Egyptian man names his child ‘Facebook’.

Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram is reporting that 20-something Jamal Ibrahim has decided to name his daughter "Facebook" Jamal Ibrahim in honor of the service that helped anti-government protests overthrow Egyptian dictator Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak.

"The girl's family, friends, and neighbours in the Ibrahimya region gathered around the new born to express their continuing support for the revolution that started on Facebook," reads an English translation of the paper as supplied by TechCrunch. "'Facebook' received many gifts from the youth who were overjoyed by her arrival and the new name-a name that shocked the entire world."

Although Facebook wasn't the only service in use by Egyptians during the roughly three weeks of protests within the country, it's certainly the service that's received the most widespread follow-up in the aftermath. Roughly 5 million of the country's citizens have active Facebook accounts, and the company saw more than 32,000 different groups and 14,000 new pages pop up on the service within approximately the last two weeks of January.
I'm speechless.....

Jeta Amata’s life threatened over Black Gold movie.

“This is a warning to you. It has come to our notice that you have produced a video about the problem in the Niger-Delta without proper consultations regarding the true state of affairs in the area. You are hereby warned not to release that video or be faced with grave consequences. We are very well informed about your daily routine and that of your child. Your address is 35 Colorado Close, Maitama, Minister’s Hill and your child schools at Ecole Francais Marcel-Pagnol d’Abuja, Durumi district, Abuja. Be warned”!

This message was sent to Jeta Amata's wife, Mbong Amata, by an unknown terrorist.

Jeta Amata had earlier directed the movie, Black Gold which features some uncomfortable secrets behind the struggle of the Niger-Delta and how some disgruntled leaders are playing politics with the lives of the citizens.

The movie stars some of Hollywood’s finest like Vivica  A. Fox, Billy Zane and Nigeria’s Barbara Soky and Dede Mabiakwu.

 I pray for his and his family's safety....

Beckhams confirm baby is a girl

David Beckham and wife Victoria have confirmed their fourth child is a girl.

The pair, who married in 1999, already have three boys: 11-year-old Brooklyn, eight-year-old Romeo, and five-year-old Cruz.

The baby girl is due in the summer.

Wow!! At last! Congratulations to them.

Damilola Killer returned to prison

One of the two brothers convicted over the killing of schoolboy Damilola Taylor has been returned to jail. Ricky Preddie, jailed for eight years in 2006 for the manslaughter of the 10-year-old, was sent back to jail after breaking the conditions of his release, it has been reported.

It is understood he was arrested on Friday evening and returned to a south London prison after being seen in Southwark, south London, and associating with gang members.

Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of the probation union Napo, said Preddie was ordered to live at a probation hostel on his release from prison last September after serving two-thirds of his sentence. "Other conditions included being of good behaviour, a night-time curfew and a geographical exclusion zone," he said. "It is understood he allegedly breached the exclusion zone on Friday evening and as a consequence was recalled to custody under emergency procedures."

Richard Taylor, Damilola's father, was said to be "deeply upset and disturbed" by the news that Preddie has been returned to jail.

Damilola's death in November 2000 shocked the nation. He had moved to Britain from Nigeria a few months before he was jabbed in the thigh with a broken beer bottle by a gang of youths as he walked home from the local library after school.

Preddie, and his brother Danny, were convicted of manslaughter and jailed for eight years in October 2006.

New Video: Eric Arubayi - One Love, One Voice

The Idols West Africa music talent factory has produced so many promising stars from just one season of the show – Omawumi, Timi Dakolo, Jodie and now Eric.

Sex addiction to be formally recognised as a psychiatric illness

Sex addiction might have once been seen as an excuse for high profile philanderers, but the condition is about to become formally recognised as a psychiatric disorder. The ‘addiction’, in which sufferers have relentless sexual urges that feel out of one’s control, is being discussed by experts for inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) publishes the manual, which is considered the definitive guide to what constitutes a genuine psychological disorder rather than an imaginary one. Despite recognition by the APA, the NHS does not currently recognise sex addiction in Britain but some British psychiatrists have reported seeing up to three ‘sufferers’ a year.

While in the U.S, some American psychiatrists have claimed to treat one or two sex addicts per week. Sex addiction became highly publicised when celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Russell Brand sought treatment for the condition.

Tiger Woods checked in for treatment in 2010 after admitting cheating on his wife Elin Nordegren with a string of different women. The shamed golfer underwent a six-week intensive programme at the Pine Grove clinic in Mississippi, designed to treat sexual addiction, sexual anorexia, relationship addiction and sexual trauma.

Step Father Sets Two Year Old Girl On Fire Over Witchcraft- (Disturbing Photo) Viewer Discretion Is Advised

A two-year old girl was badly burnt in the buttocks by her step-father in Akwa Ibom state.

The child was forced to sit on a glowing fire by her Step-father, one Assam Bassey Amanam, a 35 year old man from Esit Eket who lives in Efoi Eket. Mr. Assam also branded the child with a hot machetes in different parts of her, including her legs, palms and her private parts, according to her mother, Imabong.

“When I returned back from the stream, I saw Assam putting my child on fire with hot machetes in his hand branding her too. I shouted on him and raised alarm. When people stated coming, he brandished the weapons against them too. When he realised that a lot of people were coming he locked up my three month old daughter, picked a motorbike and ran away…” Imabong told the Commission of Inquiry into Witchcraft Accusation and Child Abuse inaugurated by Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.

A member of the commission, and  medical doctor, Dr Okon Edet Akaiso who examined the two year old expressed shock at the level of the inhumane and degrading treatment meted out on the little innocent girl. “This is not an accident; it is a deliberate act…” Dr Akaiso said.

Never heard of such a commission before. Guess it became necessary in a place like Akwa Ibom. But this is completely inhuman…. A TWO-YEAR OLD!!!!

Two-year old Joy was made to sit over a stove by her step father

Jonathan’s convoy pelted in Gombe

Restive youngsters armed with stones and other objects pelted President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy at three different places in Gombe, where he had gone to address a presidential campaign rally. The youths also set bonfires in Bolari and Jekadafari areas of the state capital. Clashes later broke out between the anti-PDP youths and some Yan Kalare gangs known to support the PDP-led state government. The president’s convoy was stoned at the Central Roundabout, along the Emir’s Drive and near the emir’s palace.

But why the serious beef now?

Man survives Japan Tsunami after clinging to roof

A 60-year-old man has survived the Japan tsunami after clinging to his roof for two days. The survivor from Minamisouma, one of the worst hit by the powerful earthquake, was in good condition despite the traumatic ordeal.

He was spotted out at sea floating on a tin roof by the Self Defence Force.

Local media reports say that he had gone back to his house to collect something after hearing about the wave coming.

The death toll from the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan is expected to top 10,000, according to police officials.

Miracles do happen....

Pictures of the damages caused by the Tsunami in Japan

Its no longer news that an 8.9magnitude earthquake that hit Japan, leaving thousands dead with many displaced from their homes. What is however disturbing is the fear that similar damaging quakes would hit other countries. However, I pray Japan would be able to recover from the damaging effects of the Tsunami and may the souls of the departed Rest In Peace.

Houses and Ships floating in the Tsunami waves

Effect of the Japanese Tsunami, fire at a reactor plant

Film fan has 82 portraits of actress Julia Roberts tattooed onto his torso

Most film enthusiasts would be satisfied with a signed photograph to remind them of their favourite screen idol. But Julia Roberts’ devotee Miljenko Parserisas Bukovic has opted for something a little more personal to prove his love for  the Pretty Woman star.

Mr Bukovic, 56, started his collection after watching  Miss Roberts' Oscar-winning performance in the film Erin Brockovich. All of his 82 tattoos of the actress are inspired by scenes in the film.
Mr Bukovic said he plans to get more tattoos of the star on his chest, back and arms - as long as there is space and he has the money.

Seriously!!??

UK-Based Nigerian Pastor, Albert Odulele, Pleads Guilty To Sex Attack On Boy

The UK-based Nigerian priest,  Pastor Albert Odulele, who heads the Glory House Church in East London has pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a 16-year old boy at the church premises in Kent.
The 47-year old pastor admitted court that he indecently assaulted an underaged boy.

Pastor Odulele was arrested last year and later charged by the Metropolitan Police's Major Child Abuse Investigation Unit with two offences - an indecent assault of an under 16 year old, and the sexual assault of another male teenager- according a Channel 4 news report.

He will be sentenced to prison at a yet-to-be-announced date.

Teaching jobs at Corona for young graduates

I was at a press conference yesterday at Corona Schools’ Trust Council where they spoke about employing young graduates between the ages of 21 and 26 who have Second Class Upper degrees as teachers. The graduates would have to apply for a 6-month training programme where they would be taught teaching and personal development skills before being selected as teachers in any of the seven Corona schools.

The training is being run by AGDC – After Graduate Development Center. When I asked why the age limit is so young, Detoun Ogwo, Executive Director of AGDC said they wanted ‘young’ people who have a passion for bringing up the future leaders. I was thinking to myself that it would be quite difficult to find graduates who have completed their NYSC and are interested in teaching within that age range until she told me they have received almost 5,000 applications and counting!

Well…. what can I say? It would definitely be nice if more young people are interested in teaching. Would be nice for the graduates who would get out of the unemployed group, and for the children themselves who would have young, vibrant people teaching them in class instead of the old, tired faces found in most schools today.

The Executive Director of Corona Schools’ Trust Council, Olufunto Igun, said that Corona offers industry competitive ‘salaries’ and that other schools have indicated interest in taking in the teachers if not all are absorbed by Corona. Also, the trainees would be paid an allowance during the training period.

So, what are you waiting for? Applications are still on. Details here

Even the ‘dogs’ love Tuface

Hahaha… the song is so hot, dog sef dey sing am

Saidi Balogun & Kate Henshaw-Nuttall star in Eti Keta (Third Party) – The First “100% Ankara Movie”

It has been labelled by the filmmaker as the first and only “100% Ankara Movie” ever produced. For actor/filmmaker, Saidi Balogun, his movie “Eti Keta” (Third Party) is beyond a movie, it is a labour of love and a celebration of our rich and diverse African culture. Saidi was inspired to produce the movie after the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation challenged filmmakers to create movies that “complement our culture, promote tourism and preach the gospel of the made in Nigeria goods.”

Though the movie was filmed and screened in 2010, according to the filmmaker,  2011 is the year that “Eti Keta” will be unveiled to the world. The current plan is to enter the movie for international film festivals and roll it out for wide release in Nigerian cinemas.

So you mean they wore Ankara throughout the movie? Cool stuff I must say. Love the duo of Saidi and Kate so it’s a must watch for me.

Oluchi bares it all

.....or should I say almost all. Wow, our Nigerian models are getting bolder I must say. Did u see that V area down there...hmm...OK I wasn't looking.

Don Jazzy sprays Wande Coal’s mum

Wande Coal’s mom was 50 years of age and at the gig attended by D’banj’s younger brother K-Swith, Da’Prince, their manager Sunday Are and Bankuli their right marker.

Trust Don Baba na, he was throwing the money around like say na paper when he met the celebrant (Wande's Mom) on the dance floor. Don Jazzy started off with 1000 Naira notes, but for Wande's Mom it was "Today na Today".

The dance went on until Don Jazzy was forced to 100 Naira notes.

Wish I was at that party too ......

She's a grandmother at age 23!

A gypsy wife has become the world's youngest grandmother - aged just 23. Rifca Stanescu, from the village of Investi, Romania, gave birth to her daughter, Maria, while only 13. Despite her mother's pleas to stay in school, Maria decided to follow in her footsteps and marry herself at the age of 11. Within six months she too had fallen pregnant with Ion. 

Ion, now 2, is already engaged to a girl aged 8.

Born in 1985, Rifca defied her family's wishes and ran away with jewellery seller Ionel Stanescu when she was 11 and he was 13. A year after they were married, Rifca fell pregnant with Maria.

She said, 'I wanted to marry him, so I agreed, and of course after we had spent the night together then there was no way anyone could separate us. I had been promised to another boy's family since I was two years old but I didn't want that.'

In gypsy culture virginity is greatly prized and women are married young so that new husband's can be sure their new wives are virgins who affect a good dowry from the families of prospective husbands. Loss of virginity means a deal is cancelled.

Picture is of Rifca and her grandson Ion.

Cute, but....em....no words.......OK a few words. I think there is a lot an 11 year-old can look forward to (in our society) apart from child bearing.

A tiny girl in a big, big, world

This is an inspiring story of a mother’s struggle to give her primordial-dwarf daughter a normal life. When she was born Kenadie Jourdin-Bromley was so tiny nurses called her Thumbelina. She weighed two-and-a-half pounds, measured just 11 inches from head to toe and wasn't expected to survive.

Today Kenadie is roughly the size of a healthy 18-month-old, except she's not 18 months, she is seven. For her mother, Brianne Jourdin, the physical and emotional aspects of caring for Kenadie at their home in Ontario, Canada can be a struggle, but she remains determined to make life as normal as possible for her little princess.

This tiny girl has primordial dwarfism, an extremely rare form of dwarfism that means her head and limbs are absolutely in proportion to the rest of her body, giving her a doll-like appearance.
Kenadie was born with a tiny head and was missing part of her brain. Her hand was no bigger than a quarter dollar and her foot was only an inch-and-a-half long.
'I just want to hear her cry...If she cries, then she's alive,' Ms Jourdin said recalling the moment Kenadie was born.  'And then we just heard this tiny, tiny little meow.

So, so cute...

Finally, Jonathan agrees to a Television Debate

Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, has finally agreed to participate in a televised presidential debate to be hosted by Lagos -based NN24 cable station.

Jonathan had initially refused to participate after the station turned down his request to have the debate questions sent to him in advance.

The debate is now scheduled to take place on March 18, 2011. All the major presidential candidates had earlier agreed to participate without imposing conditions.

The debate between the vice presidential candidates will take place on March 11, 2011.

Can’t wait to watch this….

Wizkid’s car snatched by armed robbers at gunpoint

Reports have it that Wizkid was attacked by armed bandits at about 8pm on Saturday and made away with his car. The 20 year old hit-maker was reportedly riding with his friends (an unnamed lady, and Wande Coal‘s younger brother) in his Black Honda Accord i-VTEC when the incident happened.

Sources say he was on Ikorodu road, (in Lagos) on his way home, when the robbery incident happened.

The car in question, is the controversial Honda believed to have been a gift from his friend Tonto Dikeh.

Heiya…

Creative Writing Workshop with Chimamanda Adichie & Binyavanga Wainaina

Farafina Trust will be holding a creative writing workshop in Lagos, organized by award-winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie, from June 23 to July 2 2011. The workshop is sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. Guest writers, including the Caine Prize Winning Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, will co-teach the workshop alongside Adichie.

The workshop will take the form of a class. Participants will be assigned a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises. The aim of the workshop is to improve the craft of Nigerian writers and to encourage published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling. Participation is limited only to those who apply and are accepted.

Details on how to apply here

Ribadu, Adeola, Tinubu escape death

The Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, Vice Presidential candidate, Mr Fola Adeola, and other party chieftains narrowly escaped death at the Bauchi Airport in Bauchi according to a statement by the Director of Media and publicity of the Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organisation, Ibrahim Modibbo.

The accident Modibbo said occurred when the chartered airplane conveying Mr. Adeola and chieftains of the ACN including the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Boss Mustapha; and Yusuf Alli, former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party; crash landed due to non clearance of the airport runway by airport authorities.

The runway which had been taken over by rams and goats, was not cleared which caused the pilot of the aircraft with number 5BN-BNR  to do a forced-landing, damaging the aircraft  in the process. The accident occurred at about 12.00 noon.

Meanwhile, the aircraft conveying the ACN presidential  candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, and other leader leaders of the party such as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had to hover in the air for about an hour for the runway to be cleared before the crash.

More

Ibori’s UK lawyer sentenced to 7 years in prison

Bhadresh Gohil  a partner at Arlington Sharma Solicitors and James Ibori’s lawyer was yesterday sentenced to 7 years in prison in a packed Southwark Crown Court. He was described by the judge as the “architect” and the predicate offender in a thoroughly dishonest scheme which had been devised simply to divert resources of Nigerian state funds into the pockets of others from the sale of ‘V Mobile’ shares, the third largest wireless network in operation in the whole of the African continent now known as “Airtel.”   Gohil went to extra ordinary lengths to carry out the fraud with no regard for his professional duties.

In 2005 whilst James Ibori was the Governor, the  Delta State owned  18% of the shares in V Mobile and  The Akwa Ibom state owned 10% with  Obong Victor Attah in power.   Both were on the board of V Mobile and privy to all the dealings.   So in June 2005, when a sale of the company  was considered there were already offers on the table from major international operators such as Vodaphone, Virgin, Celtel and Econet amongst others.   By late 2005 the market had been fully tested and although there was no requirement for any additional advice and due to the greed of our leaders, both James Ibori and Victor Attah together decided to plunder the asset and divert funds to their own coffers.

Other Nigerian officials accused in the scam are currently at large. They include Mr. Ibori, former Governor of Delta state, Victor Obong Attah of Akwa Ibom, David Edevbie, a former Principal Secretary to Umaru Yar'Adua, Love Ojakovo, a former commissioner of finance to Ibori and Henry Imashekka, a business associate of Ibori.

Source

New Video: The official KabaKaba video: Konga ft Dagrin and Remi Aluko

Love the 'Baba Suwe' flavour

An end to doctors' strike please

The ongoing doctor’s strike in Lagos is getting quite annoying. It started with doctors in state owned hospitals, but yesterday, doctors in Federal Hospitals joined in the strike leaving many people stranded with no one to attend to their health needs.

Last year, the doctors went on strike for a whooping 13 weeks, paralyzing activities in major hospitals. This time around, the strike has entered the 5^th week and all we keep hearing from the doctors is the government has not acceded to their demands of full implementation of CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure)…. And from the government, we have given them what the state can afford….

Yesterday, a colleague reported how a 79 year-old man died at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), because he couldn’t get medical attention on time. That man’s life could have been saved. He could have been anyone’s brother, father, grandfather, husband or friend who had a right to live just as much as anyone else.

In the end, it is the masses that get to suffer. The government and doctors should please find a common ground because the harsh truth is that PEOPLE ARE DYING….

Father of Comfort Sunday denies pouring acid on daughter

Sometime in 2008, Comfort Sunday, 14, a JSS II student of Government Secondary School, Akwanga was a victim of a bizarre religious belief where her father poured acid on her after a pastor convinced her family that she was a witch and the source of all her family’s problems. Until then, she lived with her father, Sunday James, 61, and her stepmother, Justina Abimiku, 52, having lost her mother at a tender age.

Acting on the advice of the so-called ‘Pastor’, Mr Sunday took his daughter to an uncompleted building where he poured acid on her face. He was apprehended after the act, but  was released shortly without any punishment until late last year when the Legal Aid Council and Better Leaven, an NGO who has been taking care of Comfort, mounted pressure on the police for them to prosecute him.

In court, he pleaded guilty saying, “I am aware that my daughter had an acid attack as read by the prosecutor's charge sheet, but I insist that I do not know who committed the act.”

Read more here

Cocktail with Fola Adeola

I've been meeting a number of political aspirants lately. On Sunday, had a cocktail with Fola Adeola somewhere in Victoria Island and I was struck by the number of youths at the event. I kept wondering, where are all the older people?

BTW, he looks much younger close up and dressed in jeans and shirt, different from the 'natives' i've seen him wearing a couple of times.

Anyway, he answered a lot of questions and it was obvious he did not have an idea he was going to be a Vice Presidential candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) until a few weeks earlier. Was quite impressed and i'm thinking seriously about giving him my vote.... time will tell.... still need to meet some more of them.

Read more about the cocktail here

Also met with Dele Momodu, Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) about two weeks ago at an interactive meeting with members of the disability community.

Looks much nicer in person I must say. Also sounded quite convincing.

Still confused about who to vote for. I must pray about it….

Political aspirant found dead inside car

Unfortunately, a Chairmanship aspirant under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Odogbolu Local Government area of Ogun state, Adetola Odunlami, was found dead in his car yesterday. The cause of his death has not been ascertained yet. He was found in the driver's seat with no visible marks on his body.

Hope we don’t see more of this as the elections draw nearer.

Read more here

Hello World!

It’s about time! Finally I get to do that which I had put off for so long – start my blog!

I am one of those lucky people in the world, blessed with a job I love so much. My job title says I’m a reporter. Professionally, many people would call me a journalist. But, I like to call myself a writer. Writing is my passion, and my job makes me write everyday, opening my mind to a wealth of information, people and places. And then of course, my curious mind just keeps digging for more scoop that I’m starting to feel selfish keeping it all to myself.

So here it is…. deolascope.blogspot.com. Hope you enjoy it as much as I’ve already began to.