We’ve Accepted Amodu’s Plea for Keshi’s Recall – NFA
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) says it has accepted the plea by its National Technical Director, Shaibu Amodu, for the return of Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles Head Coach.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFA’s Assistant Director (Communications), said the association’s Technical Committee accepted the plea to reconsider Keshi, made by Amodu on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Amodu had been announced on October 16th to take over the senior squad, hours after the team’s 3-1 defeat of Sudan in Abuja.
However, in a letter dated October 27th and addressed to NFA chairman Amaju Pinnick, through the Technical Committee Chairman, Amodu had pleaded that Keshi be reconsidered for the two matches.
He had said the time-frame available for him was “too short to tinker with the fabric of the squad or start to build a new one altogether.”
The statement quoted the Chairman of the NFA Technical Committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, as saying his committee had accepted the plea and forwarded same to the NFA Chairman.
“We have deliberated on Amodu’s letter, and after speaking with my committee members, we decided to accept it and informed the NFA Chairman of our approval.”
It also quoted Pinnick as saying on Friday that he had no objection to the proposal.
“I have never had anything against Keshi as a person. Amodu is someone we all respect and, since that is his opinion and the Technical Committee has approved it, so be it.
“I have always said the work of the committees would not be interfered with. We will give the committees the independence to do their work for optimum results.
“I am also assuring Nigerians at home and abroad that the NFA will give Keshi all the necessary support to successfully prosecute the crucial matches,” the statement quoted Pinnick as saying
Compaoré swept from power after 27 years following popular uprising against plans to extend his rule
David Smith
, Africa correspondent
,
Blaise Compaoré, who has resigned as president of Burkina Faso after protests against a planned vote to alter the constitution. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Burkina Faso’s president, Blaise Compaoré, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has been swept from power after 27 years by a violent popular uprising.
Compaoré announced his resignation on Friday as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in protest at plans to extend his rule. General Honoré Traoré, head of the armed forces, said he had taken charge of the west African country.
Like so many strongmen before him, Compaoré was forced to abandon the luxurious trappings of the presidential palace and flee for safety as his regime collapsed. A heavily armed convoy believed to be carrying the 63-year-old was seen travelling on Friday towards the southern town of Po, near the border with Ghana, according to sources quoted by Reuters. It was not clear whether he would seek asylum.
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida of the presidential guard had earlier announced Compaoré’s departure in the central Place de la Nation in the capital, Ouagadougou, to cheering from a huge crowd of protesters.
Outside army headquarters, Colonel Boureima Farta, hoisted on the shoulders of other officers, declared: “As of today, Compaoré is no longer in power.” It was a defining moment for the country’s young population, many of whom were not born when Compaoré came to power in the 1987 coup in which Thomas Sankara, his former friend and one of Africa’s most revered leaders, was ousted and assassinated.
Compaoré issued a statement on Friday that said: “In order to preserve the democratic gains, as well as social peace … I declare a vacancy of power with a view to allowing a transition that should finish with free and transparent elections in a maximum period of 90 days.”
A car burns outside the parliament building in Burkina Faso on Thursday during anti-Compaoré protests.Photograph: Theo Renaut/AP
The announcement, read out on state television, was a sudden change from Thursday, when Compaoré vowed to hold on to power through next year,after protesters stormed parliament and other official buildings, ransacking them and setting them on fire.
Opposition leaders said about 30 people died in Thursday’s violence. Agence France-Presse was able to confirm only four dead and six seriously injured, based partly on reports from the capital’s main hospital.
For months, an opposition coalition has been urging Compaoré not to seek re-election next year, in what would have been his fifth term in power. But Compaoré and his ruling party looked likely to push a bill through parliament on Thursday that would have allowed him to run again.
Protesters overran the parliament, the vote was suspended and the military announced the legislature had been dissolved and a transition government would be formed. Compaoré said he would lead the government until new elections next year.
Demonstrators rejected that plan and gathered again on Friday, demanding he step down immediately.
Compaoré was a close ally of the US and France but was also close to Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader, and the ex-president of Liberia, Charles Taylor, who was found guilty of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. He had become a regional power-broker, serving as a mediator in the Ivory Coast peace process and in moves to restore civilian rule in Guinea.
The EU called for the people of Burkina Faso to have the final say on who governs the country. A spokesman said: “The European Union believes that it is up to the people of Burkina Faso to decide their own future. Any solution must be the result of a broad consensus and respect the constitution.”
The EU said it was “working with all actors on the ground to find a solution” and consulting with international partners over the crisis. “We are ready to work with the people of Burkina Faso to ensure a return to normality, including the organisation of elections,” it said.
France welcomed Compaoré’s resignation: “France recalls its support for the constitution and thus for early, democratic elections,” President François Hollande’s office said in a statement.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country with a population of 16.9 million and ranks near the bottom of the UN’s human development index. Nearly half the population lives on less than one dollar a day.
Other long-serving African leaders include Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Paul Biya of Cameroon and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
Africa rising
Since the Arab revolutions of 2011 there have been at least six coups and coup attempts in Africa:
Democratic Republic of the Congo, 27 February 2011
An attempted coup against the president, Joseph Kabila
Mali, 22 March 2012
Military coup ousts the president, Amadou Toumani Touré. International condemnation follows and the military leaders step down in the following months to give power to a transitional government. Coup paves the way for the Tuareg rebel group the Movement for the Liberation of Azawad to take advantage of the power vacuum and seize control of the north, declaring the independent state of Azawad.
Malawi, 5 April 2012
Coup developing after the death of the president, Bingu wa Mutharika, is averted by the vice-president, Joyce Banda, making a phone call to the head of the army asking for his support. He gives it.
Guinea-Bissau, 12 April 2012
Troops attack the residence of former prime minister Carlos Gomes Júnior, who led in the first round of the presidential elections, and take over the ruling party headquarters and the national radio station. Eventually coup leaders and west African mediators agree that parliamentary speaker Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo will lead to a transitional government.
Sudan, 22 November 2012
The Sudanese government claims it has foiled an attempted coup, and brings charges against at least 13 civilians and military officers whom it accused of being behind a plot to overthrow longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.
Central African Republic:, 24 March 2013
Michel Djotodia, a leader of the Muslim Séléka rebel coalition, captures the capital, Bangui, and seizes power. Sworn in as president and holds power until January 2014.
Egypt, 3 July 2013
Abdel Fatah al-Sisi overthrows the president, Mohamed Morsi.
It does not get any easier for Burnley as they chase their first victory of the season, even if Arsenal are, by Arsène Wenger’s admission, struggling to find their rhythm this season. Burnley have scored only five goals in nine league games and they are likely to adopt a familiar defensive approach, in order to retain a puncher’s chance. The onus is all on Arsenal to find the way through Burnley. They are desperate to find consistency. David Hytner
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Emirates Stadium
Last season n/a
Referee C Pawson
This seasonG6, Y23, R2, 4.16 cards per game
OddsH 1-3 A 12-1 D 5-1
Arsenal v Burnley: probable starters in bold, contenders in light
When Danny Welbeck arrived at Emirates at the end of August, ready to embark on what has already been a hugely encouraging Gunners career, he arrived with the phrase ‘Welbz is dat guy’ fizzing around social media.
The derivation of the phrase? Nobody seemed to know, well almost nobody - the man himself was well aware where it came from and was only too happy to reveal all.
"It started when Ravel Morrison tweeted it [in February 2013] and everyone just cottoned on to it. It’s a bit of slang in Manchester," said Danny, who was with his home town club United from the age of eight.
"Growing up, if you do something people often say, ‘he’s dat guy’. I think I scored a goal and Rav tweeted ‘Welbz is dat guy’ but it could be anything - dat guy could be anyone. It’s hard to explain!
"In high school, " continues the 23 year-old, "people used to say it all the time, a teacher can be ‘dat guy’ if you don’t like him! But it is usually used in a complimentary way. Not many of the guys have used it at Arsenal yet, although Ox has joked around saying it a few times. I didn’t realise it would be such a big thing on the internet!"
With a superb opening goal for the Gunners against Aston Villa, followed by a stunning hat-trick against Galatasaray which drew comparisons with the great Thierry Henry, ‘dat guy’ has taken little time to make his mark at Arsenal Football Club.
Taylor Swift Is An Adorable “Pegacorn” For Halloween: See Her Costume Here!
Posted Friday October 31, 2014 10:45 AM GMT
Casting doubt on the notion that she actually sleeps, Taylor Swift was up bright and early today (October 31) for even more media duties.
The “I Knew You Were Trouble” songstress put on her Halloween costume and headed over to The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show in New York City.
Worried that her fans wouldn’t be able to identify her getup, Taylor posted a photo to Instagram along with the caption, “Cause, darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a PEGACORN. #HappyHalloween!”
Swifty has been plugging her new album 1989 all week and according to Billboard, it’s working. She’s projected to sell more than 1.2 million copies in the first seven days
Enjoy the pictures of Taylor Swift dressed as a unicorn during her appearance on "The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show" in NYC (October 31).
There was panic yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos as a Nigerian, who had already been cured of Ebola Virus Disease in Sierra Leone arrived aboard Royal Air Maroc.
The ebola victim, Mr. Theophilus Onnakhinon, was flown from Sierra Leone by the airline while his younger brother, Mr. Chinedu Eroka was said to have absconded from the Sierra Leonean authorities. It was not however clear why Eroka absconded.
A source close to the Port Health at the Lagos Airport confided in aviation reporters yesterday that the victim had already been treated of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone and cured of the disease by the health authorities of that country after some weeks in their custody.
The source who doesn’t want to be named as he was not allowed to talk to the media on the issue said that the victim was assisted into the country by the Nigeria’s consular officer, Mrs. T. Mohammed.
According to the source, the consular officer accompanied the victim into the country in order to avoid stigmatization by the Nigerian health officials and other authorities at the airport.
On arrival in Nigeria, the victim was immediately handed over to the Port Health officials at the Lagos airport who immediately isolated and quarantined him.
As at the time of filing this report, the victim was said to still being observed by the Port Health officials.
The source said that the essence of his being quarantined in the country was for the Nigerian officials to also check his health status and confirm that he was free of the disease before being released to the public.
The source said:
“It is true that there was Ebola scare at the Lagos airport today, (yesterday) but the fact is that the victim had been cured of the disease in Sierra Leone before being assisted into Nigeria by our consular officer in that country and immediately he landed, he was handed over to the port health authorities who immediately carried out checks on him and isolated him from the other passengers.
“But, the truth is that we just want to recheck what has already been done by the Sierra Leonean authorities. You know, we cannot take chances again in the country. I can assure you that the situation is under control.”
However, the Port health services at the Lagos Airport have declined to comment on the issue and directed our enquiry to the Ministry of Health.
Lionel Messi more skilful than Cristiano Ronaldo - Fabio Capello
Barcelona's Lionel Messi is "more skilful" than Real Madrid's 2013 Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, says former England boss Fabio Capello.
Messi, 27, will become La Liga's all-time top scorer if he scores twice at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday. Portugal's Ronaldo, 29, is 10th on the league's leading scorers list. "Cristiano is a powerful player, with very good technique, but he does not possess the pure technical skill of Messi," Capello told AS.
Head-to-head
Lionel Messi at Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid
Appearances
Goals
Appearances
Goals
284
250
La Liga
173
193
89
69
Champions League
54
55
Messi has scored 250 goals in 284 appearances for Barcelona and is one behind Telmo Zarra's record for Athletic Bilbao in the 1940s and 1950s. He has scored seven league goals this season, nine behind Ronaldo's tally and two behind team-mate Neymar. Ronaldo and Messi, a four-time winner of Fifa's World Player of the Year award, are the only active players in La Liga to have scored over 100 goals in Spain's top domestic league, but Capello believes the latter has the edge in terms of technique. "Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are two extraordinary players but they are different," said the Russia manager, who attempted to sign Messi on loan for Juventus in 2005. "Leo Messi is a very difficult player to play against. "When I saw Messi play I knew he was special. I could see that he could do things that didn't occur to other players."
Top five La Liga highest goalscorers
Telmo Zarra (Athletic Bilbao) 1940-55
251
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 2004-present
250
Hugo Sanchez (At. Madrid, Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano) 1981-94
234
Raul (Real Madrid) 1994-2010
228
Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid, Espanyol) 1953-66
Wellngton Silva work permit: Youngster dubbed 'new Neymar' wants to become 'icon' at Arsenal
The winger agreed to join the club in 2009 but has been unable to play a competitive game under Arsene Wenger
Wellington Silva is understood to have met the requirements needed to play for Arsenal from next season. The youngster agreed a £3.5m switch from Fluminense to the Gunners back in 2009 after a successful trial, however the deal could not be signed until 2011 due to his age. Over the past four seasons, the Brazilian has been sent out on various loans tp Spanish clubs, including Alcoyano, Ponferradina, Murcia and currently Almeria. Silva will complete the season at Almeria but the 21-year-old has been quoted as saying he has secured Spanish citizenship, which will entitle him to a work permit in the UK. "It's true," he told reporters when asked about his Spanish citizenship. "I can now go back to Arsenal from next season. I would be very happy if I could become an idol at a club like Arsenal." "I will give my best to become a great player." Dubbed the 'new Neymar', Silva has played in six matches for La Liga side Almeria this term, although he is yet to score.
Arsenal vs Burnley: Jack Wilshere ruled out with knee injury as Arsene Wenger reveals further injury concerns with just three fit defenders
Kieran Gibbs is also a doubt for the visit of the Clarets meaning Arsenal could be left with just three fit defenders, Arsene Wenger has revealed that Jack Wilshere will miss this weekend’s Premier League clash with Burnley after picking up a “short-term” knee injury, adding to Arsenal’s ever-increasing injury woes.
Wilshere has been in impressive form of late having enjoyed a strong run in the Arsenal starting line-up, and with Aaron Ramsey only just returning from his own injury the Gunners rarely fielded their strongest midfield. That will be the case again on Saturday as the England international will miss the visit of Burnley to the Emirates, although Wenger remains hopeful that left-back Kieran Gibbs will play a part in the encounter. "There is a slight problem with Jack Wilshere,” said Wenger at his pre-match press conference. “Kieran Gibbs has a test.
"He [Wilshere] got a kick on his knee, it is very, very short-term." Wenger went on to confirm that Wilshere could recover in time to play a part in Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Anderlecht, but admitted that it may come too soon for the 22-year-old and instead could target next weekend’s trip to Swansea for a return.
“I don't know if Tuesday will be too early but certainly [fit for] Swansea,” Wenger added. Kieran Gibbs is an injury doubtThe 65-year-old Frenchman also confirmed that he will not risk starting Theo Walcott against the Clarets despite his return to fitness from a long-term knee injury that kept him out of action for nine months. "Theo is not ready yet. He's been out for too long to start the game. If I can give him some competition I'm happy to do it," Wenger said. "He's eager to play, but that is always the period when the patience of the player is tested. "They feel ready and want to play. Usually they realise only much later they are not completely ready. "I know Theo very well. He's an intelligent player so he knows as well he's not completely there yet." Wenger did have a positive update on the fitness of Olivier Giroud. The striker has not played since the 2-2 draw against Everton back in August in which he suffered a broken tibia, but Wenger revealed that he is “miles ahead of schedule” with the Frenchman originally believed to be out until the end of the year. "Olivier is miles ahead of schedule,” said Wenger. Giroud suffered a broken tibia in the 2-2 draw with Everton"He's doing very well. He's three weeks ahead of schedule and he will join normal training after the international break. Of course it's a big boost."
Everton report record profit of £28.2m for 2013-14
Everton made a club-record profit of £28.2m for the year ending 31 May 2014.
The £120.5m turnover was the highest in their history, helped by the lucrative new Premier League TV deal and rises in sponsorship income and gate receipts, plus profits on player sales. Everton have also reduced net debt to £28.1m from £45.3m, according to their latest accounts, published on Friday. "We are moving forward on so many fronts off the field as well as on it," Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said. The club returned a profit for the second successive year, having made £1.6m in 2012-13.
Everton's accounts in brief
2013 2014
Total profit
£1.6m
£28.2m
Operating profit
£0.7m
£23.0m
Turnover
£86.5m
£120.5m
Gate receipts
£17.4m
£19.3m
Broadcast revenue
£55.7m
£88.5m
Sponsorship revenue
£7.6m
£8.4m
Total operating expenses
£96.2m
£115.3m
Net debt
£45.3m
£28.1m
They were helped by a significant increase in broadcast revenue from the first season of a three-year Premier League television deal with Sky and BT Sport, which began in 2013. It rose from £55.7m to £88.5m - a figure higher than Everton's entire turnover for the previous year. The club made a profit of £28.2m profit on player trading, helped by the sale of midfielder Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United for £27.5m in September 2013, as well as deals to sell Victor Anichebe to West Brom at the same time and fellow striker Nikica Jelavic to Hull City in January 2014. Sponsorship, advertising and merchandising revenue increased slightly, while gate receipts went up along with attendances at Everton finished fifth in the Premier League and reached the FA Cup quarter-finals. But staff costs also went up - largely as a result of squad strengthening - by 10%, from £63m to £69.3m. The £28m club-record signing of striker Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea is not included in the latest accounts, as he was not brought in until July this year. That deal, along with new contracts for manager Roberto Martinez, midfielder Ross Barkley and defenders Seamus Coleman and John Stones, will be recorded in the 2014-15 accounts. Chief executive Robert Elstone said: "Our financial results highlight growing revenues, costs remaining under control and debt reducing. "When we combine that solid financial base with a playing squad that continues to improve and increase in value, we have every right to be confident and positive on future prospects."
Steven Gerrard open to move from Liverpool if not offered new deal
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he could join another club if he is not offered a new contract.
The 34-year-old, who joined Liverpool's youth academy at the age of nine, ruled out the possibility of retirement when his current deal expires in May. "I won't be retiring this summer. I will play beyond this season," the midfielder said. "We will have to wait and see if that's at Liverpool or somewhere else. That's Liverpool's decision." The former England captain, who announced his retirement from international football in July, has made almost 700 appearances for the Anfield club, playing with prolific strikers Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen. But in a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Mail and Telegraph , the midfielder says current Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge is "possibly the number one English striker I've played with". On the subject of controversial new signing Mario Balotelli he says: "It's too early to get on Mario's back. I'm not going to judge him after 10 games. I've been impressed with the way he goes about his work. You hear all kinds of stories before you meet him but he does all the work. I like the guy." Regarding Balotelli's predecessor, Luis Suarez, who joined Barcelona in July, Gerrard said it was a surprise the Uruguay international was not named in a 23-man shortlist for the Fifa 2014 world footballer of the year award. "He scored 31 goals and was voted the best player in the hardest league in the world," he said. "So you tell me how he's not on the Ballon d'Or list. Incredible. "He should be fighting Cristiano Ronaldo for it. That's a fact."
All of a sudden a 12-year-old US boy stopped eating a year ago, and numerous doctors failed to identify what he is suffering from.
Landon Jones stopped eating a year ago. Credit: The Register
Landon Jones changed overnight and his appetite disappeared hours after he had eaten a delicious pizza and a bowl of ice cream. He woke up October 14, 2013 to realize that he was not feeling either hungry or thirsty any longer, Daily Mail reports with reference to The Des Moines Register. Landon, who used to be an active child, started suffering from dizziness throughout the whole day. Shocked parents Michael and Debbie have consulted scores of doctors to figure out the problem, they have taken him to 5 different American cities with top diagnostics departments. It yielded no tangible results as medics failed to find the cause. Landon has lost weight from 47 kg to 30 kg in a year, and he continues losing about a kilo every week. The situation already seriously jeopardizes his life. Landon’s parents try hard to encourage their son to eat, but all he manages is a bite of a sandwich at lunch and a few crisps. According to medics of Mayo Clinic in Rochester , the boy’s illness might the first case of its kind recorded worldwide. The teenager has missed 65 days of school and his school life generally is far from being enjoyable, as he cannot play with his classmates dues to constant weakness. To stop the process it might be necessary to insert a feeding tube soon to nourish Landon directly through the stomach. One of the hypothesis suggests that the rare condition is connected with hypothalamus malfunctioning. Another expert believes the cause might lie in treatment he received 3 years ago for absence seizures, which was Depakote drug taken for 1 year. The most famous case of VOLUNTARY food rejection is observed in India. A holy man named Prahlad Jani is believed to have spent more than 70 years without eating and drinking after having undergone a religious experience at the age of 11.
Prahlad Jani has not had food and water for more than 70 years
He has been subjected to several strict studies for the scientists to see if he really deprives himself completely of food and water. He easily went through all the tests, and his body turned out to be a mystery for the doctors. Worth mentioning, that the Indian is currently 85.
An actress, Babara Bowman has made shocking revelations of how American comedian, Bill Cosby emotionally and sexually abused by her.
Bill Cosby
In a shocking report by Dailymail, the actress made it known how she was abused by the legend;. It would be recalled that just few weeks ago, comedian Hannibal Buress accused the TV legend, Bill Cosby of being a ‘serial rapist’ but not many took him seriously.
”I was drugged and raped by that man, he is a monster. He came at me like a monster. My hope is that others who have experienced sexual abuse will not be intimidated into silence by the famous, rich and powerful. If I can help one victim, then I’ve done my job,’‘ Comedian Hannibal Buress had said.
Counting it all together, about 13 women have accused the American comedian and TV legend of rape and the cases were all settled out of court. However, another woman, actress Barbara Bowman has now proven Hannibal right by revealing how she was emotionally and sexually abused by legend Bill Cosby during her teenage days. In her long revelation to the Daily Mail, she described in detail how Cosby manipulated her into believing he was a father figure and took advantage of her youth, vulnerability and yes, even ambition, to have his way with her over and over again.
“My motivation to speak now is to expose Bill Cosby as the animal that he is. He went after me in that hotel room like an animal with such sexual prowess and force that he couldn’t control himself. And at 19-years-old, I knew it would be the last time he would ever get the chance to hurt me this way again.”
Here are highlights of the shocking revelations she made about Bill It all began in 1985 when she was a fresh-faced 17-year-old when she was studying acting. “My agent told me Mr Cosby was scouting for young talent and that I’d have a shot to be groomed by him personally. I was eager to please. This could be my big break. He was sexually attracted to her from first contact: “The first thing Mr. Cosby said when he met me in the conference room was, “I want you to go in the bathroom and wet your hair…then sit in this chair, shut your eyes and do an improvisation exercise with me.” He wanted me to act completely drunk, wasted, while he stood behind me and stroked my neck and upper chest. He didn’t touch me beyond that, on that day, but that’s where it certainly started. Even though it felt off to do the exercise, I gave it my all. I’d learned from years of acting classes that I had to take direction. After all, I was in the presence of the most powerful man in America at that time. Dr Huxtable chose me!’ He showed her heaven on earth: “Whenever he’d be in Denver for work, he’d make it a point to meet me, give me acting lessons, and eventually this lead to him flying me all over the country to join him…He said it was all part of his assessment to see if I was worth mentoring and grooming. He wanted to see how I handled myself around celebrities. ‘I got the royal treatment. I’d fly to wherever he was. I was met at the baggage claim curb by his right-hand man. Then, I’d be handed off to Bill’s bodyguard, who would take care of me until Bill was ready to see me. I was always met by one of his men. I was never alone.’ He manipulated her: ‘He started working on my head right away. He knew I had no father figure in my life. He knew that. yes, I was an independent girl, but he knew I was vulnerable and alone inside. He coerced and manipulated me into trusting him. He insisted I give into him 100 percent.’ ‘By the time I was drugged and raped by him in New York, he’d already broken me down, brainwashed me and made me feel like there was something wrong with me if I resisted his sexual advances. Bill would say that he needed to guide me, and that I must trust him. When he’d fill me in on my next itinerary to meet him, he would say, “You’re not going to fight me this time, are you?” He’d remind me that if I was going to be a successful actress, I’d have to break down my barriers and “learn to be vulnerable.” ‘I knew something was wrong, that this was a twisted situation, but if I resisted, I was failing him and failing my good fortune. He was a pot of gold and I needed to take good care of it.’ Earned her mum’s trust too ”My mother totally trusted him, too. She would have never let me into dangerous hands. She sent me off with her blessings. She wanted me to have these opportunities.’ The first time it happened: ‘He turned out all the lights. It was completely pitch black. He laid me down on the couch and started caressing and touching me all over. Then he put my hand on his penis, covering it with his hand. He had me masturbate him. I couldn’t see what was going on. When it was over, I ran out of the room and threw up. It was so invasive and frightening and humiliating. There was no way I could tell my mother. I couldn’t even admit it to myself. I tried to convince myself that I’d imagined it. That it was a one-time thing, that it wouldn’t happen again. And I was paralyzed with fear. It happened more than once, there were times she’d push him away, but then she’d give in: It did happen again. Barbara calls it ‘the apartment incident.’ ‘He invited me to his New York brownstone for dinner. Staff was there. We ate in the kitchen. I had one glass of red wine with dinner. My next recollection is me, coming to, slumped over the toilet bowl, throwing up. I was wearing a man’s white t-shirt and my panties. The t-shirt was not mine. Bill was standing over me, holding my hair out of my face as I threw up. I had no idea how I’d gotten there. I’d had one glass of wine with dinner. He was trying to soothe me with his words, “It will be okay. It’s okay.” ‘I know for sure he forced himself multiple times upon me and since he needed to create an environment in which I could not fight him, I can’t in all honesty say that I recall penetration because at that time I was in a vacant state of mind, as I was often drugged and brainwashed. Whatever drug he gave me, didn’t allow me to think clearly when it was over and done with. It didn’t register that I should be panicking. It was like amnesia almost. It was like what a lobotomy would do to you. I couldn’t even think clearly when I was awake. I was vacant.’ The last straw that broke the camel’s back: It occurred in Atlantic City, where Cosby was performing. He flew in Barbara to be with him… Then, Bill summoned me into his room. There, he berated me, “What the hell is the matter with you! How dare you have no discretion! You know you’re supposed to be discreet. You’ve embarrassed me. You were drunk. He freaked out that I disclosed to the concierge the fact that a 19-year-old girl was calling from his penthouse. He couldn’t handle it. He throws me down on his bed and jumps on top of me. He used his forearm to pin me down by the neck. He was trying to unbuckle his belt and take down his pants. I’ll never forget the sound of the clinking of his belt buckle. He couldn’t get his belt off. I’m screaming for help and trying to wrestle out of his grip while he’s trying to get his belt off and he’s trying to pull my pants down at the same time. I couldn’t get out from under him. ‘I didn’t stop screaming. He realizes I’m not stopping. He finally gets to a point of frustration and decides it’s too much trouble and he doesn’t want to risk it. He gets off me and calls me a “baby.” That’s when he throws me out. Though Barbara is now a successful abstract expressionist artist in Scottsdale, Arizona and a happily married mother of two, she admits to still being haunted by what Cosby did to her. ‘Those experiences live inside me. They take up space in my brain and altered the course of my emotional development and altered the course of my career. Being assaulted like that made a huge impact on my ability to trust my own instincts, as well as others’ actions. It was a block I’ve been working to undo. And a block that Bill Cosby is solely responsible for creating.’ Hopefully Bill Cosby releases a statement soon to address these issue.
