Kenyan police tear gas primary school children protesting removal of playground

Dressed in green primary school sweaters, children as young as 7 chanted alongside teachers, parents and activists on Monday to protest the sale of a school playground in Nairobi. The protest turned violent when police fired tear gas into the crowd. At least 10 students were taken to the hospital for injuries including tear-gas exposure, said a member of Kenya’s parliament.

Students from Langata primary school in Nairobi run past riot police. (Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

Before Monday’s standoff, teachers and students at the Langata Road Primary School returned from Christmas break to find the school’s play area fenced off. The playground was allegedly part of a land grab by a private developer who a Kenyan human rights activist said is also a powerful politician, according to the Associated Press. Boniface Mwangi said: “The governor, the senator and other government officials are all scared of the politician, they cannot do anything to stop the playground from the being taken.”

The school, which serves about 1,000 students aged between 3 and 14, is run by the Nairobi city council, reported the BBC. Kenneth Okoth, a member of parliament, told Bloomberg the school has owned the land since 1972, but that the land was acquired by a “group of professional land grabbers.”

School children push the newly erected fence. (Dai Kurokawa/European Pressphoto Agency)

Left: A protester clashes with a police. Right: A police officer reacts as his colleague tries to calm him down. (Photos by Dai Kurokawa/European Pressphoto Agency)

On Monday, the protesters knocked down the newly built wall, but were met with clouds of tear gas. Agence France-Presse reported 40 armed officers wielding batons pushed back a crowd of about 100 onto a pedestrian bridge.

Dozens of children were exposed to the tear gas. Many screamed as they sought water to wash their eyes.

Protesters pushed on to a bridge. (Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images)

The police officer in charge at the scene was suspended, according to acting police chief Samuel Arachi. Arachi told the AP that five people were arrested during the incident — three for vandalism and two for incitement. Arachi said that, in an incident such as this, tear gas is not used because the protests were not violent. Some reports said protesters threw rocks.

Left: Activist Boniface Mwangi, center, and schoolchildren. (Dai Kurokawa/European Pressphoto Agency)
Right: An injured riot policeman. (Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

AFP reported senior police officer Mwangi Kuria told Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper that the police were deployed to “safeguard the property.”

But why would the police come to a school equipped automatic weapons, dogs, and tear gas? Raila Odinga, an opposition leader, told the AP: “This is brutality beyond words and greed beyond description. It is difficult to believe that police can actually deploy against primary school children and lob tear gas at them to defend a land grabber. This image of a nation determined to steal forcefully from its own children cannot be what we aspire to. It cannot be the legacy we want to bequeath the children.”

The incident set off an outcry from social media under the hashtag “#OccupyPlayGround.”

Students from Langata primary school hold placards. (Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

Nabeel Rajab: Bahrain activist jailed for tweet

One of Bahrain's most prominent human rights activists has been sentenced to six months in prison over a comment he tweeted last year.

Nabeel Rajab was charged with insulting a public institution and the army.

In the tweet, he suggested that security institutions in Bahrain had served as what he called an "ideological incubator" for jihadists.

The court has granted Mr Rajab bail of $500 (£430) while he appeals against the verdict, if he chooses to pay it.

Mr Rajab has served several prison sentences since setting up the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights in 2002.

He confirmed his latest sentencing in a tweet that read: "I was sentenced to 6 month."

Rights groups say this sentence is the latest move against activists by authorities in Bahrain.

On Monday, the head of the country's main opposition group was charged with promoting violent regime change.

Beauty: Get Evenly Beautiful Skin! 5 Fruits Great for Fading Dark Spots & Discolorations

One of the major problems when it comes to skin is discoloration. From having dark spots and scars to large patches of dark skin, it can be quite unflattering especially when you have to wash off all your makeup.

The skin is the foundation of any makeup look you want to create, and without making sure the foundation is in great condition your masterpiece will not come out well. Think Picasso painting on a rumpled canvass, you get the picture.

First of all, before you find the solution to your skin discoloration, you have to know what causes dark spots and discoloration to begin with.

Discoloration is caused by excess production of melanin (the skin’s natural pigmentation) in certain areas of the skin. This affects the topmost layer of the skin which then leaves you with brown or dark patches due to over/hyper pigmentation. The causes of melanin overproduction ranges from excess sun exposure, poor diet, indigestion, liver problems etc.

Dark spots on the other hand are caused by the scarring of the skin. This can be due to excessive pressure on the skin which can lead to the death and rot of he skin cells in that area. Take for example when you pop a pimple that isn’t ready to be popped; you will end up damaging your skin by killing the skin cells in that area which turn black from rot after a while.

So today to help get rid of these skin problems in the most natural way possible, we are letting you in on 5 fruits that are great for fading dark spots and discoloration.

1. Lime/Lemon

This is probably one of the most popular natural solutions for dark spots and discolorations. The citric acid prominent in limes & lemons are very potent and can lead to the bleaching of the skin causing dark spots and discoloration to fade.

However it is important to make sure your skin is not too sensitive as it could get burned in the process of using the fruit. If you have sensitive skin try mixing it with honey or rose water to dilute its potency.

Also it is important to avoid sunlight while the lime or lemon is on your face; its reaction to sunlight might cause skin burns.

2.Papaya

Papaya  is also a great way to lighten discolorations and dark spots. Naturally, papaya contains an enzyme called Papain which is the key lightening ingredient in the fruit and also helps with the smoothing of the skin.

Papaya also contains Vitamin C and other Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help maintain the skin’s PH balance as well as reduce pigmentation which lead to a more even skin tone.

A great way to incorporate this in your beauty routine is to mix mashed papaya with honey or olive oil and massage into your skin for 10 minutes daily. This gives your skin the chance to soak up the lightening enzymes that will brighten the skin. You should begin to see improvements after a few weeks.

3. Oranges

This is another member of the Citrus family that can get rid of discoloration and dark spots. Oranges are high in Vitamin C which help lighten skin and also contains antioxidants and other substances that help improve the skin’s elasticity.

A great way to incorporate this into your beauty routine is to mix 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice and powdered tumeric. Mix them together until they form a paste and then apply to your face and neck overnight. If you are a ‘tosser and turner’ while sleeping, it’s best you do this earlier then wash off before you sleep. Be sure to let your face air dry so your skin can have some moisture to work with during the night.

4. Tomatoes

These red balls pack a punch when it comes to the antioxidant – Lycopene. This protects your skin from damaging UV rays when you’re in the sun, boosts collagen production which helps keep the skin smooth and firm and repairs skin. In addition it makes the skin brighter with the presence of Vitamin A and C.

A great way to use tomatoes in your skincare routine is to cut a whole tomato in half and rub on your face. Then let it dry and wash off with cold water.

Another great way to use tomatoes for your beauty routine is to sprinkle brown sugar on the other half of the tomato and rub gently on your face. This exfoliates the skin while giving it all the nourishment in the fruit.

5. Strawberries

Strawberries are super fruits that are high in anti-oxidants, Vitamin C and polyphenols such as flavonoids and ellagic acid which help fade dark spots on the skin. They also contain a high concentration of the alpha-hydroxyl acid which helps remove dead skin cells and excess oil on the skin’s surface.

To use a strawberry in your beauty routine, simply soak a cotton ball in fresh strawberry juice and apply on your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse off thoroughly.

24 Year Old Tosin Akingbulu Emerges As Best Graduating Student at the Pan-African University’s SMC

24-year old Oluwatosin Akingbuluemerged as the Best Graduating Student from the Pan-Atlantic University’s School of Media and Communication (SMC) full-time Masters program.

At the award ceremony which was held at Havilah Events Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Oluwatosin was awarded with a degree of  Distinction in Media and Communication, specializing in Media Enterprise.

See another photo below: 

Meet the 86-year-old widow who’s spent 10 years living on a cruise ship

86-year-old Lee Wachtstatter isn’t your ordinary cruise passenger.

More than a decade ago, not long after the death of her husband, she decided to sell her five-bedroom Florida home. But instead of downsizing, she opted for something far bigger - relocating to a cruise ship, where she’s remained ever since.

“My husband Mason introduced me to cruising," she explains in an interview with USA Today. "He was a banker and real estate appraiser and taught me to love cruising. During our 50-year marriage we took 89 cruises.

"The day before my husband died of cancer in 1997, he told me, 'Don't stop cruising.’ So here I am..."

She certainly took his request to heart. Three years were spent on board a Holland America ship; she’s been a resident on the 1,070-passenger Crystal Serenity for the last seven – longer than most of vessel’s 655 crew members, who have given her a nickname “Mama Lee”.

DRAKE’S PIC featured on Church’s Revival Banner

What were they thinking, using drake's picture for a church programme...

Six foreign firms, Dangote to begin mining gold, iron ore in 2015

The Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office said on Monday that six foreign mining companies and Dangote Group of Companies would commence mining of gold, iron ore, coal and lead/zinc in 2015.

The Director-General of the Office, Mr Mohammed Amate, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Amate said the companies were Kogi Mines Ltd, Segilola Nig. Ltd and Mines Geotechniques Nig. Ltd.

Others are Northern Numero Resources Ltd, West African Polaris Investment Ltd. and Tongyi Allied and Mineral Services Ltd.

He said Kogi Mines; an Australia Mining Company based in Kogi had concluded exploration programmes, adding that it would commence mining of iron ore in Agbaja in the state in 2015.

Amate said that the company had completed its four-year exploration and that it had delineated more than 500 million tonnes of iron ore.

He said Segilola Nig. Ltd would also begin mining of gold in Iperindo area of the IIesha Schist belt of Osun.

Amate said that so far, the companies had also carried out the same exercise and delineated more than one million ounces of gold in the area.

He said that Mines Geotechniques Nig. Ltd and Northern Numero Resources Ltd, both Australian companies and would begin mining of gold this year in Kebbi.

Amate said the Federal Government had last year signed Memorandum of Understanding with the companies to commence mining in the state.

He disclosed that Dongote would conclude its coal exploration in 2015 and was expected to immediately commence mining of coal in Kogi and Benue.

He said that Dangote had been working toward commencing coal mining in both states, adding that the company held mining titles covering limestone, coal and gypsum.

The director-general said the West African Polaris Investment Ltd, a Chinese company, would commence mining of tin and columbite in Nasarawa State.

He said the Tongyi Allied and Mineral Services Ltd, another Chinese company, would begin mining of lead/zinc in Wasa, Plateau State.

Amate said the two companies would commence major mining operation in various locations in the two states as they had delineated their reserves.

He further said that 169 Small Scale Mining Companies had already begun mining gemstone, gold, lead/zinc, columbite/Tantalite among others across the country.

Amate advised the miners to carry out their operations legally, pay their fees promptly to the government as well as reclaiming mines sites as provided by the law.

He also warned miners not to discharge any harmful materials into any environment that could pose danger to lives.

“If you are discharging anything you make sure that you discharge safely. You make sure you check the acidic, PH value. Do not discharge anything harmful’’, he stressed.

He said Nigeria had been losing a lot of money to illegal mining but the government had put in place measures to checkmate the challenge.

Photos : Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu visit IBB at his home in Minna

APC presidential candidate and his vice, Gen. Buhari and Prof Osinbajo, APC chieftain Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi paid a courtesy visit to IBB at his Minna, Niger state home this afternoon. 
More photos below: 

 

NNPC Plans To Cut Kerosene Price To N50 Per Litre

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC], has created a scheme aimed at getting kerosene to consumers across the country at the regulated price of N50 per litre.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, of the corporation, Mr Ohi Alegbe.

It revealed that the scheme ‘Kero Correct’ initiative’ was also aimed at cutting off the several layers of middlemen who made it difficult for the end user to enjoy the subsidy on the product.

Mr Frank Amego, the Executive Director, Commercial, of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), also announced the initiative in a statement at the one-day workshop in Abuja.

“The Kero Correct initiative is thus designed to distribute and sell kerosene directly to end users from NNPC Retail mega and affiliate stations across the country at the government-regulated price of N50 per litre to ensure effective control,”he stated.

He also said the scheme which would be officially launched soon, would involve the distribution of a total of 1,500 trucks of kerosene across NNPC Retail’s mega and affiliate stations across the country.

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Gov fashola dancing shoki in lagos rally

 Governor of lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fahola pictured today at the Oworonshoki area, campaign rally dancing shoki. You feel his shoki dance???

Ladies learn this tips on how to defend yourself

Here is a little tip on how you ladies can rescue  yourself in case of emergency, but please don't try them on your husband o...

PHOTOS: Obafemi Martins lounges with Tinubu, endorses Ambode

Nigerian soccer star, Obafemi Martins who is currently in Lagos on vacation, has just publicly endorsed the All Progressives Congress and its Lagos gubernatorial candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode.

The Seattle Sounders striker shared a picture of himself and APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos before following up with another photo of himself in a T-shirt that bearing Akin Ambode’s campaign poster.

Another photo below: 

Ify Okeke blasts colleagues for abandoning late actor Muna Obiekwe

Muna Obiekwe’s death is beginning to raise some controversies as Actress Ify Okeke has blamed her colleagues in the movie industry for neglecting the Actor while he was ill. Ify took to her instagram page to express herself over what she said was an extreme negligence.

“I truly hate to be a harbinger of bad news but I want to confirm that Muna Obiekwe is dead! And I’m so angry! Yes not just because we lost another great talent but because in this industry, we are not our brothers keepers. Yes, Muna might have wanted or lived a private life but people knew he was sick, people knew his health condition and yet what did they do? Some tried but if they had cried out to the world, Muna might have gotten help. We are just colleagues, no real friends! Rest in Peace Muna.

Jonathan storms Northern Nigeria – PDP

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has stated that its candidate in the February 14 election, President Goodluck Jonathan, is heading to victory due to his good performance in office and widespread acceptance by Nigerians.

The spokesperson of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, who addressed a press conference on Sunday in his office, also announced that the president’s campaign train will kick off in the northern part of the country on Monday.

Northern Nigeria is believed to be the part of the country where Mr. Jonathan has the lowest popularity due to the belief by some that it is the turn of a northerner to emerge president as well as the failure of the administration to curtail the Boko Haram insurgency that has ravaged the region.

While speaking on his party’s chances in the presidential election, Mr. Metuh said Mr. Jonathan is set to win convincingly in the five states of the South East. He also said the President would deal with the All Progressives Congress, APC, in South West states including Lagos, the stronghold of the party.

Mr. Metuh said the popularity and acceptability of Mr. Jonathan and governorship candidates have earned the PDP tremendous support at the grassroots.

“As our campaign train moves to the north, we leverage on the goodwill we enjoy from our citizens in that region.

“The north remains a stronghold of the PDP where in the last 16 years, we have enjoyed massive support and have continued to win majority votes as a result of our unprecedented performance in all sectors.

“Our strength lies in the fact that out of the 19 states of the north, the PDP controls 12 with solid structures, oiled over the years in all the wards and local government areas,” he said.

Proof of performance

The spokesperson said the PDP is popular in the north and is buoyed by the various development projects that have hugely affected the lives of ordinary Nigerians in the region; a factor, he said, put it in vantage position to win back Sokoto, Kano, Nasarawa and Kwara as well as win in Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states.

“As we go to the north, we are not just asking for votes, we are coming loaded with verifiable achievements. For instance, in education, the once abandoned Almajiri boys can now go to school as President Jonathan initiated and established the Almajiri System of Education, the first of its kind, with over 150 special schools already built across the Northern states while others are nearing completion.

“Also, out of the 14 new universities established by President Jonathan, 9 are located in the northern states thereby ensuring that all states of the region have a federal university. This is in addition to establishment of new secondary schools and training of teachers for better quality education in the north,” he said.

He also said recognizing that agriculture is the mainstay of the northern economy, Mr. Jonathan ensured that out of the 2.7 million direct farm jobs achieved by his administration, over 2 million are in the north.

He said the president established the e-wallet system, which eliminated the corruption in the distribution of fertilizer and other farm inputs thereby making the products directly accessible to millions of farmers in the region and this has boosted their productivity.

“Today, our silos are brimming and food pyramids are returning in the north,” Mr. Metuh said.

The PDP spokesperson added that in the last four years, President Jonathan has committed enormous resources in tackling desertification in the region.

“This administration established more than 80 km of 15– row Green Belt in addition to the Presidential Initiative on Afforestation in Kano and 10 other Northern States,” he said

He added that the revitalization of the railways by the Jonathan administration has connected major cities in the north to the extent that very soon it will become easy for Nigerians to live in states in the north and still work in Abuja as the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2015.

“Today, the Minna-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano narrow gauge has been rehabilitated. The Markurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi-Gombe-Ashaka-Maiduguri, as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna are at completion stages and will be operational soon,” he said.

On roads, the spokesperson said the Kano-Maiduguri highway that is the longest stretch in the country is being successfully tackled. He also said the Abuja-Lokoja road, which used to be a death trap and has witnessed several accidents is now a delight for road travellers.

“Against the backdrop of the achievements, a few of which we have just highlighted, we are going to the north, well-equipped with our record of performance,” the party said.

Buhari finally speaks about having cancer

All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, dismissed doubts about his medical and educational fitness for the presidency describing such allegations as distractions by the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to deviate from the core campaign issues of corruption and incompetent leadership.

Accusing the PDP of desperation having run out of ideas, Buhari at a press conference in Abuja, further challenged the ruling party to address the fallout from the poor management of the economy which he claimed made many Nigerian workers to spend the last Christmas hungry.

The press conference by Buhari, the first by any of the major presidential candidates followed wild allegations of his alleged ill-health and lack of the educational qualification for the election.

The speculations around Buhari followed newspaper reports at the weekend which alleged that the former head of state was about to travel abroad on account of his alleged ill-health.

Debunking the reports, Buhari described the medical report widely circulated online at the weekend as forged as he said that the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital which reportedly issued the report has disclaimed it as a forgery.

My health — Buhari

According to him: “I was at Nasarawa and Benue states yesterday (Saturday). Tomorrow I am going to be in two states. The day after tomorrow in two more states. I am doing two states per day. How they got the impression that I was sick I do not know although I got cold and that did not stop me from going through my schedule.

“I don’t know of this desperation. The issue we are telling Nigerians is that of corruption in this country for the last 16 years PDP has literally destroyed this country. This is the issue and what has my health got to do with that one?

“Document have been put in the papers, on twitter that I am sick but the ABU said they are forged documents. This desperation is beyond my understanding.”

When asked by a reporter to make a categorical statement on his state of health, Buhari jokingly asked the reporter: “How old are you? 50 years? I am telling you if we go to the field, you would not last the time I will last in the field.”
The alleged trip

Campaign officials further disclosed to Vanguard, yesterday, that the proposed trip by Buhari was upon a request by the United States Department of State which was desirous of sounding him out on his views. The trip according to a campaign official scheduled by the State Department towards January ending had not been agreed to by the Buhari campaign team.

“Yes Buhari was invited by the State Department for an interaction but he has not been able to fix a date for it because of the hectic campaign schedule and it is our view that he may not have the time for the trip,” the campaign official said.
Academic Certificates

On the issue of his certificates, Buhari expressed surprise that all hell has been let loose on the issue, wondering where his accusers were when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cleared him to contest the previous elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

“I have contested three times under the same rules set by the INEC. I was allowed to contest all these elections because my certificate was in order and there were individuals that wrote to the United States War College and the college answered them and it was published by some of your papers. So really this desperation of misinformation that is being passed around will do nobody any good because our minds are being taken away from the serious issues of corruption and incompetence by the PDP”, he said.

Petroleum Trust Fund

Buhari, who was chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, also responded to renewed accusations of corruption against him in the management of the PTF.

“That one has been cleared. There was no fraud in PTF. There was an investigation and General Obasanjo has answered that question. He confirmed that there was an investigation and the report was brought to him and there was nothing on the ground as far as my management and chairmanship of the PTF was concerned. So what else can I say when the person who did the investigation because he was the Head of State cleared me? So what else can I say?”

On the current state of the economy, Buhari slammed the PDP, saying they should concentrate on paying workers’ salaries than playing politics with his health.

“Well, the country is broke now. How many states could not pay their workers’ salaries? Even in December most families were hungry during Christmas because they could not pay their salaries, yet they are talking about an individual’s health instead of paying the people”, he said.

Khloe Kardashian Shows Camel Toe

Khloe Kardashian revealed she has a name for her camel toe. It’s Camille. And, yes, you read both those sentences correctly. The reality star joked about her friend when posting a picture that showed herself wearing rather tight white pants. Kardashian wrote on Instagram “Oh Camille the camel is trying to say hi! I hope she listens today.” Camille has actually said “hi” quite a few times before, even becoming a storyline on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Kardashian quipped in an interview last year, “My camel toe is a gift from me to you. That is just what God gave me.”

Ebola crisis: Mali says it has no more cases

According to bbc news: Mali's health minister says the country is now free of the Ebola virus, after 42 days without a new case of the disease.

"I declare this day... the end of the epidemic of the Ebola virus in Mali," said Ousmane Kone.

The last Ebola-infected patient in Mali recovered and left hospital in early December.

Latest figures show the three West African countries worst affected have all seen a decline in new Ebola cases.

Sierra Leone and Guinea both recorded the lowest weekly total of confirmed Ebola cases since August, according to UN figures on Thursday.

Liberia, which reported no new cases on two days last week, had its lowest weekly total since June.

The overall death toll has reached 8,429 with 21,296 cases so far.

Mali recorded its first case of Ebola in October, when a two-year-old from Guinea fell ill and died.

At its worst, there were 300 contact cases under investigation in the country.

But the country has now "come out" of the epidemic, said Ibrahima Soce Fall, the head of the Malian office of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UMEER).

The incubation period for Ebola is 21 days, and countries must be free of new cases for two consecutive incubation periods, 42 days, to be declared free of the virus.

Tonto Dikeh mourns muna Obiekwe

Tonto Dikeh took to her IG page to morn her friend muna Obiekwe. According to reports, it was said that he passed away as a result of kidney failure, may his soul resp in perfect peace... see tonto's words: "Gone so Soon wat more can I say dan to say Thanks for d gud times we shared together onset!! I will never 4get d movie "Dirty Secret" it waz d movie dat made me wat I am today n without ur encouragement I dnt think I would hav be able to pull it!! Rest in peace broda for ur memory would 4eva b in my hrt#EasyLionEasyTiger #YOLO #Pokolee #RIP"

Chidinma in close range with flavour

Chidinma and flavour are somewhere in cape town cooling off, she posted this picture on instagram and wrote # chilling #loveintheair #igobeyourwifey... hmmmm we are watching... see

another pic below: