See what the mother of the transgender teen who killed herself wrote on Facebook

See what the mother of the transgender teen who killed herself wrote on Facebook

17 year old Leelah (Josh) Alcorn committed suicide on Sunday December 28th by walking in front of a tractor trailer and left a suicide note before he died. But when her mum reacted to her death on Facebook, she wrote something that many folks in the gay/transgender world are very upset about. First the mother said she was 16 when Leelah wrote she was 17. Carla called her Joshua instead of the name she'd given herself, Leelah and she also refused to acknowledge that Leelah had committed suicide instead she wrote that she was hit by a trailer. Meaning that she still doesn't accept who Leelah was as a person even after she committed suicide. After the backlash, Carla deleted the post and removed herself from Facebook. Leelah Alcorn blamed his suicide on his Christian parents...

Leelah's parents

Police building collapses in Lagos

A 2-storey building which served at the toilet, bathroom and kitchen extension of a residential house inside the Pedro Police Barracks, Somolu Lagos on Monday June 30th collapsed around 8pm. Fortunately there was no casualty. 

The building, said to be in a very weak and dilapidated state caved in when most of the residents were reported to have been in their living rooms.

Yesterday July 1st, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, were at the scene of the incident to evacuate the occupants of the building while police officers from the Pedro police station, cordoned off the area. (Pic credit: Punch)

LINDA IKEJI: NIGERIA’S RICHEST BLOGGER

She has been called the “QUEEN OF BLOGGING” ; Others call her the “MOTHER OF BLOGGING” in Nigeria.She earns more than N3 Million every month from her blog. Her office? A laptop and a modem.Her blog talks about naija entertainment gist ,celebrity gossips ,fashion,news and events.

She is highest paid Nigerian blogger .We talking about the popular LINDA IKEJI

Linda Ikeji was born September 19, 1980 . A native of Nkwerre LGA ,Imo State, Nigeria .She was born in to a struggling family, the second of seven children. She grew up in a Christian catholic homeAt a tender age of 10 years , Linda started writing as a hobby .

The fiction she penned down were praised by her friends and family and over time she cultivated a passion for news.

Unlike many teenagers her age, Linda loved watching newscasters and interviews and by the time the opportunity presented to attend university in Lagos, her course choice was decided: Mass Communication.

She was admitted to study English Language in the university to her disappointment, but she decided to make the best of it.

To support herself and her family through school, Linda began working at the age of 17, doing everything from being a waitress and ushering to modelling and bar-tending, none of which paid a lot in the late 90′s.

She started modeling in 1998 and quit in 2005.

She became a fashion columnist for a struggling celebrity magazine. After two years of toiling in the news room, she quit.

In 2004 , after she completed her university education, she worked hard to break into the journalism trade, launching her media company, Black dove Communications, a modelling agency and events management outfit.

The name Black dove was inspired by silverbird..a name and a bird. it so happens that her favourite colour is black and favourite bird is the dove.

She stayed within her comfort zone which was modeling so instead of being in front of the camera , went behind the camera by running an agency, recruiting models, training models, getting jobs for models.

” I still have the modeling agency but I am not running it anymore”, she once wrote .

She also started what she describes in her first ever blog post as her “true passion”, her magazine called, FM & B.

The first issue was released in 2006 and after discovering how capital-intensive and time-consuming magazine publishing was, only two more editions made it to print.

The blogging bug bit her in 2006.

Fortunately, in that same year, Bella Naija, another popular Nigerian blog, carried a story about Linda herself and for the first time, Linda began to see a new possibility to take her writing to the world.

Blogging had all the charm: it was free except for the cost of an internet connection, easy to do and gave you access to millions of readers instantly. From that first Bella Naija blog post, she was sold.

Linda Ikeji started blogging fully in 2007 to share things that she was interested in with her readers.

Five years later, http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com has grown to be one of the most visited sites in the country.

As a regular source for news, entertainment, celebrity gist, gossip and many more, her blog continues to attract thousands of visitors

It took her four years to start making money from blogging.

She was patient enough

She once said:“I never even thought that I would make money from blogging. I didn’t start blogging with the mindset that one day I would make money from it. I didn’t even think that was a possibility, it never even crossed my mind. I didn’t say to myself that OK let me blog now and maybe in five years time, I will make money from it. I never imagined that it would ever happen. In fact, in 2008, 2009, I was putting free ads on my blog, I was telling my blog readers, please give me your ads and I will put them for free. But then in 2010, people started asking me for my advert rates and I was like ‘really?’ I didn’t even know what it was until I now asked a few people and they gave me their own advert rates so that is how it started.”

She has acquired two brand new cars, her dream car -a 2008 Toyota Camry which she bought two years ago a 2011.

‘Been dreaming about this car since I first saw it two years ago, was finally able to afford it two days ago, after saving for almost four months. And the best part is, I have a blog to show it off, at least now some people go no say ‘levels don change’ lol.’, she wrote.

Recently acquired an Infinity FX 35 SUV worth about N8 million.

Being a wonderful child to her parents , she bought a multi-million 5-bedroom duplex in Surulere for her parents.

Linda Ikeji has earned herself the title ‘Queen of Blogging’ .

Linda was persistent , focused on what she did even though there was no financial return but five years later it has yielded great profit , a talk of all.

She found a new path , Blogging .

But she persisted until 2010, when some of the stories posted on her blog began to ruffle feathers.

At a point, Linda averaged about 1 million unique visitors each month to her blog. And with that came the much-needed recognition and substantial earnings.

In August 2012, Forbes Africa described her as a success and a case study for the business of blogging.

Her blog gets over 50,000 visits daily and is a hot spot for online advertisers and people wishing to attract web traffic to their websites or blogs.

Comments on Linda’s blog can be revealing, interesting and more controversial than the post itself.

Linda’s blog reportedly rakes in an average of N3m a month from adverts from various brands and online ad networks, which makes her the highest earning blogger in Nigeria.

Blogging has brought her the fame , power and comfort ability she needed.

Her blog serves as a source of news, photos and information for most entertainment bloggers.

Most people have criticized linda saying her blog promote rumors but she decline such. Linda provides real entertainment on her blog and she will always make sure you come back for more.

Now sitting comfortably in the millionaires’ lounge , one of the youngest millionaires in Nigeria.

Want to learn and blogg like Linda Ikeji? Let me show you how to BLOG.

You will receive 2 e-books on Blogging and free tips on how to get advertizers on your site

For ebooks only Pay the sum of N2500 to Account Name: Clement Bright, Account Number: 0113669593. Bank: GTBANK.  e-mail teller number and your email to +2348114078808 or sporttales@gmail.com and ebooks would be sent to you.

The price of this ebook will increase soon.... Remember you will definately get multiple of your money back when you start blogging.. especially when organizations start placing advert on your site...

DONT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Music superstars dazzle Lagos fans at MTN Project Fame concert

Brilliant! Exceptional! Incredible! Those were the words fun seekers used to describe the Project Fame All Star Concert that took place at the LTV Blue Roof Arena, in Lagos, over the weekend. In what will go down as one of the most exhilarating and exciting concert witnessed in recent times, fans came out en masse to party with their favourite superstars and MTN ambassadors. Continue..

Timaya posted one of his best performances so far; Chidinma Ekile dazzled the audience, Banky. W rocked, Oritse Femi tickled, Praiz elated; The Mavins made their presence felt, Kcee mesmerised and Olawale Ojo, winner of Project Fame 6, thrilled his fans. The crowd stood up for great showmanship and applauded the extraordinary giftedness of the artistes that graced the All-Stars stage.

Every moment was electrifying. All the artistes were exceptional. Choruses like ‘Surelere’, ‘Ukwu’, ‘When I Become Rich and Famous’, ‘Is Nothing’, ‘Kedike’ and a lot more reverberated down the winding Agidingbi lane and echoed across the serene centre of excellence.

There was a moment of ingenuity when Larry Annetts, the out-going Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, enlivened the audience by his perfect rendition of Kcee’s ‘Limpopo’. The marketing chief soon became the focal point as the spot-light picked him up and showed he was actually singing not miming the song. Many said if the marketing guru could learn and understand not just the tune of the song but its lyrics, then he must represent a brand that is passionate about its customers.

There was sheer brilliance in other performances. For instance Seriki’s lyrics were alluring. He held the audience spell- bound with his tight rhymes and street vibes. He generated instant love, especially among the teeming young people who reechoed every line of his Yoruba rap.

The climax of all the performances was the moment Timaya rendered his ‘Ukwu’ song and invited a lady who many felt the title perfectly addressed.

Speaking to some of the participants, they unanimously expressed their satisfaction with every performance at the show.

One Salami Odumosu said ‘it was one of my best nights’. Another participant called Ken, a student, quipped, ‘because this is the first time I’m seeing Timaya perform, it is actually fun’.

There were lots of positive comments, commendations and testimonies from participants. This is a good omen for the season 7 of the MTN Project Fame musical reality show, which starts on July 19, 2014.

See photos below...

Keshi never resigned

Keshi © Action Images

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Stephen Keshi has astonishingly declared that he has not resigned as Nigeria coach.
Reports in the past two days quoted the former Nigeria captain saying he was no longer coach of the Super Eagles, but Keshi says that is not the case.
The “Big Boss” claims he was misquoted.
““What I said to my players was that this may be my last match at the helm of affairs in the national team, because my contract terminates with the World Cup and I have not been offered a new one.
“I was a bit shocked that the global media went to town to say I have called it quits with the national team. Resignations are not done on the pages of newspapers but formally,” he said.
Keshi, who took over the reins of the Nigeria national team in 2011, led the side to glory at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
He then resigned barely 24 hours after his finest hour as a coach before rescinding that decision shortly afterwards.
The Nigeria Football Federation has yet to officially react to the latest situation.

Police Nabs Kidnapper And Ritual Killer Pastor

The Lagos Police Command should be commended for the prompt arrest of the kidnapper and ritualist pastor, Ernest Nwankwo who has been on the run since his nefarious activities were discovered.
 
The long arm of the law has finally caught up with the kidnapper cum ritual killer pastor and General Overseer of Holy Family Ministry, a.k.a House of Mercy, located in Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos, Pastor Ernest Nwankwo.
The 50 years old Anambra State born Nwankwo who was fingered in the kidnap of a boy by one Mrs. Rosemary Chukwu, as the brain behind the crime, has been on the run but was nabbed in the Ebute-Metta area of Lagos, after a tip-off to the police.
The people of the area was in shock with the discovery that the so called pastor who had lived and operated in their environment for a long time was actually involved in illegal activities.
When his den was busted, some people who have been kidnapped as far back as 2012, were discovered and rescued.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide confirmed the arrest:

Yes, the Pastor has been arrested today around Ebutte Meta.

Omeruo has been dependable for Nigeria at the World Cup according to Chelsea officials

Chelsea have so far been pleased with the performance of Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo at the World Cup in Brazil, his adviser has told AfricanFootball.com

Omeruo, a full international only last year, has been one of the ever-presents as Nigeria made it past the first round of the World Cup for only the third time in their history.

And the player’s adviser, Chika Akujobi has told AfricanFootball.com that the central defender’s stocks have appreciated with his London club, who only recently gave him a new, three-year contract.

“So far Chelsea officials are very positive and happy with Kenneth’s development,” Akujobi told AfricanFootball.com

“They've not come to a conclusion as the World Cup is still going on in Brazil, but he's going with them on pre-season training, which has been scheduled for Papendal training complex in Holland. There they will play a few friendly matches against teams like Vitesse Arnhem.

“But the way things are going, he will be in (Jose) Mourinho’s plans for the new season with a loan option to any of the premier league clubs in England. Let's wait and see.”

He held his own against Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, when Nigeria pipped Bosnia-Herzegovina and he also posted a decent shift when he came face-to-face with an Argentina strike force that included Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero on Wednesday.

Omeruo was on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough last season, while he also played on loan for Dutch club ADO Den Haag the previous season.

How Nigerian Soldiers Killed A Redeemed Church Pastor

Many people were injured while a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God was shot dead by soldiers the in Opuraja community of Okpe Local Government Area in Delta State on Tuesday.

The incident occurred when the soldiers, led by a Captain, arrived in two Hilux vans to conduct investigation in the community; however, they were mobbed by the villagers, who misconstrued their motive. As a result shots were fired into the air to scare off the surging villagers.

According to eyewitnesses: “I saw the soldiers, they came to the community, asking for the chairman of the community and vigilante leader. They told them that there was robbery incident on Warri/Sapele expressway and asked them to reveal the identity of the person who owns the farm from which the bandits collected the wood they used to barricade the road. 

“They told the soldiers that none of the community people owns farm there, but the military men accused them of not doing their job effectively. We saw the soldiers carry them away in their Hilux van and drove to the expressway, where they tied them against their vehicles until it was 6am. 

“The youths mobilised and went to the scene where the community leaders were tied and when the army saw the crowd approaching, they started shooting indiscriminately...

“A group of soldiers in another Hilux van apparently heard the gunshots and rushed to the scene, that was how the pastor, who was standing by was shot and he died immediately.”

Confirming the report, the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, HRM, Mujakperuo Orhue 1, a retired army officer, said he is disappointment over the incident, adding that the soldiers should not have fired at unarmed citizens.

He was said to have waded into the matter to calm frayed nerves after the fracas.

A former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, who is from the community, also confirmed that one person was killed and some others were injured.

The late pastor was married with four children. So sad!

Boko Haram's Source of Deadly Weapons and Money Exposed

When Washington imposed sanctions in June 2012 on Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, he dismissed it as an empty gesture. Two years later, Shekau’s skepticism appears well founded: his militant group is now the biggest security threat to Africa’s top oil producer, he is richer than ever, more violent and its abductions of many women and children continue with impunity.

As the United States, Nigeria and others struggle to track and choke off its funding, Reuters interviews with more than a dozen current and former U.S. officials who closely follow Boko Haram provide the most complete picture to date of how the group finances its activities.

Central to the militant group’s approach includes using hard-to-track human couriers to move cash, relying on the local funding sources and engaging in only limited financial relationships with other extremists groups. It also has reaped millions from high-profile kidnappings.

Last year, Boko Haram was paid an equivalent of about $3.15m by French and Cameroonian negotiators before a wealthy man and his family they held hostage were released, according to a confidential Nigerian government report later obtained by Reuters...

“Our suspicions are that they are surviving on very lucrative criminal activities that involve kidnappings,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in an interview. Until now, U.S. officials have declined to discuss Boko Haram’s financing in such detail.

The United States has stepped up cooperation with Nigeria to gather intelligence on Boko Haram, whose militants are killing civilians almost daily in its north-eastern Nigerian stronghold. But the lack of international financial ties to the group limit the measures the United States can use to undermine it, such as financial sanctions.

The U.S. Treasury normally relies on a range of measures to track financial transactions of terrorist groups, but Boko Haram appears to operate largely outside the banking system.

To fund its murderous network, Boko Haram uses a system of couriers to move cash around inside Nigeria and across the porous borders from neighboring African states, according to the officials interviewed by Reuters.

In designating Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation last year, the Obama administration characterised the group as a violent extremist organisation with links to al Qaeda.

The Treasury Department said in a statement to Reuters that the United States has seen evidence that Boko Haram has received financial support from al Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM), an offshoot of the jihadist group founded by Osama bin Laden.

But that support is limited. Officials with deep knowledge of Boko Haram’s finances say that any links with al Qaeda or its affiliates are inconsequential to Boko Haram’s overall funding.

“Any financial support AQIM might still be providing Boko Haram would pale in comparison to the resources it gets from criminal activities,” said one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Assessments differ, one US estimate of financial transfers from AQIM was in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars. That compares with the millions of dollars that Boko Haram is estimated to make through its kidnap and ransom operations.

Lucrative kidnapping racket
Ransoms appear to be the main source of funding for Boko Haram’s five-year-old Islamist insurgency in Nigeria, whose 170 million people are split roughly evenly between Christians and Muslims, said the U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In February last year, armed men on motorcycles snatched Frenchman Tanguy Moulin-Fournier, his wife and four children, and his brother while they were on holiday near the Waza National Park in Cameroon, close to the Nigerian border. They were paid heavily before the hostages were released.

Figures vary on how much Boko Haram earns from kidnappings. Some U.S. officials estimate the group is paid as much as $1m for the release of each abducted wealthy Nigerian.

It is widely assumed in Nigeria that Boko Haram receives support from religious sympathisers in Nigeria, said to including some wealthy professionals and northern Nigerians who dislike the government, although little evidence has been made public to support this claim.

Davido Ignored Nigeria Flag For Ghana’s Flag @ Ghana Meets Naija

The fourth edition of the Ghana Meets Naija concert came off successfully at the Accra International Conference Centre AICC with over 10 artistes gracing the stage from Nigeria and Ghana.

Both Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians were able to satisfy their fans with spectacular performance.
Nigeria’s Davido who happened to be the final act from the Nigerian side, had another opportunity to be on stage with Shatta Wale.

Though many Nigerians at the event were impressed with Davido’s performance with the Dancehall king ’Shatta Wale’, some Nigerian music fans we spoke to after the event, lamented on why Davido decided to ignore the Nigerian flag for Ghana flag when he was introduce by Shatta Wale.

After his performance with Shatta, MustaphaI got closer to him back stage but he refused to comment on his act.

© 

Don Jazzy, Joy and James Did Not Like Me……… D’Prince

Marvin record label artiste, D’Prince, has recount his weaknesses as a young child while growing up with parents who showed him love and attention being the last born of the family.

According to him, he was exposed early to exquisite life styles of attending events and functions with his parents. Adding that he weeps anytime his parents decides not to take him out.

He added that Jazzy, Joy and James who were his elders, did not like him because of his babyish attitude and as such, would neglect him to be crying until their parents returned. Adding that the picture above, was taken when he was five years old at a party in Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

TIWA SAVAGE DEDICATES AWARD TO HUSBAND AT MAMAs 2014!

Mavins first lady, Tiwa Savage praised her husband and manager, TeeBillz infront of Africa at the just concluded MAMA awards.

The Eminado singer who won the award for Best Female dedicated her award to her husband thanking him for all the hardwork in her career so far. She said, “I just want to thank God, fans, 323 Entertainment, my label, Mavin… my producer and boss, Don Jazzy and finally, I want to say thank you to the most handsome and amazing husband in the whole wide world, TeeBillz who has put so much to make our story a success… thank you and I love you very much!”.

Tiwa later performed a mash up of Surulere with Dr Sid, Don Jazzy and Phyno wearing a customized sequined boyfriend Tee-shirt which had “Mrs Billz” written across.
 

Wizkid Expresses Delight In Being Called ‘Amazing’ By Rihanna

Sensational music artiste, Wizkid is no doubt a good singer and also a successful entertainer. He has been busy in the US and also having the opportunity to hang out with American stars like Chris Brown and Akon, who he was recently spotted with.

In Nigeria, many have longed to have Wizkid say sweet words to them, but such window has not opened, but for the singer, he got the rare privilege to be described as ‘amazing’ by Rihanna, a top music artiste in the US.

The music artiste took to twitter to gush about this and also expressed his love for Rihanna on the same platform.

A king at home is just an ordinary person abroad you want to say? You might not be wrong.

Click the link below to go to...

Nollywood Actress, Biola Ige: Sweeping Nollywood With Sexiness, Beauty?

I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BODY,WHY WON'T I FLAUNT IT--ACTRESS UCHE OGBODO

FORMER SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN,AUSTIN JAYJAY OKOCHA OPENS UP ON MARRIAGE BREAK-UP TALE

EXCLUSIVE: Crack Between Ini Edo, Emem Isong Over Movie Credit

WHY MANY CELEBRITY WOMEN MARRIAGES CRASH

For the record: Poverty and terrorism threaten the foundations of our democracy – Bola Tinubu

by Bola Tinubu

Since the 1999 transition from military to civilian rule, we have effectively limited our definition of democracy to the holding of elections with little regard to the quality thereof. There are two jarring problems with this self-imposed constraint.

PROTOCOL
I thank all of you for participating in this maiden Freedom House lecture on democracy. I want to express special appreciation to Professor Larry Diamond for honoring us by accepting to deliver this inaugural address. It is my fervent hope that what we embark on today shall become a perennial institution, a permanent feature of our democratic landscape.
Such lectures are needed because our nation needs a broader, deeper appreciation of democracy in all of its complexities and ramifications. To state it bluntly because I know of no other way to state it, we do not understand enough about democratic governance and practice.
What we practice is often not democracy. How this nation is governed is a hybrid process where democracy is often the junior partner and minority attribute.
As such, the system of governance we practice has not yielded the desired results – the dividends of democracy have been painfully elusive. How could it be otherwise? It would be wrong to anticipate a pear to grow from apple tree or a dog to give birth to a goat. Thus, it is wrong to expect this current form of governance to produce the fruits of democracy when it is the wrong type of tree.
To think otherwise is not to be optimistic. It is to engage in unproductive wishful thinking that precludes us from doing the heavy and hard work needed to transform “what is” into “what ought to be.” This lecture series is a modest contribution toward this benign change.
Since the 1999 transition from military to civilian rule, we have effectively limited our definition of democracy to the holding of elections with little regard to the quality thereof. There are two jarring problems with this self-imposed constraint.
First, most members of the Nigerian political class was weaned on the rancid milk of dictatorship and the imperial mindset upon which it is based. Fairness and openness of process and outcome of discourse and debate, and compromise and conciliation have no place in this realm. In this authoritarian world, the ends justify the means and the only ends pursued are those that increase the power and wealth of the people wielding them. It is a top- down world where the top dictates the tune and everyone dances to it or gets kicked into the shadows.
Most adult Nigerians have spent the majority of their lives under military, or its antecedent, colonial rule. Neither one is a good primer for democracy. Nigerians are smart people and learn fast. Too bad, our history has presented bad governance role models to us. We have learned much. Sadly, most of it has been the wrong lessons from the wrong textbook.
Thus, the conduct of elections during the past fifteen years has been basically an unbroken trail of malpractice and connivance to steer Nigeria to a contrived result with scant connection to the popular will.
Instead of being the periodic celebration of democracy, elections in Nigeria have generally mocked the very notion of democracy they are supposed to uphold.
Worst has been what comes after elections. Since the winner often is not chosen by the people but by some subterranean process, he continues to dishonor the people while resorting to that subterranean process in how he rules. Generally, these office holders believe they have the inborn right to rule instead of have been given a duty to govern.
For the most part, elections have become a perverse form of modern coronation. Instead of choosing public servants, elections in Nigeria have been basically to select a new aristocracy, an elected royalty.
Government is run like a medieval court, full of intrigue and an excessive number of jesters and unproductive courtiers whose only reason for being is to use their proximity to power to extract rents from the improper operation of government.
One can only find rhyme and reason in governance to the extent one can decipher or anticipate the whim and caprice of the man in power.
Thus, we call ourselves a new, growing democracy yet we retreat further into the old ways. We slip into authoritarian darkness.
Faced with a growing number of state governors in the opposition party, the federal government arbitrarily has reduced the revenues flowing to the states in order to punish the political opposition. In effect, the federal government has imposed economic sanctions simply because some political leaders have the temerity to belong to another party. That the people are made to suffer means little. For the people are not why they entered into governance. Power and privilege are.
This is why they shut down newspapers recently and restricted freedom of movement by prohibiting key APC members from travelling into Ekiti state prior to elections. This is why they deployed more security people to hover over the elections in Ekiti than they do to protect the people and tackle the security challenges in Borno state. The Minister of State for Defence has spent more time in Ekiti than he has in Chibok. This is not responsible democratic governance. It is a hoax.
This brings me to the point where I would like to say a few words about the topic of today’s lecture: Poverty, Terrorism and Democracy. In my view, the first two concepts have intertwined to form a terrible union against the third, against democracy.
Some claim the rise of Boko Haram has nothing to do with poverty. They blame it all on ideology. Some go as far as implying that Islam is at fault. Those who say this can be excused to some extent for they are as ignorant about Islam as Boko Haram is. However, Boko Haram cannot be excused. They are violent murders of both Muslim and Christians. There is not one word in Islam that supports the evil they do.
It is obvious that Boko Haram terrorists have lashed themselves to a dangerous and desperate ideology. But we must ask who does such a thing and why do they seem to have so many adherents and supporters?
Poverty is a big part of the answer. Poverty often distorts a person’s humanity. The destitute and the ignorant, casting about on their last strand of hope, are susceptible to a mean and wicked interpretation of the world that labels everyone not in that group as expendable sacrifices and objects of terror.
Again to put it bluntly because I know of no other way, Boko Haram is an extreme manifestation of the chronic and acute misgovernance that has spread gross injustice and mass poverty across the face of our beloved nation.
All nations have their wayward souls. However, in better governed, more prosperous societies, the number of anti-social actors is much less and even their extremism is somewhat muted. Because of their low numbers, they are confined to being a law enforcement problem.
But here, abject poverty swells their ranks. Here, they have become a small army. With that, they are a national security threat and a political challenge to a free and open society.
We must deal with them decisively yet wisely. Also, government must also be cautious in not using the fight against terrorism to truncate otherwise legitimate political activity by a legitimate and peaceful political opposition. Also, government must restrain itself from striking indiscriminately against people in the affected areas, in the process committing human rights abuses that undermine democracy and that become a recruiting tool for the terrorists.
As such, poverty and terrorism are truly a compound threat to democracy. Not only do those who manufacture terror undermine democracy through their direct actions. We also must take care that government’s response is not such a heavy-handed and indiscriminate one that it undermines civil liberties and chases people into the camp of the terrorists.
I shall end here that we may soon come to the meat of this gathering; Professor Diamond’s address.
Again, I thank you all for coming today that we may use this lecture to take a step toward the democracy we truly seek.

OPENING REMARKS BY ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU AT THE INAUGURAL LECTURE OF THE FREEDOM HOUSE DEMOCRACY LECTURE SERIES HELD AT MUSON CENTER, AGIP HALL, LAGOS, NIGERIA. JUNE 3OTH 2O14

Massacre In Gboko: Soldiers At Dangote’s Cement Factory Kill 7; Company, Govt. Abandon Victims’ Families-PREMIUM TIMES

By Ibanga Isine

For 19-year-old Terhile Jirbo, it was another answer to the call of nature. But when gunfire rang out that afternoon of March 18, what seemed a harmless routine would leave a fatal scar on him and his community in Gboko, a major town in the North-central state of Benue.
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Latest Items on SaharaReporters.com

Where Are APC Leaders When PDP Is Doing This?

Politics in Nigeria has changed. President Jonathan is spending over N500million to feed in Aso Rock, the 36 state governors are spending their own millions too. So, any politician who want votes from the masses must be ready to deliver in the area of #StomachInfrastructure. It doesn't matter if the bag of Rice will last for only one month, it is far better than nothing. This is the new order: Build Roads but Feed the peoples' Stomach!

Also, the government of Lagos State should know that many people are angry with the way things are going on in the state. In fact, the LASTMA guys are terrible. They collect money - between N10,000 to N50,000 for any flimsy excuse from motorist. How do you expect such people to vote for APC in 2015? I doubt!

And the KAI people in Lagos are very heartless. They arrest elderly women and young girls selling their wares on the road side and they lock these people inside a "Black Maria". Are they condemned criminals? How on earth do you expect these same people to ever vote for you in their lifetime? I strongly doubt!

Those big men and women who live in the highbrow areas that you develop with billions of Naira, please note that a mass majority of them do not vote during elections. It is the poor people that LASTMA and KAI are treating like common criminals over minor offences that would vote. See a clear example below...

If a sophisticated man like Iyiola Omisore can bring himself down to copy Fayose's style and has started going all out to romance the masses, what is the APC and their governors waiting for? 2015 is coming fast!

Here’s Why You May Never Be Rich (and How To Change That)

What’s the worst thing that could happen if you went totally broke today? This is not a rhetorical question. Take a few seconds to answer it before you read further.

What’s the very worst thing that could happen if you went dead broke today? Think about it for ten seconds.

For most people our age, the answer is something like: “A lot would happen, but it would not totally destroy me.” Why? Because when you’re in your early to mid-twenties, let’s face it— being broke happens, a lot.

And we survive it, because we are still young, with few responsibilities beyond ourselves. The most that would happen is that you move back in with your parents, spend a week thinking about your life, get over it and move on.

PHOTO: Why Are These Guys Doing This To A Woman?

Aboki swag always amazes me. Guys, why turn a woman to your footstool na? Nawao!

Ladies, Is This Guy A Romantic Boyfriend?

Our forefathers will turn in their graves if they see this but many ladies will love this. Lol!

...and Nigeria did not advance to the quarter-final stage

France just beat Nigeria 2-0 to advance to the quarter-final stage of the 2014 World Cup! France played well, and many feel they deserved the win...but our Super Eagles did well too! Especially, goal keeper Vincent Enyeama. He's been our saviour in this tournament. Thank you!

What did you think of the match? And the own goal by Nigerian captain, Joseph Yobo? I think he played well. I also think Enyeama deserves African Footballer of the Year 2014. What do you think?