I can do without Eagles job, says Keshi

Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has shrugged off the issue surrounding his contract extension with the country’s football federation, NFF saying his “destiny” is not tied to the Super Eagles job.

The African champions face their Congolese counterparts, the Red Devils, at the Stade Municipal in Pointe-Noire in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match this Saturday which Nigeria must win by a two-goal margin to put life back into their hopes of defending their title.

The 52-year-old coach is yet to be offered a new contract since his first deal with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elapsed after the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

But Keshi has now stated that contract talks is not an issue at the moment. He added that his future is not dependent on the Nigeria head coach job.

The former Mali and Togo manager believes there is life after managing the Super Eagles should he not be handed a contract at the end of the 2015 Afcon qualification.

“I don’t think it is proper to say my fate is tied to this (Nigeria) job. My concern right now is the game against Congo, and not whether I will still be in charge of this team after the match against Congo or South Africa.

“I think you all need to stop this because my destiny is not tied to Nigeria. I came from somewhere (to take up the Nigeria job). It is wrong to say my destiny is tied here because this country is bigger than any individual. If I am not the Super Eagles head coach today, my life will still go on. Also there are other places where I can go if I stopped being the coach of this country.

“But right now, I have a job to do and that is to ensure that the team qualifies the country for the Nations Cup. God forbid if we don’t qualify what will happen? It will not only affect Stephen Keshi, it will also affect you and every other Nigerian who love this sport. So I think this is not about Stephen Keshi but about Nigeria. All I want from my countrymen is to pray for the team and not me because I am just one man,” Keshi told journalists in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Keshi has been in charge of the African champions since November 2001 and has overseen more than 50 matches as the Nigeria head coach, including their 2013 Afcon triumph and appearance at the 2014 World Cup.

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In rural Kenya, traditions run deeper than law on cutting girls

BARINGO COUNTY, Kenya (Reuters) - Draped in animal skin and covered in white paint, four teenage girls squat over large stones in a remote western Kenyan village after being circumcised - a life-threatening custom banned in the country three years ago.

Like the four neighbors, over a quarter of Kenyan women have undergone the ordeal, seen as a rite of passage for girls despite government efforts to end it in the East African country.

"It's a tradition that has been happening forever,"the father of one of the girls, who asked not to be named fearing reprisal from the authorities, told Reuters from the isolated Pokot settlement some 80km (50 miles) from the town of Marigat.

"The girls are circumcised to get married. It's a girl's transition into womanhood," he said.

Wrapped in bright colored shawls, the girls spent the night huddled around a fire in a thatched-roof house as local women gathered to sing and dance in support. One woman fell into a trance after sipping a local wine.

At its most extreme, circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation, involves cutting off the clitoris and external genitalia, then stitching the vagina to reduce a woman's sexual desire.

Practitioners use anything from razor blades to broken glass and scissors.

The U.N.'s Children's Fund, UNICEF, says more than 125 million women have been cut in the 29 countriesin Africa and the Middle East where genital mutilation is carried out.

Circumcision is heavily practiced among the Pokot community, and one of the girls' mothers believes it is a sign of strength.

"The pain will make her strong. She can show the rest of the community that she can endure it," the woman said afterhaving her daughter circumcised by a Pokot elder donning a beaded neck collar and large brass earrings.

"I'm proud of my daughter for doing this," she said.

Kenyan law provides for life imprisonment when a girl dies from the procedure, which in addition to excruciatingpain, can cause hemorrhage, shock and complications in childbirth.

It set up a prosecution unit in March and is currently investigating 50 cases.

Officials are optimistic they can force a change in attitude but still worry that the practice is too ingrained for legal threats to have an impact.

"We face a myriad of challenges," said Christine Nanjala, who heads the prosecuting unit. "You will find the practice is something highly valued. You will keep quiet and you will not report it - if you do, you face reprisal."

Still, Nanjala was optimistic that genital cutting would be eventually wiped out. "Not tomorrow but it will end, she said. "At the end of the day, without hope, you have nothing."

The Best Tips to Prevent Excessive Gas and Bloating

Top 12 Foods to Beat Bloating and Flatten Your StomachTop 12 Foods to Beat Bloating and Flatten Your Stomachts may cause gasses.

In about 30% of the population the problem occurs daily and disturbs the quality of life. Gases are also created from a bacteria naturally found in the intestines that “eat” undigested leftovers. Factors that contribute to it are mostly processed foods with artificial sweeteners and also foods rich in fiber such as whole grains, legumes, beans and cruciferous vegetables. While they aid digestion, over-eating them can cause excess gas for some people. Liquid dairy products also contain lactose, such as milk and yogurt, that may create gas for those who have lactose intolerance.

It it dangerous?

Healthy people can develop excessive gas due to an improper diet or stress. But if it happens frequently and causes you discomfort and pain, you can consult with your doctor, and consider conducting an examination to rule out bowel disease, lactose intolerance, candida, celiac disease and irritable bowel disease.

What can you do?

First of all try to maintain a regular breathing, so as not to swallow too much air. Irregular breathing is caused by stress and talking during eating. Regarding nutrition, you can minimize the consumption of milk and dairy products (if you are sensitive to them), high-fat foods, soda drinks, chewing gum that causes unnecessary swallow of air and artificial sweeteners that the body doesn’t digest well. Beans are also known to cause gas, but since sprouted beans tend to produce fewer of them, you can search for them in supermarkets. Also cabbage family vegetables (cruciferous family) like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli produce gases. You should not give up on them completely, but if you want to avoid the awkward side effects, it is recommended to boil them before eating, or dissolve caraway seeds, cumin, turmeric, nutmeg or cinnamon on them before cooking, or cook them with potatoes that absorb gases. More foods that can cause gases are mainly cereals and whole grains and some fruits: bananas, peaches, prunes and raisins.

What is best to eat?

Rice is the only grain that doesn’t cause gas and can be combined with meals, but even in this case you should not overdo it, as too much rice causes constipation. As for vegetables, fennel is one of the most recommended to treat stomach and digestive problems. It is known as a detoxifier, fights infections and helps release the toxins through urine.

Various spices also help the digestive system and help to reduce gas, and you can read about them in detail in my previous article about the top 10 herbal teas for better digestion.

What about supplements and medications?

There are various products in the market, such as coal tablets that absorb gas, products that contain digestive enzymes such as papain or bromelain that help break down food, and probiotics supplements that alter the population of bacteria in the intestines and reduces gas. You will need to try and see what works best for you. As for the coal tablets there is a need to take into account that the substance doesn’t absorb only the gas but all in its path, so it is not recommended for those taking medications or other supplements. If all of this does not help, you can contact your doctor.

Other tips

– Chew well: gases are often caused because of poor absorption of carbohydrates. Good chewing helps to start the process of digestion before swallowing. Chewing well is also good to reduce the smell that is generated due to sulfur-rich proteins in the intestines.

– Eating more often, but less is better: some people find that eating five small meals a day rather than three or two large meals helps them in reducing excess gas. In addition, reduce the amount of fat in your meal to reduce gas formation.

– The digestive system is personal and unique: each person may have different sensitivities. Check if particular foods that are mentioned here are those that cause you excessive gas, and reduce them in your menu. After your situation has improved, try to combine them in small quantities, and be attentive to your body.

You can also try this delicious digestive smoothie which contains digestive enzymes that help the process of digestion.

Sodomy: 2 Boys Arrested For Having Sex Through Anus

The police at Ikotun division have arrested two youths, a 14-year old boy, Orji Ezeh and 20-year old Gideon Harrison for allegedly engaging in homosexual intercourse. The duo reportedly had sex through their anus in Lagos state, Western, Nigeria.

The suspects were arrested after residents who knew what they were doing handed them to the police for prosecution having unlawful carnal knowledge of themselves.

The incident happened at Ikotun Igando road, Ikotun where the suspects live with their parents.

At the family court at Ikeja where they were arraigned, the court ordered them to be remanded in prison custody.

P.M.NEWS gathered that duo have been having carnal knowledge of themselves to the notice of the residents who eventually handed them to the police for prosecution.

Trouble started when Harrison attempted to lure another teenager in the area into the act but he refused and the lad raised alarm that attracted other residents.

At the station, Ezeh who is from Abia state admitted that he was lured into the act by Harrison from Delta state and since then, they have been having sex.

In his account, Harrison told the police he gives Ezeh between N200 and N300, adding that, Ezeh was not the only lad he indulges in such act as other teenagers in the area have also collected money from him in exchange for him to have sex with them.

The police charged the two suspects to court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Code.

When they were arraigned, Harrison pleaded guilty while Ezeh pleaded not guilty.

However, the court granted them bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The court also ruled that sureties must deposit N200,000 with the Chief Registrar Account until the end of the matter.

They were remanded in custody pending when they will fulfill their bail condition.

The matter was adjourned till 17 November 2014.

#Pmnews

INTERVIEW-Rape, abortion ban drives pregnant teens to suicide in El Salvador

A woman paints the grave of a relative at a cemetery on the eve of All Saints Day in San Salvador, on Oct. 31, 2014. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas

 El Salvador's ban on abortion is driving hundreds of girls who become pregnant after being raped to commit suicide every year because they see no other option, a government official said.

Teenage pregnancy is one of the leading causes of suicide in the Central American country of 6 million people. Three out of eight maternal deaths in El Salvador are the result of suicide among pregnant girls under 19, latest government figures show.

Many of these girls have not only suffered sexual abuse at the hands of relatives, stepfathers or gang members, but they are also often silenced and prevented from seeking help by the stigma surrounding rape.

On top of that, they face the unwelcome prospect of giving birth to an unwanted baby due to El Salvador's total ban on abortion even in cases of rape, incest, a deformed foetus or when the women's life is in danger, campaigners say.

"There is stigma and fear in reporting rape that occurs in families," said Mario Soriano, a doctor who heads the programme for youth and adolescent development at El Salvador's health ministry.

"Sometimes the person carrying out sexual violence is the family's sole breadwinner and so the possibility that their economic help will be taken away is used as a threat against the girl not to report the crime," Soriano told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview at a military officers' club.

"There's a correlation between sexual violence and the high rate of suicides among adolescents - that's the reality. Pregnancy is a determining factor behind teenage suicides."

REJECTION

El Salvador has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Latin America, with girls aged 10 to 19 accounting for nearly a third of all pregnancies in the country last year.

Under Salvadoran law, it is a crime to have sex with a child under the age of 15, but activists say the law is frequently flouted, citing official figures that show 1,540 girls under 15 became pregnant in El Salvador last year.

The offence carries a prison sentence of between 14 and 20 years, but few perpetrators are sent to jail.

Soriano said a 1998 total ban on abortion has led many pregnant girls to contemplate suicide or a backstreet termination rather than risk rejection from their families, friends and teachers.

"A pregnant girl is often discriminated against. She can find herself kicked out of the house and dumped by her boyfriend, so family is not seen as a source of help. She's also expelled from school because she's seen as setting a bad example to other pupils," Soriano said.

"El Salvador's abortion law is one of the most restrictive in the world. At the health ministry, we're aware of the need to modify the abortion law," he added.

El Salvador is one of about 28 countries globally that prohibits abortion in all circumstances, according to the Centre for Reproductive Rights.

PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY

Tackling El Salvador's high prevalence of teenage pregnancy and suicide as a result of rape are top priorities, Soriano said. Last year, the health ministry set up an alliance of 23 groups, including government bodies, doctors' associations, and international aid agencies, to address these problems.

Getting boys and men involved is part of the solution.

"This is a macho culture where the man decides what to do. We're inviting men to participate in preventing adolescent pregnancy and discuss what is means to be a man," Soriano said.

But other initiatives to stem teenage pregnancy, such as improving sex education in schools and access to contraception, have been publicly condemned by El Salvador's influential Catholic Church and some evangelical groups.

In 2001, the Church blocked a manual for teachers, created by the education ministry, from being used as a guide to teach sexual health in schools.

"The sex education curriculum in schools is being revised. There's still a lot of pressure from the Church," Soriano said.

"Women and girls in El Salvador aren't empowered to be responsible for their body and know their rights. Our challenge is to ensure they know their rights and that their parents protect those rights," he said.

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation

Nigeria says U.S. support lacking in Boko Haram battle

A demonstrator looks on during a rally that was held to mark the 120th day since the abduction of two hundred school girls by the Boko Haram, in Abuja, Nigeria, August 12, 2014. REUTERS/Afolabi 



SotundeWASHINGTON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - 'Nigeria's envoy to Washington criticized U.S. support in the battle against Boko Haram militants as insufficient, including failure to share enough intelligence and sell needed weaponry to fight the Islamist group.

Ambassador Ade Adefuye, in remarks posted on the Nigerian Embassy's website on Tuesday, appealed for greater backing from Washington and rejected claims of human rights abuses that have limited some U.S. military assistance.

"Our people are not very happy with the content of America's support in the struggle against Boko Harm," Adefuye said in an address (http://bit.ly/1GMNtVU).

"There is no use giving us the type of support that enables us to deliver light jabs to the terrorists when what we need to give them is the killer punch."

Asked about the remarks, an Obama administration official said Washington remained committed to helping Nigeria address its extremist threat and supported its efforts free Boko Haram's kidnap victims.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who faces an election in February, has come under sharpening public criticism for his government's apparent inability to check Boko Haram's five-year insurgency, which has ravaged the poor northeast corner of Africa's biggest economy.

His government's announcement of a ceasefire last month failed to stop almost daily attacks, which this year have included the mid-April abduction by Boko Haram of more than 200 schoolgirls from a northeastern town.

"The people of Nigeria are increasingly frustrated by not only the failure to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls but the failure to stop what has become an increasingly effective insurgent offensive," said J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council think tank.

The United States ramped up its support for Nigeria in the wake the abduction of the schoolgirls, including high-tempo surveillance flights and efforts to bolster intelligence sharing. It later acknowledged a reduction in flights.

The Nigerian envoy disputed U.S. government claims that it had addressed problems with intelligence sharing. He also criticized a U.S. refusal to sell weaponry "that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time."

He said Boko Haram fighters in stolen military uniforms were to blame for abuses attributed to Nigeria's armed forces.

The U.S. official suggested any solution in Nigeria could not be a solely military one, instead requiring a comprehensive approach encompassing human rights and the needs of victimized communities.

Reuters

Female suicide bomber hits college in Nigeria's Niger State

ABUJA (Reuters) - A female suicide bomber blew herself up on Wednesday at a college in Kontagora in Nigeria's central Niger State, close to the capital Abuja, a police spokesman said.

The bomb went off as the woman was trying to enter the college's library, a witness said.

"The female suicide bomber blew herself up before reaching her target," the police spokesman told Reuters by telephone.

- Reuters

Congo Vs Nigeria A Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Nigeria faces the toughest encounter leading to either its exit from AFCON 2015 or qualification for the tournament next year

(Getty Images) The Super Eagles of Nigeria face their toughest fight against Congo on Saturday in their quest to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

Hmmm, first a sigh and then a gasp as the day ticks closer and Nigeria’s fate hangs in the balance when it comes to qualifying for the African Cup of Nations tournament

Nigeria hosted Congo on September 5 in Calabar with hopes and thoughts that they would floor their East African counterparts

As nature rewards complacency and inadequate preparation, the 2013 African Cup of Nations champions were shocked to the bones when Claude Le Roy a bunch of unknown boys against a fairly known Super Eagles team to a 3-2 victory right in the faces of the Calabar fans and many other supporters watching on their TVs

After that game, the expectations were that Nigeria would return with a lot more determination and zeal to repair the disappointments they caused against Congo

Nigeria played two other games afterwards and that did not change the course of things as they slumbered to a 0-0 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and a hugely disappointing loss to the Falcons of Sudan in Khartoum which deepened the chances of the defending champions losing out in the qualification stage of a major championship like AFCON

Egypt is the first and only defending country that failed to defend the title after 2010 as it did not qualify for the tournament in 2012

Again Nigeria faces Congo who by now should be dreaded obstacles in the flesh of the Nigerians; with everything at stake, a win bolsters the chances of the team in qualifying while a loss rues them out completely

Stephen Keshi will meet his foreign counterpart again in Point Noire on November 15, knowing fully that he does not have a good record against non-African coaches with his last and formidable victory being the game against Bosnia at the World Cup where he beat Safet Susic on the bench of the Bosnians

Claude Le Roy holds the baton against Nigeria; the Frenchman has faced Nigeria three time, twice as coach of Cameroon and on all occasions, he has beaten the Super Eagles

The Super Eagles go to training for the cracker, the road to Congo; a walk through the valley of the shadow of death with hopes in one corner and fears in the corner

Many think that the chance is no more for Nigeria to make it while some still believe

The technical crew confirms that the team begins training on Tuesday with the arrival of several players to camp

As at the time of this story, the arrival at camp is still short of the invited 24 but the coach seems not deterred by the cluster, he strongly states that it is time for business as they gird up to fight for the ticket to AFCON 2015

“We have played with ourselves for sometimes, now is time for business and we have to get the job done and no kidding with players and officials from Monday.

“We have said we can qualify the country and we are ready for that task, now is time for action and less talk,” Keshi told newsmen in Abuja.

#Pulse.ng

Confession of a Ghanian: I Came To Nigeria To Steal

                                                                Israel Nana: never believed he would be caught

A Ghanian citizen resident in Nigeria, Israel Nana has confessed that his mission to Nigeria was to dispose people of their valuable properties and become rich before going back to his country.

The 30-year old Nana said he nearly accomplished his mission and was preparing to return to Ghana when he was arrested.

Nana said he came to Nigeria five years ago and had been busy stealing and making money but nemesis however caught up with him.

He said he was a well known criminal in his home town in Kumasi, Ghana and because of his renowned notorious activities, he decided to relocate to Nigeria to continue his criminal activities.

On how he came to Nigeria, he said his friend who lives in Nigeria helped him secure passage into the country, adding that, immediately he got into Nigeria, he began stealing and later graduated to car snatching.

He said since he came to Nigeria, he had lived in four cities in four states namely, Abuja, Lagos, Edo and Rivers.

He said he settled for car snatching because “you don’t need sophisticated weapon such as guns, pistol bullets etc to carry out the operation and it was easy to dispose the cars because a buyer was already ready to pay the money”.

On the choice of cars he specialize in stealing, he said the demand are Toyota Cars especially Camry but Honda, Nissan Jeeps and others were also in high demand.

He said he was arrested in Rivers State after one Alhaji who buys stolen cars from him was arrested in Abuja a fortnight ago.

He said he was still surprised on what was happening to him because he never thought he would be arrested.

Nana is a member of the five-man gang car syndicate arrested by the Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad for car snatching in Nigeria.

They were paraded by the Lagos State Commissioner of police, Mr Kayode Aderanti at Ikeja, Lagos. Some of the vehicles stolen were also recovered across cities in Nigeria.

One in three Nigerian men are hypertensive

High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – is twice as high in Nigeria compared with other East African countries and less than 20 per cent of Nigerians are aware that they have the condition.

Hypertension puts people at risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.

The condition, already a massive hidden killer in Nigeria – is set to sharply rise as the country adopts western lifestyles, a study by University of Edinburgh suggests.

Researchers who conducted the first up-to-date nationwide estimate of the condition in Nigeria warn that this will strain the country’s already-stretched health system, Andrew Moffat of the university’s press and PR unit said in a statement today.

Increased public awareness, lifestyle changes, screening and early detection are vital to tackle the increasing threat of the disease, the researchers say.

                                                                              Davies Adeloye

Researchers estimated that there were more than 20 million cases of hypertension in Nigeria in 2010, affecting one in-three men and one-in-four women. This is set to rise to 39 million cases by 2030. Data from South Africa suggests that high blood pressure is treated effectively in less than 10 per cent of cases.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh, who carried out the study, say that understanding of hypertension in Nigeria and other African countries has been affected by lack of patient data.

Their findings have been published in the Journal of Hypertension.

Dr Davies Adeloye, of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Population Health Sciences, said: “We have conducted a systematic search of high quality studies on hypertension across Nigeria and provided estimates of the prevalence and number of cases of hypertension in the country. We hope this will prompt appropriate policy response in the health sector.”

A full copy of the research paper can be accessed at: http://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/toc/publishahead

Laziness kills as many Brits as smoking, says new study

                                                                            Laziness
                                                                     

Britain's couch potato lifestyle contributes to as many deaths as smoking, with one in six traced back to laziness or inactivity.

According to a new report from Public Health England (PHE), inactivity costs Britain £7.4bn each year, with around on in two women and a third of all men damaging their health through lack of exercise.

PHE claim that as a nation we are 20 per cent less active now than in 1961, and warned statistics are likely to increase.

'If current trends continue, we will be 35 per cent less active by 2030,' PHE said. 'Everybody needs to become more active, every day. We have to turn the tide.'

The report adds physical activity does not necessarily equate to a mammoth session at the gym, but can take the form of a brisk walk.

By metro.co.uk

Jonathan unveils N100 commemorative notes

 credits: Lekan Adetayo

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday formally unveiled the new N100 commemorative notes at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The short ceremony which was initially scheduled for last Wednesday did not hold then because of the President’s journey to Burkina Faso.

Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Godwin Emefiele, joined the President to unveil the note during the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

Shortly after presenting the note, Emefiele said it was issued to commemorate the 100 years of the nation’s amalgamation.

He listed some countries that had before now issued currencies to mark epochal events to include Morocco, Russia and Costa Rica among others.

                                                                             Credit: Lekan Adetayo 

He said the new note was produced with what he described as most advanced security features in the world.

Emefiele listed the design platforms on which the note was made to include security, durability, attractiveness, cultural heritage and transformation.

Jonathan lauded the CBN for coming up with the commemorative note, though it was coming a bit late since activities marking the nation’s centenary had been concluded.

He recalled that commemorative N50 notes were also introduced to mark the nation’s 50th independence anniversary.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also commended the CBN for coming up with the notes.

She specifically lauded the QRC feature on the back of the note.

                                                                          Credit: Lekan Adetayo

The code, if scanned with smart phones, leads users to a website where the nation’s history could be accessed.

The minister also raised questions on the amount the CBN will use to print the new notes and whether it would be done locally.

Jonathan however said the questions would be answered when a memorandum on the issue is presented to the council.

                                                                              

Man allegedly pays N40,000 for son-in-law to be killed

BAUCHI—THE police in Bauchi State have arrested a 62-year-old man, Dotti Jumba, from Tumbarja in Kubdia district of Gamawa Local Government Area of the state for paying some persons N40,000 to kill his son-in-law, Ahmadu Wakili Guji.

Jumba, according to a statement made available to journalists in Bauchi by the police spokesman in Bauchi State Police Command, Haruna Muhammed, was arrested by detectives attached to Gamawa Division on Friday, October 31, 2014, at about 1pm.

The Police Public Relations Officer, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the man allegedly contracted four people with N40,000 to kill his 28-year-old son-in-law, a resident of Matamu in Gamawa Local Government Area.

He said the killers missed their target, and killed his father.

Apart from Dotti Jumba, the police spokesman informed that two other suspects, 22-year-old Sani Jumba and Bura Manu, 20, both from Kubdia district, and two others, including the intermediary who collected the money from Jumba and paid the others, were now at large.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/man-allegedly-pays-n40000-son-law-killed/#sthash.Fp8GIx36.dpuf