Al-Shabaab Co-Founder Killed By U.S. Airstrike

Last week was marked by another successful step in the fight against global terrorism. On Friday, September 5, Somalia Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said that Ahmed Godane, a head of the Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, was killed.

[caption id="attachment_867" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Ahmed Abdi Godane was killed by U.S. airstrike[/caption]

On the same day the U.S. authorities confirmed that Ahmed Abdi Godane was liquidated by an airstrike.

“We have confirmed that Godane, the co-founder of Al-Shabaab, has been killed,” Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon’s press secretary, said. Besides, Kirby said that removing Godane from the battlefield was a major symbolic and operational loss to the terrorist group.

The US president also expressed his delight over the development:

“We have been very systematic and methodical in going after these kind of organizations that threaten US personnel and the homeland,” Obama said. “That deliberation allows us to do it right, but have no doubt: We will continue to do what is necessary to protect the American people,” he added.

[caption id="attachment_868" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Bounty was placed on terrorist for his actions against the U.S. citizens[/caption]

However, the terrorist group has not remained without a leader for long. Al-Shabaab’s newly-announced leader is Ahmed Omar Abu Ubaidah. He is the group’s third leader and was characterized as a low-ranking commander. No additional information  about his personality is currently available. At the moment Somalia is in tension because of fears of Al-Shabaab’s revenge.

Godane, who was also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubayr, became the leader of the militant group in 2008. Under Godane’s direction Al-Shabaab made a lot of terrorist attacks that claimed hundreds of lives.

[caption id="attachment_869" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Late Al-Shabaab leader addressed Kenyan Muslims in May 2014, calling for rebel activities against the government[/caption]

In 2010, it carried out suicide bombings in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, killing more than 70 people. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for last year’s Westgate Mall shooting in Kenyan capital that left 68 dead and another 200 injured.

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OPINION: Oyedepo, The Icon Of Pulpitarian Glamour

Nigeria is a religious diverse society with Islam and Christianity being the most widely professed religions.

Recent estimates indicated that 50.4% of Nigeria‘s population adheres to Islam (mainly Sunni). Christianity is practiced by 48.2% of the population (15% Protestant, 13.7% Catholic, 19.6% other Christian).

According to Wikipedia, adherents of Animism and other religions collectively represent 1.4% of the population while all religions represented in Nigeria were practiced in every major city.

However, Islam dominated the north and had a number of supporters in the South Western,Yoruba part of the country. Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa. Protestantism and local syncretic Christianity are also in evidence in Yoruba areas, while Catholicism dominates the Igbo and closely related areas.

READ ALSO: The Reason I Fought With Bishop Oyedepo – Pastor Tunde Bakare

However, no religion has come under attacks in the most populous African country more than Christianity.

Only recently, the Redeemed Christian Church of Christ, RCCG, arguably the most popular denomination in the country, came under intense criticisms because of the actions and in-actions of the general overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Less than 48 hours after the publication of the opinion write up on the RCCG, author of the article, Imoh David, has come up with another controversial opinion piece on Winners’ Chapel, also known as Living Faith Church Worldwide.

Winners Chapel, founded by Bishop David Oyedepo in 1981, is another Nigerian mega church that has become a global network of churches with congregations in 34 countries.

[caption id="attachment_864" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Bishop Oyedepo inside his private jet.[/caption]

According to Bishop Oyedepo, the church came into existence in 1981 after he had an 18 hour vision from God.

“Now the hour has come to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil, through the preaching of the Word of faith; and I am sending you to undertake this task,” Oyedepo said about the vision from God.

However, Imoh, a Nigerian writer, author and publisher based in South Africa, wrote the below opinion and it was first published by Sahara Reporters on 4 September, 2014:

Winners Chapel aka Living Faith Church is arguably the most successful franchise from the pulpit. With so many great feats attached to the international franchise: the largest church auditorium, the largest church worship in a single service, the richest preacher with the largest fleet of private jets and collections of exorbitant schools and of course the largest attraction of arrogant and pompous Christians in this part of the world. If you want to learn how to be an arrogant narcissist in the Lord, Winners Chapel is all you need for your schooling. 

Papa Oyedepo, as he is fondly addressed, is the ultimate icon of pulpitarian glamour. The pastorpreneur of pastorpreneurs. The captain of “churchdustry”, the preacher which other preachers wish to be like and even more. The alpha-priest with an uncanny anointing “extort-ordinaire”. So great is this anointing “extort-ordinaire” that the UK could not handle, and out of their colonial love and passion, they ensured our awesome product is contained in our territory.

Can “oyinbo” (British people for that matter), be so nice and generous to the same people who they seek to control in the past? I’m just wondering why the UK will not return our stolen artifacts but will generously return our Papa without us even asking. Can anyone be this nice in returning a priced treasure to the owners at no cost? But anyway, thank you for giving us our Papa, you (oyinbo people) do not know anything that is good for you. We know, so, we keep him fed and fat. 

That was how one “amebo” busybody colleague back then told me to my face that my Papa is an arrogant man and that he likes slapping people recklessly. He even had the nerve to mention “OLEdepo” into my ears! Aaaaah! I slapped the idiot! How can he talk rubbish about my Papa? Doesn’t he know that slapping and cursing was part of the curriculum my Papa received during his more than 12 hours of revelation before he began ministry? Don’t you know that he is a God of man, sorry Man of God and he can do whatever he likes? You people talk any how against my Papa; you will incur the wrath of God o! But it’s okay (sha) if my Papa acts anyhow, talks and slaps people as he pleases. He cannot incur the wrath of God because he is the God of man, sorry Man of God while you are an Animal of God.

Besides, he is in a better position to decide for all of us who the wrath of God of wrath chooses; he knows God too well than the rest of us, sorry, God knows him to well than the rest of us. So leave the Man of God alone let him do as he pleases, let God be the judge not you! But if you talk anyhow, I’ll descend on you and judge you as I please, because you are just an Animal of God. 

One thing I’ve been learned so much from my Papa is how to brag without bragging. Don’t you admire the way he puts it? “I say this with all amount of humility ‘my family and I can never be poor’, ‘I owe no man (either dead or alive) nothing’, etc.” I don’t know why he has to remind us before the statement that he is of a humble remark like somebody was accusing of him of not? This my Papa (sha) knows how to package o. It reminds me of some folks who automatically get the licence to insult you by beginning their insult with “I don’t mean to be rude or insult you…” It makes it so easy that whatever insult they shower afterwards will be covered under their earlier announced contract. Well, that one is worldly things, my Papa is just boasting in the Lord (whatever that means). 

When I worked in the Ministry of education, my wicked Director one day asked me to recommend a good university for his Son who freshly left high school. Of course, Covenant University was the best revenge. I knew that his child will not last long there. True to my plans, he was expelled in his third year. What did the boy do? They said he had a porno video in his laptop. So they cast both the spirit of pornography and the boy out of the school. Hahaha!

Chai God of my Papa you too sweet; you have taken revenge for my sake. Anytime you want to recommend a school for your enemy, think of Covenant University. Your ward is more likely to be expelled in Covenant University than any other higher institution in Nigeria. Isn’t it awesome that Covenant expels more students than the rest of other schools in Nigeria? Is it that all the bad students always go to Covenant or Covenant just likes to make students bad in other to expel them? It is only a question I am asking oo before somebody slaps me for being a “witch for Christ.”

My Papa is a living testimony that once you call yourself a man of God, you can do anything and get away. My Papa has this grace that even if he shoots a person point blank on camera, the congregation will give him a standing ovation and we (the congregation) will not hesitate in joining him to shoot the poor victim and bury his corpse afterwards. What else can I say; we are showing the life of Christ and we are in fact the first candidates of heaven. Envy us we have “Papadiction”! 

Winners Church members are one hell of a sect. They do not mind emptying their purses into the coffers of the pastor even if that money is for the school fees for their ward. Insult them, say anything but don’t say anything against their Papa; they’ll kill you.

The easiest way to offend and break any relationship with a Winners Church member is to say something they perceive as annoying against their Papa. Even if it’s their sibling that criticizes their Papa, disowning such a “demonic” sibling is as easy as reciting Psalms 23. Well, it is not just peculiar to them. Nigerian masses are so emotionally brilliant that they will rather get angry when their preachers are discussed but will never get angry when they are humiliated and robbed by their politicians. The average religious Nigerian will rather be concerned about who and what is said about their pastor than be concerned about the man who stole from the country’s treasury. If they put them side by side and asked to choose whom to stone, the religious Nigerian will rather choose the man who criticizes his religious leader to death and release the man who stole the country’s wealth. 

My religious Nigerian folks amaze me. They know God so much that they can tell when he is angry and God is always angry when they are angry. The Nigerian God is the type who has a wrath to unleash when an animal of God talks about a man of God but will be merciful when a pastor messes up and above all, he does not desire judgment in this case. What else were you expecting from the most religious people on earth? Religious, but not genius. 

However, please don’t slap me for your Papa; I am not a “witch for Christ”.

What is your opinion on the Winners’ Chapel that had its headquarters called Faith Tabernacle, situated in Ota area of Ogun State, ranked the largest church building in the world  from 1999-2008?

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Ambode Declares Lagos Governorship Ambition

Barely six months before the governorship election in Lagos state, more stalwarts of the  All Progressive Congress, APC, have continued to declare their intentions to become governor of Lagos State in 2015.

[caption id="attachment_861" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Akinwunmi Ambode[/caption]

Former Accountant General of Lagos State, Akin Ambode on Monday, 9 September, 2014, formally declared his intention to vie for the governorship seat of Lagos State in 2015

According to P.M NEWS report, Ambode made his intention known when he opened his campaign office in Gbagada, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

It was gathered that thousands of APC supporters were at the Ambode’s campaign office opening ceremony to witness the declaration.

An eyewitness stated that many supporters who attempted to gain entrance into the campaign office could not because of the huge crowd that came for the even.

He added that the hall in the campaign office was filled to capacity and there was tight security at the entrance to the office.

Speaking at the occasion, Ambode expressed gratitude to all who have supported his ambition.

He charged his supporters not to fight during the upcoming APC primaries for aspirants for the exalted seat.

The former accountant general in Lagos state informed that he has set up a committee to carry his message across to the people at the grassroots, saying that he would govern Lagos in a manner everyone would be proud of.

Ambode also promised to build a new level of leadership that would eradicate poverty in Lagos State.

Former Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Political Matters, Abdullateef Abdulhakeem, who also spoke at the occasion, promised to deliver the votes of the entire Muslim community in Lagos for Ambode, saying Ambode is the right man for the job.

“I will deliver the Lagos Muslims vote to him. Ambode is a divine intervention. We have been accused by the enemies because of reducrion in LASU fees of LASU. Ambode is a testimony,” he said.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of Lagos APC, Henry Ajomale had in July said that the party would not practice zoning system for the Lagos state governorship election.

The party chairman said that the party has no such arrangement in its constitution and would not adopt zoning for any of its elective positions.

 

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Photos: Miley Cyrus Parties Topless in New York

Awww, I see she’s missed being in the news. She had to do something to get people talking about her again. Miley went topless, with only ice cream pasties covering her nipples, as she attended an Alexander Wang after party for New York Fashion Week yesterday with some friends.She also wore Cannabis earrings and her glasses were made out of pills. And the cigarette in one hand. How cool! See more photos after the cut…

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MORE Nigerians Will Hear From Us Soon – Boko Haram (Boko Haram’s Reaction To Negotiator’s Revelations)

[caption id="attachment_847" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, and Boko Haram commanders in 2013 after BH reportedly agreed to dialogue[/caption]

Following the revelations made by Australian Negotiator, Stephen Davis about the dreaded Boko Haram sect, there are reports that the sect have plans to carry out their next plan in a bid to set the record straight concerning the controversial issues.

Vanguard source said on Sunday night that the leadership of Boko Haram was upset by most of the claims made by the negotiator and was set to make a categorical position on all the issues raised by Davis in the media.“

Nigerians will soon hear from the sect leadership concerning all the issues raised by the negotiator, who, in any case was not hired by the Federal Government to dialogue with the group.

“In fact, what the man has said has really infuriated the sect leadership and they are unhappy with him,” the Nigerian negotiator said.“

As far as the sect leadership is concerned, Davis is being used by some politicians to score some points and they are ready to clear the air on the issues.

It would be recalled on August 31, it was reported that the Australian Negotiator, Stephen Davis made some shocking claims about activities of the Islamist group, Boko Haram.

Stephen Davis who said he had knowledge about the actions of the sect told SaharaReporters that Boko Haram runs about six major camps in the northeast and neighboring countries, adding that 700 fighters inhabited each camp. In addition there are a range of smaller camps within Borno State, which are often temporary and to which kidnapped girls are taken to be used by the insurgents.

Dr. Davis stated that, from experience, any terrorist group that has lasted more than eight years after its formation would likely exist for another 20 or more years before it can be dismantled. It thus becomes embedded for a generation and the likelihood of dismantling it was very low.

“If we don’t do our utmost now to dismantle Boko Haram then we may not be able to do so for another generation. That is a very gloomy scenario for Nigeria.”

He also said former governor of Borno State, Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika are Boko Haram sponsors.

However, the Federal Government  has since denied hiring Stephen Davis as a Boko Haram Negotiator and  have no plans of prosecuting General Ihejirika and Ali Modu Sheriff based on the allegations made by Australian negotiator Stephen Davis.

 

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Nigerian Military Reclaim Bama

Following a week of fierce battle with Boko Haram insurgents, Nigerian military reportedly reclaimed Bama, Borno State.

[caption id="attachment_844" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Nigerian soldiers[/caption]

According to Vanguard, the success of the operation was on yesterday confirmed by the military sources in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

“Our tactical aerial attacks to reclaim this town had been effective and yielding the desired results. This will enable the fleeing residents and villagers to return within the shortest period of time.”

READ ALSO: Boko Haram Seizes Yobe Town

Mustapha Modu, who had fled to Maiduguri in fear for his life, sais, however, that weekend clashes claimed a lot of lives of civilians and caused serious damage to the property as the militants used residents as human shields.

One of the sources narrated how the troops prevailed:

“The first attacks didn’t really make the expected impact but the second round of bombardment really injured those Boko Haram boys, which is why they are retreating now. They are no deeper into Bama, while our people are advancing and gaining territory. The Boko Haram boys are right now retreating.”

While Bama has been returned, the situation in some other parts of the state is still “volatile” and the battle is ongoing, another source said.

Top military officer revealed:

“We don’t want to say anything official but there are still fights going on in different places and on different scales, especially by air. This is a critical and unusual time,” the senior military officer said.

He also added that both aerial and ground campaigns contribute to the effectiveness of the operations.

Speaking about the situation in Gwoza, the first town claimed by Boko Haram leader as part of the caliphate, a source from Maiduguri said:

“Gwoza is still a no-go area, I must tell you the truth, as the town is firmly in hands of the Boko Haram terrorists. We are currently focusing on Bama before advancing to other areas in northern and southern parts of Borno state.”

It would be recalled that the fight for Bama had continued for about a week. Within this period sketchy information was provided on the issue. While some source claimed the town had been freed, the other official source insisted it was still under control of insurgents.

Meanwhile according to the latest update, militants have overrun the key town of Adamawa State, Michika in a weekend raid.

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Photos: Hundreds Of Fans storm Australian Airport to Catch a Glimpse of Kim & Kanye

Kim and Kanye are currently in Australia where Kanye is performing some shows. Kanye performed at Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday night and this morning, the power couple headed to the local airport to fly out to Melbourne for Ka
When fans heard, through social media, that Kim and Kanye will be flying commercial and will be passing through the airport, they stormed Adelaide airport to catch a glimpse of the couple. Of course, Kim and Kanye were escorted through the airport by bodyguards and several members of the Australia Federal Police. And according to reports, Kim was especially nice to the fans who came out to see them. Some school children even left school to go to the airport. See more pics after the cut…

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Gunmen Storm Training School, Rape Female Students

Gunmen stormed the Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria, FRCN, Training School, Lagos State on Friday, raped and robbed many of the female trainee journalists, according to Vanguard.

The latest attack by the gunmen was said to have been the third time, according to an eye witness in the school.

According to an insider narrating the latest attack said: “The armed robbers were many. They attacked the school last week, last two weeks and now this week. They always rape the girls and dispossess  others, including male students and workers on night duties of their valuables.

”The three attacks on the school have left many of the workers shocked, especially as policemen were supposed to be manning the school gate.The last attack occurred at about 2am, with the gunmen targeting the financial records offices.

Three of the gunmen wore masks and focused on the new BOND FM station, which has a lot of new expensive transmitting devices.“Many of them broke into our offices, remove burglar-proofs, raped girls who were in training and living in our hostel.

They collected money, phones and laptops. This is the third time this will be happening,” said a staff.According to another insider, the school has male and female trainees drawn from across different radio stations in the country who are on special courses. There are also private students studying broadcast journalism.

The insider added:“The gunmen are usually many whenever they attack. The first time they came, they appeared to be searching for something as they ransacked all offices.This time, they came with three or four men wearing masks. They were apparently the people who wanted something from the school or offices.

When they came this time, they were the ones doing the frantic searching.Whether they succeeded in getting what they wanted this time around is what we don’t know.”

Meanwhile the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, however said only a case of burglary was reported.“I just got to hear today that the place has been burgled three times.

But they had never reported. It’s only today that an official complaint was lodged. No case of rape was reported. Nobody has come forward to say that she was raped,” she said.

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Jonathan Meets Chadian Leader Over Boko Haram

In a bid to forge a stronger alliance against terrorism and violent extremism with Nigeria’s neighbours, President Goodluck Jonathan will meet Chadian President Idriss Debyleave in Ndjamena, Chad, today, Monday, 8 September, 2014.

According to a statement made public by the Special Adviser to the President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, it said the talks with President Deby, who is also the chairman of African Union’s, AU Peace and Security Council, is a follow-up on their discussions in Nairobi last week on the sidelines of the African Union Peace and Security Council Summit.

[caption id="attachment_823" align="aligncenter" width="800"] President Jonathan in Nairobi, Kenya.[/caption]

Abati informed that President Jonathan and his host will discuss the further actualisation of agreements for greater cooperation against insurgents and terrorists reached by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon at a meeting in Paris earlier this year.

“Their talks are expected to strengthen the Paris Accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and prevention of illicit movement of terrorists, arms and ammunition across shared borders.

“Before returning to Abuja tomorrow, President Jonathan will be a Special Guest of Honour at an international conference on Information Technology and Communication holding in Ndjamena on the same day,” the statement read.

It would be recalled that President Jonathan had on 1 September, 2014, traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to attend a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.

No fewer than 14 other African leaders reportedly attended the AU meeting which is a crucial department of the regional body saddled with the responsibility of preventing, managing and resolving conflicts in Africa.

It was gathered that top on the matters discussed at the meeting were the ongoing Boko Haram terrorist attacks in Nigeria, the insurgency in Mali as well as other terror- related activities going on in the continent.

African  leaders had last Tuesday unanimously decided to consider the possibility of establishing a special continental fund that would be used in curtailing terrorism in the continent.

The proposal for the special fund, which was put forward by President Uhuru Kenyatta, at the 455th African Union Peace and Security Council meeting at the level of Heads of State and Government held in Nairobi, is expected to be adopted in its next African Union (AU) summit scheduled to hold in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The union also warned against payment of ransom and encouragement of financial terrorism and urged member states to make sure that their territories are not used as recruitment grounds for terrorists. The union explained that the decision was geared towards stopping over-reliance on foreign in curbing insurgency.

The Boko Haram insurgency that intensified in Nigeria since 2009 is believed to have claimed the lives of over 5,000 innocent people and displaced more than half of a million others across Nigeria.

Apart from Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad have also suffered from the terror attacks carried out by the Islamist militants as more residents in northern Nigeria are fleeing into neigbouring countries through Nigerian porous border.

Few weeks ago, about 480 Nigerian soldiers and villagers were said to have crossed into Cameroon following fierce battle with Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.

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"President Jonathan Is Afraid Of Boko Haram"

With the current spate of insecurity of insecurity in the country, a former Minister of Petroleum, Prof Tam David-West, has criticized President Goodluck Jonathan fot the terrible situation.

[caption id="attachment_818" align="aligncenter" width="360"] A former Minister of Petroleum, Prof Tam David-West[/caption]

David West who said he was convinced that the President was afraid of Boko Haram that was why he (Jonathan) refused to visit the parents of the schoolgirls that were kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State over four months ago made this remarks during an interview with Sahara TV.

David-West said President Jonathan inviting the Chibok parents to Abuja was wrong rather he should have gone to Chibok to visit them that would have helped the traumatized parents psychologically.

READ ALSO: ‘Make Abducted Girls Sacrificial Lambs’ – Chibok Chairman

He said Jonathan had no right to seek a second term in office and urged Nigerians to rise against bad governance. He said it was unfortunate that more Nigerians were being abducted by terrorists.

Speaking on the takeover by the dreaded Boko Haram sect which he described as shocking he said: “Anyone that is complacent about the state of affairs in the country is an enemy of Nigeria. It is a terrible situation and we should be ashamed, President Jonathan should be ashamed. He is the Commander-in-Chief and the number one security officer and citizen of the state.

“Over 200 of your girls taken away from your territory for the past three months and you are still talking. First, you are not even sure, his wife said nothing happened, then he also did not believe that anything happened and later he changed and said he knows where they are. If you say you know where they are, why can’t you save them?

“With all the security forces in the country, you cannot bring them. Our President is afraid of Boko Haram. He claimed they have infiltrated his cabinet and isn’t he ashamed? Since you know they have infiltrated your cabinet, why don’t you expose them?

“Up till now, he has not gone to Chibok and when he made that cosmetic move to see them, he invited the parents to come to Abuja and when they were going, he gave them money which has now been exposed and that is why Boko Haram has been so because they know that the President is weak.”

David-West said even though he is Jonathan’s kinsman, he would not turn a blind eye to the incompetence of his administration.

On April 14, over 200 Chibok school girls were abducted by the Boko Haram sect in Borno state. While there has been reports of some of the girls who have escaped the terrorists den, a large number of them a still being held captive.

The issue of terrorism in the country is now becoming very worrisome, as the Boko Haram sect have continued to carry out several attacks and take over towns in the Northern state.

On Tuesday, September 2 it was reported that the Boko Haram sect took over the second largest town, Bama in Borno state and some other towns in the state as they displaced soldiers and residents.

Yesterday, September 7, it was reported that Boko Haram sect have taken over the key town of Michika, Adamawa State.

However, the Nigerian Military have vowed to put an end to Boko Haram.

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Check out Rita Dominic’s Stunning Photos for Zaron Cosmetics

Multiple award winning Nollywood actress and style icon, Rita Dominic has been announced as the new brand ambassador for Zaron Cosmetics.Here are a few images from the ad campaign that will roll out soon. She’s stunning!…

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WAR! Usher Wants Ex-wife Tameka Raymond To Drop His Name

Five years after their divorce, Tameka Raymond is still using Usher’s last name. In a recent interview Usher says his Tameka needs to give it up.




When asked how he feels about his ex-wife still using his last name in an interview with Dish Nation Usher admitted he felt some kind of way about it.

Usher tells Dish Nation,

“She married me…I’ll marry again…And when I do, I don’t want to have a harem. I just hope that when I do, it will be a departure.”

 

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Nigeria Will Have The Highest Number Of Child Brides In 2050 – UNICEF

According to UNICEF’s latest report, Nigeria will have the highest number of child brides by year 2050 with the way underage girls are married off.



 

“In Africa, Nigeria is expected to have the largest absolute number of child brides. The country has seen a decline in child marriage of about one per cent per year over the past three decades. At this pace, the total number of child brides is expected to double by 2050,” the report stated.

In Mauritania and Nigeria, more than half of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19, who are currently married, have husbands who are 10 or more years older than they are.They are often married off to considerably older men. And sadly, more than 700 million women alive today were married before their 18th birthday.

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Singer Simone Battle Commits Suicide after Battling Depression

Beautiful singer Simone Battle best known as a member of girl group G.R.L has passed away. The 25 year old former X Factor contestant committed suicide in her home on Friday September 5th. Police say she was found hanging in a closet in her bedroom around 8:30am.



 



 

A family friend revealed Simone had been quietly battling depression for a while

Simone came to prominence as a contestant on US X-Factor in 2011. She was a finalist on the show, making it to the top 17 before being eliminated by her mentor on the show, Simon Cowell. She joined G.R.L in 2012 and just recently, their single ‘Ugly Heart’ went platinum in Australia. Sad she didn’t find reasons to continue living. See more photos of Simone after the cut…

 

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Proud Dad! Obafemi Martins Tattoos Son’s Face on His Arm (Photo)

Nigerian football star, Obafemi Martins tattooed his 11 month old son’s face on his arm. Kendrick is the son he shares with Abigail Barwuah. See more pics of the happy family after the cut…

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Boko Haram Takes over Gulak Town in Adamawa

Yola (NAN) – The Secretary to the Government of Adamawa, Liman Tukur, said insurgents had taken over Gulak town, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of the State.

This is contained in a statement signed by Tukur and made available to newsmen in Yola on Saturday.

The statement said the insurgents had killed and displaced many people in the town during their attacks.

“It has come to the attention of the Adamawa State Government that insurgents are now in Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area and had killed and displaced scores of people.

“On behalf of the people and government of Adamawa, his Excellency deeply sympathises with the people of Gulak and other surrounding villages and towns whose areas had been overran by insurgents.

“The concomitant effects of the insurgency like displacement of whole villages and towns create multitudes of internally displaced persons whose management and welfare, the government is left to bear’’, it said.

It said Adamawa Government would do as much as possible to assist the displaced persons.

It said the State Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the National Emergency Agency (NEMA) had been directed to hasten assistance to the displaced persons.

Meanwhile, reports from Michika, headquarters of Michika Council which borders Madagali local government area, said residents of some villages were fleeing to Uba, Mubi and Yola towns for fear of possible attacks.

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US Kills Al-Shabab Leader in Somalia Air Strikes

On Monday last week, US forces executed air strikes in Somalia, targeting the leader of Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, Al-Shabab.

Although there were casualties as a result of the air strike, for a while, it was unclear whether the Al-Shabab leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane was one of them.

However, the Pentagon confirmed Friday, that Godane was indeed one of those casualties, USA Today reports.

In a statement Pentagon press secretary, Rear Admiral John Kirby, said:

“Removing Godane from the battlefield is a major symbolic and operational loss to al-Shabaab…The United States works in coordination with its friends, allies and partners to counter the regional and global threats posed by violent extremist organizations.”

The White House has pledged to continue the fight against al-Shabaab:

“Even as this is an important step forward in the fight against al-Shabaab, the United States will continue to use the tools at our disposal — financial, diplomatic, intelligence and military — to address the threat that al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups pose to the United States and the American people.”

Photo Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

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Al-Shabab Elects New Leader Following Godane’s Death in US Strike

Following the United States’ air strikes on Somalia, which resulted in the death of Al-Shabab leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, it appears that the terrorist group has already elected a new leader.

The group has announced one of its commanders, Ahmad Umar who is also called Abu Ubaidah, as the new leader, BBC reports.

In a statement released via their website, Al-Shabab announced the election of their new leader, and also warned of the “consequences”of Godane’s death:

“Avenging the death of our scholars and leaders is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish nor forget no matter how long it takes.

By the permission of Allah, you will surely taste the bitter consequences of your actions.”

Photo Credit: AP/AlJazeera

 

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