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MO ABUDU AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

The University of Westminster has awarded Mo Abudu, founder and chief executive of EbonyLife Media, an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts, in recognition of her outstanding services to broadcasting and enterprise in Nigeria.

The presentation was made during the university’s annual graduation ceremony at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall in London.

The broadcaster and filmmaker attended Westminster in 1993 when she completed a master’s degree in Manpower Studies. After successful careers as a corporate executive and human resources entrepreneur, Mo entered the world of media as the host and producer of Moments with Mo, the first pan-African talk show. In 2012, she went on to found EbonyLife TV, which has grown into a media group, encompassing movie production and global video-on-demand (VoD).

Despite a challenging business environment, 2018 has been a landmark year for Mo Abudu, beginning in March with the announcement by Sony Pictures Television that they had struck a three-project production deal with EbonyLife. The media group celebrated its 5th anniversary in July with the launch of EbonyLife ON, its global VoD service.

In October, Mo was included in The Powerlist, the top 100 most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK, alongside Meghan Markle, Anthony Joshua and Lewis Hamilton. December marks the release of Chief Daddy, the fifth feature produced by EbonyLife Films.

In her acceptance speech at the ceremony, an impassioned Mo spoke directly to the graduates from the School of Arts and School of Media and Communication:

The most important thing in life is to find your God-given purpose and passion – I mention God because I am a strong Christian and I truly believe he directs my every step. But going back to purpose – please find that thing you are passionate about, that you feel you were born to do. Then, spend every day planning and carrying out that purpose. It’s not always easy to find – but if you persevere, it will never fail you.When things get tough – and they will – just keep forging ahead – stay focused – be tenacious – and eventually your purpose will multiply and become unstoppable!

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Peter Bonfield:

Westminster University awards honorary degrees to those who have made outstanding contributions in their personal and professional lives.

 

 

Credit: Bella Naija

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8 REASONS IT’S HARD FOR SMART WOMEN TO FIND LOVE

Finding love is not an easy feat for anyone. If you are a woman who is of a higher intellect, chances are you have had an even harder time finding a fulfilling relationship. Society tends to think less of a woman who is single, as if there is something inherently wrong with them. This is definitely not the case. Below are 10 reasons why it can be harder for smart women to find love.

  1. They aren’t afraid to be by themselves.

Smart women know what they want and aren’t willing to settle for anything less. They know the importance of staying true to themselves and they also realize that sacrificing their needs for the sake of love with the wrong person will only cause resentment in the long run. They do not have to settle out of fear of being alone, or fear of social implications by others’ who do not understand a woman’s ability to be by herself, and be happy.

2. They know what they want.

Every woman has a mental “checklist” of what they are looking for in a significant other. A smart woman’s checklist tends to be either longer or more specific than those who want a significant other, just to have a significant other. They know themselves and in turn know what type of person they can and can’t be with.

  1. They don’t need another person to facilitate their lifestyle.

The past portrays that women needed to go straight from their father’s house to their husband’s. In the modern world women no longer need another person to help them live on their own; they may have realized they prefer that alone time. Therefore, knowing that they will eventually have to share that space can be scary for an independent woman.

  1. They have other commitments that take priority over dating.

Careers, friendships, family, extra-curricular pursuits, whatever it is that she has going on may not allow for as much time to date as it takes to find the right mate.

  1. They are hyper-aware that relationships end and can let their knowledge of the past affect their future potential relationships.

They have a harder time “living in the moment” and do not want to waste their time; as time truly is a valuable asset to a smart woman. They need to know that there is a future and that their potential mate is on the same page.  Marriages, kids, finances, etc.

  1. They know that attraction is only half the battle.

Physical attraction is an important aspect to finding love, but smart women understand that attraction is fleeting and can be altered once you see what is underneath.  While a woman’s hormones tend to make the first step towards finding love, smart women understand that it is the intimacy developed (and maintained) by both people that dictates whether or not a relationship can last.

  1. They can be intimidating.

When a woman is intelligent she isn’t afraid to stand up and say what she thinks. This is a hard pill for a lot of people to swallow. Whether it’s because they don’t know how to react, or if it’s because they don’t feel they can live up to her expectations; either way it can be somewhat intimidating for potential lovers and even friends.

  1. They understand Change.

They don’t pretend that they, and their partners, will be the same person years down the road. They want to grow and they have ambitions for their futures that will change who they are, and ultimately, what they want. Knowing this makes it harder for a woman to commit to a partner for a long period of time.

 

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WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL FEMALE ENTRPRENUERS

From premier fashion designers to tech giants, these women redefined success and power by being the world’s top entrepreneurs, building their business against all odds. Here are world’s most powerful women entrepreneurs who would inspire you to breathe business and be most successful.

1. Sara Blakely, Founder SPANX
Founder SPANX Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, a renowned hosiery company based in Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 29, she spent the savings of her entire life, $5,000, trying to innovative something beautiful to wear her under white slacks. From there onwards, she found her new line of shaping underwear, which was named as one of Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things. Since then, Spanx has journeyed long from a one-product wonder to a business powerhouse, with over $250 million in annual revenues and an estimated net profit margin at 20%. In 2012, she was listed in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world and was acclaimed as 93rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2014.

2. Arianna Huffington, Founder The Huffington Post
Arianna Huffington Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, the leading American online new aggregator and blog. A Greek-American author and a syndicated columnist, she was a renowned conservative commentator in the mid 1990s and became a liberal later. Her initiative continues to gain momentum, expanding its reach by incorporating new international editions. A dynamic and forward-looking entrepreneur, she is ranked in the list of Forbes World’s Most Powerful Women in 2015.

3. Dianna Von Furstenberg, Founder DVF
Dianna Von Formerly Princess Diane of Furstenberg, Dianna Von Furstenberg is a Belgian-born American fashion designer who first invented the iconic wrap dress. She is the founder of DVF, a leading fashion company that has journeyed long from being an introduction to the famous wrap dress to a global luxury lifestyle brand that offers four complete collections every year. The brand is now available in over 7 countries and 45 free standing shops globally. She is now the president of the trade association of America’s top 350 designers.

4. Cher Wang, Cofounder HTC
Cher Wang Cher Wang is a Taiwanese entrepreneur and philanthropist, and is the cofounder and chairperson of HTC Corporation and integrated chipset maker VIA Technologies. HTC is the manufacturer of one out of every six Smartphones sold in the United States today. She plays an active role in the company’s day to day operations and is working to bring HTC’s operations and sales back on a positive path. She is considered one of the most powerful women in technology and a successful entrepreneur with huge net worth.

5. Indra Nooyi, CEO PepsiCo
IndraNooyi Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi, is an Indian-born American businesswoman and the current Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of PepsiCo, the 2nd largest food and beverage business in the world by net revenue. Though not an entrepreneur in literal sense of being a founder of the company, she has ably been at the helm of affairs taking the company to new heights. A Master of Business Administration from Yale School of Business, Nooyi has directed PepsiCo’s global strategy for over a decade and has initiated the company’s restructuring. Since she began as CFO in 2001, the company’s annual net profit has increased from $2.7 billion to $6.5 billion. She has continuously ranked among the 100 most powerful women in the world. In 2015, she is ranked 15 in Forbes list of World’s 100 most powerful women.

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TOP 5 WOMEN CEO’S IN THE WORLD

Margaret Thatcher very rightly said, “If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.”The immaculate researches in neuroscience said that there are biological differences in the way a woman and a man would think but that surely does not prove men and can soar higher than women in leadership capabilities. To prove this point, we do have a straight fact sheet – presently there are approximately 22 female presidents or prime ministers in the world, and more than a dozen women executives ruling the Fortune 500 companies.

Women have been ground-breaking the realm of business since long, but this particular year of 2015 has showed some records. The first female CEO in IBM was appointed this year – GinniRometty; Facebook got its much awaited IPO with the help of Sheryl Sandberg, Irene Rosenfeld is dividing Kraft into two different public companies, while Marissa Mayer raised a level from top Google executive to the seat of CEO at Yahoo. Reaching this level was not so easy!

Let us know more about these 5 extraordinary women and highest paid female CEOs in the world:

1. Irene Rosenfeld (Chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods) –
Kraft foods is the second-largest food company in the world and she has been leading the company in perfect business terms since decades. Her journey started with Kraft as a CEO in 2006, before that she was the CEO of Frito Lay. Currently, she draws an annual compensation of $19.3 million. She took the company to a new level by replacing AIG on the Dow Jones Industrial, and then purchasing the British brand Cadbury in exchange of more than 10 billion pounds.

2. Carol M. Meyrowitz (President and CEO of The TJX Companies) –
Retail industry is now defined as a platform for low-cost options to the shoppers offering everything from clothing to housewares – this happened because of Carol Meyrowitz. She took over in the year 2007 and ever since then she looked over the business of TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Marshall’s, doing a profit of around a $21 billion. Today, she is offered an annual compensation of $17.4 million; once she started as an assistant buyer at Saks but eventually she showed the world the consequences of working hard.

3. Indra Nooyi (Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo)–
She entered PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) in 1994, climbed the corporate ladder and became the president by 2001. As her business milestone, Nooyi states acquiring Tropicana in 1998, followed by Quaker Oats Company in 2001. PepsiCo today has Gatorade and more tasty and healthy foods in the company basket due to the efforts of this lady. She draws an annual salary of $16.2 million and brought 72% increase in profits since 2001. In 2011, Forbes named her as world’s fourth most powerful woman.

4. Ellen Kullman (Chairman and CEO of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company) –
Ruling the Chemical industry, Kullmanjoined DuPoint in 1988 at the post of a marketing manager, later she became the president in 2008 and finally the CEO in 2009. She set a new arena in the company from oil-based chemicals to further technology oriented areas such as green energy and biotech. Drawing a yearly salary of $14.8 million, Kullman never moved back from investing billions for the latest development on new biofuels and highly fertile seeds. She made her company stand back and DuPont earned $1.75 billion profit along with $26 billion revenue.

5. Angela Braly (Chairman, President, and CEO of WellPoint) –
Now, from healthcare industry who else can be the best fitting name in this list apart from Braly ? WellPoint is better known as BlueCross BlueShield and most Americans own a BlueCross card for their health concerns. Braly became the CEO in 2007 and the company’s revenue increased to $60 billion in 2010. She mainly focussed on creating the best healthcare unit by making it unanimously affordable and advocating healthy living from the root level. Braly has a family with three kids; she has thus proved to be a perfectly organised working mother.

These 5 women CEO’s have not only proved that business and economic development of a country can largely come from this fairer sect but women are also skilful, dedicated and loyal workers who brought prosperity to their businesses multiplying returns.

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STEPHANIE LINUS LECTURES STUDENTS OF DILLARD UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS

Over the weekend, Stephanie Linus was invited to speak to the students at Dillard University

The filmmaker, human rights advocate and actress was invited to celebrate the school’s annual Ray Charles Week.

During her visit, she gave a lecture on “The Emergence of African Storytellers and Their New Narrative” and also screened her self-produced and directed movie ‘Dry’ which focuses on fistula and the practice of under-age marriage among young women.

The award-winning actress told the group of young college students at Dillard University in New Orleans:

You have the power to change the narrative of every wrong representation of who you think you are. There is so much you can achieve by telling a story. When I think of a story, I think of it as a connection between myself and my audience, an opportunity for me to take them on a journey that inspires them to learn about themselves and the world around them.

Speaking at the Ray Charles Week hosted by Dillard University Ray Charles Program, Dillard University Film and Dillard University African World Student Organization, the filmmaker encouraged the college students to tap into the power of the media and growth in technology to create a new narrative for themselves.

The media is such a powerful tool of influence that if used properly, can bring about a positive change in almost every sphere of life. It is time for you to look inside yourselves and see the gaps within your society, and find ways to fill these gaps with your narratives. I ask you here today, what is your story? What is that new narrative you desire when you think of black people and black history and what kind of impact do you want it to create?

She encouraged the students to be fearless about telling their stories, adding that by doing so, they could create a better representation of themselves and who they ought to be.

Credit: Bella Naija
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4 WOMEN AMONG 28 CANDIDATES TO CONTEST IN ADAMAWA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two other women have also been cleared by INEC to run for the position of deputy governor.

The women cleared to run for governor are: Lami Musa of People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN), Na’ama Bulama of Progressive People Alliance (PPA), Rukayya Audu of Action People’s Party (APP) and Elizabeth Isa of Change Advocacy Party (CAP).

Those cleared to run for the position of deputy governor are: Hadiza Mohammedof Democratic Alternative (DA) and Rashida Balarabe of Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD).

Other candidates for the governorship seat are incumbent Gov. Muhammed Bindow of All progressives Congress (APC) and former Adamawa Assembly Speaker and acting Governor, Umaru Fintiri who is Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer.

Others are serving Senator of Adamawa Central Senatorial District who defected from APC to African Democratic Congress (ADC), Abdul-Azeez Nyako is the candidate of ADC, while former House of Representatives member for Gombi/Hong federal constituency is the candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Bappare Umaru, an Islamic Cleric who is the Imam of Jamaatul Nasril Islam (JNI) Friday Mosque in Jimeta area of Yola town, is the candidate of KOWA party and a Christian cleric, Rev. Eric Theman is the candidate of MRDD.

NAN reports that this is the highest number of governorship candidates ever recorded in Adamawa since inception of democracy, a development many say is a positive one and a pointer that people are becoming more interested in participating in politics.

Credit: NAN, Pulse News
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TITILOLA EDU: SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTARY & ITS DAMAGING CONSEQUENCE

Some years ago, when I was in Law School, I posted something vile on my Facebook page. I believe it was during President Jonathan’s administration. I’m not sure what exactly he did at the time, but I was enraged – like so many other people around me and in diaspora.

I was so angry at whatever had happened at the time that I wrote something very nasty about the President. It was actually insulting.

The next day, I received a call from my Dad asking me what I posted on Facebook. I was confused; my Dad was not on Facebook, and secondly, because I write a lot on Facebook so I was wondering which particular one he meant.

“I don’t understand, Sir” I said.

In an angry tone he told me to remove whatever it was I wrote on Facebook immediately. I had completely forgotten about what I had written the previous day. So I went back to my wall wondering how my father knew what I wrote on Facebook. It must be a family member that can not mind their business, I concluded.

The only damaging post on my wall was the one about Jonathan. So I took it down. I was miffed that my freedom of speech was being infringed on by my Dad and whomever reported me to him. Nonsense.

Years later, I began to understand the essence of keeping your thoughts and everything you put on social media in check.

What is Social Media?

Wikipedia defines social media as “media use web-based technologies, desktop computers and mobile technologies (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) to create highly interactive platforms through which individuals, communities and organizations can share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content or pre-made content posted online. They introduce substantial and pervasive changes to communication between businesses, organizations, communities and individuals”

Now we understand that social media basically is a technological innovation that gives you a platform to communicate, interact and engage people most times “real time”.

Now let us look at what social media reach means :

It is defined as the total number of people you are able to reach across all of your various social media networks.

It is no wonder that many businesses are now dominating cyberspace and utilizing the many advantages of social media as an effective marketing tool.

The ‘koko’ is you are able to reach more people with your content on social media as a business or as an individual.

So as an individual, I’m present on all social networks, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter. So anything I post will not just be seen by my immediate followers, but their followers as well – especially if they share it to their space. My content is spreading. Your content could be good or bad, but it will definitely leave an impression about you.

What kind of impression do you want people having about you? Sometimes, we don’t care what people think; but what if whatever you leave out there could harm your career, relationship, family or business. Would you think think twice before posting anything and everything that comes to your mind?

Trust me, you don’t want your careless post reaching the wrong hands.

I read with dismay a comment on Funmi Iyanda’s post about marriage not being for her, and the guy that insulted Michelle Obama not having male children. News has it that he was suspended at work for his thoughtless comment.

When are we going to learn constructive criticism and stop being cyber bullies? What are you going to benefit from putting people down all the time? Even the Bible says “I will bless those who bless you and curse them that curse you”.

The rate at which we are so quick to insult people on social media is alarming! There are so many young impressionable people out there, what message are we passing to them?

Let your words/comments be geared toward building and destroying because they might eventually come back to haunt you.

It might have far- reaching consequence than you envisage, if not now, then later.

Be careful what you post on Social Media.

Source & Credit: Bellanaija

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SIX TIPS TO HAVE A MORE PRODUCTIVE DAY

If you’ve ever wondered how you could possibly have a more productive day, look no further. Below you’ll find six easy tips that will help you make the most out of your time.

1. Create a good morning routine.

One of the best ways to start your day is to get up early and eat a healthy breakfast. It’s shown that CEOs and other successful people have similar morning routines, which include exercising and quickly scanning their inboxes to find the most urgent tasks. You can also try writing first thing in the morning to warm up your brain (750 words will help with that). But no matter what you choose to do, remember to create good morning habits so that you can have a more productive day.

2. Prioritize.

Sometimes we can’t have a productive day because we just don’t know where to start. When that’s the case, the most simple solution is to list everything you need to get accomplished, then prioritize these tasks based on importance and urgency. Week Plan is a simple web app that will help you prioritize your week using the Covey time management grid. If you get the most pressing and important items done first, you will be able to be more productive while keeping stress levels down.

3. Focus on one thing at a time.

One of the biggest killers of productivity is distractions. Whether it be noise or thoughts or games, distractions are a barrier to any productive day. That’s why it’s important to know where and when you work best. Need a little background noise to keep you on track? Try working in a coffee shop. Can’t stand to hear even the ticking of a clock while writing? Go to a library and put in your headphones. Don’t be afraid to utilize technology to make the best of your time. Sites like focus@will and Simply Noise can help keep you focused and productive all day long.

4. Take breaks.

Focusing, however, can drain a lot of energy and too much of it at once can quickly turn your productive day unproductive. To reduce mental fatigue while staying on task, try using the Pomodoro Technique. It requires working on a task for 25 minutes, then taking a short break before another 25 minute session. After four “pomodoro sessions,” be sure to take a longer break to rest and reflect. I like to work in 25 and 5 minute increments, but you should find out what works best for you.

5. Manage your time effectively.

A learning strategies consultant once told me that there is no such thing as free time, only unstructured time. But how do you know when exactly you have free time? By using the RescueTime app, you can see when you have free time, when you are productive, and when you actually waste time. With this data, you can better plan out your day and keep yourself on track. Moreover, you can increase the quality of low-intensity time. For example, reading the news while exercising or listening to meeting notes while cooking. Many of the mundane tasks we routinely accomplish can be paired with other tasks that lead to an overall more productive day.

6. Celebrate and reflect.

No matter how you execute a productive day, make sure to take time and celebrate what you’ve accomplished. It’s important to reward yourself so that you can continue doing great work. Plus, a reward system is an incredible motivator. Additionally, you should reflect on your day in order to find out what worked and what didn’t. Reflection not only increases future productivity, but it also gives your brain time to decompress and de-stress.

Culled from lifehack.org
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WOMEN WHO PLAYED PIVOTAL ROLES IN THE #METOO MOVEMENT

Over a year ago, the #MeToo movement took off on Twitter, encouraging women all over the world to voice their stories of sexual assault and abuse, and call out their abusers. Here, we take a look at some of the women who have been crucial to this movement.

Tarana Burke, Founder of the #MeToo movement

As an activist, Tarana Burke often spent time with children of colour at youth camps. At one such camp, she met a young girl who confided in her about her stepfather sexually abusing her. Burke could barely make it through five minutes of the conversation, and abruptly cut the young girl off, directing her to another counsellor. She was ridden with guilt as the child walked away from her because she could not bring herself to tell the young girl that she understood her pain. She could not find the courage to say, “me too”.

The #MeToo movement began in 2006 when Burke, along with other activists, founded Just BE Inc., a youth organisation to guide young women of colour in their process of self-discovery and ultimately towards empowerment. Following this, they put up a MySpace page that was very well-received by many young survivors of sexual abuse.

Today, Burke is the Senior Director of Girls for Gender Equity (GGE), an intergenerational organisation focussed on the holistic development of girls and women, while encouraging communities to create opportunities for them to live independent, self-determined lives.

She is also working on her memoir, Where the Light Enters, set to be published in 2019.

Alyssa Milano, Hollywood Actress

In October 2017, New York Times published a detailed account of horrific sexual assault allegations against former producer Harvey Weinstein that eventually lead to his arrest in May 2018. Following this, actress Alyssa Milano tweeted asking people to reply “Me too” to her tweet if they have been sexually assaulted or harassed. This led to thousands of women – going beyond just household names – to come out with their personal stories.

Even celebrities like Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, Cara Delevingne and Angelina Jolie joined her.

Milano soon realised that it was Burke who founded the #MeToo movement in 2006, and she encouraged others to learn about it.

In the weeks and months following the horrific stories being brought to light, abusers in positions of power finally came to light for the world to see who they really are. A few prominent names among the many accused are Bill Cosby, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman and R. Kelly.

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Professor and Psychologist

In mid-September, a confidential letter from professor and psychologist Dr. Christine Ford to a senior Democratic lawmaker, unexpectedly went public without her consent. The letter alleged that the then Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her 36 years ago, when they were in high school. When it came out to the public, Dr. Ford’s e-mail was hacked, and she received death threats. She then decided that she was ready to face the world with her story.

On September 27th, she faced the Senate Judiciary Committee and swore to tell the truth. She answered every question thrown at her, admitting that she did not recall the fine details of the encounter with Kavanaugh. When asked if she was sure that it was Kavanaugh who assaulted her, she confidently said, “One hundred percent.”

Initially, the White House had sent out a statement by Kavanaugh soon after, which read, “I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time.”

During his testimony, Kavanaugh also did not comment further on Dr. Ford’s allegation, and did not answer any questions pertaining to whether or not he knew her during high school.

Despite the allegations, Kavanaugh was sworn-in as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, on October 6th.

Tanushree Dutta, Bollywood Actor

In 2008, actor Tanushree Dutta accused actor Nana Patekar of sexual assaulting her on the set of a movie but no action was taken, and the news died down just two days later.

Ten years after the incident, she recounted this in an interview on September 25, and said that Patekar has always been known to disrespect, beat and molest women, but nobody paid any attention to this behaviour. She revealed that she backed out of a song with Patekar in the movie Horn Ok Pleassss, because he demanded her to take part in uncomfortably intimate dance moves with him, and touched her inappropriately. After Dutta refused, her car was attacked by members of a political group while she was in it.

Following Dutta’s bravery, thousands of Indian women have been coming forward with their stories and allegations. Unsurprisingly, a large majority of them are against prominent figures, beginning our own #MeToo movement. Among the accused are Utsav Chakraborty, Vikas Bahl, Sajid Khan, and MJ Akbar. Take a look at the consequences of some of the allegations here.

Source: Your Story

 

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