice of apricot leaves should be extracted and applied over the infected area. It has beneficial results in the treatment of amoebiasis.

WHAT DO YOU THINK: What is the role of 'self-permission' in changemaking?

From the moment we are born, society has already defined us. We are pushed into thinking small throughout our entire lives—by others, our environment, and the existing systems within our society, but most powerfully of all we unconsciously limit ourselves.

Ubungo Disaster..

A number of vehicle owners suffered a huge lose when portion of walls surrounding the Ubungo Bus Terminal, which has for years served as the main upcountry Bust Station, crumbled under the weighty of a falling signboard, which crashed on and destroyed over 20 cars and a number of passenger-service motor tricycles, also known as auto-rickshaws or bajaji that has been parked in the vicinity. Three people ere reportedly injured in the ensuing fracas.

Mother jailed five years for throwing baby in river

A 30-year-old mother, Yidiat Bakare, has been sentenced to five years in prison by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for throwing her three-month-old baby into a river in Ifon-Osun community, Osun State.

Yidiat was said to have thrown the baby into the river to express her grievance following a disagreement with her husband, Amodu Bakare.

According to the charge sheet obtained on Friday by our correspondent, the offence was committed on January 10, 2013 at about 4pm.

The woman, who pleaded guilty to the offence when the charge was read to her, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Police prosecutor, Mr. Oladoye Joshua, said her behaviour resulted in the death of the baby, stressing that the offence was punishable under Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

Yidiat’s lawyer, Mr. Jimoh Daramola, urged the court to be lenient in its judgement, describing the incident as a personal tragedy to the mother.

After listening to the positions of the prosecution and defence counsel, Magistrate Olusola Aluko found Yidiat guilty.

The magistrate described the crime as unacceptable and heinous.

Aluko said, “People should exhibit restraint during disputes. It is always good to seek amicable resolution of conflicts at all times.

“The baby sent to the grave does not know whether the parents were quarrelling or not. This crime is unacceptable and heinous.”

He thus sentenced Yidiat  to five years in prison with hard labour without an option of fine.

 Parents remanded for assaulting son with hot charcoal

Also, an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the parents of a 12-year-old boy, David Ajibade, be remanded in prison custody for allegedly pouring hot charcoal on the boy.

David’s 49-year-old father, Elkannah Ajibade, and his wife, Elizabeth, were arraigned for allegedly tying David up and pouring hot charcoal on him as a deterrent for attending a church’s vigil.

The charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Friday explained that the offence was committed on January 2, 2013, in Okinni community of Egbedore Local Government Area of the state.

Specifically, the court was told that the couple allegedly tied-up the hands and feet of David while they poured hot charcoal on his body.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Elisha Olusegun, said the boy was thrown out of the house after he was bathed with charcoal, adding that a good Samaritan took him to a juvenile centre.

Olusegun said the parents were arrested after the boy was brought to the juvenile centre, adding that the offence was punishable under sections 516, 335 and 351 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.

Both parents pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and causing bodily harm.

Their lawyer, Mr. O. O Alabi, applied for their bail, assuring the court that the accused persons would provide reliable sureties and would not jump bail.

But the Magistrate, Mr. Adebayo Lasisi, refused the bail application, ordering that both parents be remanded in Ilesa prison.

Lasisi also ordered that the boy should be brought to court on January 25 – the next adjourned day.

He said the boy’s appearance in court would provide an opportunity to ascertain his condition.

Breaking news: S/Africa court convicts Henry Okah of 13 acts of ‘terrorism’

JOHANNESBURG- A South African court on Monday convicted Nigerian national Henry Okah of 13 terrorism charges, including bombings that killed 12 people in Abuja on independence day 2010.

“I have come to the conclusion that the state proved beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused,” said Judge Nels Claassen, handing down the verdict in the South Gauteng High Court.

Okah was found guilty of masterminding attacks including twin car bombings that killed 12 people in Abuja on October 1, 2010 and two explosions in March 2010 in the southern Nigerian city of Warri, a major hub of the oil-rich Delta region.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a group fighting for a greater share of the Delta oil wealth, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Okah denied involvement in the blasts and said the charges were politically motivated.

He also denied leading MEND, but had said he sympathised with their goals.

However the South African court found Okah was the leader of the movement after uncovering documentary evidence including his wife’s handwritten notes.

Shocker! How reality TV show winner, met his father on stage after 30yrs of separation

His story  runs like a novel; shocking and unbelievable. But it is real and never imagined. Winner of the maiden edition of Destiny Child Gospel reality TV show, Israel Osunsanmi recently came to term with the saying that blood is thicker than water.

This is so, because on a day the world gathered to celebrate him as the star winner of the gospel reality show, the unexpected happened. Young Israel had a cause to meet his biological father  for the first time in his lifetime while on stage.

Israel

Until the grand finale of the reality show, 30 year-old Israel has never had any contact with his father. But on that fateful day, the man who sent his  mother packing while she was two months pregnant   suddenly emerged to share in his joy.

Narrating his ordeal to Showtime, Israel, an OND Business Administration graduate of the Osun State Polytechnic, declared that he has since forgiven his father, even though his  mother’s ordeal really affected his growing up. “I have forgiven him and the relationship  is gradually picking up,” he said.

According to him, his ordeal started when his father impregnated his mother’s best friend a month before their wedding. His mother’s attempt to confront his father got her a knock on the head, as the latter consequently threw her with her two-months pregnancy out of  his house in order to marry her friend.

Israel disclosed that if not for God’s mercies, he wouldn’t have made it  to this world as his mum attempted about 10 times to abort the pregnancy but without any success.

He narrates, “I will be 30 this month. I’m from a polygamous family, and I’m the only child of my mother. I took to gospel music because of my story. My life is a big story. My dad sent my mother packing when she was 2-months pregnant. That was when my struggles started  in life. It was myself and my mum alone in the world. But I’m alive today. That alone gave me the inspiration that it was God that kept me alive.

And it is God, I must live without blemish, and if I do anything wrong, God is going to take away this life that he has given to me. That’s why I can’t do anything without God. And this is why many people today call me ‘ Church Boy’ because I’m always spending my time in the Church. There was a time, I wanted to go astray, when I was singing in clubs, and other hangouts, but God in his infinite mercies  redirected my steps.”

Narrating how he was able to reunite with his father. he disclosed that one of his father’s  sisters made it possible.  “We got hooked up on facebook early last year. In the cause of our  discussion, I  invited her to the grand finale of the show. Fortunately,  she decided to attend the event in the company of his father. She was trying to connect with the Osunsanmis online.

She saw my telephone number and immediately gave  me a call.  That was how we started getting closer. When it was a week to the finals of the reality show, I  invited her to represent my family. But she told me she was going to attend the event in the company of my father. I welcomed the idea. That was it.  The mistake I made was telling  the producer that my dad was around and that, I was meeting him for the first time in my life. Overwhelmed by that news, the Producer invited him on stage and the reunion was a memorable experience.”

Israel, who won N3 million star prize, including a brand new Hyundai car said,  he would forever remain grateful to God for this turn around in his life. “My mother is based in Ilorin and could not make to the grand finale of the show,” he said.

Now married, Israel will be 30 next month. Before he participated in the competition, he  was the  Head, Directorate of Media and Logistics, at TREM in Abuja.

The show producer, Mrs. Uche Esharetury disclosed, she was inspired to do this project because of her passion for gospel music. “Looking at the Nigerian music industry, we realise most of these artistes discovered their talent from the church, participating in choirs and others right from their youth. They were certified as gifted musicians, but the absence of potential sponsorship deprived them opportunities in gospel music.Hence, the subscription to secular music which attracts sponsorship based on its so-cietal acceptance”, Esharetury said.