Nigeria in critical point, needs change agents – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said Nigeria was currently in a critical point when he needed selfless citizens that could change the country for the better.

The President said this in his tribute to the pioneer Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Maj.-Gen. Timothy Ogundeko, who would be buried at the weekend.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President described the deceased as a pacesetter in strategic leadership training.

Buhari was said to have expressed the belief that Ogundeko would be long remembered for his towering role as an educationist and public administrator, who immensely contributed to the procedure and processes of training potential leaders in the security and socio-political environment of Nigeria.

The statement read, “The President affirms that with his tireless efforts and foresight, Gen. Ogundeko transformed the Nigerian Army Education Corps for the benefit of the Service and the nation; and his legendary role in the establishment of Command Secondary Schools is well appreciated.

“President Buhari trusts that the vision of the deceased for a united and prosperous Nigeria will be honoured by all who mourn him, particularly at this critical point when the nation is in need of selfless citizens to change Nigeria for the better.

“The President extends heartfelt condolences to Gen. Ogundeko’s family, as well as the government and people of Ogun State.

“He prays that God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and comfort his family, friends and admirers.”

SOURCE: Punchng

Caxmee Is Beautiful And Confident In Spite Of Cancer And Amputation

Brooklyn based blogger and model, Caxmee, who proves that you can defy the odds and still be beautiful and confident, regardless of your physical attributes. She was born in Brooklyn in 1989 but was raised in Montreal & Haiti. At the age of 14 she was diagnosed with bone & lung cancer. She was given 3 weeks to live but beat the odds, and had her right leg amputated. Today she walks with a prosthetic leg along with two forearm crutches.

She models head wraps for designer Famndijam, makes affordable and fashion-forard prosthetic leg covers for men and women and is also an ambassador for Alleles Design Studio.

Caxmee, 26, shares her style and traveling on her instagram.

In an interview with blackgirllonghair, she said:

”I haven’t been too content about the mainstream imagery of beauty. I’ve made it my personal mission to infiltrate the “beauty industry”- Walking  down the street with crutches and a prosthetic leg, people often shout “you go girl! you’re still beautiful” STILL?…. I AM beautiful and I’m here to show you how beautiful I am inside and out.”

Who says you can't? Let them know you can live-up to your dreams.

Never say never.

Never say it's not possible

Chimamanda Adichie Shares The Most Exciting And The Most Terrifying Thing About Being A New Mom

Chimamanda Adichie was on The Guardian’s Culture web chat one day ago to answer questions sent in by readers. She answered many question on her books, writing, thoughts on different issues and of course motherhood.

One reader asked, ”What excites you the most about being a new mom? What terrifies you the most about being a mom?”, and below is Chimamanda Adichie’s beautiful response.

Most exciting – a new and unique kind of love has come into my life, glorious and joyful and encompassing and full of discovery.

Most terrifying – the anxiety-filled desire to protect her from everything and the terror-filled sense that I cannot.

Franca Asemota Sentenced To 22 Years In Prison For Trafficking Girls From Nigeria To Europe For Prostitution

In March 2015, Franca Asemota, was arrested by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) on the suspicion of money laundering offenses.

It was found that she is wanted in the UK by the National Crime Agency of the UK on charges of child trafficking

She is accused of organizing a thick network that transports young girls, especially teenagers, from villages in Nigeria and sending them to Europe via London. The innocent kids are lured by promises of a better life, jobs and education but are forced to sell their bodies for money when they get into these countries

The judge ordered that Franca Asemota be extradited to the United Kingdom to face trial for the charges filed against her.

The 38-year-old has now been convicted on 3rd August at Isleworth Crown Court of eight counts of conspiracy to traffic persons for sexual exploitation, two counts of trafficking persons outside of the UK for sexual exploitation and two counts of assisting unlawful immigration.

Evidence showed that she facilitated the trafficking of around 40 people, mainly young girls, between August 2011 and May 2012.

She has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

SOURCE: Womanng

PERSONAL STORIES“My Colleagues Call Me Woman Wrapper Because I Support My Wife” – Michael

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In many African societies, a woman is expected to be solely responsible for taking care of the children and domestic chores. This expectation places a lot of burden on women, especially new mums who need support to be able to take care of themselves and the new born.

As the world celebrates breastfeeding, one father has spoken out on how he support his wife in spite of what people say.

Unicef  Nigeria shared this inspiring story of Micheal. Read below:

#‎WeAreStillHere‬! Michael is a truck driver with a construction firm in Abuja. A proud father of three, Michael is a proud winner of the prize of model father and defender of exclusive breastfeeding at a baby show in Abuja. Michael supports his wife with various house chores to give her opportunity to exclusively breastfeed their baby. “My colleagues call me “woman wrapper” because I support my wife so she can exclusively breastfeed our baby, but I don’t care. I know the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding,” he said. Support your wife today to exclusively breastfeed, it is a healthy start in life for your baby. ‪#‎breastfeeding‬

Inspiring Story Of Rosmary Amponsah, A Welding Student Who Is Following Her Passion Against What People Say

In many African societies, there are some certain occupations that a woman is not expected to venture into. When they do, they are often faced with all sorts of stigma and discrimination, but thankfully many women are overcoming these barriers!

Unicef Ghana shared this inspiring story of Rosmary Amponsah, a welding student who is following her passion against what people say. Read below:

My mother said I should become a policewoman, a nurse or a doctor.

She said those are the jobs that people respect. When I left high school, there was very little to do. I worked at a filling station selling petrol but had very little fulfillment. I always asked myself, what if this company collapses or the owner decides to sack me?

My father brought me here to learn welding. My mother hated the idea and always compares me with my sister who went into nursing training. But my dad supports me. Everybody says it’s a man’s job. In my class, there are fifteen boys and I was the first girl to join them.

I walk a very long distance to get to school and each time, I get someone who passes a negative comment. Like the last time, one man saw me and said if I continue with this job I can’t get married and it would be difficult to give birth.

I think they are trying to pull me down but I’m not interested.

Rosmary Amponsah, Welding & Fabrication student, Bechem (BA/R).

A Nigerian Birmingham City University student, Anu Yusuf, aged 26, graduated with a first class in law from Birmingham City University alongside hundreds of her fellow students on Wednesday 27 July, and got married to 27-year-old Joseph Kolawole Ola marry at Birmingham Register Office on the same day.

They met four years ago in Gombe while doing their NYSC, but they have not been able to get married as a result of her coming to study in the UK.

Her husband often joked that he would whisk her away after my graduation to marry her because he can no longer wait, and it became reality as they married on her graduation day.

This also turned out to be advantageous for their family members because they could attend the wedding and the graduation.

The wedding started in the morning with a civil ceremony at Birmingham Register Office, followed by blessing at Anu’s church. The service finished at 1pm with guests served with takeaways meals as some of them headed to the graduation ceremony.

Anu changed from her white wedding dress to her gown and cap for the graduation ceremony.

In an interview, Anu said “It was so special to have my family and friends present for not one, but two of the most significant milestones in my life, and being able to share it with them all is something that I will treasure forever.”

In addition to her studies, Anu also did part time jobs. She worked in the International Office as a marketing and communications assistant until two days to her wedding and graduation.

Anu plans to do a PhD in law, while her husband Ola is studying in Bradford at LIFE Church College.