gives (11)

Kaduna — The Muslim fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, has given conditions to enable its members stop slaughtering innocent Nigerians in some parts of the North.
The group said it would stop inflicting pains on the people if the Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, steps down from office with immediate effect and also allow members to reclaim their mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
The group’s leader, Abu Suleiman, who gave the conditions while speaking on the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service interview, monitored in Kaduna yesterday, insisted that government must withdraw all security personnel on the streets of Maiduguri, adding that no persons will be harmed any longer as soon as the appropriate authorities meet the conditions
However, speaking during the BBC interview, Suleiman, said: “We want our mosque to be given back to us and we also want all the soldiers in Maiduguri to be withdrawn immediately.”
He explained that his group has what he described as “a serious religious affinity” with their mosque in Maiduguri so that members can continue with their religious activities...
He said: “The soldiers and other security agents in Maiduguri are not fair to all and that is why we want them withdrawn immediately. It is not also proper for us to perform our religious rites in other mosques because we believe that leaders and clerics in these mosques are not intellectually capable to lead us.”
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Donations flowed freely from passersby into the coffers of a destitute with six children begging for alms at Ikeja area of Lagos State Southwest Nigeria.

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The woman with her six children

The woman, Mrs. Aisha Ibrahim, 30, from Kano State, it was gathered, gave birth to quadruplets in 2008 and a set of twins in June 2010 in her village in Kano and came to Lagos to beg for alms when she and her husband could not cope with the feeding of the children.

The woman was seen on Awolowo Way, Ikeja where a crowd gathered around her and six children (three boys and three girls).

Many passersby pitied her and gave her money freely. They called on the Lagos State Government to come to her aid by providing for the children.

Speaking , Aisha said she left Kano for Lagos when the suffering became unbearable and there was nobody to run to.


She gave the age of the quadruplets as two years old while the twins are six months old.

She described her husband, Ibrahim, as a peasant farmer who cannot cope with the upkeep of the children...

Aisha was accompanied by a woman and her sister, who help to carry some of the children while she begs for alms.

She received money ranging from N10 to N500 and even more from passersby.

Aisha who stays at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to come to her aid by providing her accommodation and job to take care of her children.

She also appealed to Nigerians to assist her take care of her malnourished children who are living on the benevolence of the public.

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Zimbabwe’s representative in the Big Brother All Stars reality television show, Photo:Munyaradzi Chidzonga on Wednesday met President Robert Mugabe and was feted with $300 000 compensatory ‘prize money.’

This means that Munya got more than the winner of the competition, Uti from Nigeria who pocketed $200 000 for winning the contest sponsored by Multi Choice.

Zimbabweans felt Munya was robbed after surviving eviction nine times when he was nominated and political heavyweights from President Mugabe’s Zanu PF party jumped at the opportunity to exploit to their favour.

The move was initiated by business mogul Phillip Chiyangwa, a nephew of the president and David Chapfika who initiated a fundraising campaign.

After meeting the president, Munya said: “That was something I wanted to do since I was very young. They say when you are young you are given the power of dreams.

“You live that dream until a certain time it is realised. I have always told young people around that we are a product of a group of men’s dreams and we have been given a platform.

“And I can proudly stand on that platform and say a black man is more powerful in Zimbabwe than anywhere else in the world.

“I have been given the blessing of travelling and seeing, not all of it, but much of the world and this is the best place. It is thanks to men like you Your Excellency.”

During the course of Big Brother, Munya said he wanted to meet President Mugabe and usually went around the house with the Zimbabwean flag draped over his shoulders.

President Mugabe said Munya was a people’s hero and the true winner of the Big Brother All Stars reality television show.

He hailed Munya’s performance in the “grueling” and “rough contest”.

“This is quite a joyous moment not just for Munya, not just for me, but to all of us in the country… you have done well for the country,” he said..

“And you went through it all. I didn’t think you would survive because you looked so young, perhaps the youngest of them all.

“The most handsome of them all… We were very proud of you and of your performance..

“When it came to the end, the top decision, the judges had to make sure that one (person) had to win. It was Nigeria versus Zimbabwe and Nigeria is a very big country so you deferred to Nigeria.

“But both of you won and from our point of view, for us, you were the winner. You made us proud. I want to say congratulations to you and the young Zimbabweans represented by you.”

The 24- year old Munya touched down at the Harare International Airport around midday and was driven straight to the State house.

According to host of BBA IK, this was the closest ever finale with the winner securing the votes from eight countries and the runner up from seven.

Uti initially participated in the third season of Big Brother Africa and was one of the housemates from previous seasons chosen to enter the Big Brother All Stars house.

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The First Lady’s two-day visit to Rivers State ended in a fiasco yesterday.
All was well, until Dame Patience Jonathan and her chief host, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi got to Okrika – the First Lady’s home town.

The governor was explaining by video his school project in Okrika, saying there must be demolition of some buildings to have space for the schools.

Mrs Jonathan cut in, grabbed the microphone and said the governor should reconsider the way he was going about the demolition. An attempt by Amaechi to explain the situation sent the First Lady boiling..

She shouted at Amaechi: "Listen!, you must listen to me!"

The governor was embarrassed, like a scolded school pupil. The audience hailed Mrs Jonathan, goading the First Lady on.

The President’s wife, however, described land as a serious issue in Okrika and told Amaechi to always avoid "must" when talking about waterfronts’ demolition. The governor never mentioned "waterfronts", but Mrs. Jonathan went on: "I want you to get me clear. I am from here (Okrika). I know the problems of my people. So, I know what I am talking. I do not want us to go into crises. We are preaching peace and we must maintain peace at any time.

"But what I am telling you is that you always say you must demolish. That word ‘must, you use is not good. It is by pleading. You appeal to the owners of the compound, because they will not go into exile. Land is a serious issue."

Downcast, Amaechi shunned a reception organised for the First Lady. The reception was, however, not on the programme.

Mrs Jonathan hurriedly left for Abuja. Her planned visit to Port Harcourt prisons, where the Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu, was expected to release some prisoners, was cancelled. So was her visit to the new Model Secondary School at Ebubu-Eleme, among others.

A civic reception in honour of the President’s wife was held at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt on Monday. Her pet programme, Women for Change Initiative (WFCI), was launched.

This was followed by a state banquet/Award Night at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where the former Miss World, Agbani Darego, who hails from the state, and some women were honoured for their outstanding contributions to society.
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Danjuma gives condition for Jonathan to run in 2011
•North no longer monolithic, says Northern minority group

President Goodluck Jonathan is free to run in 2011, provided he conducts a free and fair poll, former Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, has said.

Danjuma said there is no law in the land banning Jonathan from contesting for the presidency.

Meanwhile, Northern Minority states of Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and Plateau said yesterday in Abuja that they are no longer ready to be used to attain selfish interests of some people in the North.

The bloc was apparently reacting to the statement of the over 150 Northern leaders, who met last Thursday in Abuja and argued that the North has all it takes to win any election in the country without any zoning arrangement.

Addressing a press conference, the Northern minority states under the aegis of the National Movement for Equality for Change also said there is nothing like a monolithic North.

Danjuma spoke to THISDAY in an exclusive interview over the weekend in Abuja against the backdrop of speculations that he had parted ways with Jonathan over the 2011 election.

The PAC chairman denied that he had any disagreement with the President..

In a rare interview, Danjuma said: “Jonathan, like all other Nigerians is entitled to his franchise. He can aspire to be the nation’s leader. He is not banned by any statue of the nation and as enshrined in our laws. Besides, he is the one who can make that decision to run or not to run. He is free as far as I’m concerned. In fact, he can run for office and for obvious reasons. The laws do not stop him. He can run as president and why not? ”.

The former minister said if he had any issue with the President, he would have since resigned as PAC chairman.

But he stated that all he wants Jonathan to do is organise a poll that will be a reference point in the nation’s history.

He added: “If I have any difference with Jonathan I would have since resigned. I’m not the type to stay with someone I have not endorsed. If I’m not interested in him, I would just resign. I have been approached by people who tell me that Jonathan should not run and I have consistently told them to disappear from my presence.

“My conviction is that there is no constitutional basis for that sort of call. We are a nation with a constitution. We are a nation led by laws and not by whims and caprices. So, no one has told me what the basis is for not allowing him to run.”

On the contentious zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the move by some Northern leaders to enforce the zoning of the presidency to the North in 2011, Danjuma said: “Well, I’m not even a member of that party. So I don’t feel competent to speak on it and their internal issue.”

Jonathan’s alleged 2011 aspiration has continued to generate controversy in the land, though he has not said categorically he would contest.

He reiterated this stand two days ago during his maiden Presidential Media Chat, saying he would not declare his stand yet on 2011 until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases the time-table for the poll.

Leader of the Northern minority group and former Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, who spoke on behalf of the group expressed reservations about the statement of the Northern leaders, describing it as unacceptable.

The Northern leaders had said in a communiqué issued on Sunday that the North can win election on its own numerical strength without zoning

They added, however, that they are not targeting their campaign for zoning at President Goodluck Jonathan, as the North has what it takes to win any election and never demanded for zoning in the first place.

But Ebute said: “We (have) observed with concern some unpatriotic statements by a group in the Northern part of Nigeria intended at emasculating other Nigerians into submission to their sectional views that the presidency must be zoned to the North; we use our numerical strength to win election and so on, and wish to say that we say no to these unacceptable threats.”

The former Senate president added: “This group should be reminded that the minority ethnic nationalities of the North contributed more to keeping this country a united entity and would continue to do so now and in the future.”

Also, he said the group should be “reminded that the numerical strength of numbers and perpetual retaining of power in the North is not possible without a united North (and) that the larger population of the North say no to primitive sectional domination and all divisive tendencies.”

Regretting that “just as the Northern minority ethnic nationalities were in the past ignorantly manipulated into supporting parochial personal and sectional agenda of the few in the North,” he said, “the South-South also allied and partnered with the North ignorantly to promote the parochial agenda of the few.”

Ebute said while the Northern minority ethnic nationalities have not benefited from the partnership, “the South-South minorities are now testing the bitter pill of their support to the North.”

The former Senate President said the political space is open and those who feel they must run in 2011 and have the numerical support may opt for any of the other political parties or decide to run as independent candidates as the yet-to-be fully amended 1999 Constitution permits.

He reminded the Northern leaders that zoning was adopted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 1999 primarily to address the June 12, 1993 saga and should not be seen as “a perpetual rotational item on the PDP menu.”

He observed that the most destabilizing issue in Nigeria today other than the utterances of the so-called Northern leaders is the Niger Delta issue.

Ebute suggested that the same principle of zoning adopted in 1999 should be appropriately applied to stabilize the country by allowing a South-South sitting President to contest on the platform of PDP in 2011, thereby permanently addressing the Niger Delta issue.

The Northern minorities said all Nigerians are free to contest elections through democratic means without intimidation, harassment or coercion.
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Saudi Arabia has conducted tests to stand down its air defences to enable Israeli jets to make a bombing raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities, The Times can reveal.

In the week that the UN Security Council imposed a new round of sanctions on Tehran, defence sources in the Gulf say that Riyadh has agreed to allow Israel to use a narrow corridor of its airspace in the north of the country to shorten the distance for a bombing run on Iran.

To ensure the Israeli bombers pass unmolested, Riyadh has carried out tests to make certain its own jets are not scrambled and missile defence systems not activated. Once the Israelis are through, the kingdom’s air defences will return to full alert.

Sources in Saudi Arabia say it is common knowledge within defence circles in the kingdom that an. arrangement is in place if Israel decides to launch the raid. Despite the tension between the two governments, they share a mutual loathing of the regime in Tehran and a common fear of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “We all know this. We will let them [the Israelis] through and see nothing,” said one.

The four main targets for any raid on Iran would be the uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz and Qom, the gas storage development at Isfahan and the heavy-water reactor at Arak. Secondary targets include the lightwater reactor at Bushehr, which could produce weapons-grade plutonium when complete.

The targets lie as far as 1,400 miles (2,250km) from Israel; the outer limits of their bombers’ range, even with aerial refuelling. An open corridor across northern Saudi Arabia would significantly shorten the distance. An airstrike would involve multiple waves of bombers, possibly crossing Jordan, northern Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Aircraft attacking Bushehr, on the Gulf coast, could swing beneath Kuwait to strike from the southwest.

Passing over Iraq would require at least tacit agreement to the raid from Washington. So far, the Obama Administration has refused to give its approval as it pursues a diplomatic solution to curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Military analysts say Israel has held back only because of this failure to secure consensus from America and Arab states. Military analysts doubt that an airstrike alone would be sufficient to knock out the key nuclear facilities, which are heavily fortified and deep underground or within mountains. However, if the latest sanctions prove ineffective the pressure from the Israelis on Washington to approve military action will intensify. Iran vowed to continue enriching uranium after the UN Security Council imposed its toughest sanctions yet in an effort to halt the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme, which Tehran claims is intended for civil energy purposes only. President Ahmadinejad has described the UN resolution as “a used handkerchief, which should be thrown in the dustbin”.

Israeli officials refused to comment yesterday on details for a raid on Iran, which the Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has refused to rule out. Questioned on the option of a Saudi flight path for Israeli bombers, Aharaon Zeevi Farkash, who headed military intelligence until 2006 and has been involved in war games simulating a strike on Iran, said: “I know that Saudi Arabia is even more afraid than Israel of an Iranian nuclear capacity.”

In 2007 Israel was reported to have used Turkish air space to attack a suspected nuclear reactor being built by Iran’s main regional ally, Syria. Although Turkey publicly protested against the “violation” of its air space, it is thought to have turned a blind eye in what many saw as a dry run for a strike on Iran’s far more substantial — and better-defended — nuclear sites..

Israeli intelligence experts say that Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are at least as worried as themselves and the West about an Iranian nuclear arsenal.Israel has sent missile-class warships and at least one submarine capable of launching a nuclear warhead through the Suez Canal for deployment in the Red Sea within the past year, as both a warning to Iran and in anticipation of a possible strike. Israeli newspapers reported last year that high-ranking officials, including the former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, have met their Saudi Arabian counterparts to discuss the Iranian issue. It was also reported that Meir Dagan, the head of Mossad, met Saudi intelligence officials last year to gain assurances that Riyadh would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets violating Saudi airspace during the bombing run. Both governments have denied the reports

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Kwik Save tycoon gives up riches in 'pact with God'
Albert Gubay, the multi-millionaire Kwik Save tycoon, has given his vast business empire to charity to fulfil a “pact with God” that he made as a young man struggling to earn a living.


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Albert Gubay amassed his riches after founding the Kwik Save supermarket chain in 1965Photo: LIVERPOOL POST & ECHO

The devout Roman Catholic vowed to hand over half his fortune to the Church if he ever became rich when he was working as a penniless sweets-seller in Wales after the Second World War.

Instead, at the age of 82, he has fulfilled the deal by giving almost his entire £480 million estate to a new charitable foundation, keeping less than £10 million to see out his old age.


Mr Gubay, who amassed his riches after founding the Kwik Save supermarket chain in 1965, will continue running his companies until he dies and hopes to push to value of his empire to more than £1 billion.

After his death, the newly-founded Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation will receive an estimated income of £20 million a year from the businesses.

The Welsh tycoon has stipulated that half the income must be invested in the Roman Catholic Church, in line with his “pact”, while the rest can be distributed at the discretion of the trustees.

Mr Gubay, who now lives in Santon on the Isle of Man with his second wife Carmel, described his “50/50” deal with God in a 1997 television documentary made by RTE, the Irish broadcaster. He said he had told God in his prayers: “Make me a millionaire and you can have half of my money”.


He has now joined a line of businessmen who have handed over much of their wealth to charity in recent years.

Lord Sainsbury, the supermarket tycoon and one of Britain’s richest men, last year handed over £1bn to the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and instructed the trustees to spend all the money on scientific research, the arts and projects in east Africa before he dies.

Lord Ashcroft, the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party currently embroiled in a row over his tax status, has established a foundation to receive 80 per cent of his estimated £1.1 billion fortune after his death.

Karl Rabeder, an Austrian millionaire, announced last month that he was giving away every penny of his £3 million fortune after realising that being rich was making him unhappy.

Mr Gubay ranked 107th on The Sunday Times Rich List in 2009, but will disappear from this year’s list following his donation.

John Nugent, chairman of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, said: “Albert is a very frugal man and has dedicated his life to good causes.

“He wants this work to continue after his death and he has given a lot of thought to this arrangement. His priority now is to maximise the asset base of the company. He is confident he can push the worth to £1 billion before he dies.

“With these arrangements he is keeping to the pact and going well beyond it.”

Mr Gubay, who began his business career selling non-sugar sweets in Wales during post Second World War sugar rationing, founded the first Kwik Save store in 1965 and went on to sell the supermarket chain for £14 million in 1973. The chain went into administration in 2007.

He went on to found the Total Fitness network of gyms, which he sold in 2004 for £70 million, and has since built a vast property empire.

The property group Derwent Holdings is among several dozen companies being transferred to the new charitable trust.

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Yakubu gives Super Eagles hopeSCORING SUMMARYNigeria BeninAyegbeni Yakubu (pen 42)MATCH INFORMATIONStadium: Estadio do BenguelaAttendance: 8,000Match Time: 16:00 UKOfficial(s):Henrique Martins de Carvaldo (Referee)TEAMSNigeria Benin1 Vincent Enyeama 16 Rachad Chitou6 Dan Shittu 5 Damien Chrysostome2 Joseph Yobo 3 Khaled Adenon21 Uwa Echiejile 23 Emmanuel Imorou19 Yusuf Mohammed 18 Seidath Tchomogo20 Dickson Etuhu 7 Romuald Boco16 Kalu Uche 17 Stephane Sessegnon10 John Mikel Obi 4 Djiman Koukou8 Ayegbeni Yakubu 10 Nouihoum Kobenan11 Peter Osaze Odemwingie 11 Muri Ogunbiyi7 Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke 8 Razak OmotoyossiSubstitutes12 Austin Amamchukwu Ejide Yoann Djidonou 123 Dele Aiyenugbu Valerie Amoussou17 Chidi Odiah Felicien Singbo 123 Taye Ismaila Taiwo Rede Johnson5 Obinna Nwaneri Mouftaou Adou22 Onyekachi Apam Jocelin Ahoueya 1914 Seyi George Olofinjana Pascal Angan13 Ayiila Yussuf Junior Salomon15 Sani Kaita Gerard Adanhoume4 Nwankwo Kanu Mickael Pote 149 Obafemi Martins Mohamed Aoudou18 Victor Nsofor Obinna Arnaud Seka 20SubstitutionsOnyekachi Apam for Joseph Yobo (55)Felicien Singbo for Emmanuel Imorou (66)Victor Nsofor Obinna for Ayegbeni Yakubu (59)Yoann Djidonou for Rachad Chitou (73)Sani Kaita for Kalu Uche (74)Arnaud Seka for Nouihoum Kobenan (83)Yellow CardsUwa Echiejile (86)Stephane Sessegnon (25)Romuald Boco (42)Razak Omotoyossi (90)Nigeria reignited their African Nations Cup hopes with a narrow victory over Benin in an entertaining game in Benguela.Ayegbeni Yakubu's spot-kick four minutes before the break was enough to separate the sides.Nigeria are now level on points at the top of Group C with Egypt, who face Mozambique later. Benin are rock-bottom.The match got off to a bright start and Nigeria slowly started to take control but it was to be Benin who had the first decent chance as Seidath Tchomogo saw his 25-yard effort fly narrowly wide of the left upright.Nigeria knew they had to win to boost their chances of progressing but wasted a glorious opportunity in the 15th minute.Yakubu was sent through on goal but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he sent a rasping shot wide in a real let-off for Benin.The Nigerians were almost made to instantly pay for their profligacy when Benin won a free-kick on the edge of the area but Stephane Sessegnon could not get his attempt to dip enough and it flew over the crossbar.Sessegnon went closer in the 39th minute when he sent a fabulous drive crashing off the bar.However, Nigeria were to take the lead four minutes from the break. Benin goalkeeper Rachad Chitou did well to beat out Djiman Koukou's attempt but in the goalmouth scramble it fell to Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke who crossed in towards Peter Odemwingie.Romuald Boco was adjudged to have handled Odemwingie's header and Yakubu sent the resulting penalty straight down the middle to give Nigeria the lead.Benin came out after the break desperate for the equaliser and almost got it ten minutes after the restart when the ever-dangerous Sessegnon set up Nouihoum Kobena only for the Squirrels to once again be denied by the woodwork.Nigeria thought they had doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark as a superb ball by Obasi Ogbuke released Victor Obinna just moments after the Malaga striker had come off the bench.However, Chitou was quick off his line and did well to keep his side very much in the game.The Super Eagles should have sealed the result 15 minutes from time but Obasi Ogbuke headed wide from close range. However, Nigeria clung on to take all three points.
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Let the Web Work 4 ! You Affordable Online Marketing & A.d.v.e.r.t.i.s.i.n.g on http://www.9jabook.com callemail:info@systemini.nettwitter:systeminilinkedin:systeminitel +234-0806 495 0565,234-07083793511,234-0705888839444-7894214683,Acting appealed to Stella Damasus because it helps her pretend to be someone else. The youngest in a close knit family of five daughters born to retired bankers, the 31-year-old actress, singer and compere embraced stardom at a young age. Today, she is an award-winning A-list actress and was on the first-ever African panel for the Drama category of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Emmy Awards.Break from moviesI had a problem with the kind of scripts coming my way. They made me a type-cast in the industry such that in any film I had to be either a victim and just cry. I got tired of it because it did not show my versatility as an actress so I looked out for people with good scripts that was different and that will make me work.Another reason was because I set up a production company - SDA Productions - about two years ago, I had to give it a lot of my time and attention. As I grew older, I realised that I had to do something for myself and plan for the future because after a while, you will age and a new crop of actors will come up and you will be cast for 'mama roles' alone.First movie roleI found myself in Nollywood by accident. A friend of mine asked that I accompany her to a movie audition. When we got there, I saw a lot of young girls lined up to be auditioned. We stayed there until very late and as we were about to leave, the director, Mathias Obahiagbon asked if I had auditioned because he did not remember seeing me in there and I said I had come there because of my friend. He said, "Don't you want to act?" I said I was not interested and he asked me to come in and read a script. I was laughing all through because I did not take it seriously. At that time I was doing part time jobs at Klink Studios, Surulere, as a background vocalist and on jingles.Three weeks later, they came to the studio and told me I had gotten the part and I was to be paid N10, 000. I was shocked because my salary then was about N700. The movie was titled 'Abused' and was shot in 1995. I got the sub lead role; the lead female role was played by Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. After that, I got more movie roles and I have not looked back ever since.The thrill of the artIt's all about passion for me because I have never been a commercial artist doing it for money or fame. I love the fact that it gives me the power to know that I can be anything I want to be: a mad woman this minute, a drug peddler next time, maybe schizophrenic another time. That feeling alone drives me and makes my passion stronger. The plausibility thrills me; that I could do something and people think it was real. And when they see me in real life, they say how touching my role was or that they sympathised with me in a particular role.Career highpointsEvery point for me has been high because I see myself as privileged to be where I am. It's not about the amount of awards that I have had but the fact that I have managed to remain relevant in the industry till date.Most challenging movie roleMy most challenging would be 'Queen of the Rain Forest,' the other, is not yet out. In 'Queen of the Rain Forest,' it was the first time I was doing a traditional movie and I was a queen. It taught me a lot of things. I had to learn the tradition of the Calabar people: how they fought, their marriage ceremonies and it really opened my eyes to how other cultures lived their lives. I had to learn to fight with a real sword and run under the sun. It made me see the difference between just an actor and someone who is trained. The second film 'Widow' was shot two months before my husband died contrary to people's belief that it was my story. When I read the script in 2006 after Agatha Amata had told me that we were supposed to use the film for Sithengi Film and Television Festival in South Africa, I was touched. I told her that we couldn't do the movie because people will hate the actors. Shooting the film made a strong impact on me because I felt what the widow felt.Caring for widowsI partnered with Jemilat Ofogbu Ogbo to form the young Widows Association of Nigeria. We cater for the needs and welfare of young widows around the country because we have been in that situation before it becomes easier to identify with their experiences. We assist with welfare, vocational training and finance where necessary.Protecting privacyIt is intentional. There are different kinds of entertainers; some are in it for fame, others for money while some are in it for the love of acting. When I began acting, my family members were afraid if I would be able to handle all the fame and public attention because they know I am a very private person. I don't grant interviews anyhow so most times when they write stuff about me, it's all lies. I am first a human being before a star and I have a life. My children are young now so I have to protect them.When they grow up and want to be in the limelight it is up to them. I want them to grow up normally, I want them to be able to go to Shoprite like every other kid without anyone pointing or saying "Those are Stella's kids." Most times when they write things about me, it is not that I am pained but I think about its effects on other members of my family. I try as much as possible to be as private as possible. If I don't have things to do, you will not see me at a bar or club, rather I will be at home spending time with family.
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Outrage and amazement are some of the emotions currently on display in Yola, Adamawa State, after the startling revelation contained in a letter addressed to a radio station in the state capital, Radio Gotel, by a lady who claimed to be an undergraduate of the Federal University of Technology Yola (FUTY). The lady, in the letter which was sent to the producer of the programme, "Heart to Heart", said she contracted the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) from her student boyfriend and has, in revenge, willfully slept with some 124 students and lecturers at the school. The letter also contained the writer's threat to make public the names of those who have had sex with her "on the notice board." This has led to panic and spirited discussions among the male population in Yola, especially within the school community. The school's authorities, however, claim to be unaware of the letter, but promised to look into it. The letter reads, in part: "I have a well-documented report of all those guys and lecturers who crossed my path, since I got infected with this deadly disease in the campus. So far, I have had 124 students and lecturers; out of these, only six (6) used condoms". On a revenge mission Continuing, she said in the letter, "I owe nobody an apology and am still on a spreading till I spread it no more." The writer, who did not hide the trauma and disappointment she faced, explained in the letter that her first impulse upon the discovery of her HIV status was to take away her own life. "I, however, did not confide my status to anyone until today (i.e the disclosure via the letter)," she said. "Since 2006, I promised myself that it's in the university I got it and here I will leave it. I have indeed lived to keep my promise. "I was in year three when a student on his attachment in our school proposed for a relationship. He had all the qualities a woman would want in a man so I gave in. He told me all a girl would want to hear. In my innocence and naivety, I succumbed to his pressure to have sex with him. Consequently, I lost my virginity to him. "After his placement, he reported for his final year and we still had contacts. I visited him on a number of occasions, I have even lost count the number of times I visited him. He was my first and only love and, therefore, hanged on every word he told me. "My boyfriend later graduated and we lost contact until last month when his sister told me about his whereabouts. Before registration in the faculty of science, I went for medical test as is the requirement. I then opted for an HIV/AIDS test, which unfortunately turned out to be positive. "It then dawned on me that I have traded the rest of my life for a university student who had deliberately and intentionally preyed on my innocence". Danger of casual sex A medical worker, who gave her name as Agnes, said the only lesson from the letter is that people should be careful about casual sex. "Whatever you think, it is a fact that casual sex is very popular and for a lot of people, it's something that either satisfies a desire or serves a purpose," she said. "It is, therefore, an issue that affects many young people today, as they patronise casual sex under the various terms like ‘No strings attached' and ‘the one night stands' culture gaining foothold in our social life." According to the United Nations AIDs agency, a vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower and middle-income countries. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are25.
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woman gives lottery cash to beggar

Rosemary Obiakor, 46, of Lagos, won more than three million naira (£13,500) in the National Sports Lottery, reports the Daily Metro.When asked what she planned to do with the money after she was presented with her cheque in a ceremony on local TV, Mrs Obiakor said she'd give it to a "lucky beggar"."I have heard a lot of stories about how people win the lottery, and they get broke in the short run and come across a lot of misfortune. I am scared, and so I'll give it to a lucky beggar on the street," she told TV reporters.She collected her cheque, cashed the money and gave the money to a female beggar who was sitting by the street side with her two-year old baby.When Mrs Obiakor and a team of lottery executives handed the beggar a bag full of banknotes, she screamed with delight, and hugged them all.She thanked her benefactor profusely and promised to start a food retail business immediately.Before she went away with her money, the new 'millionaire' gave handfuls of money to other beggars on the street.
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