Man Rescued From Morro Rock After Proposing To Girlfriend

A man had to be rescued from Morro Rock on Thursday after climbing it to propose to his girlfriend.

Morro Bay State Park ranger Dale Kinney says the man — identified as Michael John Paul Banks, 27, of Fresno — climbed the southern side of the Rock after sunrise to propose to his girlfriend over the video-messaging app Facetime.

Banks attempted to climb down the precarious eastern side of the Rock and became stuck, Kinney said.

A CHP helicopter was dispatched to the Rock shortly after 8:30 a.m. The Morro Bay fire and police departments, as well as State Parks and Harbor Patrol, were on scene as well.

“It was a pretty amazing rescue on the part of the Fire Department,” Kinney said, because the helicopter had to fly close to the Rock to get a harness on the man. The man was safely returned to land after 9:30 a.m., with only a few scrapes and a misdemeanor citation for trespassing.

But the story does have a happy ending: Banks’ girlfriend said “yes.”

Queen Elizabeth II hosts Obasanjo, Kofi Anan, Dayo Israel, others at Commonwealth Africa Summit (CAS)/Commonwealth Day Service 2016‏

Nigeria’s Former President and Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Africa Initiative (CAFI) Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former UN Scribe Dr. Kofi Anan, and Africa 

Regional Director for GLEEHD Foundation/Commonwealth Africa Initiative Africa Engagement Director Ambassador Dayo Israel, were among the Key Guest at the recently concluded Commonwealth Day Service and Commonwealth Africa Summit activities in London in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Commonwealth Africa Summit is an annual event hosted as part of the activities to celebrate the Commonwealth Week in London and organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative and GLEEHD Foundation. This year’s Summit was supported by New Commonwealth Initiative, Heritage Bank Nigeria, Pan African Minerals Sierra Leone, Memorial Gate Trust, Royal Commonwealth Society, BEN television, Phoenix Newspaper, TVC News Africa, Joseftree Consult, Amandla Consulting, Stones and Stellars, The Times of Africa, CNBC Africa, Association of African Owned Enterprise in the UK, Business Council on Africa, PK Media UK, The Dream Center Nigeria and others.

Other special guests at the weeklong activity included Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh; HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York; HRH Prince Williams and HRH Kate Middleton; HRH Prince Harry; Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Africa Initiative Baroness Shreela Flather; Lisa Cameron MP; Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Dr. Shirin Chaudhary; Prime Minister David Cameron; Baroness Scotland (New Commonwealth Secretary General); H.E Kamalesh Sharma (Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary General); Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat; Executive Director of the Commonwealth Africa Initiative and Regional Director (Africa) for GLEEHD Foundation Mr Dayo Israel; CEO of Heritage Bank Mr Ifie Sekibo; CEO Pan African Minerals Mr Moseray Fadika; Nigeria’s Minister of Sport Mr Solomon Dalong; Former Governor of Ebonyi State Nigeria and Chairman Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Industry Senator Sam Egwu; Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs Mrs Oduwole; CEO DSTV Sierra Leone Mr Adonis Abboud; CEO Sightsavers Dr. Caroline Harper; Chairman Danish UK Chambers of Commerce Mr Wheeler; CEO Challenges Worldwide Eoghan Mackie; Bishop John Francis; Pastor Andrew Adeleke, CEO BEN Television Mr Alistair Soyode and many more.

The Commonwealth Africa Summit with the theme “Shared Prosperity. Mutual Security” was also attended by Mayors from across London; High Commissioners, Members of Parliament and a huge number of the African Diaspora Community leaders and citizens from across the Commonwealth.1

In His Keynote Speech during the opening plenary with the theme: “Leveraging our shared Heritage – What Africans can learn from their developed Commonwealth counterpart”, President Obasanjo said “I want to correct the impression that it’s only we (Africans) that can learn from other people and others don’t have anything to learn from us. I believe that any good person can learn from any other person, from situations and all the things around you. There is a lot the west can learn from Africa”.

Highlighting some of the lessons from Africa, Obasanjo said “In the Commonwealth, if the Africans had not put their act together and work as hard as they have done within the commonwealth, South African Apartheid regime might still be ongoing. How we did it, what did we do, others can learn from us”.

The Former President said “Lets focus this conversation with what is right with Africa and What can we do with Africa”. Africa is not an unmitigated failure, there are good things in Africa. Africa is the cradle of humanity. However, let nobody confuse you with this word globalisation, for me I don’t take it, if Globalisation means you ask me to open my door and you close your door against me and you want to take everything in my own house to yourself then to hell with globalisation.”

“We as Africans should remember that nobody will do anything for you unless you do it for yourself. In my part of the world, when you want to carry a load, you put a pad on your head and stand by your load, then they will see you need help and come to help you. We need to put our pad on our head as Africans and stand by our lead ready to carry, then they will help us. Our greatest asset is our people. Let us train and educate. I was talking to Kagame once and he said when “I started school, I had no slate so I was writing on my thigh”. Let us educate our people”, Obasanjo added.

In his remark, the Commonwealth Africs Initiative - Africa Engagement Director, Mr Dayo Israel said “Africa has come of age and its not enough to belong to the Commonwealth, we must benefit from the Common wealth. There is a reward for being a Member of the EU – Free trade agreement and what have you, we need to begin to push for better rewards for our Commonwealth Membership. We must be able to leverage on our shared heritage when it comes to Immigration, Trade, Youth Development and Security. We must make the commonwealth more relevant to the ordinary African people”.

On the other hand, Former UN Scribe Kofi Annan, not only praised the Queen for her "steadfast devotion" to the Commonwealth but also praised the organisation for its commitment to human development. According to him “Commonwealth not only strengthened links between member countries, it offered practical support from election monitoring to promoting security co-operation”.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Day service held at Westminster Abbey he paid tribute to the monarch who, in her annual address to the family of nations, called on the Commonwealth's citizens to support those in need.

Speaking about the family of nations' 2016 theme - An Inclusive Commonwealth - Mr Annan told the congregation: "This puts the people at its heart, at its centre and declares that plurality and diversity are the greatest strengths. It also means that we must constantly strive to ensure that no child, woman or a man is excluded or left behind. These are enduring principles which not only bind us together as citizens of the Commonwealth but are absolutely critical for our collective ambitions for our world. It has never been more important for the Commonwealth to stress the bonds of human compassion and solidarity that unite us across the divides of race and religion, gender and geography."

Ellie Goulding, who sang at William and Kate's wedding reception, gave a pared down performance of the Sting hit Fields Of Gold at the Event.

The Summit began with a Wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial gate where member states laid wreath in honour of the dead of the 2 World Wars. Commonwealth Africa Initiative Co-Chair Baroness Flather while speaking to the audience at the event which had in attendance the new Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Scotland said “through this activity, we are able to honour the Africans who fought in the 2 world wars, like the Nigerians who fought alongside the British in Burma”.

Dr. Caroline Harper while speaking at the Summit at the prestigious Tag Hotel in Victoria said “We must leave no one behind in the Commonwealth and as the SDG says, we must reach the farthest behind first”.

The Queen’s annual Commonwealth Day message formed part of the event’s programme at Westminster Abbey and in it she wrote: “Today, and in the year ahead, the theme An Inclusive Commonwealth is an inspiration for us all. Let us give it practical effect by supporting those in need and those who feel excluded in all walks of life. By doing so, we will continue to build a truly representative Commonwealth community.”

The weeklong activity also featured a one to one meeting with HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of York which was attended by CAFI Co-Chair Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, CAFI Africa Director Mr Dayo Israel and others.

Delegates also joined the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary General H.E Kamalesh Sharma at the Commonwealth Young Leaders Award Ceremony at Marlborough House, the Secretariat of the Commonwealth.

The London Summit is being followed by a series of activities in South Africa, Guyana, Namibia, Nigeria and the UK Houses of Parliament ahead of the 2017 Summit slated for 13th – 15th March 2017 in London.

Note

1. The Commonwealth Africa Summit, holding alongside the Commonwealth Day Observance Service, is a major event in the Commonwealth Africa Initiative/GLEEHD calendar. The Summit convenes Heads of Government, senior ministers, public sector leaders, the private sector and senior executives in one place to discuss security and development, trade and investment, and business opportunities.
2. The summit provides a platform for Commonwealth nations from Africa to showcase investment opportunities to a wider business community while learning best practises on securing their homeland and borderlines. The Commonwealth Africa Summit also creates a platform that makes it easier for Commonwealth countries in Africa to do more business with member states from other parts of the world. The Summit provide a unique opportunity for companies in Africa and other Commonwealth countries to network and exchange views on intra-Com

Mom charged with assault for defending her daughter against bullies

A mother is facing an assault charge after confronting a bully at her teenage daughter’s school. Morgan Sellers, 14, has been enduring bullying by a group of kids at her middle school since last fall. “It’s been stressful because I never know what name they’re going to call me each day,” Morgan told WHO-HD. “It makes me feel bad about myself, like I’m not good enough.”

Morgan’s mom, Alisha Morton, 31, says she repeatedly complained about the bullying to the principal, teachers, and superintendent of Northview Middle School in Ankeny, Iowa. She was assured that they would take care of the situation. But nothing changed.

The bullying got so bad that Morgan told her mom she wanted to die.

“For my child to come home and tell me that she wants to die because this child is still doing something that I’ve confronted the school and superintendent about, that kills me inside,” Morton said.

It was the last straw. On Jan. 11, Morton went with her daughter to the school to face the student who was bullying Morgan the most — an eighth-grade boy. During the exchange, another student, a ninth-grade girl, allegedly threatened Morton.

“She said, ‘I’m going to beat your ass. Get the hell out of here,"

Morton said. “I said, ‘You’re a child; you’re not involved in this. Sit back down.’”

When the teen girl wouldn’t back off during the confrontation, Morton put one arm out to block her.

The mom says the student then tried to punch her. Morgan came to her mom’s defense, grabbing the ninth-grade girl’s hands to prevent her from hitting Morton. “I told her when I grabbed her hands, ‘You’re not going to hit my mom,’” Morgan said.

The mom was charged with assault “by admittedly shoving the student during a verbal altercation,” the assault complaint says, according to WHO-HD.

Photos from Rita Ora's photoshoot for Lui magazine (18+)

New photos from Rita Ora's photoshoot for Lui magazine shared by photographer Terry Richardson. See the pics below..,

Obanikoro to EFCC: Stop this media trial, publish names of the directors and signatories to the McNamara account

The immediate past Minister of State, Foreign Affairs and a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has challenged controversial online platform, Sahara Reporters and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to sincerely publish the names of the Directors and signatories to the alleged Silva McNamara Limited account to the public as at when the said money was paid instead of demonising and deceiving Nigerians with vague, contrived and distorted information.

Obanikoro is appalled by the public political persecution embarked upon by these agencies noting that there is nowhere in the world where investigations are being conducted using the pages of the newspapers.

In a statement signed on Saturday by one of his Media Aide, Mr. Jonathan Eze, it queried the wisdom and logic of bandying figures and associating same with his sons who are thorough bred professionals in their own rights reminding them that the court of law is and remains the judicial institution for trying cases and not whipping sentiments in order to give the dog a bad name and hang it.

The statement opined that Sahara Reporters is propagating these lies and propaganda because of the legal cases against it by the former Minister for misleading the public and defaming his hard earned name and reputation having served the nation in various capacities with enviable untainted records of public service. It urged the EFCC to be straight and above board in their investigations and avoid speculations and conjectures that are infringing on the fundamental human rights of his sons.

The statement reads in parts:" Associating my sons to the Sylva McNamara account that allegedly received funds from the office of the embattled National security Adviser is highly preposterous and unthinkable. "I am particularly amazed by the fact that trials and investigations are being done using the media unconventionally just to satisfy the cravings of political entities who are desperate to rub my hard earned reputation in the mud. " Since the invicinble Sahara Reporters whom I have legal cases against are at the forefront of misleading the public and defaming my person, perhaps rationalizing that I would withdraw pending suits against it, I am using this medium to challenge it and the EFCC to publish in good conscience the signatories and the names of the directors of the said company and to restate that I shall conclusively pursue this injustice and infringements to a logical end., "

Photos: Beyonce stuns in Indian outfit in Coldplay's Hymn For the Weekend video shoot

Beyoncé looked amazing in this Indian attire for a video shoot for Coldplay's Hymn For The Weekend song which he shot in India. More photos after the cut...

Dasukigate: Leadership Newspaper returns its share of N9 million

The management of Leadership Holdings Limited, publishers of Leadership newspapers, has returned the N9m it received from the office of former National Security Adviser through the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria as compensation for the seizure of its publications in June 2014.

In a letter dated January 29 and addressed to the General Secretary of NPAN, the Publishing company owned by former APC Presidential aspirant, Sam Nda-Isaiah, said it decided to return the money following the controversy it has generated.

The company however noted that they did no wrong by collecting the money since the decision to collect the money was reached after former President Goodluck Jonathan reached for an out of court settlement with the affected newspapers.

Leadership will be the second publishing house after The Sun to return the said compensation.

The letter titled "Compensation for illegal seizure of newspapers", was signed by the Group Managing Director of Leadership Newspapers Group Limited, Mike Okpere. The letter reads

“We refer to the above subject matter and enclose herewith a Zenith Bank draft no 08549695 for the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine million Naira only) being refund of the compensation paid by the Goodluck Jonathan government for the crude and illegal seizure of our newspapers over a period of 5 days by soldiers from the 6th of June to the 10th of June 2014 through the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). It will be recalled that this was the sum paid to all newspapers which incurred losses as a result of the act which was arrived at when President Jonathan pleaded for an out of court settlement. It has come to our notice that the chairman of Daily Trust, Malam Kabiru Yusuf who was acting president of NPAN/chairman of the meeting held at Mr. Sam Amuka’s guest house in Lagos in December 2015 where it was agreed, after a detailed analysis of the situation that NPAN and the newspapers committed no offence by the out of court settlement and therefore had no reason to refund the compensation, has gone behind the association’s back and directed the Daily Trust to refund money.‎ After such a dishonourable act by the one person under whose direction members of the association all agreed that there would be no need to refund the money, it is our view that it is no longer tenable not to refund. This is particularly more discomforting when it is recalled that the decision to agree to the out of court settlement and compensation was taken at the Abuja office of Daily Trust with Kabiru Yusuf in attendance. It is for this reason that we are refunding the N9 million. But we will like to maintain the general position that neither the NPAN nor newspaper committed any offence. Our chairman has also made it clear that he does not see any situation where LEADERSHIP will be part of any group that will take the current government to court. Therefore we should be counted out of any future decision to seek redress in court on this same matter. After all it is not the government that asked us to refund, it is the treachery of some of our members. Kindly be advised accordingly.”

Phil Collins back with 3rd ex-wife, 8 years after their £25m divorce

Legendary singer Phil Collins, 64, is back with his 3rd former wife, Orianne Cevey, 8 years after he divorced her in one of the most expensive divorce settlements in the UK entertainment world at the time, topping the £24.3m Paul McCartney paid to Heather Mills after their split. He paid Orianne £25m in 2008 in a highly-publicized divorce. 

The couple married in 1999 and had two children. They separated in 2006 and officially divorced in 2008 saying they had "grown apart". But Collins has now revealed they are back together and even living together in Miami with their sons, Nicholas, 14, and Matthew, 11.

Collins revealed he had bought a house in Miami where Orianne and their two children live. He told Billboard magazine: "I'm actually back with my third wife - I haven't really talked about it. We've been together for a while, and nobody's noticed."

The singer is also a father to Joely, 43, and Simon, 39 (with his first wife, Andrea Bertorelli. Married from 75-80) and Lily, 26 (with his second wife, Jill Tavelman. Marriage ended in 1994).

Pics: Hennessy launches first ever airport bar in Nigeria at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos

History was made on the 24th of January, 2016 as Hennessy unveiled the first ever Hennessy Airport Bar in Nigeria located at the D-wing, departure hall of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Bar will offer to prospective consumers (who must be 18 years of age and above), in addition to Hennessy products, majority of the Champagne and Spirits brands within the Moet Hennessy portfolio in a most conducive and exquisite setting befitting the high standards that the Hennessy brand is known for.

The bar was created in partnership with a leading Nigerian entrepreneur; Mrs. Adeola Omikunle, CEO of Things Remembered.

In separate interviews with newsmen, the Brand Manager Hennessy & Spirits Portfolio Nigeria; Mr. Lere Awokoya, and the Moët Hennessy General Manager Nigeria; Mr. Paul Auriol described the partnership as a means of providing an avenue for travelers’ relaxation in comfort and style.

With the opening of the prestigious Airport Bar, the Hennessy brand has again set the pace by crystallizing its popular mantra; Never Stop, Never Settle with the unveiling of yet another first-of-its-kind innovation aimed at providing unlimited satisfaction for its esteemed consumers. 

Amber Rose blasts Kanye West on Twitter

Amber Rose had something to say about Kanye West on Twitter yesterday. What she tweeted would make you laff. See what she tweeted below

Beef alert!!! Chioma Akpotha shades Uche Jombo,Emem Isong,Omoni Oboli

Its another beef alert, This time it's Nollywood Actress Chioma Akpotha who threw shade at Uche Jombo,Emem Isong,Omoni Oboli and Ufuoma McDermott and Blessing Egbe, saying sometimes,sisters aren't really sisters and she is moving on!

I wonder what they did to her because Chioma is the very quiet type. See Uche Jombo's reply below

Mother strips son,drags him to school over N5k theft

According to a twitter user who shared this story, she wrote "Happening this morning in Kwale Delta state. A woman stripped her 9 years old son,gave him wounds all over, and brought him to his school to report to his teachers that he stole 5000 naira from her wallet.......did she do well or not?"

Tactics Armed Robbers Now Use In Edo State To Rob Innocent Victims

A gang of armed robbers allegedly led by a female who posed as a nurse, has reportedly snatched an 18-seater Hiace bus belonging to a Benin-based private commercial transport company, Agbonifo Line.

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The female robber who reportedly dressed in nurse uniform, was said to have led other members of her gang in the robbery operation to snatch the vehicle marked DGE 317 XB and chassis No: JTFRX12PV08042624, at gunpoint along the Ekpoma-Agbor road in the state.‎

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the robbers from his hospital bed where he is being treated for injuries he sustained from the robbers’ attack, the driver of the bus, Anthony Nwaosa, said the suspect chartered the bus from the company’s park at Ekpoma, Esan West local government area of Edo state and informed the driver that she wanted to go and convey computers her husband imported from abroad.‎

“I was in Ekpoma at our park between the hours of 10 am and 11am last week Thursday when a lady approached me that she wanted to charter my bus to a village near Agbor. We agreed for a fee of N40,000. I met my manager at Ekpoma to confirm from my MD if I should embark on the trip or not and he agreed.

“So, the following morning (Friday) a bus was sent from Auchi which we used. Shortly after we departed from the park, it occurred to me that I didn’t carry the vehicle’s manifest papers so I asked her to permit me to return to the part to pick it which she obliged.

“During the course of the journey the girl was receiving several phone calls and I specifically asked her what exactly are we going to carry and she said computers which her husband that lives abroad imported. I became suspicious of her because of her conversation on phone as if the person was nearby.

“She later asked me to stop to pick somebody along the road and immediately the caller called her again that we have passed him. She then asked me to park. Only for me to sight about seven armed men from a nearby bush and they demanded the key of the bus.

“They started beating me with the butt of their guns and blocks from an uncompleted building while the girl watched until I couldn’t remember anything that happened again. I only woke up at the hospital here. That is all I can remember,” Nwaosa said.

The Managing Director of the transport Company, Festus Agbonifo, who corroborated the driver’s account, said he suspected foul play between his manager at Ekpoma and the female robber, because, according to him, no receipt indicating the identity of the girl was issued by the company’s manager before allowing the chartered bus to embark on the journey.