Ph.D in Theology will deepen my knowledge of God and help me serve him better – Obasanjo

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rEbs30" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://ift.tt/1rEbs30" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><span style='font-size: large;'>A former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who enrolled Tuesday for a Master/PhD in theology at the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, said he took on the course to deepen his knowledge of God and serve Him better and not because he aspired to become a pastor.</span> </b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr. Obasanjo, who was speaking after completing his registration at the university’s main study centre in Lagos, also said that by enrolling for a Ph.D, he was out to prove that one’s position or age should not be a barrier for continuous learning.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Learning should be a continuous process and if you can do it and learn without the formality of a university, all well and good. But I chose to learn and continue to learn by other means and through the discipline and the formality of the university system,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr. Obasanjo said the other reason he decided to enroll at the institution was to display the opportunity the institution provided for those aspiring to get a higher education but unable to get admission into conventional universities.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I wanted to throw a bit of limelight on this institution; knowing fully well that this country at no time in the foreseeable future would be able to provide built and walled universities for all the Nigerian students who want to have higher education,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The former president is perhaps the biggest ambassador of the institution. In 2009, he enrolled for a postgraduate diploma in theology at the university and graduated with “flying colours.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to the Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences, David Otubanjo, the number of students that enrolled at the university quadrupled following the former president’s enrollment in 2009.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Vincent Tenebe, said the number of enrolled students jumped from 32,000 with 16,000 of them being active students in 2010 to 308,000 enrolled students with 16,000 of them being active in 2014. He said its study centres had grown from 32 to 55 in the same period while the institution’s staff strength grew from 820 in 2010 to 25, 000 in 2014.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Your intervention in educational development in Nigeria by resuscitating the National Open University, ensuring vigorous development of the institution, enrolling as a student and graduating with flying colours and yet today returning for a higher qualification of PHD can never be over emphasised,” said Mr. Tenebe to Mr. Obasanjo.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The former president called on Nigerians aspiring for higher learning to consider the opportunity provided by NOUN. He said the quality of study at the university was not inferior to conventional universities in the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr Obasanjo, whose real age is a source of controversy, declined to say how old he was but noted that age should not be hindrance to acquiring knowledge.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I’ve told my children that when I have difficulty I’d tell them to come and teach me. This proves that there should be no shame in learning and any knowledge that you acquire becomes your own, nobody has to take it away from you,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The university Vice Chancellor also introduced Mr. Obasanjo to his supervisor, Isaac Ayegboyin, a professor of church history at the Department of Religious Study, University of Ibadan and his assistant, Philip Tachin.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The university also seized the occasion to commission its Centre for Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering named after the former president.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Ph.D in Theology will deepen my knowledge of God and help me serve him better – Obasanjo

A former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who enrolled Tuesday for a Master/PhD in theology at the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN,...

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Thousands more join Hong Kong protests

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rrEhB2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://ift.tt/1rrEhB2" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Thousands more people have been joining pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, ahead of what organisers hope will be the largest day of protests so far.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Tens of thousands of people have been blocking parts of the city for days.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They are demanding that China withdraw plans to vet candidates for the next leadership election in 2017.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Current leader CY Leung has urged the protesters to go home, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing’s influence on the territory.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr Xi told party leaders in Beijing that his government would “unswervingly implement the guidelines of ‘one country, two systems’ and the Basic Law, and steadfastly safeguard the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Thousands more join Hong Kong protests

Thousands more people have been joining pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, ahead of what organisers hope will be the largest day of pr...

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Chelsea

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rrEhkz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://ift.tt/1rrEhkz" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Nemanja Matic's header was enough to hand Chelsea a narrow 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon and send Jose Mourinho's men to the top of group G in the Champions League.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Matic, who spent three years in Lisbon with Sporting's great rivals, Benfica, before returning to the Blues in January, converted Cesc Fabregas's cross after 34 minutes.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Serb found the net in a half dominated by the visitors but the home side proved more competitive after the break to leave the result in doubt up until the final whistle.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The result sees Chelsea bounce back from their draw with Schalke at Stamford Bridge on matchday 1, while Sporting, who had previously lost just one of nine home fixtures against English opposition, will rue the end of an unbeaten run at the Estadio Jose Alvalade that stretched to 16 matches in European competition.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Having previously claimed that in-form frontman Diego Costa was incapable of playing multiple matches in a week, Jose Mourinho named the Spain international in his starting XI for the second time in four days, while captain John Terry made his 100th Champions League outing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Costa was in the thick of the action early on - failing to slip a shot past advancing Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio after being sent clean through in the second minute.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was the visitors who were dictating the early pace but Thibaut Courtois had to be on guard to scoop up a low Jonathan Silva cross from the left when Sporting looked to threaten the Chelsea goal for the first time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Patricio got down well to deny Andre Schurrle as the Germany forward tried to round the goalkeeper after getting on the end of an Oscar through-ball in the 15th minute before Islam Slimani's downward header at the other end was comfortably held by Courtois.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Schurrle should have done better than skew wide of the left-hand post when Eden Hazard found him with a cut back in the 22nd minute but Matic finally made the breakthrough 12 minutes later. The 26-year-old midfielder peeled off at the back post to meet a Cesc Fabregas free from the left, sending a looping header over a helpless Patricio and into the back of the net.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A push by Filipe Luis on Nani on the edge of the Chelsea box drew the ire of all in green and white five minutes into the second half before Oscar squandered a one-on-one opportunity similar to Costa's early chance.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sporting certainly looked more alert at the start of the second half - Nani sent an effort into the side netting, while Adrian Silva swerved a volley over the crossbar.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Filipe Luis and Mohamed Salah went close for Chelsea in the closing stages, while a curling strike from Nani whistled narrowly wide, and Mourinho may be concerned by his side's failure to put the match to bed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, news of a draw in Group G's other fixture between Schalke and Maribor, along with Costa's ability to last the full 90 minutes, should soon bring a smile back to the face of the Chelsea boss after picking up a valuable three points in his homeland.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Chelsea

Nemanja Matic's header was enough to hand Chelsea a narrow 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon and send Jose Mourinho's men to the top of...

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Manchester City 1-1 Roma

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rrEggp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://ift.tt/1rrEggp" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Manchester City are five points off the top of Champions League group E following a 1-1 draw at home to Roma.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The hosts enjoyed a near-perfect start on Tuesday as Sergio Aguero won and converted an early penalty before familiar frailties in Europe's premier competition reared their head once again.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Their defence was rarely allowed to settle as Roma flowed forward and took complete control of midfield, with Miralem Pjanic to the fore.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Bosnia international supplied the ammunition for Francesco Totti to find a 23rd-minute leveller with a brilliant clipped finish, becoming the oldest scorer in Champions League history in the process.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Although Roma failed to recreate their first-half dominance after the break, the draw does far more favours for them in the wake of an opening-day 5-1 victory over CSKA Moscow.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Russian champions are up next for City, who are winless in two outings and yet to score from open play.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />As expected, Joe Hart returned in goal for City in place of Willy Caballero after two games on the bench, while there was also a change in goal for Roma as Morgan De Sanctis (groin) failed a late fitness test, meaning Lukasz Skorupski was handed a rare start.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Experienced City centre-back Martin Demichelis replaced Eliaquim Mangala following the latter's shaky showing in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Hull City, facing up a Roma attack featuring Totti, Gervinho and Alessandro Florenzi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Roma right-back Maicon returned to face his former club and displayed the inauspicious form on show all too often during his season at the Etihad Stadium when he hauled back Aguero to concede a fourth-minute penalty.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Aguero coolly converted to set his side on the way, but Maicon almost made amends at the other end when he flashed a venomous strike against the underside of the crossbar, and the Italians quickly set about their rivals.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />That close call appeared to rob City of their early poise and Hart was out sharply in the 18th minute after Gervinho had evaded Vincent Kompany, but the equaliser was soon to arrive from a familiar source.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Totti spun in behind Kompany to collect a perfectly weighted pass from the excellent Pjanic and lifted a superb finish over Hart, who stumbled as he rushed from his goal.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Roma were fortunate not to concede a second penalty when a prone Kostas Manolas blocked Jesus Navas' cutback with his outstretched arm, but the visitors almost led after 43 minutes when Gervinho raced beyond Gael Clichy and Demichelis to draw a fine save from Hart.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />James Milner replaced Navas at half-time as Manuel Pellegrini sought to stem Roma's midfield dominance, but Hart was again the goalkeeper in action seven minutes after the restart.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Florenzi's cross struck a flat-footed Demichelis and fell invitingly for Pjanic, with the England keeper spreading himself well to keep the scoreline level.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Pjanic then arched a curling 25-yard effort narrowly wide as City laboured, despite Milner injecting energy to proceedings.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />City midfielder Fernandinho exchanged passes with Yaya Toure and the recently introduced Frank Lampard to prompt a vital last-ditch challenge from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in the 60th minute.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Five minutes later Pjanic lashed a shot over from the edge of the area - a moment of wastefulness out of keeping with his all-round display - before Skorupski got down well to his left to stop Lampard continuing a purple patch in front of goal.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />David Silva prodded the ball narrowly wide in the third minute of injury time, but City have plenty to do if they are to avoid a third group-stage exit in four seasons.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Bayern Munich's 1-0 win in Moscow earlier on Tuesday leaves Pep Guardiola's side on six points, with Roma in second with four points from their first two matches.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Manchester City 1-1 Roma

Manchester City are five points off the top of Champions League group E following a 1-1 draw at home to Roma. The hosts enjoyed a near...

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Breaking News: Bomb Blast Rocks Jos as Boko Haram Target Football Fans

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div id='attachment_211698' class='wp-caption alignnone' readability='7'><a href="http://ift.tt/1gOEH0e"><img alt="scene of Terminus market blast" class="size-full wp-image-211698" height="360" src="http://ift.tt/1gOEH0e" width="480"/> </a><br/><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>scene of Terminus market blast</p><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><p>Just days ater a twin bomb explosion rocked Terminus Market, Jos, capital of Plateau State, killing 118 people, another bomb explosion has ripped through a football viewing centre in the city.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>According to reports, the bomb explosion said to be targeted at a football viewing centre took place on Bauchi road in Jos near university of Jos.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Viewing centres across the country were filled to the brim tonight as football fans were watching the Champions league final match between Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“There has been an explosion in Jos,” Manzo Ezekiel, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told AFP but said it was not clear what caused the blast nor if there were casualties.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Also confirming the blast, Pam Ayuba, spokesman for the Plateau state governor Jonah Jang, said the blast happened on Bauchi Road at about 9:30 pm local time.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The blast was targeted at football fans watching the European Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The casualty figures were yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Details later</p><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Breaking News: Bomb Blast Rocks Jos as Boko Haram Target Football Fans

scene of Terminus market blast Just days ater a twin bomb explosion rocked Terminus Market, Jos, capital of Plateau State, killing 118 peo...

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BREAKING NEWS: Bomb blast rocks Kano, scores feared dead

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1sIudPu" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1sIudPu"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A suspected car bomb ripped through a crowded entertainment spot in the north Nigerian city of Kano on Sunday, witnesses said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The blast on a busy road lined with bars in the predominantly Christian area of Sabon Giri, could be heard several kilometres (miles) away, locals said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nigeria’s Channels television said 10 people had been killed but there was no official confirmation from police in the city.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also an eye witnesses account said that more than twenty five killed in the blast<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />More details shortly<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

BREAKING NEWS: Bomb blast rocks Kano, scores feared dead

A suspected car bomb ripped through a crowded entertainment spot in the north Nigerian city of Kano on Sunday, witnesses said. The blast o...

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Adopted Son Of General Buhari Arrested For N20m Scam

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1qNI3Vc" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://ift.tt/1qNI3Vc" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The adopted son of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) has been taken into custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly extorting N20 million under false pretenses.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mohammed Buhari had reportedly obtained the sum from one Mrs. Florence Nwokocha saying he would invest the money in an oil and gas business, promising generous returns and 30 percent annual interest on the sum.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />After receiving the money, Buhari cleaned out the account failing to pay any interest to the woman. He now claims the troubles had started after he lost the bank guarantee which he secured from another new generation bank. The bank, he claims, voided the guarantee on the ground that the branch of the bank that processed it was not competent to do so.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to Sahara Reporters, the EFCC are still investigating the case.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Adopted Son Of General Buhari Arrested For N20m Scam

The adopted son of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) has been taken into custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged...

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How brave 15-Year-Old Boy rescued two Chibok girls from Boko Haram

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1qNI63g" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://ift.tt/1qNI63g" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Their faces scratched and bleeding, the pitiful remains of their once-smart school uniforms ripped and filthy, the two teenage girls were tethered to trees, wrists bound with rope and left in a clearing in the Nigerian bush to die by Islamist terror group Boko Haram.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Despite having been raped and dragged through the bush, they were alive – but only just – in the sweltering tropical heat and humidity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />This grim scene was discovered by 15-year-old Baba Goni. ‘They were seated on the ground at the base of the trees, their legs stretched out in front of them – they were hardly conscious,’ says Baba, who acted as a guide for one of the many vigilante teams searching for the Nigerian schoolgirls abducted from their school last month by Boko Haram – and now at the centre of a concerted international campaign for their freedom.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The horrific scene he and his comrades encountered, a week after the kidnap early on April 15, was in thorny scrubland near the village of Ba’ale, an hour’s drive from Chibok, where 276 girls aged 16 to 18 were taken from their boarding school dormitories – with 223 still missing. It was still two weeks before social media campaigns and protests would prick the Western world’s conscience over the abduction.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the days following their disappearance, rag-tag groups such as Baba’s, scouring the forests in a convoy of Toyota pick-up trucks, were the girls’ only hope.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But hope had already run out for some of the hostages, according to Baba, when his group spoke to the terrified inhabitants of the village where Boko Haram had pitched camp with their captives for three days following the kidnap.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The chilling account he received from the villagers, though unconfirmed by official sources, represents the very worst fears of the families of those 223 girls still missing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Four were dead, they told him, shot by their captors for being ‘stubborn and unco-operative’. They had been hastily buried before the brutish kidnappers moved on.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘Everyone we spoke to was full of fear,’ said Baba. ‘They didn’t want to come out of their homes. They didn’t want to show us the graves. They just pointed up a track.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The tiny rural village, halfway between Chibok and Damboa in the besieged state of Borno in Nigeria’s north-east, had been helpless to stop the Boko Haram gang as it swept through on trucks loaded with schoolgirls they had taken at gunpoint before torching their school.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Venturing further up the track, Baba and his fellow vigilantes found the two girls. Baba, the youngest of the group, stayed back as his friends took charge.‘They used my knife to cut through the ropes,’ he said. ‘I heard the girls crying and telling the others that they had been raped, then just left there. They had been with the other girls from Chibok, all taken from the school in the middle of the night by armed men in soldiers’ uniforms.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘We couldn’t do much for them. They didn’t want to talk to any men. All we could do was to get them into a vehicle and drive them to the security police at Damboa. They didn’t talk, they just held on to each other and cried.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />For Baba, a peasant farmer’s son who has never been out of rural Borno, it was shocking to see young girls defiled and brutalised by the notorious terrorists he knew so well.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But his own life has been full of tragedy and he told how he had ‘seen much worse’ than the horror of that day in the forest clearing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A bright-eyed Muslim boy from the Kanuri ethnic group, proud of a tribal facial scar and nicknamed ‘Small’ by all who know him because of his short, slim frame, he described a happy childhood with three brothers and two sisters in Kachalla Burari, a collection of mudhouses not far from Chibok.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Without electricity or running water, the children spent their days helping on their father’s subsistence farm, planting maize and beans and millet.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Baba and his friends used home-made catapults to shoot birds and in the rainy season fished in the river with bent hooks. But by his tenth birthday, the scourge of the radical Islamist Boko Haram was creeping up on everyone in Borno State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><table align='center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' class='tr-caption-container' style='margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1qNI3V6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://ift.tt/1qNI3V6" width="640"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td class='tr-caption' style='text-align: center;'><span style='font-size: small;'>Chibok girls held by Boko Haram</span> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Baba and his siblings attended a local madrassa, or religious school, where they learnt the Koran, but he had no formal teaching and cannot read or write to this day.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />By 2009, Boko Haram were becoming active in his area, peddling their message of hatred to Christians, but also turning on Muslims they branded as informers. Nigeria’s chaotic military was incapable of defending itself or its citizens.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Baba’s village life came under siege. There were attacks on the Christian population in the region, with bank robberies funding the gang. Disaffected, unemployed youths from local families were recruited and neighbours who once lived in peace now spied on one another.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One night as he slept in his family’s mudhouse in the village, the gunmen came door to door, looking for informers. ‘I heard some noise, I woke up and saw men coming through the door, shooting at my uncle who was in the bed beside mine,’ he said. ‘That was the end of my childhood, the end of everything. I saw his body covered in blood, I backed away, and the men turned their guns on me. They grabbed me roughly and took me outside to a pick-up truck.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Baba, telling his story confidently and lucidly, wants to skate over the details of his two hellish years in the Boko Haram camp in Sambisa Forest. Today there are special forces soldiers swarming over the vast nature reserve and circling overhead in surveillance aircraft.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />For this slight boy, there was no such worldwide interest as he scurried back and forth at the command of a ruthless gang dug into woodland far from any help or rescue.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He remembers many of them lived with women who had come voluntarily into the camp. He never saw any girls abducted. This latest phenomenon is unknown to him. ‘There were many abducted boys, but no girls,’ he said. ‘We were all scared to death and had to do whatever we were told – fetch water, fetch firewood, clean the weapons.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘We couldn’t make friends – you didn’t know who to trust. I was made to sleep next to the Boko Haram elders, the senior preachers. I had no special boss in the camp, I was ordered around by everybody’.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The men prayed five times a day yet would leap on their motorbikes and trucks to carry out killing sprees.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘I knew they had started out as holy men but now I saw them as criminals, loaded with weapons and ammunition,’ he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />As he got older, he was taught how to use an AK-47, how to strip it down and clean it, and reassemble it.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He could never understand what drove the men. They did not use alcohol or hard drugs, though he sometimes saw them smoking marijuana. They were monsters and he felt convinced they were mad.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘They were wild, even when they prayed so loudly in groups together, making us join in. They were insane, unpredictable, and always planning their next attack. I never wanted to be one of them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘They slept rough every night, just taking shelter under trees in the rainy season,’ he said. ‘We all wore the same afaraja [the Nigerian long shift and trousers] day and night. We washed them when we could. We slept on mats made of palm leaves, out in the open with the trucks all parked nearby, ready for a hasty move if necessary.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the fear, and the endless boredom, were his worst enemies. ‘They made us work hard so it was easy to sleep. I don’t remember crying through homesickness. I think the night when my uncle was killed in front of me did something to my feelings forever. It seems mindless, but I adapted to my life out there.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><table align='center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' class='tr-caption-container' style='margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1sIudiK" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://ift.tt/1sIudiK" width="640"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td class='tr-caption' style='text-align: center;'><span style='font-size: small;'>Boko Haram leader, Shekau</span> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Then came the day when he was given a ‘special’ but sickening task. One of the commanders told him he was going on a journey and would be tested for his loyalty to the group.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘He brought two of his senior men to stand beside me. He said I would be going with them to my family’s home and I would have to shoot and kill my father.’ Baba had no time to plan. He was sandwiched between the two fanatics as they set off on a motorbike for his village home.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘I pretended I was willing to do the job. I took the ammunition belt I was handed and clung on as we drove through the rough bush. When we were less than a mile from a nearby village, I threw the ammunition belt to the ground and pretended it had slid out of my hands.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘They stopped to let me pick it up. Instead, I ran as fast as I could through the undergrowth. I didn’t care about thorns or snakes or anything. They shot at me and I could hear the bullets flying past and hitting the trees, but I was not going to stop for anything. I made it to the village and some kind people let me hide there.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘The shooting would have been heard by local vigilante groups. I think that is why I wasn’t followed by the men on the bike.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The next day Baba went home. He saw his grieving parents and siblings for the first time in two years.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘But I couldn’t stay,’ he said. ‘I was bringing danger to their door and we all knew it.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Confirmation of that came when Baba soon heard that vengeful Boko Haram chiefs had put a bounty on his head for his defiance of the equivalent of £12,000 – a fortune in the local economy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘I took a bus to Damboa, to report to the youth vigilante group,’ he said. ‘I wanted to work with them and I knew I was doing the right thing.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />His family, terrified, abandoned their home soon afterwards and today live in a remote part of Borno, rarely seeing their eldest son. He lives with a cousin who is also under a Boko Haram death threat.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He became a valuable volunteer with the vigilantes. He helps man checkpoints where Baba points out members of Boko Haram to the rest of the team.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But he was soon exposed to brutality of a different kind – this time from the government side. He helped to get one of his captors, a man he only knew as Alaji, arrested and handed to the soldiers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘It felt good at first, but then they shot him dead right in front of me,’ he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Now joining the patrols armed with a shotgun and machete, Baba has been able to give valuable intelligence to the Nigerian authorities about Boko Haram’s way of life in their camps.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘By now I have seen this violence many times. It never gets better. It will always be an even worse sight than finding those poor schoolgirls in the forest,’ he says.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><i>SOURCE: DailyMail</i><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

How brave 15-Year-Old Boy rescued two Chibok girls from Boko Haram

Their faces scratched and bleeding, the pitiful remains of their once-smart school uniforms ripped and filthy, the two teenage girls w...

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How Boko Haram gets financed: Fake Charities, Drug Cartels, Ransom and Extortion

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1hW5p1C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://ift.tt/1hW5p1C" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Just over a year ago, armed men on motorcycles entered a national park in Cameroon, near the Nigerian border, and swiftly abducted a family of vacationing French tourists — a husband and wife and their four children, along with their uncle.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Two months later, the kidnappers released the hostages along with 16 others in exchange for a cool $3.15 million. The transaction was made by French and Cameroonian negotiators, but it was not divulged who made the payments, according to Reuters.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />So landed another cash infusion into the coffers of Boko Haram, that has now gained worldwide infamy through the mass kidnapping of school girls in northern Nigeria. Long before its latest wave of attacks, the Islamist group has efficiently financed violent acts in the service of its mission to impose Shariah law through a combination of lucrative criminal enterprises, say experts who tracked the group.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In addition to kidnappings, Boko Haram has secured financing through extortion, cooperation with international drug cartels and operating fake charities, these experts say.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“What is certain about Boko Haram is that the organisation is very well funded; without an ever-increasing cash flow, the movement would have died out long ago,” reads a report from the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium, a research initiative of the reference publisher Beacham Group.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />About a decade ago, shortly after Boko Haram was founded, it drew the majority of its funds from people in surrounding communities who supported its goal of imposing Islamic law while ridding Nigeria of Western influences, according to a report from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) based at the University of Maryland.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But that means of fundraising was inherently limited in a country in which 54 per cent of people are classified as “extremely poor” by the World Bank.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In recent times, Boko Haram has broadened it’s funding by drawing on foreign donors, and other ventures such as fake charity organisations, extortion, and deals with global drug cartels, according to the START report. Its most recent foray — the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls to sell on the black market as “wives” — is merely the outgrowth of a coherent strategy to find funds for expansion through whatever means necessary.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The term Boko Haram translates to “Western education is forbidden,” in the local Hausa language of the predominantly Muslim region in northern Nigeria where the group is based.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Since its formation in the early 2000s, the militia has been carrying out violent attacks around the country. Since 2009, when the group’s founding leader was killed and replaced by his second-in-command, the attacks have grown significantly more violent and intense, according to the START report. Last year, the US State Department officially designated the group as a “foreign terrorist organisation.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“What Boko Haram achieved in less than a year is quite remarkable,” wrote David Doukhan of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, in a 2013 report, citing their reign over many parts of northeastern Nigeria, the institution of Sharia law, tax collection and an Islamic education system to recruit youth to their cause.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />This expansion has required increasingly large sources of funding, which has apparently led Boko Haram to ratchet up its methods of raising money.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Perhaps less sophisticated than other tactics, kidnapping has become one of the group’s primary funding sources,” wrote Jacob Zenn, African and Eurasian affairs analyst at The Jamestown Foundation, in a recent report.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the group receives steady support from abroad, including from Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, according to the US State Department, while using links to that terrorist group to secure further donations from sympathisers in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, along with weapons and training.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An unnamed United States intelligence official last week told The Daily Beast that the Islamist group had received “strategic direction” from Osama bin Laden.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Boko Haram cloaks its sources of finance through the crafty use of a highly decentralized distribution network, say experts. The group employs an Islamic model of money transfer called “hawala,” based on an honour system and a global network of agents that leaves no trace.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The very features which make hawala attractive to legitimate customers — efficiency, anonymity and lack of a paper trail — also make the system attractive for the transfer of illicit funds,” reads a report from the US Treasury Department.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Other direct fundraising includes fake charities and nonprofits. Some have reported that the group receives regular payment from local leaders in northern Nigeria to protect their land.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An untraceable flow of money plus loosely guarded borders has created an ideal environment for black market trade. The porosity of Nigeria’s borders offers the group a steady flow of weapons, training, radicalisation and funding.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A 2012 report from the Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies alleges that Nigerian terrorist groups are financed by drug cartels in Latin America.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Lauretta Napoleoni, an Italian journalist and expert on terrorist finance, said this began to happen when the 2001 Patriot Act made it difficult to transfer drugs through the US to Europe.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Nobody wants to admit that cocaine reaches Europe via West Africa,” said Napoleoni. “This kind of business is a type of business where Islamic terrorist organizations are very much involved.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Beyond drugs, Boko Haram has joined other criminal groups in Africa in the billion-dollar rhino and elephant poaching industry, according to a recent report from Born Free USA, a wildlife conservation organization.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“While impoverished locals are enlisted to pull the triggers, it is highly organized transnational crime syndicates and militias that run the poaching and reap the lion’s share of the profits, funding terrorism and increasingly war,” wrote New Scientist’s Richard Shiffman.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Using these extensive networks, Boko Haram members can smuggle anything from sugar and flour to weapons or even people across international borders. This, plus kidnapping ransoms and donations from abroad, is one of the most important factors keeping them in business.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department announced plans to further its efforts to counter Boko Haram, given the importance of Nigeria as an economic and political leader in Africa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The US has a vital interest in helping to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions, boost Nigeria’s prosperity and security, and ensure opportunity for all of its citizens,” according to a public statement.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A major part of their plan includes a counterterrorism finance program, that “aims to restrict Boko Haram’s ability to raise, move and store money.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><i>By Kathleen Caulderwood, International Business Times</i><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

How Boko Haram gets financed: Fake Charities, Drug Cartels, Ransom and Extortion

Just over a year ago, armed men on motorcycles entered a national park in Cameroon, near the Nigerian border, and swiftly abducted a famil...

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I.G orders tight security in Benue schools over Boko Haram’s threat to kidnap boys

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1sIrIwS" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://ift.tt/1sIrIwS" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubaka, on Sunday ordered the strengthening of security in all boarding schools in and around Makurdi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, in Abuja.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The order is coming on the heel of a recent threat letter, purportedly issued by elements claiming to be Boko Haram members to two all-boys secondary schools, Government College and Mount St. Gabriel College, Makurdi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Consequently, Benue State Police Command, working in conjunction with the State Ministry of Education and the affected school authorities, has strengthened surveillance in the schools and other boarding schools within Makurdi metropolis,” the statement said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said that the police had begun investigations to determine the “authenticity or otherwise of the hand-written letter (threat) now in possession of the force”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The statement advised residents of communities where boarding schools were located to “remain perpetually on the alert and report any suspicious movement to the appropriate authorities”.<br/><br /><br/><br />The Principal of Government College, Makurdi, Mr Godfrey Ugudu, on Saturday had said that the school had received letter from Boko Haram sect threatening to attack the school.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ugudu, who announced this at a news conference in Makurdi added that the school received two letters which had the same content on May 14.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It is true that we saw two letters informing us of the intention of the sect to invade our school on Friday or Monday by Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The letters were dated May 14, 2014, stating that they were coming either of the two days to abduct our boys whom they would marry to the secondary school girls abducted in Chibok.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In the letter, we were asked to inform the Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School opposite us to also get prepared as they promised to invade the place too.’’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, “we immediately alerted the police and the Commissioner for Education. A report has been made to the Governor on the issue.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The two letters, which were written in pidgin English, were sighted inside one of the classrooms and the second one was slipped into the staff room’’, he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The principal commended the government and security operatives in the state for their prompt response to the issue.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said that everything had been done to ensure the safety of the school children, adding that he had informed the Principal of Mount Saint Gabriel.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />About 500 out of about 700 students of the college are living in the school while Mount Saint Gabriel is purely boarding school.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Dan Ezeala, confirmed the report and assured that police were on top of the situation. (NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

I.G orders tight security in Benue schools over Boko Haram’s threat to kidnap boys

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubaka, on Sunday ordered the strengthening of security in all boarding schools in and aroun...

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Hollywood stars, Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Gibson, others join #BringBackOurGirls campaign

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1o4F32c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://ift.tt/1o4F32c" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />TANKS, MUSCLES AND TRAFFIC CHAOS: Question: What do you get when you put tough guy stars Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas and Mel Gibson together on the French Riviera, plonk them on a couple of tanks and send them out along the Cannes seafront? Answer: total mayhem.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The ageing movie stars rolled into Cannes on Sunday on top of two tanks, parading down the chic seaside promenade to promote their film “The Expendables 3″.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They were escorted by overwhelmed-looking French police as people in their hundreds mobbed the vehicles, seemingly oblivious to the very strong risk of being flattened.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />At one stage, both tanks had to make a U-turn to return to the luxury Carlton hotel forcing the driver to undertake yet more tricky manoeuvring.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Police desperately worked to remove a portable car barrier that was about to get knocked over by the hulking vehicles as a man in what looked like military uniform atop one tank screamed at people to get out of the way.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ford looked on in bewildered amusement while a delighted Stallone snapped away on his smartphone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />EXPENDABLES FOR ABDUCTED NIGERIAN GIRLS: After a fun-filled morning of riding tanks and cracking jokes, the cast of “The Expendables 3″ took a far more serious tone on the red carpet when they brandished signs sporting #BringBackOurGirls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Gibson, Banderas, Ford and others held up the signs to the cameras, joining global calls to free 223 schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist militants in Nigeria last month.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mexican star Salma Hayek and French actress Julie Gayet did the same thing on Saturday’s red carpet, publicly taking a stand for the schoolgirls using the now world-famous hashtag on Twitter also promoted by US First Lady Michelle Obama.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />FROM THE EAST END TO CANNES: Turkish actor Haluk Bilginer stars in the weighty Palme d’Or contender “Winter Sleep”, but he remains best known for something slightly less arthouse — his 1980s role as the womanising Mehmet Osman in the long-running British soap opera EastEnders.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Winter Sleep” — based on three short stories by Anton Chekhov — is all a far cry from Walford, the fictional part of London where EastEnders is set and where Osman ran a greasy spoon cafe in the days of Angie and Den, Pat Wicks, Pauline and Arthur Fowler.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One reviewer described the more than three-hour-long “Winter Sleep” by director Nuri Bilge Ceylan as a “richly engrossing and ravishingly beautiful magnum opus”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An episode of EastEnders in which Bilginer appeared, on the other hand, sounds just as engrossing albeit a touch less ravishing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A Radio Times magazine listing still available on the Internet gives this super-concise synopsis: “Pat’s intent on causing trouble for her ex-husband. She tells Pauline exactly what she thinks of him. Pauline, loyal as ever to her brother, slaps Pat.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Winter Sleep” is the bookies favourite to win the Palme d’Or this year.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />PALME DOG: The bravura performance of Yves Saint Laurent’s French bulldog Moujik in the biopic of the fashion designer’s drink-depression-and-drug blighted life will surely be recognised by Cannes’ spoof Palme Dog awards.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the film, Saint Laurent dotes on the miniature breed canine but inflicts inexcusable suffering when he spills pills on the floor during a binge.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Moujik promptly hoovers up the lot with predictably fatal consequences.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Saint Laurent gives Moujik an expensive marble gravestone and lays beautiful flowers, but dog lovers will not be impressed. It is not known if the story is true.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />HEAVEN KNOWS I’M A MOVIE STAR NOW: Films about famous people have been the talk of Cannes with Princess Grace of Monaco, Yves Saint Laurent and painter JMW Turner all getting their own biopic this year.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Next year could it be the turn of the more contemporary figure of Morrissey, former lead singer of iconic 1980s band The Smiths.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Known — like all truly famous people — by only one name, Morrissey’s autobiography was published last year and sold like hotcakes.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Morrissey” divided critics with Britain’s Telegraph calling it “maliciously memorable” and The Independent talking of “droning narcissism and whining self-pity”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />All rich material for British film-maker and writer Mark Gill who will direct the unauthorised film entitled “Steven”, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The film will cover Morrissey’s pre-Smiths life “growing up in bleak Manchester, England, and his triumph over an alienated childhood to become the cult star he is today”, it said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Hollywood stars, Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Gibson, others join #BringBackOurGirls campaign

TANKS, MUSCLES AND TRAFFIC CHAOS: Question: What do you get when you put tough guy stars Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harris...

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My house girl is tempting me, what should I do?

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1fey7Z1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ift.tt/1fey7Z1" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><i>I will simply go straight to the point, as I would not want to give very explicit details about myself. This is for some obvious reasons. My wife is very sharp, I mean, she is such an intelligent woman and can easily trace this true confession to me. For the fact that I love her so much, I cannot let a thing fall in-between us. That is why I have kept this as top-secret till today; but I will have to let this out of the bag.</i> </b><br/><br /><p>I’m not oblivious of the fact that most issues of this nature are blamed on the men whom most of us see as womanizers; but mine is a different thing entirely. I’m not a womanizer. I have tried everything possible to make sure that this girl-my house girl leaves my house, but my wife will always insist she stays.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>I’m a pastor, but I also work as a civil servant. I would have loved to write further about where I live, but for the same reason why I can’t mention my name, I can’t tell you where I’m writing from.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>This young lady was brought to my house by my wife sometimes in 2010, and had just completed her secondary education last year. She is supposed to pick up a form for her higher education because she is related to my wife; distant relation, sort of.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Frankly, she has been very good, and has been taking care of my only daughter since my wife put to bed late last year. Her presence is a big relief to me and wife because we are both very busy people. My wife works with a bank, and sometimes come home around 8-9pm.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Lately, this young girl has summoned courage to seduce me; to be sincere, she is tempting me.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>I often return to the house ahead of my wife. Sometimes, because of hold-up and other issues, I will get in around 5-6pm. She started by running to embrace me with her transparent-short gown to welcome me each time I knock, on arrival. I was shocked the very day she did that. I felt so embarrassed. “Even if I had traveled to space…hun! This one is just too much… hun!” I soliloquized in my bedroom after she had dropped my office bag and ran out to get my food. This continued for 3 weeks. Sometimes, her boobs will just slip out of her ‘top’ and she will simply apologize. My wife has never met her on that gown as she wears another cloth when it’s almost time for my wife to return. I have developed double minds about her. I have had different evil thoughts since this whole thing started. The one that happened last was the way she sat facing me, with her legs wide opened. I left the food that I was eating and walked to the bathroom to do nothing in particular. I had thought she would adjust as soon as I returned, but she didn’t budge. I think I fell into her trap finally that day. I almost had it with her when I grabbed her, and she jumped at me. We started that regrettable romance before God intervened with the sharp cry of my baby. That was what saved the day.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The next day, I had told my wife that we should send her away, but she vehemently refused to accept my suggestion. She had asked me to give some reasons why we should send her away, and I had told her that she was getting so stubborn and lazy; hence, she is as good as no House-help.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>My wife who claimed she had never experienced that had accused me of formulating things against the lady. She told me that I wanted her out of the house because I had seen that she will soon secure admission into the higher institution, and I will soon begin to pay for her school fees. I couldn’t tell her the truth, because something tells me it will be disastrous. I just felt I could handle the matter in the most professional way. But right now, things have gone out of hands since the past 2 weeks. I have done virtually everything that can be considered dirty with her except that I have not done it with her yet. What’s keeping me from doing it is my conscience and for the fact that I can’t do that in my matrimonial home.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>That sin will be so grievous, I know. She had asked me repeatedly last week if she can meet me in any of the hotels around town this weekend since my wife will be around then. She has just Saturday and Sunday to take care of her hair and visit friends, and she wants to use that opportunity to have me all to herself. Now, I’m contemplating on this issue. All I need is your advice; Saturday is just 5 days from today, and I can’t make up my mind on what to do. I love my wife, but I think I’m becoming so foolish in the name of being faithful. Please, tell me; should I do it or not? It has gotten to the level where I cannot tell my wife the truth because she won’t even believe, since I had told her a different story before. She will see it as blackmail. Your reaction will either encourage me or discourage me, even though my mind beats faster, and something tells me to do it. Should I?</p><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;'><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='clear: both;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via NaijaGossip</div><br /></div>

My house girl is tempting me, what should I do?

I will simply go straight to the point, as I would not want to give very explicit details about myself. This is for some obvious reasons. ...

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Juliet Ibrahim Shares bedroom pictures (LOOK)

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1fey7YJ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ift.tt/1fey7YJ" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br />Check out her famous curves....HOT!!!<br/><br /><div style='clear: both;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via NaijaGossip</div><br /></div>

Juliet Ibrahim Shares bedroom pictures (LOOK)

Check out her famous curves....HOT!!! via NaijaGossip

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Help! My mother-in-law is a witch, she killed my only son and wants me dead too

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1fey7Ih" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ift.tt/1fey7Ih" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><i>This is one thing I hate doing. Sharing my problem with the public? No! No! No! I don’t like it. But this time; I have to break the jinx because a closed mouth is a closed destiny.</i> </b><br/><br /><p>It is said that he who brings firewood infected with maggots into his house should not complain when lizards start visiting him.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Actually, I brought all this upon myself and I am now reaping the fruit of my so-called ‘affection.’</p><br /><br/><br /><p>I have been happily married for over10 years now and God has been faithful to my family until recently when things turned out differently.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>I got married to my husband against my parents’ wish and advice. In fact, for disobeying their caution; my parents refused to attend both my traditional and church wedding; that day, I will never forget in my life. Anyway, that is by the way.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>My husband and I hail from the same community but different clans in North central Nigeria.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>When I first told my parents about my affairs with him a few years back; they warned me to disassociate myself from him because his mother is a notorious witchcraft and his entire lineage are known to be idol worshipers.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The undying love I have for him kept me glued to him and we both walked down the aisle on Saturday, September 18, 1993 without any of my family members in attendance.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>My husband works with one of the national dailies as a line editor while I’m into cold room business.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>We have been living happily despite our unfruitful efforts towards bearing children, until when God eventually wiped our tears in October 2011 and I conceived after series of miscarriages.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>When it was a month to my delivery, I told my mother that she would come and help me when I put to bed, but she turned down my request, an indication that she’s still angry with me for discarding her advice.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Even my father has vowed not to see me again.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>I told my husband that he should allow his mother to come since my mother wasn’t forthcoming, albeit, he was reluctant to accept but had no choice since there was no one else to help me out.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>I put to bed last June, though it was through Cesarean section. When my mother in-law moved in, things started turning upside down. My husband was involved in a ghastly auto crash and his vehicle got damaged beyond repair.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Few months later, robbers came to our house and carted away our valuables including my N200, 000 gold jewelry.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Not up to a month, my shop got burnt and I lost everything I had inside.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>In fact, at night, my mother in law would attack me with dangerous weapons, threatening to kill my only son and me.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>I went for prayers and my pastor told me to be more prayerful and careful.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Last month, I went to the market to purchase food item only to return and meet the lifeless body of my son. Now my husband is yet to resume work because of the accident he had. My son is dead and my shop has been razed by inferno, yet my wicked mother in law has refused to leave our house. We are leaving from hand to mouth with the help of our church members at the moment.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>My pastor had warned me against confronting her but I cannot take it anymore.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The woman killed our son and wants to kill my husband and I.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Dear readers, please help me out. Life has been unfair to me. I feel like taking my life. I wonder if God still exist.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Don’t you think it is time for an eye for an eye?</p><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;'><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='clear: both;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via NaijaGossip</div><br /></div>

Help! My mother-in-law is a witch, she killed my only son and wants me dead too

This is one thing I hate doing. Sharing my problem with the public? No! No! No! I don’t like it. But this time; I have to break the jinx b...

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Rooney and RVP strikes secure three points for United

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1hb3t73" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1hb3t73"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Manchester United moved up to sixth place in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Palace did well to resist United in the first 45 and even enjoyed more of the possession in an underwhelming first-half for the champions.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The closest effort for the visitors came when Marouane Fellaini’s left-footed effort from inside the box went high and wide.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But Marouane Chamakh gifted the Red Devils a golden opportunity take the lead on the hour mark.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The drifting Palace forward was penalised for taking out left-back Patrice Evra with a clumsy challenge just inside the box.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot for Robin van Persie to convert expertly by sending ‘keeper Julian Speroni the wrong way.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The game was wrapped up four minutes later when Wayne Rooney, who yesterday signed a £300,000 contract deal at Old Trafford, volleyed into the top corner.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Rooney and RVP strikes secure three points for United

Manchester United moved up to sixth place in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Palace did well ...

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PICTURES Of Nollywood stars with President Jonathan at the State house (LOOK)

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1gC0HrQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://ift.tt/1gC0HrQ" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br />Members of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria were at the State House today where the Actors Guild president Ibinabo Fiberesima decorated him as Grand Patron, Actors’ Guild of Nigeria..The Nollywood Actors and Actresses present include Monalisa Chinda, Stephanie Okereke-Linus,Fred Amata, Chidi Mokeme, Desmond Elliot, Joseph Benjamin amongst others.<br/><br /><p>More photos below:</p><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1m70w9q" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://ift.tt/1m70w9q" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1gC0HrX" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://ift.tt/1gC0HrX" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='clear: both;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via NaijaGossip</div><br /></div>

PICTURES Of Nollywood stars with President Jonathan at the State house (LOOK)

Members of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria were at the State House today where the Actors Guild president Ibinabo Fiberesima decorated him as...

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JOHN DUMELO AND RUKKY SANDA SPOTTED TOGETHER (LOOK)

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1fvCaXr" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ift.tt/1fvCchV" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br />Movie stars, John Dumelo, and Rukky Sanda, recently hung out together. The two stars starred together in the movie, More Than Friends, which should be released this year. <noscript><a href="http://ift.tt/1grRCka">search feed</a> </noscript> <span id='show_ads_8681e7d79b24d0a7aa2f987c02023b42_798'> </span><br/><br /><div style='clear: both;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via NaijaGossip</div><br /></div>

JOHN DUMELO AND RUKKY SANDA SPOTTED TOGETHER (LOOK)

Movie stars, John Dumelo, and Rukky Sanda, recently hung out together. The two stars starred together in the movie, More Than Friends, whi...

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