Gani Fawehinmi: Activists Commence 4th Memorial Anniversary in Lagos, Demand Creation of Freedom Park in Abuja

By SaharaReporters, New York

Activists from various civil society organizations today addressed a press conference in Lagos to kick-start a three-phase programme commemorating the fourth anniversary of the death of the radical human rights advocate and lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
They called on the government to rename the headquarters of National Human Rights Commission in the federal capital as GANI FAWEHINMI HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE, and to establish a Freedom Square in his name also in the city where aggrieved Nigerians, CSOs, activists can gather peacefully to protest and express their feelings about bad governance.
The activists also announced that they have registered the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) specifically for the annual commemoration of the passing of the radical lawyer on September 5, 2009.
Under GAFAMORG this year, a “road show” will be held in Lagos on August 31 starting from the Obafemi Awolowo Way link-bridge and ending at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square in Ojota, the scene of the mass protest against the removal of fuel subsidy by the government in January last year.
On September 5, GAFAMORG will hold their main event, a public lecture, at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel, at 10.00am. A ‘Night of Tribute’ is also scheduled for the same day at Jabita Hotel on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, at 6pm.
The activists said it was imperative to analyze current anomalies in Nigeria, describing the likely actions Chief Fawehinmi might have taken were he still alive.
They spoke highly against corruption, government ineptitude, the education crisis that has resulted in the ASUU strike, and impunity, among other menaces.

According to a report by Sahara Reporters, Nigeria's Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar is getting ready to re-marry a year and a half after loosing his wife, Maryam Abubakar, to cancer. (Mrs Abubakar died in January 2012)

IG Abubakar will be engaging in a three-day wedding ritual to 35 year old Safiya (pictured above with him). Their wedding proper will take place on Saturday September 14th.

Sahara Reporters obtained a photo from a series of photos taken during a photo shoot in preparation for their grand wedding. Congrats to them.

WHICH MOBILE DEVICE ARE YOU USING

The battle of which phone is the best will never end. There are merits and demerits to each mobile device. Going by the spate of development seen in the mobile phone (particularly the smart phone), preferences and loyalties are bound to change.

What informs your decision on the phone to use? Is it friends, user reviews, brand loyalty, features or price to mention a few? The variety to choose from out there can be challenging and yet be a delightful experience.

The phones of today have advanced passed the usual making of voice calls and sending of text messages. Now there is a whole bunch of things that can be done with smart phones. The interesting thing about smart phones is that it is quite distinct from the computer despite its similarity in form, features and hardware.

Nokia, Apple, Samsung, RIM, Sony, Motorola, HTC, LG are the most popular smart phone makers in the world. In Nigeria, we’ll have to add Techno, ZTE, NEC and other Shinko Phones :). It is not only the manufacturer that matters, the Mobile Operating System the manufacturer decides to incorporate into its phones is important. Examples of Mobile Operating Systems are Windows Mobile, iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Bada, Sailfish, Umbutu touch and Symbian. All these systems have their distinct characteristics, though they all work at doing the same thing – giving you a wonderful mobile experience. This is whether the system is Open or closed source.

Whatever the phone you choose to buy, make sure you are happy with it or else you will suffer buyer’s remorse. There is a limit to what and how you compare your phone to others. Make sure you know your onions before venturing into any debate about Phones and its OS.

In my opinion the best phone is ………………………………………………………….

There will never be an all-time best phone. Newer and better ones will always be advertised every year. Some we get to use others we do not. All the same, use your phone with pride.

Please enter your comments below. 

BBM For All Phones!

BBM For All Phones!

It is official!
Yes! You heard it. BlackBerry Messenger is no longer going to be for BlackBerry phones alone. Research In Motion (RIM) CEO Thorsten Heins revealed this in the recent annual BlackBerry conference along with their new budget smart phone the BB-Q5. 

BlackBerry Messenger has been exclusive to BB users hitherto.  It will now be available on rival smartphones. 
"It's time to bring BBM to a greater audience".
"We are excited to offer iOS and Android users the possibility to join the BBM community".
Those are the words of Thorsten Heins, giving the hint that BBM will be in both the Google Play and Apple App store. Unfortunately, Nothing was mention about the Windows Mobile OS or Nokia Phones. 

At it's roll out, BBM will be offering texts, photo messages, voice messages and group sharing on the Android and iOS devices. Other features such as screen sharing, voice and video calls will be offered later in the year. 

A lot  has been said on how this will impact the sales of BlackBerry devices. But the CEO had this to say: "It is a statement of confidence. The BalckBerry 10 Platform is so strong and the response has been so good that we are confident the time is right for BlackBerry Messenger to become an independent multiplatform messaging solution". 

Interestingly, IPhone users will need at least an iOS6 to run the app while Android Phones will need at least Ice Scream Sandwich 4.0. BlackBerry share of the mobile market has dropped considerably over the last one year. Rival messaging apps such as Whatsapp, Viber and Skype will have to restrategize to take on the BBM solution. There are already over 60 million BBM users worldwide. 

So, is BBM really going to be a cross platform app for all phones? No! Just Android and iOS for now. 




Please leave your comments, suggestions and questions below, thanks.

 

The dogs who do yoga and and the ducks with a wardrobe full of dresses: Meet the world's most pampered pets

• In Japan, people workout with their pet pooches at dog yoga  
• Australia's Brian Harrington dresses his ducks up for catwalk shows
• Aubrey O'Day takes her dogs for spa treatments
• Title of world's most pampered pet went to Yorkshire Terrier Lola from Essex
• Her owned spent £20,000 to give her a pet wedding

A TV documentary uncovered some weird and wonderful animal lovers when they searched the world for the most pampered pet.
The show, which broadcast on Channel 5 on Monday, found people are spending thousands on their furry and feathered friends - whether that's by dressing them up in the finest clothes or taking them to a relaxing spa.
In Tokyo, Japan, people even workout with their pet pooches at dog yoga classes.
Scroll down for video

Yoga for dogs: Owners take their pets to a class in Tokyo

Weight lifting: In the tree pose, owners have to raise their dogs above their heads

At one with their dogs: The boat pose involves balancing your dog on your lap

Barking mad? The yoga instructor said the class is 'wonderful' for dogs

The participants perform yoga moves with their dog in tow and can even use them as weights.
The instructor explains of one move where the dog is lifted by their owner above their head: 'Lift your dog up slowly, imagine you are a tree and your dog is a fruit or flower.'
Meanwhile in the 'boat pose' the dog owner sits with their pet balanced on their lap while they lift their legs off the floor.
'You are the boat and the dog is your passenger,' the instructor explains. 'I know it's not easy to do but just be at one with your dog.'

Duck style: Brian Harrington has bought dozens of dresses for his birds

In the pink: Aubrey O'Day gets Ginger and Mary-Anne's hair dyed

 

When asked about the benefits of yoga for dogs, the instructor replied: 'It's wonderful, her (the dog's) expression is completely different after yoga.'
If you thought that was barking mad then wait until you read about Australia's Brian Harrington who was a contender for having the world's most pampered pets with his team of ducks.
Brian dresses his ducks up and takes them to family events to entertain people with a catwalk show.
The ducks have their own dress maker and their outfits include a bridal gown and 'day' and 'evening' wear.
Brain said: 'I love my ducks, I'm not ashamed to say they put a tear in my eye.
'We have some stunning outfits, they have an extensive wardrobe of 100 outfits. I want them to look like humans and their dresses to look like humans, it's the outfits that make my catwalk shows so special.'

Lizard lover: Henry lives with 20 reptiles

Posers: Henry has made a business out of photographing his pets

Meanwhile, over in the U.S., the Channel 5 documentary found business is booming at pet shops and grooming salons as people are spending thousands to ensure their dogs look their best.
For American reality TV star, Aubrey O'Day, this means giving her dogs, Ginger and Mary-Anne, regular pampering treatments and make-overs.
She takes them to a dog grooming spa where they are bathed, cleansed and then given pink and purple highlights.
She said: 'They are pampered with love and in turn they pamper me with love constantly. I just love sitting in the shower with them. I can't date a guy who doesn't love my dogs.'

Winner: The title of the world's most pampered pet went to Yorkshire terrier, Lola, owned by Louise Harris from Essex

LA-based celebrity journalist, Sandro Monetti, explains that pets in Hollywood are the ultimate accessory because they give unconditional love and never deceive - or sue.
Also featured on the show are photographer Henry 'Lizardlover' who lives with 20 lizards and treats them like supermodels and Mexico's 'Luna the fashion kitty', a cat with her own fashion blog and online comic strip.
But the crown of the most pampered pet in the world went to Lola, a Yorkshire terrier who lives in Great Notley, Essex, with Louise Harris, 34.

Spoiled: Louise runs a pet boutique and gives her dog weekly beauty treatments

No expense spared: Lola has diamond collars, perfume and numerous outfits

Louise gave up a job in The City to run a pet boutique. Lola gets weekly spa sessions with her own beautician who gives her facials, coat conditioning, massage and reiki. The terrier also has clothes, accessories and dog beds that have cost Louise thousands.
She even once spent £20,000 to give Lola a pet wedding ceremony (they've since divorced).
Louise said of her pampered pooch: 'She is like my child but I understand she is never going to go to college or learn how to read and write, she is a dog.'

Waiting around to find out how she died is unbearable': Parents' agony over mystery death of private schoolgirl, 17, who fell ill at Reading festival

• Esme Blore taken unwell at last weekend's festival
• Discharged from hospital but collapsed at home and died on Monday after being readmitted
• Police investigating drug link to 'unexplained' death
• Esme had been excited about going to the festival with friends for weeks before

'Unexplained death': Esme Blore was taken to hospital on Saturday

A public schoolgirl died after becoming ill at last weekend’s Reading Festival.
Esme Blore, 17, came home early on Saturday feeling unwell and was taken to hospital.
She was discharged but collapsed at home on Monday and was rushed back to hospital, where she deteriorated rapidly and died.
Police are treating her death as ‘unexplained’ and are investigating whether it could be linked to drugs, while her local newspaper reported her drink may have been spiked.
Esme attended the festival with a group of friends and posted messages on social media in the days running up to the event, saying how excited she was.
Speaking from their home in Stevington, near Bedford, her parents said it was ‘unbearable’ waiting to find out how and why she died.
Esme’s father, Sebastian Blore-Rimmer, 48, said: ‘At the moment we are in limbo. We don’t really know what to do until we find out how and why she died.
‘We just want to know the facts and at the moment we don’t know anything. Waiting around is just unbearable.’
Her mother Sharon, 44, added: ‘I could give all the tributes in the world but nothing is going to bring my baby back.’
Last night friends, including  fellow pupils from the private Dame Alice Harpur School (now Bedford Girls’ School) where Esme was a pupil, wrote tributes on a Facebook page set up in her memory.
One wrote: ‘Esme, I can’t believe you’ve been taken away from us! You were such an amazing person and one of the nicest and most down to earth girls I have ever met!

Excited: Esme had been posting messages on social media as the Reading festival approached saying how much she was looking forward to going

‘From when we were younger to now, you never failed to make me laugh and smile! I’ll never forget my times with you, Esme! Nothing will be the same without you, you will always be loved and forever missed. Rest in peace, beautiful.’
Another wrote: ‘Esme, you have no idea how many people you have affected with your spirit and love – people who didn’t even know you for long have posted on this page, and I hope you know how much everyone will miss you and love you. You have made a mark on all those who know you.’
A police spokesman said: ‘Thames Valley Police was made aware of the death of a 17-year-old girl from Bedfordshire in hospital on  Monday night.
‘There has been some speculation about the cause of her death and whether it is linked to her attendance at Reading Festival at the weekend, and officers are liaising with Northants Police to establish the timeline of events.’
The festival’s organisers said the cause of Esme’s ‘sad death’ was ‘not known at this time’, and gave their sympathy to her family and friends.

Laugh and smile: Esme was attending the festival with a group of friends

The Chinese man who has been caged in a tiny stone cell for 30 YEARS by his own parents

• Dong Hai has been caged inside stone shelter in China's Fujian province
• Five square metre space has been his home since the age of sixteen
• His parents use a gap in the stone wall to pass through cans of food
• They spray water into the cage to clean their son who has no physical contact
• Hai hasn't set foot outside the cage in thirty years

A man who displayed signs of mental health problems as a teenager has been locked up by his parents for 30 years.
Dong Hai,46, was caged in a five square metre stone shelter in his parent's back yard when they grew frightened that he could hurt someone.
Dong Watou and his wife Xiao Hong from Longhai, southeast China's Fujian Province said they had appealed to hospitals for help when their only son grew distressed and they feared for his mental health.

Caged: Xiao Hong uses a hole in the stone wall to wash her son Dong Hai inside the stone cage with a cloth

Trapped: Dong Hai crouches in the darkened corner of his stone cell, where his parents keep him locked away from the world

Desperation: The Chinese couple looked for help and tried to get their son treatment when he displayed symptoms of mental health problems, but they were turned away by local hospitals

They visited hospitals in the province but were turned away. The couple spent all their savings on medical treatment in a year and had to stop their son's treatment.
As time goes on the couple, who are now nearly 70 years old, say their greatest fear is what will happen to Hai when they die.

 

The couple's house is no different from others in the village, except the stone shelter in the yard. 

Hai hasn't stepped outside the bare hut for the past 30 years
Food is passed to him through a hole in the wall and each day Hai's father uses a scoop, which is tied on top of a long bamboo pole, to shovel out excrement.

Inhumane: Dong Waitou peeks through a hole in the stone wall to check on his son, who has not left the stone hut in 30 years

Distant: Food is served in a tin can and passed through the hole in the wall. Hai receives no physical contact despite living just yards from his elderly parents

Watchful: Hai's parents stare at him through bars, but do not touch him. They say their greatest fear is what will happen to their son once they die

Hai's mother then squirts water inside to clean the ground and her son.

Several years ago, the land in the village has been taken away by the government for real estate development, and the old couple lost their only income source.

Now they are doing odd jobs in maintaining the life.

Last year Dong Waitou worked as a watchman in a village construction lot, and was beaten by a drunk driver. Now his right leg still has a long scar and he can't do heavy jobs.

Held back: Dong Watou was beaten up by a drunk driver, who left him with nasty scars (right) He now struggles to work and his family find it hard to make ends meet

Drastic: the couple say deciding to cage their son was the hardest choice they've ever made