Meet the 2015 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria queen (photos)

 

Unoaku Anyadike beat 36 other girls to emerge the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2015 in a contest that held this evening in Calabar. She's stunning and tall. Congrats to her and well done to Silverbird

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Read this very inspiring Facebook post

 

Olorunfunmi Adebajo shared this inspiring story on Facebook on October 21 which happened to be her birthday. The post has so far shared over 150 times and garnered 1,830 Likes. It reads:

So on one of those days I hung my head and claimed life had ended for me, I walked past Gbolahan. He lives right across my house and was in class with one of my elder ones. I heard he was very brilliant but I've known him to be a chronic drunk for at least 15 years...His case was worse than a mad man. He'd drink 'ogogoro' all day, get beaten up and slapped by passersby, get hit by vehicles and then walk/shout all over the street all night. He barely slept and on the days he did, he would sleep in any 'maruwa' he finds parked behind my house. He practically had no life outside his bottle of gin. 

God laid it on my heart to talk to him and I was surprised that he listened. I've paid a nearby 'buka' to have him fed twice a day, bought him a sponge, soap and toothbrush. Went to check on him every morning and evening, drove him to church in my car, gave him some place to sleep and found him something to do. I dont want him to be dependent o me so i handed him over to someone else to teach him personal hygiene and a bit of social skills. 

 

To the glory of God, Gbolahan has been clean in the past three weeks. Now he converses coherently and does not stagger anymore, his eyeballs are clear...The whole of ire-akari road is amazed.
He still needs bedding, clothes, money for feeding etc. 

I'm grateful to God for the privilege to serve humanity but I'LL BE NEEDING PROFESSIONAL REHABILITATION for my elder brother Gbolahan, I WOULD BE GLAD IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME OUT. That would be the best birthday gift ever.

Any recommendations please?

It's my birthday and God is teaching me to love without expecting anything in return.

Source: Olorunfunmi Adebajo/Facebook

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I will continue to miss my late wife, Stella – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says he and his family will continue to miss his late wife, Stella Obasanjo who died after a botched surgery in Spain on October 23rd 2005. Obasanjo said this during the 10th memorial service for his late wife which held at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta yesterday October 23rd

"I wont say much about her today because much had been written already in my tribute about my late wife in the book, ‘My Watch’ and part of it says, she will be dearly missed by me, my family and the Abebe family,” he said

The memorial service had in attendance Senator Ben Bruce, Fomer Ekiti state governor Segun Oni, John Abebe and others. May her soul continue to rest in peace Amen.

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Photos: Iraqi Shiite men cut their scalps with machetes during religious ritual

Iraqi Shiite men cut their scalps with machetes during the Ashura religious ritual in Najaf. More pics after the cut...

Photo credit: AFP

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Up-close photos of new MBGN queen, Unoaku Anyadike

Unoaku Anyadike won the 2015 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria this evening. See more photos after the cut...

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Spiritual! How Dakuku Peterside celebrated Wike’s sack (PHOTOS)

In the business of election petitions, celebrating the sack of your opponent, is a normal thing.
Very normal! The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, on Saturday afternoon, nullified the election of Governor Nyesom Wike.

And this was how his challenger, Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress, celebrated.

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Hungary promises to help Nigeria end Boko Haram insurgency

The Vice Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Zsolt Semjen, on Friday promised his country’s readiness to help Nigeria end the activities of Boko Haram. A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted Semjen as speaking when he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

He said terrorism was a global challenge and pledged that his country would support the Nigerian Armed Forces’ efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency. He did not give specific details of the promised assistance. 

“The extremism of Boko Haram is not Islamic. It runs contrary to all human philosophies,” the Vice Prime Minister said.

He also promised that Hungary would deploy its expertise in the area of agriculture to assist Nigeria. Semjen was said to have congratulated Nigeria on its last general elections, and added that Hungary looked forward to signing agreements with the country on more bilateral cooperation. Buhari said he looks forward to increased bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Hungary, since both countries have a lot in common.

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He added that his administration will welcome the strengthening and expansion of cooperation between both countries in the areas of security and agricultural development.

“Hungary faces some immigration challenges today, just like other parts of Europe. We also have our challenges in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.

“Hungary is able to fully understand our problems, and we can work together,” the President said.

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Man arraigned for stealing lover’s money

Ikorodu(Lagos State) – A 32-year-old man, Wasiu Kareem was arraigned on Friday at Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for stealing N120,000 belonging to his girlfriend. The accused, who resides at No 4, Olowolagba St., Ikorodu, is also standing trial for burgling the girlfriend’s apartment. The police prosecutor, Cpl. Mary Ajiteru told the court that the accused person committed the offence on Oct.19 at his girlfriend’s resident.

“ It was learnt that the duo had been dating for some time and the accused had been living in his lover’s apartment.

“They both had misunderstanding and the woman sent the accused parking.
“He came back to burgle his lovers’ apartment and stole N120, 000.
“The case was reported to the police and he was apprehended and arrested,’’ he said.

Ajiteru said the offence contravenes section 385(a) and 285 of the criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him. The Magistrate, Mr O.O. Olatunji granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties who must also show evidence of tax payment and live within the Magisterial jurisdiction.

Olatunji adjourned the case till Nov.26, for hearing.(NAN)

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25 polytechnic students, staff members affected in Yola blast

No fewer than 25 students and staff members of Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola, were affected in the blast at Jambutu Jumaat Mosque on Friday. The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Hamid Rufai, made this known when he spoke with newsmen in Yola on Saturday. 

Rufai said four of the 25 students lost their lives while the rest, including two staff members, sustained various degrees of injury. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the affected mosque belonged to the polytechnic community. 

It is located on the Jambutu campus, about five kilometres away from the main campus. Meanwhile, the casualty figure in the blast has risen to 33 deaths from the initial 27. The NEMA Coordinator in the state, Mr Saad Bello and his counterpart of Nigerian Red Cross, Malam Aliyu Maikano, confirmed the new figure.

NAN reports that a Federal Government’s delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Lawal Babachir, has visited Yola to commiserate with Government and people of Adamawa.

The team visited Government House, Lamido’s palace as well as the state Special Hospital and Federal Medical Centre to see the patients.

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“You need self-belief and discipline to execute your vision” | Leading Ladies Africa speaks to Saudat Salami

1. What was the vision behind starting Easyshop Easycook, and how did you come about the name?

When we started in 2005 our vision was to provide exceptional customized services that will make shopping convenient, cooking pleasurable and home keeping manageable for working woman. The idea behind the name is a short explanation of what we do. To make shopping easy, add value by helping with the initial food preparation which will reduce cooking time for the customer thereby making cooking easy. We believe if you shop easy then you can cook easy.

2. You have a rich background in I.T and software development; what were you doing exactly before you started your business?

I don’t have a University degree so I started work very early when I was 21yrs old in Office administration and Business Development. In between work I took time to attend various I. T and management courses and acquired certifications to help me better apply myself in the work place. I am a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist so I also did some in-housetraining for corporate organisations. I worked as a website developer and project manager for a few years from about 2002; which was the beginning of the corporate website boom in Nigeria when websites were being designed with Microsoft FrontPage, NetObjects Fusion etc. I left this in 2005 to start www.easyshopeasycook.com when website development became more interesting with E-commerce.

3. How long have you been in business for, and how has customer response been?

We started operations in October 2005, so we are 10years old. The customer response at inception was very poor because people were not familiar with online shopping and the idea of outsourcing your shopping was foreign to most people. This was a very new industry at the time for both us and the customer. We did not have the luxury of funds for mass marketing so the few satisfied customers we had referred friends and family and this helped us to learn and keep us afloat. In the last 5 years the response has improved and it keeps getting better every day especially now that we have new entrants in the industry. When we started we were about the only company into online grocery delivery, so a lot of time was spent convincing people and gaining their trust. Today so many people are doing it so this has helped made customer acquisition a bit easier.

4. Did you undergo any sort of entrepreneurship training before you started out, and which ones proved most useful?

I am an alumnus of FATE Foundation Aspiring Entrepreneurial Program (2005), EDC’s Certificate for Entrepreneurial Management (CEM) sponsored by Goldman Sachs (2008) and the Vital Voices Grow Fellowship program (2015). I am constantly doing one course or the other to help me be better at what I do every day. All these entrepreneurial programs are very vital and have helped me grow and sustain my business to this point. Almost all of the facilitators at these programs are business owners and not just career lecturers and that is why I value all of them.  Each of them has played a role at different times of my entrepreneurial journey so I would say they have all been very useful to me and I advice all SMEs to consider them. They are very practicable courses that will only be useful to entrepreneurs that are already in business and not those still toying with the idea.

5. How do you source new clients for your business? And how do you get the word out about what you do?

Referral has always been our major way of getting the word out. We have been blessed with satisfied customers that take on the brand ambassador role. Every woman likes to share good news especially if it will help make life easy for her fellow woman. We have recently invested in some social media advertising, and other mobile platforms including SMS. When we are able to, we will consider other forms of mass marketing but this will depend on the capacity/infrastructure we are able to build in-house. There is no use inviting customers when you can not satisfy them.

6. We live in a society where people would rather go to the market; than have things delivered to them. How does your company work around this peculiarity?

This is not peculiar to Nigeria, as people in other developed countries do this as well. In the UK, online grocery spend is worth billions of pounds and it is still less than 10% of the whole grocery retail market. The brick and mortar supermarket is the primary source of shopping for groceries. Lagos state alone has over 15million people; over 3m fit into the working/middleclass bracket, if 10% of them choose to shop online that is a huge market on its own. Shopping is a major inconvenience in Lagos because of traffic, unfriendly/remote markets, inadequate time and low food quality. People will pay for any efficient service that can help them avoid Lagos traffic and save time.

7. Online retailing has grown monumentally in the last couple of years, how has this impacted your business?

It has impacted us positively even though the major funds have gone to the white goods and fashion segment. When we started out in 2005, people did not understand what we were doing and could not relate. Some felt ashamed/guilty using our service as it made them appear lazy. With new entrants in the market space, people have now accepted the culture of outsourcing grocery shopping. It is still in its infancy but with more people in the industry the cost required to put structures in place to ease processing, warehousing, storage, distribution etc will be shared and this is very encouraging. We are getting to the exciting part and Easyshop is ready.

8. What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered, being an entrepreneur?

Infrastructure is our major challenge. The only developed part of agriculture is farming, and even that requires new technology to improve the quality and quantity of yield. There is hardly any food safety standard in the value chain, and that is why a lot of our exports are banned in Europe. Food is expensive because there is a lot of waste in the system; almost 50% of farm produce goes to waste. Waste is high because of the lack of food safety standards, poor farming and post harvest practice, inaccessible farm/market roads, little or no storage facility, inefficient distribution and this is just the fruit and vegetable sector. We still have the fish, meat, chicken sector and their own problems. We have to deal with all of these including all forms of adulteration just to make sure we deliver fresh, high quality, traceable produce to our customers. However, every challenge here goes to show there are various opportunities in this sector besides farming for those willing to come in.

9. What are the three most important lessons you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?              Opportunities are everywhere and they are disguised as problems/challenges. If you can solve the problem and commercialize it then you have a potential business opportunity. Believing in yourself and having the discipline to execute your vision are the most important things. You need a selfish tunnel vision mindset to achieve this.Failure is painful, embarrassing and costly but it happens. Everyone tells you how valuable it is but you only appreciate that after succeeding and looking back at your journey. I bet Thomas Edison wasn’t smiling in the process of failing 10,000 times over the light bulb. I can’t imagine how frustrating he felt. So yes, get ready for this.

10. Your website says it’s the ‘official website for the superwoman,’ can you share more on what this means?

Women are responsible for over 70% of the domestic decisions being made. Men have built their careers successfully because they have outsourced their domestic responsibilities to the women. Now that the women are in politics & the boardroom, culture still demands they take charge of the homes and their husbands’ affairs. No one asks the man about work-life balance but this is the question the average working woman has to answer daily. For a woman to pull this off every day is a feat. Give her a cape, let her stand at akimbo and gaze into the horizon she is definitely a Superwoman. At Easyshop, we know the challenges of the Nigerian working woman and this guides us in how we serve her. Our job is to make her more efficient in every aspect of her life. Food and shopping are very important in her domestic duties and we do our best to assist her in this aspect so she can be more productive in other areas she cannot outsource.

11. The modern woman seems to be doing several things at once; how would you advice she balances things out?

Outsource to the right people so you can do all you want. Life is very short so don’t die with loads of ideas still in your head. The most important thing is for the job to be done properly; if you do it all by yourself then you burn out. Let your money buy you comfort. You don’t need anyone’s permission and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about that. In the old days we had communal living where extended families all chip in during chores. This tradition is fading so women have to learn to outsource and seek help when needed. That is how men get away with it. I doubt Dangote is the one personally running any of his companies or home errands.

12. Let’s talk about women support systems and groups – which ones have been most instrumental to you and how?

Wimbiz has been a very good support system for me. I joined them many years ago. The board and management were like brand ambassadors for Easyshop at the beginning when I was trying to get my bearing about this business. I am very humbled at the way they referred friends, family and businesses to us. They mentored me and took me on like a sister, gave me access to opportunities and valuable feedback that helped grow my business. I have nothing but love for Wimbiz.

13. Name 3 women that you greatly admire, and who inspire you?

Wow that’s tough. So many women have influenced me and can be referred to as my destiny helpers, naming just 3 will be an injustice so I’ll pass on this.

14. Words of advice for upcoming female entrepreneurs?

Female entrepreneurs should see themselves first as entrepreneurs. That gender tag can bring hardship if you keep carrying it around. This is because there is a tendency for you to blame it for any road block or opportunity missed. The women that have mentored me are quick to tell me they got where they are not by playing the gender card but by doing the work. That is not to say gender is not an issue but don’t let it hold you back or don’t use it as a ready excuse for any set back. The gender glass has been shattered, assume this and deal with every challenge as it presents itself and you will be alright.

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Maiduguri attacked again, female bomber arrested

A female suicide bomber detonated in a Dala-Yazare around 7:50am on Saturday morning, while another one was arrested. Dala-Yazare, is located about 4km away from Maiduguri, along the Biu-Maiduguri road.

The two female suicide bombers had the same mission of blowing themselves up, but only one of them was successful.

Premium Times reports that the other bomber was nabbed while attempting to reach for the explosive belt. A Civillian-Joint Task Force member was quoted to have said: “They were two suicide bombers, one was arrested now, but the other was able to detonate the bomb.”

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Israeli gunfire leaves two more Palestinians dead

Israeli forces have attacked Palestinian protesters with live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets and tear gas across the occupied Palestinian territory [Ezz Zanoun/Al Jazeera]

 A Palestinian man in Gaza dies from week-old wounds by Israeli gunfire, while Israeli forces shoot dead teen in WB.

A Palestinian teenager has been shot dead by Israeli forces at a checkpoint in the northern occupied West Bank, while another Palestinian man died from wounds sustained by an Israeli bullet a week earlier during clashes in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The 16-year-old Mohammed Zakarna was fatally shot on Saturday while allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli security guard at the Jalameh checkpoint in the Jenin area of the West Bank. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the death of Zakarna, while an Israeli military spokesperson said on Twitter that that "security personnel responded" and shot the suspect "on site". 

Later on Saturday, Khalil Abu Abeed, 25, died as a result of being shot during clashes with Israeli troops in the Khan Younis area of the Gaza border last week, according to Ashraf Qidra, spokesman for the Ministry fo Health in the Strip.

Since October 1, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 56 Palestinians, including unarmed protesters, bystanders and alleged attackers. Eight Israelis have been killed by Palestinians in stabbing or shooting incidents. 

"This struggle is for the liberation of all Palestine," Hamas leader Fathi Hamad told Al Jazeera. "We will free our homeland by any means necessary - all of it, the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem and the land occupied in 1948."

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Scores killed by airstrikes in northern Syria

[Khalil Ashawi/Reuters]

Russian and Syrian air strikes have been heavily bombing northern cities as battles intensify between several factions.

Syrian government and Russian jets have been heavily bombarding towns in Idlib province, as fighting rages between regime forces and opposition fighters in several other provinces, Al Jazeera has learnt. At least 44 people, including six children, were killed in 24 hours due to Russian and Syrian air strikes across the country, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported on Saturday. 

Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Civil Defence organisation told Al Jazeera air strikes on Friday's  targeted the town of Killi in Idlib and left at least five people killed, including three children.

"The Syrian Civil Defence team were doing their jobs and rescuing people. The air strikes that targeted those areas were a second round of air strikes. After our volunteers gathered to help save those injured and evacuate the area they were attacked for a second and third time.

"This is not the first time we have lost volunteers in the same way," Abdel Rahman said.

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Paranoia fuels mistaken identity killings in Israel

Israeli soldiers have shot dead a Jewish Israeli man mistaken for a Palestinian attacker less than a week after an Eritrean refugee - also mistaken for a Palestinian attacker - was murdered.

A sense of paranoia has gripped Israel and the occupied territories in recent weeks amid renewed violence which has seen Israeli forces kill at least 52 Palestinians including unarmed protesters, bystanders and suspected attackers. Eight Israelis have died in Palestinian attacks. 

According to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, the victim of the latest killing late on Wednesday refused to provide the soldiers with his identity card, started to punch them and attempted to seize one of their weapons. He was shot dead on the scene. 

Yehuda Meshi Zahav, a member of the ZAKA emergency medical team called to the scene, told the local Jerusalem Post he had also mistaken the man to be a Palestinian. 

"I wanted to cover the body in a black bag [reserved for alleged attackers]," he said. "After I was asked to take care of the body I saw that he was a Jew, and that it was mistake to speak of a terrorist. I immediately notified the police and we switched to a white ZAKA body bag."

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Palestinian teen shot dead after alleged stabbing

Among the causes of the turmoil are Palestinians' anger at what they see as Jewish encroachment at Al-Aqsa [Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]

A 16-year-old Palestinian has been shot dead by Israeli forces after allegedly trying to stab a private security guard at a checkpoint in the occupied West Bank, Israeli authorities said. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that Mohammed Zakarna was killed on Saturday at the Jalameh checkpoint in northern Jenin. No other injuries were reported. Witnesses speaking to Al Jazeera gave conflicting reports about the incident. 

One person confirmed the Israeli narrative, saying he saw Zakarna running towards the Israelis with a knife when they heavily shot him. Another one, however, said the boy worked as a sweets peddle seller on the Palestinian side of the checkpoint when he was killed.  

A Red Crescent employee told Al Jazeera that the Israeli army prevented an ambulance from getting to the site. The employee added that Zakarna was taken to the Israeli part of the checkpoint until an Israeli ambulance took him away. Since the beginning of the month, Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 55 Palestinians, including unarmed demonstrators, bystanders and suspected attackers. 

At least eight Israelis have been killed during incidents described by Israel as shooting or stabbing attacks carried out by Palestinians. On Friday, at least 290 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territory while marking a "Day of Rage", the Palestinian Red Crescent said. 

 

Kerry meeting Abbas

Against the backdrop of violence, US Secretary of State John Kerry flew to Jordan on Saturday for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan's King Abdullah II on the latest Israeli-Palestinian tension. Speaking after Kerry's meeting, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said that the two men "had a very in-depth and constructive meeting.

UpFront - Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat

"President Abbas demanded the US administration's support for efforts to request protection for the Palestinian people at the United Nations," Erekat, the PLO secretary-general, said. "We also requested sending an international investigation commission from the United Nations Human Rights Council to deal with summary executions against our people." 

Rights groups have condemned Israel for excessive use of force and extrajudicial killings in their response to the unrest. Kerry's visit to Jordan comes two days after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin, where the US top diplomat urged both the Palestinians and Israelis to halt "all incitement" and violence.

"It is absolutely critical to end all incitement, to end all violence and to find a road forward to build the possibility, which is not there today, for a larger process," Kerry told reporters.

Among the causes of the turmoil are Palestinians' anger at what they see as Jewish encroachment on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, Islam's third holiest site, which is also revered by Jews as the location of two ancient temples.

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Man who lost his family in Texas floods finds them in dream

(Photo: Jonathan McComb)

A Texas man who lost his wife and two young children when the house they were staying at was swept away by the floodwaters, speaks for the first time about what happened. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Months have passed since the deadly floods in Wimberley, Texas, but not a day goes by that Jonathan McComb doesn't think about them. McComb lost his wife, two young children, and several close friends when their house was swept away by the floodwaters.

He was the only one who made it out alive. McComb has spent the six months since the flood recovering and paying homage to the friends and family he lost. He said his first dream about his family since he lost them was vivid. They were in a pastoral paradise when his daughter ran up to him.

"She said, 'We didn't make it, Daddy. You did. We got picked up by a man in the river — and it was Jesus. And we are in Heaven.' And I woke up immediately and I looked for them and knew they weren't there, and tried to get back in that dream. That was a big dream for me. I pray to have that dream every night before I go to bed."

McComb and his dog, Maggie, are all that's left of his family. "Just me and her now... A lot of good memories", said Jonathan McComb. Five months ago, McComb, his wife Laura, his six-year-old son Andrew, and four-year-old daughter Leighton were staying in a riverside home in Wimberley, Texas, for the 2015 Memorial Day weekend with two other families.

Jonathan McComb (Photo: WFAA)

Like so much else, the home — with nine people inside — was swept away by a wall of water that came down the Blanco River. As they huddled in the moving structure, Jonathan says he never lost faith.

"I prayed quite a bit going down the river," he said. "Even as we were together, we prayed, and by myself, I prayed."

The terrifying scene in the dark of night got worse when their floating house hit a bridge and then began to fall apart. The wrenching moments that followed are now his private pain. McComb will only pick up the story much further downstream, where he continued — in more ways than one — with his struggle to be the lone survivor.

"At one point underwater, I just said, 'I am done,'" McComb told us. "I said, 'Take me home, I am going to Heaven,' and I just went limp underwater."

Somehow, he held on. Badly battered, with broken ribs and a collapsed lung, McComb made it to a beach, scaled a cliff, and reached a house.

"Where I got out was either 9 or 12 miles down the river," he said.

McComb was cared for by a kind stranger there. The stranger later placed a stone marker at the spot where McComb made it, and dedicated it to his family.

Over the last several months, McComb has gathered a lot of frames and set out on a mission at home to memorialize all the life his loved ones lived, captured in pictures. In addition to putting up photos, McComb has kept his kids' rooms as they were, left their backpacks hanging on the wall, and maintained their play table as happily messy as it was when it was the domain of his children.

A stone marker placed at the spot where Jonathan McComb made it to safety is dedicated to his family that did not make it. (Photo: WFAA)

"It keeps the memory alive," McComb said. "I don't know what I would do without the memories. That's what pushes me along the most, I guess."

He still wears his wedding ring. And he happily picks out landmarks all over Corpus Christi that remind him of cherished family time. Others keep the memories alive, too. Yellow ribbons still cling to trees in Corpus Christi in remembrance of the local families lost in the Wimberley floods, including members of the McComb family and their close friends in the Carey and Charba families.

As bad as his personal loss was, Jonathan says the tragedy has brought about a remarkable showing of positivity and togetherness that goes far beyond his local community.

"I am just humbled by all the love and support from everybody, and all the humanity," McComb said.

There have been thousands of people who have been involved: search and recovery volunteers, the people who've offered meals, those who have prayed unceasingly, and the friends and perfect strangers who have reached out from around the world to offer uplifting messages that are still pouring in.

Jonathan McComb's children's backpacks sit undisturbed. (Photo: WFAA)

Jonathan McComb sees those messages when he logs on to his wife's Facebook page. She was clearly loved.

"I have sat there before thinking it was 30 minutes," McComb said, "and two-and-a-half hours later, I'm still sitting there, crying and struggling to read the screen through my tears."

He says there have been plenty of tears or sorrow; but many tears of joy, too. Some steadfast volunteers are still looking for his daughter and still looking for the body of six-year-old William Charba. The volunteers still looking have a special place in the hearts of the families involved. "We can't thank you enough," McComb said.

He waits for the remaining bodies to be found, so all involved can get closure. Until then, he takes comfort that, like his wife and son, his young daughter was a good Christian, "And whether she is laid to rest in the river somewhere or in a coffin, I know where she is at the end... and that's Heaven."

He also prays regularly that those still missing will be found. This GoFundMe account has been set up to help fund the expensive effort being undertaken by non-profit search organizations to keep the search going.

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LIVE: Major Flooding Unfolds in Corsicana, Texas, Forces Road Closures

 

Residents from Texas to Louisiana should be on alert for life-threatening flooding this weekend.

The system will unleash 4-8 inches of rain across portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana with the potential for some communities to receive a foot or more of rain through Sunday. Moisture from record-breaking Hurricane Patricia will contribute to the life-threatening flooding that will inundate the South Central states this weekend.

Overnight, the heaviest rain will fall from the Big Bend region of Texas to southwest Arkansas, AccuWeather Meteorologist Mike Doll said. Travel disruptions, flight delays and road closures are possible due to the heavy rainfall expected.

"Dangerous travel conditions will exist on interstates 35 and 45 overnight and drivers should not attempt to go across a flooded roadway," Doll said.

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Dele Momodu: Rotimi Amaechi, the Rock Star of Nigerian politics

Fellow Nigerians, if you did not watch the much-anticipated and long-delayed Ministerial screening of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, last Thursday, October 22, 2015, at the Senate Chambers of Nigeria’s National Assembly, you definitely missed a high drama. There was no way I would have missed the live broadcast of that historic event. Thanks to technology, my wife and I stayed glued to Channels TV transmitting all the way to us in London.

We received many calls from well-meaning Nigerians who were anxious to see the cup pass over Amaechi’s head. Social media platforms were instantly on overdrive. Twitter in particular was on fire. The Rock Star of Nigerian politics was on stage and the entire country was at a standstill. I was very agitated for several reasons. In particular, I didn’t want the world to view Nigeria as a country of ingrates who would rather destroy and bury the heroes of their struggle instead of celebrating them.

Right from the time former Governor Amaechi’s name surfaced on the President’s list of Ministerial nominees which was sent to The Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, it was obvious Amaechi had been sent, inadvertently, to the Hyenas’ den. True, Amaechi himself had been given the moniker of the Lion of the Niger Delta by his fervent and vociferous supporters but no one could envisage the outcome of a wrestle between the kings of the jungle. Many commentators had opined that President Muhammadu Buhari should have made life easier for his former Campaign Manager by offering him a job that needed no screening from anyone.

The scenario could not have been otherwise. Amaechi undoubtedly was a major catalyst that catapulted the Change Movement into power at the centre. It is only natural that the victims of such monumental defeat would neither forget nor forgive their principal tormentor in a jiffy. For them it was the first and best opportunity to have their pound of flesh and pay Amaechi back in kind. It was not surprising that the screening session was initially riotous but for the avuncular carriage and confident and astute handling of proceedings by The Senate President who calmed things down.

The entrance of Amaechi into the hallowed Chamber was grand. He looked regal and royal in his traditional Niger Delta attire. His confidence level was high and palpable. After the usual traditional bows, he took his place at the podium. The Senate President then set the ball rolling by asking Amaechi to introduce himself. Trust the consummate politician, one of Nigeria’s most effervescent leaders read from a well-scripted paper and sold himself powerfully to the influential Senators. He was friendly and conciliatory.

He killed it by recognising the three Senators representing Rivers State. The import of that was that he was able to demonstrate how they were friends once upon a time. It was a masterstroke that thawed the frozen atmosphere and eased the incredible tension in the Senate Chamber. Amaechi spoke eloquently about his political trajectory from his Student Unionist days to the present and outlined his outstanding achievements in the years he has spent as a politician. Everything appeared to be going smoothly until the moment for question and answer and then the friction that had been the root cause of so much seeming strife erupted momentarily before fizzling out.

However, it was almost an anti-climax when the Minority Leader of the Senate, former Governor Godswill Akpabio said his caucus had resolved not to ask Amaechi any question since the report of the Senate Committee investigating the allegations of corruption levelled against Amaechi was yet to be discussed. Very few observers and political commentators had expected the PDP to react to the screening of Amaechi in this manner.

Many conspiracy theorists had predicted a rigorous, strident and acrimonious question and answer session for Amaechi from amongst the PDP Senators. For them to take the path that Senator Akpabio had espoused smirked of great intrigue and suggested that there was a hidden agenda which would shortly unfold. The solid block of 49 PDP legislators against a fractious, disunited and slender APC majority loomed large in the minds of most analysts and suggested that when the time came to vote Amaechi would be played out.

But, mercifully and smartly, the APC Senators as a surprisingly and remarkable cohesive unit played a fast one when some of its Senators thereafter asked Amaechi some cogent questions. The PDP Senatorial boycott, if one can call it even that, was instantly shown to be dead on arrival. I loved the intervention of Senator Gbenga Ashafa whose question provided a veritable platform for Amaechi to defend himself against the spate of allegations of corruption. Of course, Amaechi said he was in fact never indicted by any judicial panel and that he was ready to place the relevant papers before the Senators to demonstrate this. After about 50 minutes of intense grilling, Amaechi was asked to go.

As Amaechi walked out of the chamber, the whole chamber was clearly electrified. His multitude of fans waited outside. Their joy knew no bounds as they erupted into an orgy of celebration which included much hailing of the valiant, victorious warrior and spontaneous singing. Though I had gauged and seen Amaechi’s rapidly rising popularity on social media, I did not expect anything close to what I saw displayed on live TV. The love of fans like me was very deep and I saw more enthusiastic ones on television. I received the pictures within minutes and posted them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

I had known and predicted that the seeming victimisation of Amaechi was going to draw attention and sympathy to him. The libellous attacks on him in the last couple weeks were horrendous and sufficient to cow any weak personality. Anyone in doubt should visit Twitter. Not only was he viciously scandalised and abused, but anyone who tried to defend him was also verbally assaulted and brutalised. I became a major target of voltrons, as we call them, and all manner of obvious hirelings descended on me trying to sully and undermine my support for Amaechi.

They simply descended on Amaechi and his most visible and influential friends like locusts. Some of these guys used very foul and uncouth language including insulting my dead parents. But this got me more determined. I knew for sure that all they wanted to achieve was to bully us off cyberspace and have the opportunity to mount their scurrilous campaign of calumny against Amaechi, unhindered and undisturbed. However, on our part, we intensified the celebration of Amaechi and his stellar achievements and this served to win us more confident and ardent supporters.

This special tribute is to put on record the reason why some of us are quite zealous about Amaechi. It is impossible to meet Amaechi and not feel his deep ardour for Nigeria. His style is simple but classy. Most times his dressing is usually understated. As Governor, he drove himself most times. He believes more in action than glamour.

Our relationship was that of mutual love at first sight. I had visited his office over ten years ago when he was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He sounded very intelligent, smart and passionate about the development of Nigeria in general and Rivers State in particular.

He also appreciated my zeal for Nigeria and its success. We exchanged numbers and spoke a couple of times thereafter. Subsequently, on one occasion he came to Ghana for a conference of Parliamentarians. He got in touch and I invited him over to my house for lunch. I was greatly honoured when he arrived with the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Bello Masari and many others. Our relationship blossomed from there on.

Somehow, I had a feeling that Amaechi was going to go far in politics and I watched and followed him with keen interest and rapt attention. His fearless nature was a much needed ingredient in politics. After spending two terms as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, he made an attempt to run the Governorship race but encountered countless obstacles that were erected by power-brokers.

It appeared that he had fallen at the first hurdle and had not won his Party Primary primaries and so could not contest the General Elections. Things got dangerously bad at a time that he had to flee to Ghana for his dear life and that of his family. But mysteriously and miraculously Amaechi won his case at the Supreme Court and he was declared Governor without having contested the election. He wasted no time in attributing this unprecedented achievement to God.

Unlike many who would forget their antecedents, Amaechi never forgot his humble beginnings. He demystified power and bonded well with the people of Rivers State. Most of his enemies were members of the privilegentsia. He made education, healthcare, infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture, power generation and so on a priority and immediately sought to enhance them and, thus, the quality of life of ordinary people in Rivers State. The quality of his work was impressive and commendable. I visited some of his projects during the course of his tenure as Governor and could not believe what I saw. My admiration for him quadrupled.

The situation that led him to abandon PDP for APC was tragic but divine. President Goodluck Jonathan lost his second term bid, in advance, the day he allowed Amaechi and his fellow Governors and others to leave the PDP.

I remember asking Amaechi if he thought his group could take on an incumbent African President and win. His answer was an unequivocal, Yes. He said he was ready for any fallout from their decision including harassment and victimisation by the then ruling Party, PDP. He stuck to his guns to the very end and remained unmoved and unbowed by all manner of brickbat and missiles hurled at him.

Amaechi had also made up his mind from DAY ONE to support the presidential ambition of General Muhammadu Buhari which was almost turning to a mirage after three excruciating attempts. Though he had a very soft-spot for then Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State and a very high regard for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Amaechi never at any time prevaricated on his decision to support Buhari. At this time he was a formidable lone ranger as others chose to pit their tents elsewhere until gradually they were won over by the popularity and appeal of the person and message of President Buhari.

When Buhari later appointed him the Director-General of his Presidential Campaign, many had argued that the job was beneath a serving Governor but Amaechi said emphatically that he was ready, able and willing to embark on the arduous task.

He argued that nothing was too much to sacrifice for the salvation of Nigeria. During the campaign there were rumours that Amaechi was dictatorial and that he did not carry many members of his team along, he had a convincing answer to this criticism. He said he would not wait indefinitely for those who did not understand the concept of time and money. He combined well with Dr Bukola Saraki to mobilise heavily for Buhari.

They were able to secure the support of many entrepreneurs who felt President Goodluck Jonathan was safer for them but later agreed to accept the change mantra. Other political leaders like the inimitable, resourceful and redoubtable national leader, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been in the forefront of the team and took the campaign to another level.

For me the biggest contribution of Amaechi is how he placed national interest above sectional and primordial sentiments. History would have high regard for him in the future, and generations unborn would read about his gallant efforts, if and when this latest gamble of a Buhari Presidency pays off. This is what has acquired for him today a cult followership at home and abroad. The deafening ovation he received at the National Assembly precincts only a couple of days ago was therefore a token of our appreciation for him being a truly exceptional Nigerian.

My sincere wish is for God to grant him more wisdom and the spirit of forgiveness now and in the future. Some have wronged him no doubt just like he must also have wronged others but he must demonstrate that he has risen above the disappointment and trauma engendered by such before God and man.

There is no sweeter revenge than God taking up your fight all the time and ensuring that you are victorious. Amaechi’s story is a salutary lesson in this regard.

God bless Nigeria.

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‘No normal Akwa Ibom indigene will vote for another party besides PDP’

The Peoples Democratic Party chapter in Delta state, has boasted that the opposition party owns Akwa Ibom state. The party stated that even if a re-run of the governorship election is held 50 times in the 18 local governments, the PDP governor of Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Udom will continue to win.

 

Acting spokesperson, Sunny Onuesoke, stated this, while reacting to the pronouncement of a re-run of the election by the tribunal. He said: “PDP will win because it is on record that APC does not have structures in Akwa Ibom state.” 

“Beside, past PDP governors and the present one have developed the states in all ramification that no normal Akwa-Ibom state indigenes will cast their votes for another party beside PDP”.

“Elections were held in the north, west and southern parts and no one is challenging election in other part of Nigeria like  is being done in oil producing  states.”

“Are you telling us that all the state in the western part that APC won are free and fair?. What about the northern part? Are you telling me that they are clean as it is?”

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How Boko Haram plans to use ‘rat poison’ on North East’s water sources

A plot by Boko Haram to poison the water sources in North East states, has been revealed by the Nigerian Army. The Army warned that Boko Haram insurgents have become desperate and are planning to purchase large quantities of rat poison and other poisonous items. 

This was disclosed on Friday, by the Assistant Director, Army public relations office of 33 Artillery Brigade Bauchi, Major Joseph Adekunle Afolasade. Afoloasade released a statement to this effect, calling on the residents of the North-East to always be vigilant. 

“The command wishes to inform the general public that Boko Haram terrorists plan to buy a large quantity of rat poison and other poisonous items from markets in Nigeria to enable them poison water sources, particularly in the north-eastern states.

“The Nigerian Army Theater Command, therefore calls on the general public, particularly the market men and women vending such items to be vigilant.”

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Preparing your body for pregnancy after 30

Found this interesting article on SandraRose. Read below if it concerns you...:-)

Women were not designed to get pregnant or give birth after age 30. That’s why there are more risks involved with childbirth after age 30. The reason women in their 40s have fertility issues is because the human body is not prepared for natural birth at that age.

But according to authors Christa Orecchio and Willow Buckley, women over 30 can give birth naturally by preparing their bodies before conception.

In their new book “How To Conceive Naturally: And Have a Healthy Pregnancy After 30,” Orecchio and Buckley say women over 30 can prepare their bodies for late age childbirth by eating right.

1. Preparing your body. Prepare your body for childbirth by practicing proper nutrition such as eliminating artificial and processed food. “Proper nutrition forms the core of this foundation and dramatically affects preconception health,” Orecchio and Buckley write. “Prenatal nutrition also determines the quality of the baby’s major organs and even her predisposition to certain diseases.”

2. Eliminate stress. If your life is stressful, your fetus will feel stressed out. “A good mindset is key,” says Orecchio. “You create your own culture, so communicate with your baby before and during pregnancy. Create enough time for yourself; have a morning or night routine that’s sacred to you.”

3. Add placenta to your diet. Orecchio, a certified nutritionist, suggests eating encapsulated placenta 3 months prior to conception to balance your postpartum hormones. “The Kardashians are doing it!” said Orecchio.

4. Be good to your gut. Orecchio recommends taking a multi-strain probiotic for 90 days before you conceive to prepare your gut to cultivate digestive enzymes and to help with digestion in your stomach and intestines. “Whatever imbalances you have, youth can overcome that. But not as you age. Then you have to do the work,” says Orecchio.

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Your Fulfilling Future Starts Here

 

Learning Questa provides advanced individualized international education planning and management. We specialize in educational/career counseling, University recruitment, and placement of students in global Universities. In addition, we offer support services in test preparation (SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, ETC.); University/college scholarship and application essays and VISA counseling. Our educational programs are backed by its excellence in service commitment.

We believe that the quality of our services is not determined by our efforts but by our client’s satisfaction. We make this happen through our very committed, qualified and knowledgeable counselors who engage in thoughtful interaction with our clients.

 Learning Questa partners with Universities across the Globe, including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc to provide you with world-class education. Our partner universities are world class and offer unprecedented educational opportunities to their students.  To avail yourself of our excellent services, contact us and take advantage of our wide array of partner Universities some of which are listed below:

   A. Some of Our Partner Universities in United States of America:
    1. Florida Atlantic University, Boca
    2. University of New Hampshire
    3. University of Massachusetts, Lowell
    4. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
    5. Western Kentucky University
    6. Concordia University, Chicago
    7. Gadsden State Community College
    8. University of Massachusetts Boston
    9. University of South Carolina
    10. Auburn University
    11. The University of Kansas
    12. Florida International University
    13. Louisiana State University
    14. University of Central Florida
    15. American University, Washington, DC
    16. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    17. James Madison University
    18. Merrimack University
    19. Roosevelt University
    20. University of Southern Maine
    21. University of Vermont
    22. New York Film Academy

And many more......

B. Some of Our Partner Universities in United Kingdom:
    1. Birmingham City University
    2. Edinburgh Napier University
    3. Robert Gordon University Aberdeen
    4. The University of Northampton
    5. Swansea University Prifysgol Abertawe
    6. Anglia Ruskin University
    7. Brunel University, London
    8. Plymouth University
    9. University of Hertfordshire

And many more......

C. Some of Our Partner Universities in Canada:
    1. Royal Roads University
    2. Simon Fraser University
    3. University of Manitoba

 And many more......


   D.  Some of Our Partner Universities in Australia:
    1. Curtin University
    2. Griffith University
    3. La Trobe University
    4. The University of Adelaide
    5. Edith Cowan University
    6. The University of Newcastle
    7. Western Sydney University
    8. Deakin University
    9. University of South Australia
    10. University of Canberra

And many more.......


    Contact Information:

    1. Name of Contact Person: Prof. Irene Osisioma

    2. Address:
    a. Nigeria: 21 Maiye Ogundana St.
    Magodo GRA Phase 2
    Shangisha, Lagos
    Nigeria

    b. US: Learning Questa
    5762 Lincoln Avenue
    Suite # 303
    Cypress, California 90630

    3. Phone Numbers:
    • Nigeria: 2348029045213, 2348131525779
    • USA: +17142093800

    4. Email: learningquesta@gmail.com OR services@learningquesta.com

    5. Web Address: www.learningquesta.com

Prof. Irene Osisioma
Learning Quest Consult
21 Maiye Ogundana Street
Magodo GRA Phase II
Lagos
Phone:2340707635110; 23408125472299; +17142093800

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