Emergency rule has derailed amnesty – Northern elders

Northern elders have said the declaration of a state of emergency and massive troop deployments in three states in the North East is ill-timed and ill-conceived.

They also said the action had effectively ended the proposed amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect.

In separate interviews with our correspondents, in Abuja, on Thursday, Spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi and Dr. Junaid Mohammed described the President’s action as counter-productive.

Abdullahi said, “The states have always been in a state of emergency in the states that were announced the other day.

“The states have always been occupied by soldiers anyway; I think this measure is just a formality. From all indications, those areas that have been announced as coming under the emergency, except Adamawa, Yobe and Borno, have always been practically under the state of emergency.

“Our own interpretation of the crisis and amnesty or reconciliation committee, the surprise here is that the committee has not even been allowed to start serious work before their undermining because you can’t have the two together.

“You can’t have war while you are talking about peace and this is what we have on the ground now. We have this war and dialogue; I don’t know which one will succeed.”

According to him, if allegations that members of the sect have taken over a part of Borno State are true, it is a demonstration of the failure of the state.

He said, “If it is true that this has happened it is the failure of the previous military effort against their activities. It remains to be seen whether the intensification of the military effort will succeed in an area where they failed before.

“It remains to be seen whether this is a good strategy but from all rational analysis, it is ill timed, and ill advised because if the President was thinking of a state of emergency, he would have refrained from agreeing to set up this amnesty or reconciliation committee and concentrate on the war effort.

“To me, the work of the amnesty committee is practically terminated and we will wait for the outcome of the war.”

He explained that, “I cannot see how this will go together when you are more or less pursuing the same people that you want to come forward to discuss with you.”

Abdullahi insisted that there was no military solution to the insurgency as such dialogue remain the best option.

Photo: Karen Igho Shares Even More Photos Of Her In Her Bikini

Ex-Minister Condemns Attack On Kaduna Village

Lawmaker representing Southern Senatorial District of Kaduna State, Senator Nenadi Usman, has flayed the continued attack on the people of Atakar in Kaura Local Government of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Nenadi, a former Minister of State for Finance, described the attack as unacceptable, saying, “Enough is enough”.

The lawmaker, who spoke in Kaduna on Wednesday, called on the state government and the security operatives to live up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of residents of the community.

She noted that the call became imperative because the incident was a major setback to efforts aimed at ensuring that peace returned to the area.

Appealing to the people for calm, the Senator said she was prepared to work with all stakeholders to ensure that peace returned to the community.

She said, “There is an urgent need to stop the rampant attacks on the Atakar community which had led to the brutal killings of many people, including women and children by gunmen. This is unacceptable and must be condemned by every discerning mind.

“I appeal to the government and the security agencies posted to the area to live up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizenry.

“I will continue to work with chief security officers, in this case, the local government chairmen in the zone, and indeed, the governor, Muktar Yero, to ensure that genuine peace is restored in Southern Kaduna and the state in general.”

New Relationship Advice: 10 Basic Rules

The beginning of a relationship can be a tricky course to navigate. Guys aren’t so good at guessing what women think or want, and our stupidity can lead to otherwise easily avoidable arguments. Setting some basic rules with your new flame may help you get past the small stuff and start enjoying your lives together. Here are ten guidelines to smooth the road with your new beau.

1. Regulation. People have different comfort levels when it comes to couples behavior in public. Find the line (holding hands, smooching, heated necking on the subway platform) and don’t cross it.

2. One day a week. Decide on one day every week you can spend together, no one else invited. Everyone is busy; designating together-time is healthy for any relationship.

3. No suffocation. Being together is great — acting like conjoined twins is not. Respect each other’s space and don’t take it so seriously if he asks for some time to himself.

4. Don’t talk about the future until it’s time to talk about the future. Nothing freaks a guy out like the prospect of kids before he’s actually ready to have them. Don’t think he doesn’t want to be with you if he shies away from the topic. He just enjoys the way things are and isn’t quite ready to add a mini-me to the mix.

5. Forge friendships with your partner’s pals… Not that you have to be one of the ‘bros’, but it’s nice for him, and you, if feel comfortable around his buddies.

6. …But don’t forget your own. Don’t drop the friends who were with you before he showed up. Ditching the gals will lead to feelings of resentment and neglect, and if your relationship comes to an end, you’ll want that circle of support.

7. Don’t hide things. You don’t need to tell him about the time you hooked up with your fellow student, but it’s a good idea to tell him you’re still friends with your ex before he runs into the two of you on the street.

8. Loosen up. Don’t start a fight because he glanced at the attractive girl that just walked by. Likewise, he shouldn’t get worked up just because you said Peter Okoye from P-Square is hot. It’s not like either of you is trying to sleep with them.

9. Don’t kiss and tell. This is a relationship, not an elongated one-night stand. There’s no need to talk about what goes on in the bedroom at the water cooler.

10. No assumptions or guessing games. Don’t force him to guess what you really mean by, “It’s OK if we don’t go out on my birthday.” Being upfront with your feelings will prevent many conflicts.

Agree with these rules? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

Women: How To Find Out If You Are Fertile In 12 Steps

Finding out if you are fertile is important so if there is a problem it can be addressed as soon as possible. Here is a quick 12-Step program to assess your fertility.

1. Check HIS sperm count first. Testing his sperm count should be the very first test done for fertility. Up to 50% of infertile couples have a male problem and the sperm count is easy and ensures him an orgasm too. When in doubt, the female may not be the one responsible for the fertility problems. The male sperm count should be tested before she gets tested to determine whether the problem lies with a lower sperm count.
2. Track menstrual cycles . The cycle of your period is the best way to establish fertile times. If the cycle is regular, the ovulation time frame should generally be the same each month.
3. Determine ovulation cycle. Ovulation could occur on the 10th, 12th or 14th day after the first day of the menstrual cycle. Using a calendar, track your ovulation and have sex during the most fertile times.
4. Track lunar fertility cycles. The lunar fertility cycle is based on the moon phase at the time of your birth. Using an online lunar fertility phase calculator, the moon phase can be determined in the future. The lunar fertility day will be the same each month making conception all the easier.
5. Observe cervical mucus. Cervical mucus can determine when the female is most fertile. By placing the finger into the vagina, the mucus can be observed. If the mucus looks like egg whites, the time to have sex is now.
6. Have ovarian reserve testing. Ovarian reserve testing determines how many eggs are left to be released. This test can help to determine how fertile the female is and whether or not she will be able to conceive using her own eggs. If the ovarian reserve is too low for conception, an egg donor can be used in order to conceive.
7. Have FSH tested. FSH stands for follicle stimulating hormone. This test will determine if the FSH is being secreted in the proper amounts to support conception. Without the proper levels of FSH, the follicle may not be releasing eggs at the right time or at all.
8. Have estradiol tested. Estradiol is closely related to estrogen. This hormone regulates the reproductive cycle. If estradiol levels are low, the chance of conception is also low.
9. Have LH tested. LH stands for luteinizing hormone. When the reproductive phase begins there is a sharp incline in the LH. This is referred to as the LH surge and the test is with an OPK, and ovulation predictor kit.
10. Have prolactin tested. Female hormones need to be in balance in order for fertility to be optimal. Prolactin is one of the female hormones that works with other hormones to optimize fertility. Prolactin is most commonly known as the hormone that stimulates milk production, but it also works to aid in fertility.
11. Have thyroid function tested. The thyroid gland can help or hinder fertility. If the gland if overproducing, the chance of miscarriage is higher.
12. Have integrin tested. Integrin is responsible for helping the fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. If the integrin level is lower than normal, the egg may be fertilizing but not attaching to the uterus creating a viable pregnancy. There are therapies that can be used to increase integrin levels and help the egg to attach properly.

Thanks to Hellofood Lagosian get to discover great food every day, and enjoy steaming home food conveniently delivered to your home or office.

Hello Food, the home delivery franchise for food has been offering her services to Lagosian for months now. Either for the working class or just relaxing at home and wanting to be pampered, Hello Food (That has also launched apps apple or android device) gives food lovers an avenue to pick/order from a wild range of cuisine and meals from over a hundred restaurants, have it delivered to them anywhere in Lagos… With any extensive list of food providers from Sweet Sensation to Chinese Cuisine, there’s hardly any meal you can’t order on Hello Food website –www.hellofood.com.ng

Also, the Hello Food app was listed as the number one food app in eight countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, and top 10 in 20 countries, among the 23 countries where it is available.

And its a boy for the Chikwe’s!

Hip-hop artiste, Naeto C and his gorgeous wife, Nicole Chikwe have welcomed the patter of little feet in their home as Nicole was earlier delivered of a baby boy in the United States.

Mother and son are reportedly doing well. It will be recalled that Naeto C married his heart throb in a talk-of-the-town wedding in July 2012.

Here’s wishing the proud new parents hearty congratulations!

And its a boy for the Chikwe’s!

Hip-hop artiste, Naeto C and his gorgeous wife, Nicole Chikwe have welcomed the patter of little feet in their home as Nicole was earlier delivered of a baby boy in the United States.

Mother and son are reportedly doing well. It will be recalled that Naeto C married his heart throb in a talk-of-the-town wedding in July 2012.

Here’s wishing the proud new parents hearty congratulations!

After countless denials on social media and a staunch refusal to admit to their rosy passion, we can (with analytical authority) confirm that Yvonne Nelson And Ice Prince are an item in the love zone. And what’s more? It’s the second stint of romance for them love pups.

Some years back, the Ghanaian screen diva had been in steaming romance with the ‘Aboki’ crooner, but due to undisclosed irreconcilable differences they both kissed goodbye and wished themselves luck. Yvonne Nelson fell right in with Iyanya, while Ice Prince found himself another Yvonne, Yvonne Nwosu the celebrity fashion designer. But some moinths on, and they both broke up with their new mates leaving them free again. How convenient!

Now they’re back together again, playing catch-up romance. Reports of their rediscovered love first made the rounds several weeks back, only to be vehemently denied by Ice Prince on various social media platforms. But they’ve apparently relaxed their defence because reports from various sources say they’ve been spotted, stepping together at different social events.

And to further add meat to our perceived game, some few moments ago on twitter, Yvonne posted this photo above on her Instagram page this afternoon, exactly the same time Ice Prince posted another one of them together on his page, with the caption – Aboki……..apparently John (Dumelo) is my boyfriend?????? he’s gonna kill you….you don’t wanna see his aboki side…

Busted! Love always finds a way to scream out loud. Ice Prince, Yvonne, we wish you the best.

Super Eagles and Chelsea FC midfield lynchpin John Obi Mikel and a previous Miss Delta Soap Beauty Pageant Winner Sandra Okagbue are confirmed to be joined in holy matrimony.

After going steady for about 3 years, the two love pups have made a firm decision to make their relationship legal; they’ve fixed their introduction for Sunday, March 30 2013 at Sandra’s family home in Onitsha.

Reports from close friends of the couple say the news is no news as they’ve both been cohabiting as live-in lovers at Mikel’s UK home.

So we pressed further. Where did the love strike its first blow?  Right here in Nigeria when Mikel was on a visit to the country. They met, said hello, and fell love.

Family sources say the union has their full blessing, and this is in no small way connected to the generousity of Mikel Obi to the girl’s family.