In what seems to be an odd play out of marriage, a woman in the United Arab Emirates has asked the court to dissolve her marriage because her husband shows her ‘too much love’, helps with the housework and showers her with gifts.
According to reports, the UAE woman told a Sharia court in Fujairah that her ‘endearing’ husband has never argued or yelled at her and was always kind.
When she complained about his weight, the man embarked on a strict weight loss regime of dieting and exercise which left him with a broken leg.
But this did not please the angry wife who still complained of his many gifts and compliments, according to local media.
According to her:
“I am eagerly longing for a single day of dispute, but this seems impossible with my romantic husband who always forgave me and showered me with daily gifts.
‘I need a real discussion, even an argument, not this hassle-free life full of obedience.”
The husband begged the court to deny the divorce request.
He told the court:
“It’s not fair to judge a marriage from the first year, and everybody learns from their mistakes. I am and always wish to be a perfect and kind husband.”
However, the court has adjourned the case to give the couple a chance to settle the dispute themselves.
Meanwhile, back home in Nigeria, celebrity media personality Toke Makinwa has implored women to cause drama and “f**k sh*t up” so as to spice their relationship.
This new take on relationships makes us ask that old question, “What do women really want?”
The co-convener of the “Bring Back Our Girls” Movement, Aisha Yesufu, known for her fearless stance on National issues, is the latest cover lady of Guardian Life Magazine as she talks about being a girl child in Northern Nigeria, feminism, religious faux, marriage and being a “BBOG” warrior.
Born in Northern Nigeria, where the female child is expected to keep mute on certain issues, little Aisha Yesufu was already breaking the rules by speaking out whenever there was injustice.
Read excerpts from her interview:
On growing up, she says:
“Even though my parents or adults were angry at me for speaking up especially when it does not favour them; when they had that need to have someone that was unbiased to look at issues, they would call me.”
“I have the gift to look at issues from both sides even when I am involved and when I am not. I am able to tell people, “okay look at it like this”. My mother would always say, ‘nobody wins in your court’, but in that same court when they want the issues to be told plainly, they would come.”
On Feminism and Marriage:
“I am very, very lazy. My parents used to say, ‘Is everything book?’ Even when my husband proposed, I told him, I am lazy and I hate housework, I hate cooking and he was ready to go with it.”
“I set systems in place to work for me. I hire and pay people to make me jobless. By the grace of God, I will never work for anybody so I have time on my hands.”
“Being brought up to expect that a man that will take of you, it was my husband that taught me to be financially independent so that I can have control over my voice and not be dependent.”
On being a Bring Back Our Girls warrior;
“Growing up, the average Nigerian was taught that you should not question elders. They grew up with how not to question authority and it went on through school. Now that they have become adults, they have used government to replace parents so they don’t question authority.”
“Fortunately, we are seeing more movements like BBOG inspire them to stay on course. They are realising that the office of the citizen is actually the highest office in the land. They are realizing that we don’t need permission from the police to protest but protection.”
“Whatever I am doing today, I am fighting for that little girl that I was that yearned for help, that begged to be helped with a textbook so that I can read and pass my exams. If I ever give up that fight, I will be giving up on myself.
Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat have been commended for appointing 32 per cent women to serve in his cabinet. According to the CEO of Women Radio 91.7, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, Lagos State has shown a genuine political will that is deliberate and intentional and is worthy of commendation.
Speaking with The Guardian in Lagos, the CEO of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Mufuliat Fijabi, also commended the Lagos state government, saying it has done very well.
“The present administration has done quite well in terms of female representation in political discourse. It is very close to 35 percent, which is the required number according to the national gender policy. Though he didn’t get to the 35 percent we fought for, I am sure a lot of women around Lagos and the country appreciate this and we urge him to still do more for women representation and inclusion in policymaking and governance.”
Fijabi went on to add that her organisation, as well as many other women-centred organisations and groups, fought hard before and after the general elections to ensure the 35 percent derivative action goal was met. “Despite all our efforts, what do we have today? Barely 16 per cent. This isn’t good enough and shows a lack of effort and political will to include over half the country’s population in matters of national discourse and also flouts international agreements that the country is part of. This isn’t helpful for our democracy and shows we are neither growing nor improving as time goes by.
“If Lagos can do it, why can’t it be done nationally? The government must show political goodwill by including more women in our political discourse if we want to improve the economy, democracy and all other areas of the nation.”
Okewale-Sonaiya on her part said, “Good governance means an inclusive government and the appointment of 32 per cent women indicates that the state, through its party leadership, understands that good governance through fair representation leads to progress and that women matter.”
“Any government that is not inclusive is bound to fail. A government that shuts its doors to gender-sensitivity is setting itself backward and cannot progress. We urge other states and the federal government who are yet to appoint commissioners and boards of agencies and parastatals to emulate the Lagos State progressive approach.”
She added that the decision-making process of Lagos should be commended and urged the governor and party leadership to appoint 35 per cent women as chair of parastatals, agencies and board members. In the same vein, she urged the President and his newly inaugurated cabinet members to approach all national issues with a gender-sensitive perspective.
Sonaiya, who said it might be a bit difficult to achieve this because of the low representation of women in the cabinet, called for a conscious and deliberate effort to be gender-sensitive in setting up and implementing policies and implementation across the country.
Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo has revealed that he refused to appear before an investigative panel of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) because of a lack of trust in the process.
Busola Dakolo, a photographer, alleged during a taped interview in June that Fatoyinbo, the founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), raped her twice when she was a teenager .
Another former member of his church alleged in July that the pastor raped her during a meeting between the two in 2017.
The PFN, of which COZA is a member, announced on Thursday, August 22, 2019 that the pastor failed to honour invitations extended to him by its “high-powered fact-finding” investigation team.
Among other reasons, Fatoyinbo said he didn’t honour the panel’s investigation because he and his lawyers feared it might be prejudiced against him.
In a statement signed by his senior assistant, Ademola Adetuberu, on Friday, August 23, he said he got legal advice to not make his case before the panel.
He said, “We recall that when Pastor Fatoyinbo was invited by a phone call few days ago by Pastor Akinola Akinwale, who is the National Administrative Secretary of PFN, we explained that our Pastor would not honour the invitation due to legal advice hinged on the ongoing police investigation.
“The legal advice was also premised on the press statement issued and personally signed by the PFN President, Bishop Felix Omobude, where our Pastor was publicly disowned.
“Based on the foregoing, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the PFN was already prejudiced and may not conduct an impartial session.
“According to the report, Rev. Omobude, whom we hold in high esteem, went further to crucify our Pastor without seeking to know his side of the story on the matter.
“With all due respect, we consider this a prejudicial position in dispensing justice and fairness.”
Adetuberu denied that Fatoyinbo ever got written invitations as claimed by PFN but that there’s still a chance he could honour the panel’s invitation at a later date.
“Once the police investigation is over, our Pastor is ready to honour the invitation.
“We have also been legally advised to deploy judicial intervention to clear our Pastor as soon as possible, and the process has commenced in earnest,” he said.
PFN said on Thursday that Busola and her celebrity husband, Timi Dakolo, appeared before the panel.
However, Isong said Fatoyinbo’s failure to appear means the probe has not reached a definite conclusion.
“We may make a further statement on a later date. But certainly, for now, Nigerians and well-meaning people are our witnesses that we have fulfilled scriptural, public and moral expectations as a reasonable and legal organisation,” he said.
Isong also disclosed that Fatoyinbo had reached out to PFN for help when the allegations were first made public and that he expressed disappointment when he wasn’t offered a public show of support.
Fatoyinbo directly dismissed Dakolo’s allegation as false and stepped down from the pulpit until very recently when he returned to the pulpit.
Dakolo filed a petition against Fatoyinbo with the Police in June, but the pastor has also filed complaints of criminal conspiracy and falsehood against her with the authorities.
On Thursday, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced an indictment charging 80 people for fraud related activities, most of whom are Nigerians.
An update by TheCable reveals that out of the 80 suspects, 77 are Nigerians.
Here is the full list of Nigerians involved as reported by TheCable;
1. Valentine Iro
2. Chukwudi Christogunus Igbokwe
3. Jerry Elo Ikogho
4. Izuchukwu Kingsley Umejesi
5. Adegoke Moses Ogungbe
6. Chukwudi Collins Ajaeze (better known as Thank You Jesus)
7. Ekene Augustine Ekechukwu
8. Chuks Eroha
9. Collins Nnaemeka Ojima
10. Uchenna Ochiagha
11. Nnamdi Theojoseph Duru
12. Ericson Uche Oforka
13. Mark Ifeanyi Chukwuocha
14 Augustine Nnamdi
15. Chiemezie Christopher Chilaka
16. Charles Ohajimkpo
17. Stanley Ugochukwu Uche
18. Chika Augustine Odionyenma
19. Paschal Chima Ogbonna
20. Samuel Nnamdi Onwuasoanya
21. Macwilliam Chinonso Chukwuocha
22. Emmanuel Onyeka Uzoka
23. Joshua Aniefiok Awak
24. George Ugochukwu Egwumba
25. Uchechukwu Solomon Ezirim
26. Augustine Ifeanyi Okafor
27. Okay Sam Mal
28. Leslie N. Mba
29. Ogohukwu Innocent Ikewesi
30. Emmanuel Uzoma Ogandu (better known as Son of God’
31. Amarachukwu Harley Anywanu
32. Bright Ifeanyi Azubuike
33. Emeka Moses Nwachukwu
34. Donatus Izunwanne
35. Chinwendu Kenneth Osuji
36. Eusebius Ugochukwu Onyeka
37. Chidi Anunobi
38. Anthony Nwabunwanne Okolo
39. Obinna Christian Onuwa
40. Chijioke Chukwuma Isamade
41. Linus Nnamdi Madufor
42. Chrysaugonus Nnebedum
43. Ugochukwu Okereke
44. Fidel Leon Odimara
45. Kingsley Chinedu Onudorogu
46. Dessi Nzenwah
47. Chimaroke Obasi
48. James Chigozie Agube
49. Chimaobi Uzozie Okorie
50. Ogochukwu Ohiri
51. Kennedy Chibueze Ugwu
52. Ifeanyichukwu Oluwadamilare Agwuegbo
53. Victor Ifeanyi Chukwu
54. Chidi Emmanuel Megwa
55. Princewill Arinze Duru
56. Desmond Iwu
57. Onyeka Vincent Chika
58. Ifeanyi Kingsley Mezienwa
59. Victor Uchenna Aguh
60. Kevin Amarachi Eshimnu
61. Vitalis Kelechi Anozie
62. Williams Obiora Agunwa
63. George Chimezie Dike
64. Munachiso Kyrian Ukachukwu
65. Nwannebuike Osmund
66. Chidiebere Franklin Nwangwu
67. Damian Uchechukwu Ajah
68. Emeka P. Ejiofor
69. Lawrence Chukwuma Ubasineke
70. Chinedu Bright Ibeto
71. Valentine Amarachi Nwanegwo
72. Emmanuel Chidiebere Dike
73. Jeremiah Utieyin Eki
74. Chinaka Davidson Iwuoha
75. Chima Darlington Duru
76. Ikenna Christian Ihejiureme
77. Obi Onyedika Madekwe
Barack and Michelle Obama have made their Hollywood debut in a documentary called ‘American Factory’.
American Factory looks at the economic and personal toll that the closure, which resulted in the loss of 2,000 jobs, had on residents of Moraine, Ohio, and at what happened after the facility was acquired by a Chinese investor in 2014.
The factory was reopened as Fuyao Glass, an auto-glass manufacturer that promised the return of jobs to the community.
Michelle Obama told the filmmakers she was particularly struck by the opening scenes of workers on the factory floor.
“That was my background, that was my father,” she said.
“One of the many things I love about this film… is that you let people tell their own story. “American Factory’ doesn’t come in with a perspective; it’s not an editorial.”
“We want people to be able to get outside of themselves and experience and understand the lives of somebody else,” Obama told filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar in a promotional video released by Netflix.
“A good story gives you the chance to better understand someone else’s life,” Mr. Obama said Wednesday in a tweet. “It can help you find common ground. And it’s why Michelle and I were drawn to it.”
The Washington Post called “American Factory,” which arrived on Netflix on Wednesday, “a perfect vehicle for (Higher Ground’s) mission to lift up stories from underrepresented groups.”
Higher Ground Productions has also highlighted the film’s focus on culture wars, describing it as “early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America.”
The Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to immortalise the late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh by declaring August 19 a national holiday every year in her honour.
Dr Adadevoh, who worked with the First Consultant Hospital in the Obalende area of Lagos, died on August 19, 2014, in her attempt to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
On Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Abuja chapter of the guild, Biodun Ogungbo, released a statement urging the government to honour the late doctor.
The statement titled, Remembering Stella Adadevoh, reads: “It is said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friend.
“The most tragic part of her passing is that she couldn’t be given a proper burial, and with all the respect that her sacrifice demands.
“The very bug that cut her down is so virulent, so unforgiving, that even that honour was deprived of her.
“She had put her life on the line for 170 million of her fellow citizens, many of whom do not even understand the concept of what it means to be a citizen.
“The very least that Nigeria can do in appreciation, is to honour her.
“The Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria and other medical associations honoured Adadevoh in their small capacities in the past. We gave awards and plaques and foodstuff to the hospital. It’s not enough.
“Nigeria should declare August 19 each year a national holiday and in her name.
“That way, some Nigerian children in six decades (time) can ask their parents, ‘Who is Stella Ameyo Adadevoh?’ And the parent can reply, ‘That woman saved my life, and the lives of all of us’.
“It is the least we can do. It is the least we should do. She should never and will never be forgotten.”
18 years after Aaliyah died in a plane crash, the RnB star has lived on in many forms. The latest is a new wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas.
Aaliyah’s wax figure at Madam Tussauds was unveiled on Wednesday August 21, immortalizing one of her iconic looks. Adam Morey, Studios Manager at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas revealed that the discussions on making an Aaliyah figure began over a year ago.
This set, rather than being a recreation of any one particular Aaliyah moment, was instead designed with a message to her fans in mind,” he said.
“It’s a message that hopefully reflects her everlasting legacy.”
The designer worked closely with Aaliyah’s family on the wax figure which was inspired by the music video for her smash hit “Try Again”.
Aaliyah was an American singer and actress who died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, at the Marsh Harbour Airport on the Abaco Islands, Bahamas. She had just completed filming for the music video for her single “Rock the Boat”.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka has revealed she twice passed the offer to be the first African woman to have a Barbie Doll made in her likeness. Did she stand up against a symbol of Eurocentric beauty?
It is deemed a great honour by most to have a Barbie Doll made in their image, however, popular South African musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka declined that “honour” twice.
The doll was made as part of 60th Anniversary Barbie Shero campaign, an effort to inspire girls to be heroes. According to the campaign, Sheroes are given the Barbie brand’s highest honour, a one-of-a-kind doll made in their likeness in celebration of their roles in expanding the possibilities for girls everywhere.
Yvonne was approached as one of the few African women to grace the campaign with a Barbie modeled in her likeness.
According to Sunday World, Yvonne Chaka Chaka confirmed that she was approached by the company and loved the idea. However, she was not happy with the final product as the doll looked nothing like her.
“They showed me the doll and I told them I’m not up for it if the said dolls will look nothing like me. This is simply because I was promised something that will look exactly like me. I respect myself that much,” reports Sunday World.
Sunday World reported that doll looked slimmer and did not resemble her facial features. The attempt to portray a slimmer model is seen as reinforcement of Eurocentric beauty ideals which focus on slim models.
Meanwhle, the doll has been given South African singer Lira. Lira became the first African to have a Barbie doll made in her honour. From the twitter post, the doll is a splitting image of Lira.
She could not contain her excitement as she shared the amazing news with her fans.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has filed an appeal at the Federal High Court Lagos for the reversal of an interim order secured by the EFCC for the interim forfeiture of her 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised gold iPhone all valued at $40m, seized by the antigraft agency last month.
Recall that on July 5th, the agency secured an interim order to confiscate the former Minister’s jewelries and iphone which is believed to be proceeds from acts of corruption perpetrated while she was in office.
In an application filed by her counsel, Professor Awa Kalu, Diezani who is currently in the United Kingdom, accused the EFCC of entering her apartment illegally and taking the items without any court order. She said the anti-graft agency violated her fundamental “right to own property and to appropriate them at her discretion,” under sections 43 and 44 of the Constitution.
She urged the court to reject the prayer by the EFCC to permanently forfeit the jewellery and the gold iPhone to the Federal Government.
According to the court papers, the jewelleries categorised into 33 sets, include “419 expensive bangles; 315 expensive rings; 304 expensive earrings; 267 expensive necklaces; 189 expensive wristwatches; 174 expensive necklaces and earrings; 78 expensive bracelets; 77 expensive brooches; and 74 expensive pendants.”
The former Minister argued that the entry into her apartment by EFCC operatives was illegal as it was without a court order.
Justice Nichola Oweibo adjourned the case till August 29.
