PHOTOS: Meet Cheerful 17-Months-Old Baby Girl Born Without A Nose

Meet an adorable 17-month-old baby, Tessa Evans, who was born with a rare congenital disorder, arhinia, that means the girl does not have a nose.

Arihnia could lead to a partial or complete absence of the nose at birth. It is an extremely rare condition, with few reported cases in the history of modern medicine. Tessa’s parents were notified about their baby’s condition during the 20-week scan which showed an abnormally flat facial profile. However, the next several tests revealed stable development of the healthy fetus. 

While talking to journalist, baby mother, Gráinne Evans, said she had no idea about Tessa’s problem until the girl draw the first breath. She said, "I was so excited to have a natural birth for the first time, but as soon as I saw her face I knew something was wrong. I was in shock and I just froze. The midwife cut the cord before I could even say anything and whisked her away from me. There were alarm bells ringing and I was so frightened I couldn’t stand without fainting."Continue reading

I didn’t have amorous relationship — KWASU best graduating student

For 21-year-old Comfort Folorunsho, her graduation from the Kwara State University, Malete, shall for some time to come remain memorable in her life.

Of course, the Osi, Kwara State, native has every reason to hold this view. She not only bagged a first class degree in agriculture, she also emerged the best graduating student from the university for the 2013/2014 academic session.

With a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.62, she also took home awards as the best graduating student in the Department of Animal Production, Fisheries and Aquaculture; as well as in the College of Agriculture.

She also bagged the prize instituted by the Lubcon Company Limited for overall best student; the Mary Kolawole Prize for Best Female Graduating Student, as well as the university’s Alumni Prize for Excellence.

Sharing the secret of her success, Folorunsho, who also has a good dose of beauty in her, says her good looks attracted many admirers to her. Even at that, she notes, her loveliness did not make her to lose her academic bearing or focus.

She declares, “I lost count of those that wanted to be my lovers. There were many of them. Some of them tried but I ignored their overtures. When you do not go out at odd times and you do what you are supposed to do at the right time, you will not fall into traps.

“I studied for five hours daily, aside lectures. I did not have a lover but I had friends that were boys; not amorous ones. However, I must admit that there were distractions from boys. But when you are determined and you know where you are going and you try as much as possible to keep at bay these side attractions, God will make it possible for you to actualise your desires.”

The fourth child in her family notes that focus, determination, implicit faith in God and His grace were the veritable instruments for her outstanding academic outing in the university.

Beyond the stampede from the men folk, she identifies her fish farming project as the most challenging period of her stay in the university.

Taking measurements in the mornings and evenings during the two months of the exercise, according to her, was her most stressful period on campus.

She adds, “Ever since I came into this school, I dreamt of obtaining a First Class. I tried as much as possible to be diligent in my reading, going to class regularly and doing my assignments. Though I kept on doing this, I must also admit that the routine was both tiring and demanding.”

Folorunsho, who aspires to be a lecturer and an owner of a crop and animal farm, says her father, Fashiko, literally pushed her into agriculture.

She notes, “Ever since I was a little girl, I have developed interest in agriculture because my father is a good farmer. Sometimes, before we went to school, he would take us to the farm to do some work. Of course, then we were not happy with the decision, which we considered tough, but some of us later fell in love with it.

“You plant a crop and it grows. Maybe you planted a little seed and at the end of the day, its yield will be huge. We were also involved in livestock farming I must admit, these aroused my interest in agriculture. So, when I told my family that I wanted to study agriculture, nobody opposed the idea,” she explains.

Stressing the importance of agriculture, she adds, “People run away from it, but it is what humanity depends on. Without agriculture, where are we going to be? The food we eat, our clothing, raw materials and so many other benefits come from agriculture. Agriculture is a very interesting area.”

To boost agriculture in the country, Folorunsho pleads with the government to invest more in the sector and to encourage farmers with loans, improved seedlings and other necessary logistics.

She adds that agriculture is a practical subject, which will not only engage young people but also make them self-reliant and employers of labour.

“It will improve national food security, boost industrialisation and provide more foreign exchange earnings for the country.”

Folorunsho had her post-primary education at the Emmanuel Baptist College, Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Meanwhile, a former diplomat to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Prof. Olabiyi Yai, during the convocation themed, “Orientation: Lost and found”, canvassed greater attention to education.

The diplomat, while seeking more cooperation with the Eastern countries such as India, China, Japan and Malaysia, also decried Nigeria’s import dependency.

“We need good and patriotic leadership before Nigeria can really take off. If not, the country risks missing the 2015 goal deadline.

“Though Nigeria is now the first economy in Africa, I believe it should have been the first economy of Africa 20 years ago. With the country’s material and human/intellectual resources, we should not have been lagging behind for such a long time.

“In the 70s, we were at the same level with Korea. Now Korea is manufacturing cars and we import them. Yet they do not have the resources we have, only that they have manpower/intellect. Six hundred years ago, we were more oriented towards the ancient East,” Yai said.

KWASU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, on the occasion hailed the attainment of the university so far.

According to him, its College of Engineering and Technology has also excelled in the accreditation conducted by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

For instance, he noted, the university’s astronautics, computer engineering, agricultural engineering, material science engineering and mechanical engineering had all passed the accreditation.

He added, “KWASU has continued its leadership in entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. The KWASU’s Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research, Management and Studies has been positively projecting KWASU into the limelight for the introduction of allied health courses.

“In addition, the Department of Food, Agriculture and Biological Sciences of the College of Engineering and Technology is undertaking research to produce bio-fortified cassava custard to fight Vitamin A deficiency, hidden hunger and reduce post-harvest losses,” Na’Allah said.

Also, while the Chancellor, Prof. Agboola Gambari, advised the graduands to prove to be worthy ambassadors, the Pro-Chancellor, Shaba Lafiagi, urged Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the institution to overcome some of its problems.

Lafiagi added that the institution, in identifying its mission of teaching, research and community development, was collaborating with the University of Bahia in Brazil to set up the African Book Project as well as student and staff exchange programme.

He stated that through the Nigerian High Commission in Canada, the University of Alberta, Canada, had established a pact with KWASU’s Centre for Innovation and International Studies.

Lafiagi added, “KWASU has signed a pact with UNESCO through the office of Permanent Representative of Nigeria in UNESCO to establish an African Regional Asian Studies Institute in KWASU for the study of China and Asia.

“Consequently, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has donated 500 books on Chinese culture and 21st century aspirations; as well as N1m towards the establishment of Chinese Library at the University. The Embassy recently, has promised to donate additional 500 books towards strengthening the Chinese Library at KWASU.”

Messi didn’t deserve Golden Ball— Maradona

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona said compatriot Lionel Messi did not deserve to be named best player of the World Cup, arguing it should have gone to Colombia’s James Rodriguez.

“I’d give Lio the sky, but when it’s not deserved and it’s just marketers who want to make him win something he didn’t win, it’s unfair,” Maradona said Sunday after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Germany 1-0.

“Rodriguez was the best player of the World Cup,” said Maradona on his TV program “De Zurda,” which is broadcast by Venezuelan network Telesur and retransmitted in several Latin American countries.

The 23-year-old Rodriguez was the revelation of the World Cup and the top scorer with six goals.

Messi dazzled in the group stage with four goals, but failed to score in his last four games, including the final.

Maradona said Messi himself did not seem to feel he deserved the trophy.

“It looked like he didn’t want to take it,” he said.

But Maradona praised Argentina and said the match could have gone either way.

“I’m sad about Mario Goetze’s (game-winning) goal,” he said. “But we can’t forget that we took this World Cup step by step. If we had scored (Gonzalo) Higuain’s (disallowed) goal we would be partying. Germany were not dominant.”

Maradona, 53, was Messi’s childhood idol and is his rival for the title of greatest-ever Argentine footballer.

To many fans, the 27-year-old Barcelona striker still needs to add a World Cup win to his resume to match the greatness of Maradona, who led his team to the title in 1986.

Why do people wear tattoo?

Tattoo, according to Wikipedia, is a form of body modification made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment.

The word “tattoo’’ reportedly has two major derivations. The first is from the Polynesian word “ta’’, which means striking something and the Tahitian word “tatau’’, which means marking something.

The tattoo tradition began over 5,000 years ago and the patterns are as diverse as the people who wear tattoos. Tattoos are created by inserting coloured materials beneath the skins surface.

However, there are some reports that the first tattoos were created by accident.

“Someone had a small wound and rubbed it with a hand that was soiled with soap and ashes; when the wound healed, it left a permanent mark on the skin,’’ says one of the reports.

In spite of the growing interest of social scientists in the study of tattoo traditions, there have been scanty historical records of the age-old practice.

All the same, tattoos come in various forms and designs and they have been used as ornaments and religious symbols by humans for thousands of years, with examples found on numerous preserved prehistoric specimens.

Its prevalence notwithstanding, experts insist that modern tattoos are not a cheap tradition, as tattoo artists usually charge good fees for their services.

“Most tattoo artworks are charged by the hour. This is always the case with large pieces which take multiple sessions to finish or anything that requires freehand,’’ says Mike Paul, a London-based artist.

“The hourly rate is, however, determined by factors such as operation costs, artists’ time, type and quality of the design, among other things.

“Some shops charge as little as 50 U.S. dollars (about N8, 000) per hour, while other fees may be as much as $250 (about N40, 000),’’ Paul adds.

However, Mr Ononiwu George, an Abuja-based artist, says that tattoos are permanent body marks which people choose to wear tattoos for various reasons.

“Some people wear tattoo because they want to remember somebody or an event. Others wear it because they want to express themselves artistically.

“Such people want to communicate some messages via the artwork on their bodies; particularly those messages which they may not be able to convey in words.

“However, some people wear tattoo for rebellious purposes; they just want to be different,’’ he adds.

Obi, who is into body arts, including tattoo art, says that tattoos are permanent body arts.

“We, however, do temporary body arts, face paintings and glamour arts; we call them celebration arts.

“Celebration arts are those kinds of designs you wear during birthdays or fashion shows. Besides, you may just want to take some photographs with the body arts, looking different.

“What makes the difference is the duration of the artwork on the body.

“Tattoos are more expensive because, they are permanent; the price ranges from N5, 000 to N40, 000, depending on your location,’’ Obi says.

Miss Rose Edobor, a trader, says that wearing tattoo has increasingly become fashionable among the youth.

“Young people have a liking for tattoo; tattoo may not appeal to you when you are old because by that time, your skin would have become wrinkly and saggy.

“So, when I become old, it is not going to make any difference if my skin has been tattooed or not. I just love tattoo because it beautifies my skin,’’ she says.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Osas Igbinosa, a barber, says that he likes the tattoo on his body because it gives him a sense of self-satisfaction.

“I like the tattoo on my body because it has a special meaning to me; anyway, it looks quite good on me.

“ I do not care what people think about tattoo, it is my body and I see the tattoo on my body as quite trendy.

“The tattoo designs are a mere decoration of my body and I love art; I love to wear art,’’ he says.

However, many people seem to have different conceptions or misconceptions about tattoo.

For instance, Mr Paul Phipps, an evangelist, insists that God has warned people to refrain from wearing tattoo because tattoo inscriptions are forbidden.

“God in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy specifically warned the children of Israel not to tattoo their body because any form of body inscriptions is forbidden.

“Tattoos even have some spiritual connotations, as they may be occultist in nature and whoever engraves such marks in his or her body can never enter the kingdom of God.

“So, it is not advisable for anyone who is a child of God to put on tattoo because it has to do with body inscriptions.

“Body inscriptions, no matter how they are done — whether manually or mechanically — involve blood and they are, therefore, not pleasing in the sight of God.

“Tattoos, whether permanent or temporary, are considered as some of things which God detests so much.

Expressing similar viewpoints, Alhaji Fuad Adeyemi, the Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Mosque, Abuja, says that tattoos are forbidden in Islam, adding that Islam is an all-encompassing religion that touches all aspects of human endeavour.

“In Islam, tattooing is a forbidden area. Prophet Muhammad says the curse of Allah is upon those who those who wear tattoo and those who make tattoo inscriptions.

“Based on the teachings of the Hadith, it becomes a prohibited thing for a Muslim to wear tattoo.

“The main reason why tattoo is prohibited is that it mutilates the human body and changes the creation of Almighty Allah.

“When you try to reconstruct your body, it is, therefore, Haram (proscribed by Islam). It is also a sort of deceit to pretend to be what you are not,’’ Adeyemi adds.

The different viewpoints notwithstanding, anthropologists insist that tattoo is an ancient tradition in all cultures which has definitely come to stay. (NANFeatures)

Germany earn $35m for winning World Cup

Germany defeated Argentina in extra time of the final of the World Cup, not only did they get to hoist an 18-carat trophy, but they also hauled off a cool $35 million.

It’s fitting that the largest prize in World Cup history was distributed in the most expensive World Cup in history. Spain, winner of the 2010 World Cup, received $30 million.

That money is the only thing Germany get to keep (except for bragging rights) since the expensive trophy stays with FIFA and teams are given a cheaper replica.

Argentina received $25 million as the runner-up, which is up from $24 million in 2010. The Netherlands earned $20 million for finishing third and Brazil earned $18 million for fourth place.

Here’s a look at the prize money distribution for the 2014 FIFA World Cup:
Group Stage (16 eliminated teams): $8 million each  Round of 16 (eight losers): $9 million each
Quarterfinals (four losers): $14 million each
Fourth place: $18 million
Third place:: $20 million
Runner-up: $24 million
Winner: $35 million

Rust-Oleum: Firm to empower graduates

IC Alpha Bravo Nigeria Limited, the firm with the franchise to distribute Rust-Oleum paint aerosols in West Africa, is rolling  out a self-empowerment scheme for graduates who will be trained on how to use the  products for professional purposes.

Speaking at the unveiling of the products in Lagos, Mr Victor Adewumi, IC Alpha Bravo Nigeria Limited CEO, explained that the products are formulated to reduce preparation time, reduce application time, reduce downtime and lengthen the lifespan of domestic and industrial assets.

“Rust-Oleum products are aimed at professionals and consumers with a do-it-yourself passion, thereby saving the cost of application especially for the maintenance and beautification of residential environments. This products come in handy aerosols which produces instant results when sprayed on an equipment that is becoming rust or on a leaking pipe.

They are affordable and come in over 7000 products which we are introducing gradually to the Nigerian market. The exposure of materials and objects to fluctuating weather and working conditions means requirement of effective protection against premature damage and expensive replacement, so instead of having to call an artisan to fix that little job, with Rust-Oleum aerosols, you can easily get it done yourself in a few minutes. Rust-Oleum paints do not only come in aerosols, they are also available in conventional paint buckets for industrial use”, the CEO said.

Adewumi explained that the products are eco-friendly and non-toxic with guarantee to last up to five years, the products also come with security features which makes it difficult to adulterate. “The products are environment friendly such that you don’t have to vacate your office when a Rust-Oleum paint is being sprayed because they are odourless, the products are also pocket friendly. The Rust-Oleum brand also have anti-slip products which prevents slippery in homes and offices, they also have automotive brands which prevents rust and scratches.

For instance, there is the anti-scratch product for automobiles which prevents scratches from staying on your car, this product is colourless so it won’t change the colour of your car”, he explained.
Some of the products on the stable of the company include Rust-Oleum spray paints which comes in over 70 colours, leakseal, neverwet, floor coatings, glow in dark paint, epoxy shield floor paint, counter coating, primers, wood finishes, stripping paint, cabinet transformation among others.

Mo’Cheddah: Is The Storm Over?

Born Modupe-Oreoluwa Oyeyemi Ola, Mo’cheddah was once the darling of Nigerian music fans, till she left the house at knight, and her fans and the whole Nigerian music public were left in the dark.

First time i heard Mo’Cheddah was on the track “Knighthouse ft Tha Suspect, Mo Cheddah and Clarence Peters“, that was in 2009, i never really paid attention. Same year i heard her on the monster hit track back then “The Finest (Wonberi)” by Knight house ft Saucekid and Teeto Ceemos. The way she took her hook with that tender voice with confidence, not letting herself get relegated by the two heavy weight rappers was very impressive.

Mo’cheddah later teamed up with Skuki to do the track “Stamina” which also dropped in 2009, and also became a hit. I later found out she was signed to Knight house, and i knew she was going to blow up. It was evident, as everything she was on back then was a hit song.

She then made use of the hype she was getting and later dropped her first single “If you want me” which was a single off her debut album which would drop later in 2010. By the time she dropped her single, i was already in love with her voice and her the progress she was making. Her debut single was perfect at that time, she was more like talking indirectly to the Nigerian music fans indirectly in the love song: “If you want me, to ba fe mi, you got to take me as i am, don’t be afraid i got you“. These words stuck in my mind

The video for “If you want me” later dropped in 2010, with a follow up single “Ko ma roll” which i must say was a smash hit single, both off her “Franchise Celebrity” which later dropped October 2010, and did really good for a debut album.

The album was so good she won two international awards, MTV and Channel O awards respectively, even though she narrowly lost out at the Headies Awards (Biggest Entertainment Award in Nigeria), it was obviously a Mo’cheddah year in 2010.

2011 was quiet from the diva, due to her tertiary education, but she still dropped a single “See Me” featuring then label mate Phenom. A video to the song soon followed same year. The song was an instant hit by the way.

Unfortunately, She hit the top and everything began to crumble. First she had to take some time off to complete her education at the University of Lagos, then she became a topic on twitter for the wrong reasons, when her nude pictures surfaced online, and then in February 2012, to the shock of everyone she called it quit with her record label Knight house.

She dropped 3 singles in June 2012 titled “D’ting“, “Louder” and “Lady” which were mean’t to be off her sophomore album “Super Changed” , but unfortunately even though the songs were really nice,but it couldn’t resurrect her already dying career, caused by the negativity that had piled up over the last year. Same year she dropped “Coming For You” ft May D, but that again was overlooked.

From 2012 not until recently, we heard nothing from Mo’cheddah, not until recently in April 2014 i came across “Destinambari ft. Phyno (Prod. Cobhams)” and i had goose bumps after listening to the song, the DIVA is back i tweeted after listening. From the beat by Cobhams the genius, to Phyno’s verse and to Mo’cheddah’s soothing voice and beautiful lyrics.

A befitting video for the song later followed, and a follow up single “My Time” dropped days ago. After listening to the song and watching the video, i thought to myself: Is the storm over? Is Mo’cheddah making a BIG comeback? Is it going to be her time soon again? Only time will tell.

In my opinion, following her 2 recent singles, she seems to be on the right path to success again, and i wish the diva success.

Written by Tosinadeda 2014