Judgement Day :Notorious Child Kidnapper Osondu Nicknamed "Galaxy" Burnt alive in Imo State

In a classic fulfillment of the popular Nigerian saying, “many days for the thief, one day for the owner of the house,” a man who made kidnapping of little children his source of income has met his Waterloo in Imo State.
The notorious kidnapper, Osundu, better known by his nickname, Galaxy, who hailed from Umuduru Egbuaguru community in Onuimo Local Council Development Area and his gang got more than they bargained for at Umu-Ode in Ezelu Okwe another autonomous community in Onuimo LCDA on October 4, 2016 as he was not only caught but burnt alive by members of the community.
Galaxy had been a terror to the people as he specialized in the kidnapping of children for sale, a horrific and heinous act he carried out for over five months.
Galaxy and members of his gang had a practice of visiting Umu-Ode Ezelu on the communities market day, when most people would have gone to the Afo Ezu in Umuna, and particularly at such hours when there would probably be no adult person around to confront them. They would then abduct any child they could see. But on that fateful day, October 4, their cup of iniquity filled up and spilled over, when the gang abducted the male child of a street trader, Mrs. Elesius Duru alias Nwunye Onyibo and zoomed off.
The woman let out a blood-cuddling scream of anguish, with all the power that heaven transmitted into voice. The high decibel of her cry of pain arrested the attention of youths in the area and members of the Imo Security Network, who pursued the gang with motorcycles and a bus. The youths overtook the gang’s getaway bus and forced it to run into a ditch by roadside. They immediately rescued the child from the gang although the little boy had sustained a small wound on his head. The little boy was handed over to his parents who immediately took him to the St. Joseph Hospital in Okwelle for treatment.  But the irate youths took custody of Galaxy, the leader the gang and one of his members, and after questioning them, they instantly administered jungle justice by setting the duo ablaze even before the police arrived at the scene.
An indigene of the community who pleaded anonymity explained that the youths took the decision because of their conviction that the duo would have been set free if they had been handed over to the police.
He said that Galaxy had been a thorn in the flesh of the community and everyone had been on the look out for the gang, hoping to catch them red-handed.
He explained further: “They normally come when most people have either gone to the market or to the farms and kidnap any child around and disappear. For the past five months we have had lost children suspected to have been kidnapped by Osundu and his group. So, they came as usual on the Afor Ezu market knowing that most people would have gone to the market and snatched the two-year old son from Nwunye Oyigbo while she was selling on the street. But this time they did not escape as youths and the members of the Imo Security Network pursued and caught them even though some of them ran away. We were able to get the leader Osundu and one other person and set them ablaze.”
However, narrating her ugly experience, Mrs. Elesius told Sunday Sun: “When they came to where I was selling I thought they wanted to buy something from me but it was when one of them carried my son Ikechukwu who was sitting beside me to the car they came with that I started shouting as they drove away. My scream alerted the people around and immediately some of the youths and okada riders (commercial motorcyclists), including the members of the Imo Security Network started to pursue them and eventually caught up with them.  “I thank God that my son was rescued alive even though he sustained a minor injury on his head. I quickly took him to St. Joseph Hospital where he was treated.”
But a twist was added to the situation when the father of the child, Mr. Elesius Duru fainted after being informed that this first child and son had been kidnapped. It took the prompt action of people nearby to revive him.

Tiwa savage's estranged husband Teebliz Shares new picture where he is seen hanging out with his son Jamil

Teebliz shared the above picture where he is with his son Jamil and writes "A  peaceful heart leads to a healthy body.

Nigerian Singer Flavour blasted by fans for instagram Post which some feel he is indirectly mocking Chidinmma Okeke over her sex tape

Flavour is one Nigerian singer who is loved by many people for his style and his looks.

 

The handsome 'Ololufe' singer is often considered to be one of the sexiest male singers in the industry and is adored by many female fans.

 

However, Flavour has recently come under fire for posting a controversial photo online.

 

The singer shared this photo below on Instagram with a caption reading: "Ataam Cucumber Chidinma," an Igbo sentence meaning "I have eaten Chidinma's Cucumber." Fans however didn't find it funny. See the controversial post and reactions below... 

Obasanjo on War path with FG over $29.96 billion foreign loan. Threatens to challenge buhari with a "Third force" in 2019.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has kicked against the plan by the Federal Government to obtain a $29.96 billion foreign loan. 

Obasanjo was said to have phoned the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, shortly after the media reported the loan bid, which the Federal Government explained would be used to finance critical infrastructure deficiency between now and 2018.

But the Finance Minister, it was learnt, told an alarmed Obasanjo that she would pay him a visit to explain the rationale for the plan, which has triggered mixed reactions on the necessity or otherwise of such loan.

The former president spoke on the proposed foreign loan when he received members of a political association, The National Patriots’ Movement of Nigeria (NPMN), led by the national coordinator, Chief Dosu Oladipo, at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Friday.

Obasanjo, it was learnt, not only opposed the loan bid, but also threatened to draw a battle line with the Federal Government should it go ahead to obtain the loan which he said could have far-reaching negative effects on the nation.

While some experts have advised the government to deploy part of the funds reportedly recovered from allegedly corrupt politicians in the last political dispensation to such purpose, others claimed the loan could be raised internally.

Many others are concerned about the wisdom in such loan when the government was being weighed down by huge domestic debt to local contractors.

Obasanjo had successful negotiated with Western nations to write off $12.5 billion foreign debt to the Paris Club, a body of European creditors during his tenure.

In justifying the proposal for the N429.96 billion external loan, President Muhammadu Buhari, had in a letter to the National Assembly said, “The total cost of the projects and programmes under the borrowing (plan) is $29.96 billion made up of proposed projects and programmes loan of $11.274 billion, special national infrastructure projects, $10.686 billion, Euro bonds of $4.5 billion and Federal Government budget support of $3.5 billion.”

But Nigeria’s foreign reserves have dipped lately, ostensibly owing to economic recession and intense pressure on Nigeria’s naira as a result of the scarcity of United States dollars.

OBJ speaks on third force

At the meeting, which lasted for about five hours, were more than 70 eminent politicians drawn from all the states in the South-West.

The purpose of the meeting was to inform the former president of the aim of the group and seek his elderly advice.

The former leader used the occasion of the visit to bare his mind on the debate of the possible emergence of a third force, as the march towards 2019 general election progressed.

He was of the view that the precarious state of the PDP Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), coupled with the internal contradictions in the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) was a pointer to a ‘third force’ emerging in the nearest future.

He restated his position that while the PDP was already in the hands of undertakers preparatory to burial, the APC was at an intensive unit because its internal organs were seriously haemorraged.

He expressed delight at the calibre and integrity of the members of NPMN, which comprised former ministers, governors, members of the National Assembly, envoys, and other categories of professionals.

The three-time Nigerian leader said the initial report he got about the organisation was that it was being sponsored by a notable politician to prepare ground and serve as a launching pad for his (the Politician’s) presidential ambition.

Obasanjo urged NPMN leaders and members to neither be too slow nor too fast on the project they had embarked on but to sustain the tempo of their ongoing consultations and “footwork” before launching what he described as groundwork.

He promised that he would continue to identify only with groups with altruistic intentions for the overall unity and development of the country, just as he reaffirmed his status as a Yoruba man.

The national coordinator, Chief Oladipo, in his remark, said it was a political movement comprising people of integrity and who felt it was time for them to stand up to be counted at this period in the history of the country.

"I made you a billionaire" Former President Olusegun Obasanjo replies Forbes Richest African woman Mrs Alakija

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo at the event of the 2016 Tony Elumelu foundation Enterprenuership forum  told Mrs Alakija that he made her a billionaire along with 24 other Nigerians. He said this while reacting to Mrs Alakija's claim that his government frustrated her when she ventured into oil business. 
Alakija, who spoke before Obasanjo, alleged that his administration illegally took an oil block allocated to her company after her family had invested all its savings to strike oil in commercial quantity. “This oil block is in 5000 feet depth of water and was extremely difficult to explore. “It took 15 years from the time that we were awarded the licence in 1993 till 2008 when we struck the first oil “When this event happened, 60 per cent out of our 60 per cent equity in the business, was forcefully taken from us by the government of the day without due process. “We had to fight back by going to court to seek redress and it took another 12 years for justice to be served in our favour. “In all those years it was my trust in God, my perseverance and the support of my family that got me going,” she said. . She used her experiences to charge the 2000 budding entrepreneurs at the event to be dogged, determined and not to give up in the face of challenges. When Obasanjo spoke, the former president seized the opportunity to reply to the allegation by Alakija. “There is a saying in my part of the world that when a proverb touches you and you failed to reply, then you are a coward,” he said. Obasanjo explained that the action of the government then was in line with the Mining Act, which regulates oil prospection and exploration. “For you to come here and say that, for no cause whatsoever, you were denied what was rightfully yours, is not fair. “I do not know you from Adam and there is no reason I would have denied you what rightfully belonged to you. “So, you have struggled, and you have struck oil. God bless your heart. “My delight is to be able to create Nigerian billionaire and I always say it that my aim, when I was in government was to create 50 Nigerian billionaires. “Unfortunately I failed. I created only 25 and Madam, you are one of them,” he said. Obasanjo hailed the vision of Mr Tony Elumelu for helping to build African young entrepreneurs with his resources. He also urged the government to create conducive environment for people to move businesses into the country. The former president urged government to relax its visa policy and company registration process to encourage investors. He said the government should create certification centres in the country for easy exportation of agro processed products. The President of Sierra Leone, Bai Koroma noted that what transpired between Obasanjo and Alakija was part of the challenges and difficulties that leaders lived with in the discharge of their duties. With limited resources competing for unlimited demands and expectations from the people, leaders were seen to be larger than life, he said. Koroma also commended Elumelu for his project for African young entrepreneurs adding that his vision resonated with a new Africa development agenda.

Barack Obama's half brother, malik Obama insults him and Hillary Clinton on Twitter, asks Americans to Vote for trump

Barack Obama's half brother malik Obama in a series of tweets on his twitter page insulted his brother and his wife Michelle calling them hypocrites. He further went on to disclose that Barack didn't treat their mother mama Sarah well when she visited the white house. He went further to ask Americans to Vote for trump and not Hillary Clinton who he described as a corrupt and lying individual. Below are his tweets.....

Remember the movie "Coming to America"? See what this ladies look like now 18 years after the movie was shot.

Beautiful ladies. Still looking good.

Blac chyna finally addresses rumors that Rob kardashian is not the father of her baby following the viral picture of her kissing an old friend.

It seems blac chyna has finally had enough of the rumors that Rob kardashian her fiance is not the biological father of her soon to be born baby. The rumors started when a picture of her kissing an old male friend went viral last week. She went to her instagram page to put a final rest to the rumors and also shared screen shots of the DNA result which shows that Rob kardashian is the father of her baby. See what she wrote below...

Teebliz, Tiwa savage's estranged husband breaks silence after 6 months

Teebliz, Tiwa savage's estranged husband has broken his 6 months silence after his widely publicized rant on social media about his wife. He shared his first post after the long break which suggests he has been on rehabilitation. Reports from insiders close to the couple also say that both him and tiwa are trying to fix their marriage for the sake of their son.  Below are screen shots of his post on his instagram page

Lagos State government set to employ 1000 graduates as Bus conductors

The National President of the Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria, BCAN, Comrade Israel Ade Adeshola through the Lagos State ministry of transportation said it would employ 1000 graduates from different Universities as Bus Conductors. 

 

Comrade Adeshola in an interview with Vanguard also disclosed that the new policy of the Lagos state government under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is collaborating with the association to give Bus Conducting profession a new look.

 

According to him, “presently Lagos state government through the Lagos State Drivers Institute, LASDRI is training and accrediting conductors in the state, adding that after the training the graduands would be employed as Bus Conductors and would be on the payroll of the government with a salary worth of N50,000 per month.

“The objective is to make the job of bus conducting attractive, respected and dignified as obtainable globally”, he said.

 

Adeshola explained that there is a project in the pipeline by the state government to change the face of transportation system to enhance security and also provide employment opportunity in the state.

 

Speaking on the vision of the association, he said, since the establishment in 2008, it has been working relentlessly with the federal government through the national assembly as well as some state governments to establish its presence.

VIDEO :Popular dance Queen Blasts Davido, Calls him "An arrogant Motherfuker"

Nigerian dance Queen, Kaffy in a video footage blasted Davido for sacking his dancers minutes before his stage performance at 3thrones concert . Watch the video below

Miss Anambra Sex Video and the hypocrisy of Nigerians by Ajabala Raymond

This is one of those moments I feel ashamed to be a Nigerian. I don't understand why there is so much hysteria about the leaked s*x video of a private citizen. In my opinion, this should not make the news. There are far too many sanctimonious and judgmental people who take it upon themselves to be morality police in this country. They pontificate on how sinful s*x is yet they seek out the leaked s*x video and all forms of porn on the internet.

The morality police turn a blind eye when prepubescent girls are given out in marriage to men old enough to be their grandfathers but as soon as consenting adults engage in premarital or gay s*x they start twitching. How is it anybody's business what two or more consenting adults choose to do with their bodies if they are not hurting a third party or forcing you to have s*x with them? 

Do you want something really worthwhile to talk about? Do you want to talk about something that every decent person should be angry about? I will give you it. Only this month, the Emir of Katsina reportedly married a fourteen-year-old girl, assaulting her dignity and innocence in the process but our society hardly took notice. Child-bride marriage is so common in northern Nigeria that it is considered a normal way of life. 

This is a matter that has serious consequences for the lives of young people. It should concern every citizen because it destroys the lives of our children. It stops girls from going to school to get an education, which in turn affects their prospects of getting good jobs and becoming financially independent later in life. These girls are more likely to develop abnormal connections between their vagina, bladder, and rectum during childbirth, which then causes them to become incontinent of feces and urine. The resultant malodor very often leads to isolation and social ostracism or even divorce by their husbands who simply marry the next child-bride. It is a lot of psychological trauma for anybody to deal with let alone a teenage mother. These young mothers end up begging on the streets when their elderly husbands divorce them. Sadly, their children are left to the mercies of hostile step-mothers and may end up as street beggars just like their unfortunate mothers.

The evidence shows that children born to educated mothers have better outcomes than those born to teenage mothers with no education or job. When you educate a woman you empower the whole family and by extension the society. Look around, and you will notice that the most progressive and affluent societies in the world are the ones that have educated and empowered their women. It seems to me that the Nigerian society is confused and has its priorities the wrong way round. Why are we angry when adults (married or not, gay or straight) engage in consensual sex but turn a blind eye when children are raped by adults in the name of tradition?

As a secular humanist, I do not look to any religious book or gods for morals. I apply reason, common sense, judgment, and empathy in decision-making. If two or more adults engage in consensual s*x and this does not harm anybody then it is none of my business. Period! I think our self-righteousness and propensity to be judgemental come from religion. Islam and Christianity condemn homosexuality and consensual sex between unmarried adults but are silent on the matter of pedophilia. Catholic priests have gained an ugly notoriety for sexually molesting young boys all over the world. The prophet of Islam married a prepubescent girl when he was in his fifties and many Muslims cannot be persuaded to abandon this practice. Despite unparalleled religiosity, our society is one of the most decadent in the world - we are almost always near the top of the list of the most corrupt countries in the world. Many Nigerian children endure years of sexual abuse by close relatives such as uncles, aunties, cousins, house-boys, house-girls or family friends. To think some of these perverts are now sitting in judgment over Miss Anambra and her friend is nauseating and outrightly hypocritical.

3 years after divorcing her ex husband, Nollywood Actress Chika Ike says She has found love again

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Inside Nollywood, popular Nollywood actress, Chika Ike, reveals that she has found love again, three years after divorcing her ex-husband, Tony Ebireri.

 

Recall that the screen diva's marriage to her ex-hubby had come under heavy storm of accusations and counter accusations of infidelity, insubordination and domestic violence before it finally collapsed in 2013. 

 

It seems that the Anambra State-born movie star is all set to give marriage a second chance as she talks glowingly about the special man in her life and plans for remarriage. 

“Marriage is a beautiful institution. I will never talk down on marriage because it’s something I still look forward to. It’s what every woman hopes for. Though, I’m focused on my career right now, I do have a very special person in my life,” she enthuses.

 

When pressed further to reveal the identity of the man that tickles her heart, Ike whose latest movie, Miss Teacher is making waves in the cinemas, refused further talk about him.

“Well, that’s all I can say about my relationship; I have a special someone. His profile doesn’t matter to you right now,” she quips.

 

But is Chika Ike a fulfilled woman despite her fame and fortune? Hear her: “Honestly, I am not fulfilled yet. There are certain things I haven’t achieved. Every day I wake up, I want to get to the zenith of my career, but it takes one step at a time. I am still hoping to achieve more which would eventually make me a fulfilled woman.”

NEMA confirms 9 person dead and 24 injured

Blackberry launches a new Android Smartphone. Calls it the most secure phone in the world.

BlackBerry has announced the latest in its series of Android smartphones, DTEK60. As part of BlackBerry’s transition towards a device software licensing strategy – which allows it to focus on putting “the smart in the phone” – the DTEK60’s hardware is manufactured by TCL and comes equipped with the trusted security software BlackBerry is known for. It is now available for sale at ShopBlackBerry in North America and Europe and will roll out to other regions in coming weeks.

DTEK60 is the second device in the DTEK series of Android smartphones. It provides enterprises and organizations with full access to the Android ecosystem and higher-end specs to help power productivity. It comes equipped with all the security features that BlackBerry’s Android OS devices have, including best-in-class security patching and the DTEK by BlackBerry app that allows users to monitor and control their privacy on their phone.

“With the DTEK60, BlackBerry continues to focus on our strengths: state-of-the-art software and security solutions. When you see our logo it means security, from our class-leading enterprise software to devices secured by BlackBerry software,” said Ralph Pini, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Mobility Solutions at BlackBerry.

Marking BlackBerry's third foray into Android devices, the DTEK60 has been designed to take on the likes of Samsung and HTC with a polished look and powerful hardware.

The device features a 5.5-inch QuadHD display with a resolution of 2,560x1,440-pixels and a pixel density of 538ppi, which BlackBerry says can display up to 16 million colours.

Inside, there's a speedy quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor from Qualcomm, backed up by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, which can be boosted up to 2TB via a microSD card.

Powering all of this is a 3,000mAh battery which BlackBerry says can get through 24 hours of "mixed use", connecting via USB-C and featuring Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

BlackBerry has also endowed the DTEK60 with the company's first ever fingerprint sensor, located on the rear of the device to be used for locking and unlocking, as well as authorising purchases made through Android Pay.

For photo fans, there's an 8MP front camera and 21MP rear camera, the latter of which features a dual-tone LED flash to help the camera focus instantly and accurately for a blur-free, realistic looking photos, even in low light.

The DTEK60 also comes with BlackBerry's specialised security protection , making the device perfect for safety-conscious businesses and workers alike.

This includes the addition of extra security protection and patches to stop major cyber-attacks, along with the DTEK by BlackBerry app which stops malicious apps being installed on your device.

Today's match Fixtures for the English Premier League and the UEFA champions league

For sports lovers, below is the table for today's match Fixtures for both the English Premier League and the UEFA champions league. Good luck to your respective teams. Results will also be posted here at the end of all the games today. 

JUST IN.. Bomb blast in Maiduguri

Just in..there are two reported incidents of explosions in Maiduguri, one at the enterance to Bakassi IDPs and the second at NNPC station.

The agency rescue team are already at the scenes evacuating victims... details in a moment

Femi Fani-Kayode 's Wife, Precious chikwendu cries out "They want my husband dead at all cost"

Femi Fani-Kayode the embattled former minister currently incarcerated by the EFCC reportedly slumped in custody few days ago.  Although the anti-graft Agency have since denied that such happened, FFK’s woman, Precious Chikwendu insist that it’s true.

“Its very clear they want FFK dead at all cost. He is a man that would never give you the pleasure of seeing him down so saying he isn’t ill or never slumped on Saturday is just a way of trying to deny him medical attention. He is ill and constantly checks into the clinic at the Commission and you have seen the health reports. This is pure wickedness,” Precious said via Twitter.

See screenshots from her Twitter account:

Man accused of blackmailing Miss Anambra 2015 Chindinma okeke Speaks Out, Organizers also release Statement.

A shocking twist to the Miss Anambra lesbian s*x tape has been unveiled as organisers finally speak out on what is really happening. The man alleged to be behind the whole Miss Anambra 2015 Chidinma Okeke’s lesbian s*x tape saga, Mr Uche Nworah, has reacted to the reports.

 

Nworah took to Facebook and wrote: ”Sly I am not keeping quiet. All the people maligning me and ABS have not even bothered to contact Chidinma via her social media at least to hear from her.

"I have NOTHING to do with this unfortunate incident. One can not build a house and use his hand to break it. You need to understand that we are entering the political season in Anambra state.

 

"The opposition have latched onto this to malign and castigate ABS which is a government agency. Find below ABS formal statement on the matter.

 

Miss Anambra Pageant Organisers Dissociate from the Alleged Lurid Content in Circulation

”The attention of the management of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, organisers of the Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant has been drawn to a video with lurid contents purportedly showing former Miss Anambra, Miss Chidinma Okeke (Miss Anambra 2015).

"We wish to make the following clarifications;

”The said Miss Chidinma Okeke who is allegedly linked to the lurid content in circulation has served-out her term as Miss Anambra 2015 and handed over the crown in line with the terms and conditions of The Miss Anambra pageant.

We condemn in clear terms any amoral behaviour/ conduct as suggested by the alleged lurid content in circulation and do not condone such.

”It is on record that The Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant has been a platform to empower Anambra women and celebrate our rich culture and heritage. Winners of the pageant are bound to contracts to be of good conduct and moral behaviour and to uphold/maintain the honour in their position as queen.

"Winners of the pageant also contract to refrain from any personal relationship that could appear to hinder their ability to perform the duties of their office as queen and role model and we do not expect any less. We therefore wish to dissociate The Miss Anambra pageant from any discussions on the said allegations. We feel sufficiently perturbed by the mere reference already made to the pageant and hereby state that we are in no way connected to the controversy.

”We apologize to the government and good people of Anambra state, our sponsors, supporters, friends and all those associated with the Miss Anambra project for the embarrassment the mere reference to the pageant in the controversy may have caused; whilst reassuring of the good intentions of the Miss Anambra pageant franchise.

Signed Management”

President Buhari’s daughter Fatima weds today in Daura, Kastina State

The ancient city of Daura in Katsina state, witnessed tight security on Friday as President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Fatima, weds.

There was heavy deployment of security personnel in and around the residence of the president on Mai’adua road in Daura town.

Security personnel were also deployed in strategic locations to protect lives and property during the wedding.

Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed at the junction linking to the residence of the president.

The venue of the wedding, Low Cost Jumu’at Mosque, also witnessed heavy presence of joint security personnel, who surrounded it.

However, worshipers, who trooped to Mosque, had unhindered access to observe their religious obligation.

While that was going on, security personnel were seen patrolling the town to guard against any eventuality. More pictures after the cut......

Kenya plays host to the World's first Albino beauty pageant

Nairobi, Kenya played host to the first ever albino beauty contest last week. The event served to highlight the troubles faced by Kenya’s albino community, while breaking down the stigma that surrounds it. By NJERI KIMANI.
Photo of the pageant by Samaa TV .
Often hated and hunted for their condition, albinos in Kenya took to the fashion runway to fight for their rights and recognition from society.
In what was a first in Africa and the world, a beauty pageant for people living with albinism took place in Nairobi last week.
Dubbed “Beauty beyond Skin”, the contest was established to celebrate 10 years of existence of the Albinism Society of Kenya and to create more awareness about the medical condition.
About 20 models demonstrated the latest fashions to an audience at the Carnivore restaurant.
In Kenya, albinism is still treated as a curse, and children born with the condition are in some cases thrown in the bush to die or deliberately abandoned in hospital beds by their mothers after delivery. The stigmatisation of albinos can have a severe psychological effect, forcing some to retreat into their own cocoons and avoid any social interactions.
But perhaps the biggest threat comes from ritual killings, as traditional medicine men trade their body parts in the black market. They often demand their limbs, skin or private parts for ritual exercises and good luck charms in a bid to gain more financial and political power.
In 2015, more than 35 albinos were evacuated from the towns near the Kenya-Tanzania border after an increase in ritual killings. These were linked to politicians seeking to be elected.
In some communities, the unfounded belief that sleeping with an albino can cure HIV has seen many become victims of sexual molestation including rape and sodomy.
At the beauty pageant, models petitioned the government to recognise and respect their ability to contribute to the nation. Their outfits depicted themselves in different uniforms – such as waiter, policewoman, army officer, carpenter, stylist, rugby player, air hostess, skater and fighter – to highlight that albinos belong in every part of society.
But it was also about the fashion: ingenious creations were crafted from readily available materials such as cement bags, balloons, paper bags, doormats, cotton wool, CDs/DVDs, toilet rolls, sacks and pieces of cloth.
“For so long albinos have been treated as half-humans because they were different. In turn this has affected our self-esteem and the ability to utilise and explore our skills and talents. We come from a mentality that we cannot achieve what ‘normal’ people can because we are different. Yet time has proven that we can excel in spheres unimagined, like the aviation fields,” said Loyce Lihanda, a contestant and the overall winner of the female category.
Isaac Mwaura, Kenya’s first and only albino MP, said Kenyans need to change their mentality on how they viewed albinos.
“A time is coming when we will have people with albinism serving in the army and police force. We already have some in the National Youth Service, and this is a milestone in achieving inclusion despite the difference in skin colour,” he said.
Mwaura pointed out that the celebration marked 10 years of hard work in the fight against stigma and rejection. “We have come to say that people with disability are beautiful people. We can have the names ‘beautiful’, ‘handsome’ and ‘albinism’ in one society.”
Meanwhile, Deputy President William Ruto assured albinos that his government would work with them to ensure their security is upheld. “The dream of every child is valid, and it does not matter their skin colour,” he said.
Ruto said that the government had earmarked various benefits for albinos, including a 100-million Kenyan shilling (R13.4-million) annual allocation for sunscreen, special sunglasses and tax breaks. This would be accompanied by preferential employment in government offices and free education in primary, secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Albinism Society of Kenya Chairperson Alex Munyere pointed out that more still needed to be done to dispel myths about the condition. He added that intimidation and harassment from people, especially while growing up, has serious repercussion in the lives of many albinos, leading to cases of trauma and, in extreme cases, suicide.
“People with albinism suffer a lot of stigma and grow up without parents. If we can appreciate them more, we can break the cycle of low self-esteem and help them achieve their dreams,” said Munyere.

Aisha Buhari Breaks her Silence after BBC interview - " I am only Concerned about the Success of my husband's administration "

Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, yesterday, broke her silence after an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) with a declaration that her husband will succeed.

In another disclosure, yesterday, in Borno State, Aisha urged the All Progressives Congress (APC), state governors, wives of political leaders; lawmakers in the country, local government chairmen and counsellors to line up behind her husband to succeed.

Speaking at Beneshiek, headquarters of Kaga Local Government, in Borno, she said: “What I am after, in particular, is the success of my husband’s administration and he cannot do it alone; except with the help of the (state) governors, their wives and all members of our progressive party.”

Thereafter, Aisha flagged-off distribution of nutritional foods and household utensils to Internally displaced persons who recently returned to their communities.

Looking calmer and smiling throughout the event, Aisha advised women to work closely with their husbands for the well-being of the people.

She explained that distribution of the food items and other relief materials for returnee IDPs was sourced from donations by well-meaning Nigerians through her recently launched ‘Get Involved’ programme under her Future Assured Project.

She also said launch of the ‘Get Involved’ programme “consolidated and united” Nigerians even as she thanked those who donated to the programme and added that the people of Borno appreciated their kind gesture.

Aisha said she was happy that the flag-off took place and noted that it was in fulfillment of her husband’s “campaign promise to resettle displaced victims of Boko Haram insurgency and rescue all citizen abducted or held by Boko Haram including the Chibok girls.

“We thank Almighty Allah that we have started fulfilling some of the campaign promises we made. This is the essence of leadership; you make a promise and then fulfill it. We thank my dear husband who made sure peace returns to the North East states,” she said.

Wife of Borno State Governor, Nana Shettima commended Aisha for the food items and disclosed it was the third time the First Lady would visit the state to attend to the humanitarian challenges of Borno people.

Nana assured she will continue to collaborate with Mrs Buhari’s Future Assured project through her Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya (SWOT) programme.