Paul Okoye and wife Anita celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary

Former Pquare act, Paul Okoye aka Rudeboy and his wife, Anita, are today celebrating the 5th year of their wedding.

The couple tied the knot on March 22nd, 2015 and have three children  together.

Celebrating their anniversary, Anita took to IG writing;

15 years of friendship!
5 years of marriage!!
3 Adorable kids!!!
•
•
We bicker and argue, we quarrel and fight. But we still love each other with all our might.
We have differences which we grumpily bear but at the end of the day, we both make a great pair. Happy anniversary Partner!!  #WeddingAnniversary #PaulOkoye#AnitaOkoye •

145 bodies recovered in Zimbabwean town after cyclone-Rescue workers

As Zimbabwe prepares for two days of mourning following the devastating Cyclone Idai, rescue workers said today that they had recovered 145
bodies from a town in Zimbabwe.

“The actual number of the death toll remains unknown, but we have recovered 145 bodies in Chimanimani alone,’’ Zimbabwe Army public relations officer Exavier Chibasa told dpa.
Thousands more were feared dead after massive flooding.

Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa,  yesterday declared two days of mourning at the weekend, saying that the death toll will likely reach several hundred as the search for more bodies continue.

“We expect all our citizens, both individually and collectively, and in different ways which are informed by their faiths, beliefs and cultures, to remember all our dear departed by way of prayers and in whatever other forms and practices,’’ Mr Mnangagwa said.

Local Government Minister, July Moyo, said some bodies swept away by the cyclone have been washed away to the Mozambique side of the border.
“Authorities from Mozambique have alerted us of bodies floating on their side and we have sent our teams to recover them,’’ Acting Information Minister, Sekai Nzenza said.

He further said that the cyclone was so severe that an entire township was buried in huge boulders.

Mr Nzenza said 30 pupils and two headmasters were among the people who were missing following the floods.

Thousands more are meanwhile believed to have fallen victim in neighbouring Mozambique where flooding caused by the massive cyclone left a 125-kilometre lake in an area where hundreds of thousands of people live.

Cyclone Idai, a Category 4 storm, could be one of the biggest cyclone disasters south of the equator, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, and had brought devastation to several countries in the region.

World Happiness Day:Sadness causes premature ageing – Psychologist

Abuja – Mr Adedotun Ajiboye, a Principal Clinical Psychologist with Ekiti State
University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, says happiness prolong life while
sadness could lead to premature ageing.

Ajiboye said this in an interview in Abuja to commemorate the International Day of Happines
This year’s theme is: “Happier Together: Focusing on what we have in
common, rather than what divides us’’.
He said from a mental health perspective, happiness could be classified as
positive or healthy emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.
“An individual will experience good mental and emotional wellbeing when
happiness or joy is given a chance consistently.
“Many studies have linked positive emotions like happiness with better health,
longer life and better quality of life.
“On the other hand, negative emotions such as chronic anger, worry, and
hostility increase the risk of developing heart disease, as people react to these
feelings with raised blood pressure and stiffening of blood vessels,” Ajiboye
said.
He said it was highly necessary for all individuals to priorities happiness above
sadness or any negative or unhealthy emotions.
Ajiboye however advised Nigerians to cultivate a life full of joy, adding that one
should start every day with positive intention.
“Choose to be joyous despite all odds. Joy is a function of yourself not your
environment.
“Foster healthy living practices. Don’t eat or do or drink what will negatively
impact on your health. When you are not healthy you become sad.
“Live a purpose driven life. Determine your character strength and explore ways
to use them to help others,” he said.
Ajiboye also said individuals should ventilate their feelings, saying one should
get rid of what make you sad and share burden with someone that could help.
“Develop healthy financial activities. When you lack money, naturally happiness
may leave you. Be creative and use your God given potential to make money.
“Create and maintain strong and supportive relationships in your home, school,
workplace, religious settings and community, among others.
“Be connected to God, the real source of joy,” he said.
Journalists reports that International Happiness Day is celebrated worldwide every March 20 and conceptualised and founded by UN Special Advisor, Jayme Illien, to inspire, mobilise and advance the global happiness movement.

Experts educates women on health, family issues

To commemorate the 2019 International Women’s Day, the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), a leading empowerment initiative in the country recently organised an empowerment programme with the theme: “Balance and Peace,”,aimed at teaching women on how to overcome health problems and tackle unforeseen challenges in the home and the society at large.

The event which was held at the Oyo State chapter office of the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), was attended by experts in health and academics. Some of the dignitaries who graced the event included, guest speaker, Mrs Flora Olaifa (PhD) of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan; Chief Nursing Officer, University College Hospital (UCH), Mrs Temitope Bello; Legal Practitioner, Adenike Oduntan; stakeholders and pupils of Kenny-Yem International School, Ibadan.

According to the organisers, the initiative was part of it efforts to appreciate the achievements of women towards the development and growth of the country, call for gender equality in all spheres of life and also provides every opportunity for the wellbeing and productivity of women in the state and the country at large.

In her speech entitled: “Balance for Peace in the Family, Community and Nation”, Olaifa stressed the role of women in the family, community and nation at large, while she urged Nigerian women to concentrate more on their immediate family irrespective of any challenges and also ensure that they are virtous women in all ramifications.

“The role of women in the family, society and nation at large is essential, because strong and responsible family makes a better society and a peaceful nation. I urge parents, especially mothers to create time for their children, family and the entire home, because there cannot be progress without peace. Parents must train their children or wards in good and godly way,” Olaifa added.

Also, the medical expert, Mrs Bello, enlightened the participants on: “Ways to be free from Hypertension”, adding that, “some of the main causes of the high rate of hypertension cases in Africa today, especially among women include: ignorance, lack of adequate rest, hereditary, social and economy problem. However, the challenge has forced many lives to stroke, eye defect, kidney failure and other related diseases and eventually cut many lives short.”

She, however, noted that the preventive measures include modification of life style, constant health check-up and health status, adequate rest, avoidance of unnecessary pressures. She also commended the management of the NGO for making the welfare and health care of women and the society at large a priority.

In her bid to re-orientate Nigerian women, a legal practitioner, Adenike Oduntan, stressed that the women’s right is an entitlement and claims for women around the world, which is guided by the law, just as she noted that the rights are numerous and that it enhances the power and responsibilities of women.

“This is to protect women from unwarranted challenges and hazards of the society. It time, Nigeria will embrace laws that will protect women and the girl-child so as to reduce all the challenges and assaults they face in the society to a barest minimum or even eradicate them.”

In her remarks, the Executive Director of LAPO, Mrs Sabina Idowu-Osehobo represented by the LAPO, Ibadan Regional Officer, Mrs Oluwakemi Olawale, noted that the organisation is fully committed to addressing the maginalisation of women and has for decades been at the forefront of the struggle to promote legal and policy reforms and supporting projects that empower women socially and economically.

“We are a leading NGO in Nigeria with an unflinching commitment to the social, health and economic empowerment of poor and vulnerable people, especially women in Nigeria. So, as a result of this, we have made it a priority to seize the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) to empower, educate and expose Nigerian women to basic needs to have a resourceful life,” she added.

Just In!!! Another building collapse in Lagos Island

Less than a week when a building collapsed in Ita Faji of Lagos island another building located in same vicinity has collapsed.

As the time of filing this report many people are trapped under the collapsed building.

The building is located at 57, Egerton Square, Oke Arin, Lagos Island.

Details later....

Alex shakes table after she shares her ‘waist trainer’ experience

Alex Asogwa simply known as Alex or Alex Unusual, may have just begun the funeral of the waist trainer industry of Nigeria.

The former Big Brother Naija housemate shared a very hilarious yet truthful personal experience of her first and second usage of a waist trainer.

With the rave if trying to get the hourglass figure, one that can be flaunted on Instagram and other social media platform, many women have opted for this fashion item, everyone wants you to buy but never really tells you what truly feels like to wear one.

So, if you have never worn a waist trainer and wondering what it feels like, if you do, read what Alex said about it below:

First time, I had to stop at an eatery close to my house and ran to their rest room to take it off. Second time I sat for 10 minutes and took it out in front of people. Trust me, I tried to endure but it kept screaming “I’ll kill you” I’ll try waist trainer again for the third and last time today. Let’s see if I breathe. I don’t know how people endure bondage. That thing puts hands on my neck, threatening to strangle me. I even have headache,” she said.

Should lovers marry without parental consent?

SIMON UTEBOR writes about the importance of getting the go-ahead from parents before marriage

For lovers intending to marry, it’s believed that parental consent is important. Marriage is defined as the union between spouses establishing rights and obligations between them.

However, it’s believed that some lovebirds, critical of their parents or guardians’ disapproval, may not care about their parents’ consent before getting married.

An Isoko man from Delta State, Nicholas Onojovo (coined name), met his fiancée identified only as Chidera from a state in the South-East three years ago and they later married.

Onojovo said, “Chidera decided we keep our relationship a secret, but I refused and urged her to let her family know about it. She told me she knew her family would not support the relationship. I kept urging her and she finally informed her family. But her parents, who are traditionalists, rejected her decision.

“I told her not to give up since we are in love. We feel we are old enough to get married, hence we have decided to marry. But her parents have refused to bless the union.”

However, the view of a lawyer, Mrs Dise Ogbise, appears to comfort Onojovo.

Ogbise, who is the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Sagbama branch, Bayelsa State, stated, “Legally, once a person is 18 years, he or she has the right to choose whom his or her life partner should be.

“In view of this, parental consent is immaterial as an adult can decide to marry whoever they wish to marry even when there is opposition from their parents.” She, however, said the only disadvantage was that they wouldn’t get their parents’ blessing.

Ogbise said there were cases of couples who didn’t get the blessing of their parents and were still happily married, stressing that eventually, such parents later accepted their kids they earlier rejected.

She added, “Let me also add that there are customs that require parental consent and if a couple decide to subject themselves to such customs, especially as they have no plans of getting married under the Marriage Act, then, they will be subjected to getting parental consent before they marry.

“Underage marriage requires parental consent but we know that child marriage is highly prohibited under the Child Rights Act.”

A married man, Mr Ahmed Gbenga, said marriage by lovers without parental consent was not only an unfortunate development but a taboo in the country’s culture.

Gbenga, who is a broadcast journalist based in Benin City, Edo State, said such development showed the level of moral decadence in society.

He said, “The parents, too, have their own part of the problems. Some of them do not work hard to bring up their children in an acceptable manner. The lazy ones depend completely on their children. In such a case, they have no say in the affairs of their children.

“The boy or girl child can just come and tell daddy and mummy, ‘see the person I want to marry’ and that is all. They do not care about the family background of the person they want to marry.”

A public affairs commentator, identified only as Idowu, described parental consent as essential before lovers could marry.

Idowu said his standpoint was informed by challenges in marriage, noting that if a marriage had problems, the couples would run to their parents.

“Marriage is not all rosy. If a marriage has problems and the issues are going beyond something that can be handled at home, one’s parents will step in. But if one doesn’t have the consent and blessing of one’s parents, where does one run to?” he stated.

On his part, a Warri-based businessman, Kolawole Joseph, believed that no lovers, no matter the professed level of affinity, should marry without parental consent.

He said marriage could be marred by failure to get parental approval, explaining that marriage could not be done in a vacuum.

Joseph added, “Marriage comprises two families – the male’s parents and the female’s parents. One cannot marry in a vacuum; it has to be inclusive. People have to witness the marriage.”

Also, a married man, Oluyemi James, said parental consent was always difficult to obtain in a broken home.

James said, “In a broken home, it is usually tough, especially if the separated or divorced partners have found love elsewhere.”

A Muslim cleric, Alhaji Rasak Sotomi, described marriage without parents’ consent or approval as null.

Sotomi noted that it was not the best for lovers to marry without parental consent, saying the consent would form the basis of their marriage.

The cleric said, “I believe that consent should come first; that will form the basis of their married life. From the perspective of Islam, the Quaran specifies that children should seek their parents’ consent before they marry.

“Therefore, anybody who does not follow this instruction, goes against the will of Allah. It is my advice that lovers should seek their parents’ consent before marrying so that it will be well with them. Parental consent is absolutely important for a successful marriage.

“You do not defy your parents when it comes to issue of marriage. If they fail to do so, the consequences are very grave – you know our parents have spiritual control over us.”

He also said seeking one’s parents’ consent would also enable the parents to do discreet investigation into the family backgrounds of the intending spouses.

Sotomi said such background checks could expose certain things hidden from the lovers, perhaps blinded by love.

“From such research, the parents will be able to get knowledge of the families – whether such a family has history of disease, early death, witchcraft and other issues hidden from the lovers,” the cleric said.

A marriage counsellor, Pastor Nicholas Zion, explained that the Bible teaches children to honour their parents.

He believes that one should obey them, adding that obeying every instruction they give could however change as one grows.

Zion stated, “It has to be understood that adult children are not their parents’ property and are therefore free to make their own decisions, including marital decisions.

“But if your parents are opposed to your choice because your fiance (é) for whatever reason, then it is time to listen very closely to what they have to say. The Bible does not approve of anyone disobeying their parents.