Nelson Mandela’s widow meets Chibok girls’ parents in Lagos

Widow of the late former South African President, Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel met with parents of the missing Chibok schoolgirls in Lagos on Friday during a meeting organised by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation to support the parents as they deal with the trauma caused by the April 14, 2014 abduction of the missing girls. She urged them to remain strong and hopeful.
She said the world has not forgotten about the girls.

Machel, who is a prominent child rights activist, said to the parents:

“I shook hands with all of you and feel what is in your blood… I share the pain with you of not knowing when the girls will come back,” she reportedly told the parents.

She also urged Nigerian and the international community to do more to free the missing girls.

Seventeen of the girls' parents have died since their abduction, the BBC's Umar Elleman reports from the city.

BBC.

Transgender man stunned as 'bloated tummy' turns out to be baby bump a decade after transitioning from womanhood

10 years after he transitioned from a woman to a man, Kayden Coleman found himself staring at the reflection of the baby bump in the mirror. He said it was totally unexpected. Not only had he told all his friends and family that he was transgender, he had been on testosterone jabs for five years, had grown facial hair and was about to have a double mastectomy. But then nature dropped a bombshell and, despite years of taking male hormones, Kayden became pregnant.

Now he and husband Elijah, 27, are besotted with 22-month-old Azaelia and are planning to tell her all about her unusual family when she is five.

Kayden was stunned when he first realised his growing belly was not the result of a lack of exercise, but a baby.

With a broad smile, the 29-year-old explains: “I never thought about getting pregnant. Because of the male hormones, I didn’t think it was a possibility. It was ­definitely a surprise.”

Kayden was going through the mastectomy – or “top surgery” as he calls it – when he became pregnant. Doctors said it was because he’d had to take a break from the hormones before the operation.
He says: “To have a mastectomy you have to be off hormones for six weeks.”

Kayden didn’t think that small span would put him at risk of getting pregnant. But a few months later he started to feel strange. “One day my back was killing me,” he says. “Elijah was going to give me a massage, so I lay on my front on the bed. It felt like there was a pillow under my stomach but there was no pillow.”

Kayden thought he was just bloated. “I actually said, ‘I think I should go get a pregnancy test’. We were joking about it.”
A few minutes later, it dawned on Kayden that his “joke” might actually be serious. Nervously, they went out to get a pregnancy test. He says: “I took the test the same night. I felt nervous but excited. The results were conclusive but I still didn’t believe it.”

When he went to the doctors, Kayden found he was 21 weeks pregnant. “I was shocked. It took a while to process it. But I was also busy figuring out how we could make things work in such a short space of time.”
Still shell-shocked, the couple set about turning their flat in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, into a family home. And in July 2013, they got married .

There was a lot to take in – especially for Elijah’s friends and family, who did not know Kayden was transgender. Security guard Elijah says: “It was such a personal thing that I felt if Kayden wanted them to know he should tell them himself.

“But when we found out Kayden was pregnant we knew we had to tell them. How could we explain the baby when she popped up after a couple of months?”


Kayden was lucky that most people failed to notice his bump but he did get some confused looks. He says: “This woman in a shop said to me, ‘Honey, you look like you’re pregnant’. I just laughed and said, ‘I am pregnant!’ She didn’t believe me.” His pregnancy went smoothly but when it came to the birth in December 2013, it was a different story.

Kayden, who was in­­duced at nine months as he had high blood pressure , was in labour for four days.
Kayden did not face discrimination from hospital staff but did feel he was treated differently from other mums-to-be. “All the medical people were really nice but I did kind of feel like an experiment. While I was in labour, medical students kept coming in and out. It got to the point where I had to put my foot down and demand a c-section.”

When Kayden first saw his daughter he was still in shock. He says: “Even when I first held her it hadn’t sunk in that she was mine, so I didn’t really feel much. But I knew things would never be the same again. I was so happy to finally see her face.” But when they brought Azaelia home, both parents found family life challenging, with Kayden giving up his job in a museum to take care of their daughter and Elijah working 10 hours a day to support them.

And Kayden also suffered postnatal depression. Elijah says: “It was tough. Kayden had postnatal depression for about a year. I wasn’t around much and we don’t have family nearby, so it was really hard. People who say it’s a joy are either lying or they have a lot of help from family.”

Culled from UK Mirror

Girl allegedly flogged by soldiers in Port Harcourt

Someone shared this photo on Facebook claiming the girl, reportedly from Akwa Ibom was flogged by soldiers this morning in Port Harcourt. Does the body look like that of a woman? She's wearing a bra though...but why would a woman be flogged like this?

Swaziland Vs Nigeria: World cup qualifier ends in a draw

The Super Eagles despite enjoying majority of possession in the game came away with just a point in a World Cup qualifier match. The match with Swaziland ended in a draw

Davido robbed in South Africa today

Music superstar Davido was robbed in South Africa this evening as he landed in the country. According to a source who spoke with LIB, Davido and his manager Kamal landed in SA and were on their was from the airport to their hotel when they were attacked by two armed men. Their belongings including a Rolex watch and a passport was stolen. Thankfully, Davido and his manager are okay. Thank God for life!

Emirates unveils new Airbus A380 with 615 seats after ripping out first class to pack in more passengers

Already the world's largest passenger plane, the new two-class Airbus A380 built for Emirates will hold the most seats ever, with 557 in economy (centre) and 58 in business (top left). Despite more seats being crammed on board, economy passengers will not lose any legroom as first class has been scrapped and there are fewer flat-bed seats in business. The Dubai-based airline said economy will still be spacious and comfortable, and guests will enjoy one of the widest in-flight entertainment screens, at 13.3inches wide. See more photos after the cut...

In addition to more space, those in business class will be able to belly up to an on-board lounge for canapes and drinks. The airline has taken delivery of two of the redesigned A380s and will debut them on the airline's new Dubai to Copenhagen route.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum (middle), the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai, greets a flight attendant while touring Emirates' new Airbus A380 during the Dubai Airshow

Source: Mail Online

Cristiano Ronaldo 'buys Gulfstream private jet for €19million

The 30-year-old is Real Madrid star reportedly paid €19million (£13.5million) on a new Gulfstream G200 business jet, to help him jet around the world on his marketing missions. The aircraft can carry between eight and ten passengers, depending on its specification. It features separate bathrooms for the crew and passengers, plus also wardrobes, internet access, telephone, fax, microwave, electric oven, fridge for drinks and entertainment systems.

Away from the pitch, Ronaldo has become increasingly busy with PR opportunities, after launching a film about his own life and his own shoe brand, CR7 Footwear.

ISIS burn woman alive for refusing to take part in 'extreme sex act'

A woman was burned alive by Islamic State militants after she refused to take part in an 'extreme sex act', a United Nations official has revealed. A United Nations investigation discovered Islamic State is committing horrendous sex crimes on young women -particularly from Iraq's minority Yazidi community.  

Hundreds of women have been kidnapped by jihadi fighters who send the 'prettiest virgins' to slave markets in the Syrian city of Raqqa, where they are sold as sex slaves to the highest bidder.

 

Many are stripped naked and forced to undergo virginity tests before being sent to the twisted auctions, the UN's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict has said.

Those considered the most beautiful are then sent to Islamic State's adopted capital where they are sold naked, the UN envoy now claims. 

They are first offered to the leaders of the depraved organisation, followed by the Emirs, and finally the soldiers.

Each buyer usually takes three or four girls and keeps them for a few months before they grow tired of them and sell them again.
 

Zainab Bangura discovered the gruesome extent of crimes against young women – particularly from Iraq's Yazidi minority community – after collecting information from Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. 

She said: 'They (ISIS) commit rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution and other acts of extreme brutality. 'We heard one case of a 20-year-old girl who was burned alive because she refused to perform an extreme sex act. We learned of many other sadistic sexual acts.' 

She added: 'We heard of one girl who was traded 22 times and of a Takfiri leader who had written his name on the girl's hand to show that she was his 'property'.

'Tens of thousands of the ISIS members expect that they will [get] women to [marry] following their recruitment.' 

She said the extremists banned the girls from using headscarves after some girls used them to hang themselves.  

The city of Raqqa – where the girls are supposedly being taken and violated – was adopted by Islamic State as its capital city.

ISIS has released several gruesome images and videos from the city which show armed militants parading the streets, public executions and the extremists' all-female brigade which enforces its strict interpretation of Sharia Law.

But not all kidnapped girls are taken to the heart of Islamic State's brutal regime. In early April, more than 200 Yazidi women, children and elderly were released near Kirkuk after being taken hostage last June. 

Aid workers reported that among them was a pregnant nine-year-old girl who suffered horrific sexual abuse at the hands of ISIS militants in northern Iraq. She claimed to have been 'sexually abused by no fewer than ten men'.

And another Yazidi girl who was snatched from her family near Mosul described how ISIS stormed her town and took girls as young as 10 to become sex slaves. 

Nineteen-year-old Hanan told CNN she was regularly beaten and taken to a warehouse where hundreds of women were lined up and hand picked by the extremists.

There she met a fellow Yazidi girl who said she was held hostage, handcuffed and raped by ISIS fighters.

Women's Rights Director at HRW has claimed 'ISIS forces committed organized rape, sexual assault, and other horrific crimes against Yazidi women and girls.'

Culled from Middle East Eye

Photos: APC House of Reps members-elect hold retreat

APC House of Representative members-elect held a retreat today in Abuja where they were charged by the party leadership to ensure that they canvass for all round change in the affairs of Nigeria. More photos below..

Didier Drogba ends his football career with Chelsea FC today

Didier Drogba has announced he will be playing his last match for his current football club, Chelsea today May 24th. He shared the news on his instagram page. Chelsea will be playing with Sutherland at 3pm. Drogba has done well for Chelsea.

Photos of stranded passengers at the airport due to fuel scarcity

Photos of passengers stranded at MMA2 due to fuel scarcity. These people have been at the airport since morning and are not even sure of flying out today. More photos below..

Photos from Governor Uduaghan's end of tenure Thanksgiving service

Outgoing Governor of Delta state, Emmanuel Uduaghan led members of his family and cabinet to a Thanksgiving Service at St. Peters Anglican Cathedral, Asaba to celebrate the end of his tenure as Governor of the state. More photos below....

FG didn’t incur $60bn debt, Okonjo-Iweala refutes Osinbajo's claims

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has refuted claims by VP-elect Yemi Osinbajo that the outgoing administration owes $60billion in local and foreign debts.

Speaking with finance correspondents, Okonjo-Iweala said that the nation’s current debt stock stands at $63.7 billion and it
encompasses domestic and multilateral loans by all the federal and state governments since 1960.

She said various states of the federation accounted for 20% of the nation’s total debt stock. Of the $63.7 billion debt, the minister said $9.7 billion or 15% is external while $54 billion or 85 per cent represents domestic debt.

She said between 2007 and 2011, a debt of $17.3 billion debt was recorded while between 2012 and 2015, the debt stood at $18.1 billion.

Buhari reportedly turned down the use of a Rolls Royce made available for him by Nigerian high commission in London

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, currently on a private visit to England, on Friday turned down the use of a Rolls Royce made available for him by the Nigerian High Commission in London. Buhari shocked officials of the High Commission when, on landing at the Heathrow Airport, he declined to make use of the Rolls Royce and other facilities offered him. 

The Nation gathered that after exchanging pleasantries with the embassy officials led by the High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, the president-elect politely told them that his visit was strictly private and he had made arrangement for all his needs while in the UK. He reportedly thanked them for the warm reception and quickly hopped into a less flamboyant car he had arranged for and drove out of the airport. 

A source said: “It appeared he was uncomfortable with the number of exotic cars in the convoy. “Hard as the stunned diplomats present tried to convince him, he refused to bulge, insisting that since he did not inform the Commission of his visit because it was not an official trip, hence he was not entitled to such grandeur.” Buhari, yesterday, held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron at his 10, Downing Street official residence. Top of their discussion was the continued threat to Nigeria’s security by the terror group, Boko Haram. 

The official website of the UK government said after the talks that “both leaders congratulated each other on their recent election victories and discussed the challenges facing Nigeria.” It added: “the Prime Minister stressed the UK’s wish to work for a stable, prosperous and secure Nigeria. “The leaders discussed security in the region and the fight against terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Boko Haram. 

“They discussed the need for a regional approach and agreed to continue working together to build the capacity of the Nigerian Army, with the UK continuing to provide military training and intelligence support. “On tackling corruption, they agreed this was a priority to ensure Nigeria’s prosperity and success.” Mr. Cameron was said to have agreed to look at what technical assistance and support the UK could provide to the Nigerian government as it looks to undertake its reforms. 

“They also discussed the need to tackle organised crime and the links between the UK and Nigeria. “Finally, they talked about the challenges posed by migration from Africa to Europe and the president-elect said he would do all he could to secure Nigeria’s borders,” the statement said.

Theophilus Danjuma asks Buhari to probe Pres Jonathan for the sake of national interest

General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), yesterday advised President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to investigate President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration over the $60 billion debt the
new administration will inherit.

Former Defense Minister Danjuma made the call in Takum, Taraba State days after the Vice President-elect, Professor Yemi
Osinbajo raised concerns about the huge debt President Jonathan was leaving behind for to Buhari’s government to inherit.

Commenting on Saturday, Danjuma lamented that the outgoing administration had nothing to show for incurring the debt it has and emphasized that a probe was needed to find out how President Jonathan's Govt accrued this debt.

He said: “It is disheartening to know that the incoming government of Buhari will have to contend with a debt of over
$60billion and there is nothing to show for this huge debt. Well, we would know what happened to these monies, because I believe that the Buhari administration has to, and should, in national interest, investigate the administration so that we would know what happened.”

The former minister said he chose to steer clear of politics because “all the political parties are the same [and] very bad.” adding that “I rather steer clear of it. I support anyone who comes to me for money based on what I make of their person irrespective of political affiliations,” he said.

Daily Trust.

11 kidnapped victims regain in Ekiti State regain freedom

11 people, including an 11-year-old boy, kidnapped across Ekiti State in the last three weeks were at the early hours of Saturday released by their captors.

Those released were a lecturer at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti,Dr. Folasade Alade; a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, Dr. Femi Omisore; wife of a former Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Dr. Kikelomo Adegun, and a nurse with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Margret Aladeneka, Biliaminu Abiola,
Mrs. Lydia Agnes and her daughter, Mrs. Foluke Abiola, Mrs. Yemi Abiola, Mrs. Funmi Ogunlola, Mrs. Folake Adeniyi and Jimi Johnson.

After they were released Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose didn't say if ransoms were paid to secure the release of the victims.
However, a family member of one of the victims said they were released after their families had paid some undisclosed amount of money to the kidnappers. She said the freed abductees were let go at a bush in the Esure-Ekiti area of the state.

Some of the victims have been taken to hospitals for treatment by their families after the Police arrived in the town.

However, another version of events said the victims were rescued by vigilantes at Esure-Ekiti, who then took the abductees to the palace of the Elesure of Esure-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibola.The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Adebanji Ajibola, said local
hunters had located the kidnappers’ den through a tip off from a woman, who complained that she saw a suspected armed man in the bush.Oba Ajibola said,

“Vigilance group located the hideouts of the kidnappers and they ran away. But we were able to rescue 11 of the victims and I asked the group to bring them to my palace. Once they got to my palace we took their names and they were all rescued alive.

“We found the kidnap victims in the thick bush of Esure and Ika, Irasa and Ado roads. We started the rescue assignment since last week. The chiefs and I decided to use the local vigilance group to arrest the kidnappers.“The government said they were sending heavily armed security operatives to invade the bush but I advised against that, saying that they should allow us to use my men first,who would first of all comb the bush and once they have a clue of anything, we would then ask the police to swing into action.”

The traditional ruler said the community and the police were on the trail of a man identified as Olumide, an indigene of Esure Ekiti and another man who was an accomplice to the kidnappers.

Punch NG 

APC National Chairman John Oyegun says Buhari needs N4.1tn for salaries and others

The incoming All Progressives Congress administration will require about N4.1trillion to offset part of the debt left behind by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, said this during a retreat for Senators elected on the party’s platform, in Abuja, on Saturday.

He explained that the Buhari administration would require the funds to pay the outstanding salaries of public servants at the state and federal levels, fuel subsidies, as well as debt servicing, among other expenses.

Oyegun urged the Senators to be prepared to pass requisite laws at short notice, in the course of their duty in the National Assembly.

According to him, there is not shying away from the truth that there are tough times ahead.

Oyegun said, “While I congratulate all of you on your elections, I must quickly add that I don’t envy you. This is because you are being called to service at one of the most challenging periods in the history of our nation.

“Make no mistake about it, the days ahead will be tough, and this is not crying wolf. From the first day of this government, a total of N4.1 trillion will be required for sundry expenses, including oil subsidy payment, arrears of salaries at federal and state levels and debt servicing, just to mention a few.

“Put this against the background of the falling oil prices, the unprecedented $60bn debt which the outgoing government has left for the incoming one, the largely depleted Excess Crude Account, the $60 bn that have been lost in the last four years to crude oil theft (and which are perhaps still being lost as we speak), the need to rapidly create jobs for our teeming army of unemployed youths, enhance the security of the citizenry and improve the economy, and you will begin to understand the enormity of the challenges ahead.”

Oyegun noted that the situation on ground has not reduced the expectations of Nigerians, some of whom expect instant miracles.

Some Nigerians, he said, are expecting that as soon as the inauguration was over and done with on the of May 29 and 30 fuel queues would disappear and electricity supply would normalise.

The party chairman said while the APC remains committed to ensuring that things normalise, it is not possible for this to happen overnight.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who presented a paper on the state of the nation, said the incoming government faces a huge challenge in the face of dwindling resources and a huge debt, adding that it is unfortunate that for 30 years, the nation has suffered retrogressive systems decay.

Kendall Jenner and friends party on a yacht in Monte Carlo (photos)

Kendall was seen kicking back on a luxury yacht on the French Riviera in Monte Carlo with some of her close friends including
Hailey Baldwin as well as sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid,Kendall spent most of her day cruising on a luxury vessel with her
friends.More photos below...