Young Man Kidnapped As A Child Is Emotionally Reunited With His Parents 20 Years Later

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Read Time:2 Minute, 32 Second

This is the emotional moment a man who was abducted as a young child was finally reunited with his family – 20 years later.

Sun Wei was just 4-years-old when in 1995 he was kidnapped as he walked home from kindergarten in Liangshan Yi, Sichuan Province.

He was given sweets by a stranger and led into a van.

His father Sun Zhenghua, who was 25 at the time, reported the abduction to police.

But as he and his wife didn’t have a single picture of their son to issue, it made it almost impossible for the incident to be processed.

In the meantime, Sun Wei was taken to the city of Jieyang, in Guangdong Province, and sold to a couple who already had a seven-year-old daughter.

Sun Wei recalled: “I was taken to a family and given a new name, Xiaochuan, and my birthday was changed to November 6, 1993.

"When I first arrived at my foster parents, I couldn’t understand a word of the local dialect,” he added.

Sun Wei said he was always acutely aware that he had been kidnapped.

“All the neighbours knew. My foster parents never mentioned it, but they never knew that I knew the truth,” he said.

Back home, his worried biological father decided to leave his wife Peng Lianhui in charge of family affairs and set off on a journey across the country.

He began working odd jobs in dozens of provinces, hoping to find Sun Wei in one of them. But he was unsuccessful.

“I stayed in one city for about one month – no more than two – before moving on to the next,” he said.

“But police and rescue shelters all refused to help me because I didn’t have a picture of my boy – they thought I was lying,” he added.

Zhenghua returned home and had two more children with his wife. But the couple never gave up hope of one day seeing their boy again, and registered their DNA with Chinese missing persons authorities.

In the end, however, it took a step from Sun Wei himself to set things in motion.

Having quit school at 14-years-old to work in Shenzhen, Sun Wei was finally persuaded by his friends to register his DNA in the same missing persons database.

Authorities quickly found a match to a similar claim filed by Sun Wei’s parents, and the long-lost relatives were brought together once more in a tearful reunion.

Sun Wei said of his decision to finally inform authorities: “Although I always knew I was ‘taken’, I just did not have it in me to do it at the time.”

“As for how my life will be from now on, it’s very difficult to say. I haven’t made any decisions yet – many things aren’t as simple as they seem,” he added.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Court records: Ohio man on electronic monitor raped teen

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Read Time:3 Minute, 7 Second

CINCINNATI — While an Ohio man was on electronic monitoring in an abduction case, he had a 14-year-old girl dropped off at his home by taxi, held her captive for months and raped her, according to criminal charges and court records.

Cody Lee Jackson, 20, fled the state without the girl after pleading guilty this summer in the abduction case to a charge of interference with custody; charges of abduction and kidnapping were dismissed, state court records show.

He was arrested last week in Utah when he tried to run away after giving a fake name to drug task force officers conducting a routine stop at a bus station, according to Salt Lake City jail documents. He is to be brought back to Ohio for sentencing on the interference conviction and to face numerous federal and state charges stemming from his alleged crimes while on electronic monitoring.

Court records don’t list an attorney for Jackson.

State court officials didn’t provide further details Thursday on monitoring Jackson earlier this year. Triffon Callos, a spokesman for the Hamilton County prosecutor’s office, confirmed the state charges against Jackson and his guilty plea but referred calls about the monitoring system to the county sheriff’s electronic monitoring division.

Sheriff’s spokesman Michael Robison Thursday confirmed that Jackson wore the monitoring device from January 22 until July 31 this year.
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This undated photo provided by the Salt Lake County …
This undated photo provided by the Salt Lake County Jail shows Cody Jackson. Authorities say Jackson …

“We conducted our typical unscheduled and unannounced home visits,” Robison said. “He was required to report weekly to his assigned officer, which he did, and he complied with all other conditions,” of his monitoring.

Federal authorities said in an affidavit that Jackson supposedly had a 20-year-old woman keep an eye on the girl and take her out of his apartment when he was checked by monitoring officials.

Federal court documents say Jackson contacted the teenager through Facebook in February after pleading not guilty in the abduction case involving two females who said he held them against their will at a hotel in Blue Ash, Ohio, in 2014. He was being monitored at his apartment in the Cincinnati suburb of Norwood, when he arranged for a taxi to deliver the teen to him on several occasions and had sexual intercourse with her, the FBI affidavit states.

By March, he would no longer let her leave his apartment “unless it was with him or at his direction,” according to federal documents. He punished her physically for violations of rules he set for her that included no talking to other men and no showering or using the restroom without permission, the documents say. She became pregnant after being at Jackson’s apartment for nearly two months, authorities said in the affidavit.

The FBI affidavit says he was taken off electronic monitoring after he entered the guilty plea in the 2014 state case, and fled Ohio prior to his sentencing in August. The girl returned to her family with help from the landlord, federal documents said.

The documents also say Jackson allegedly reached out to the girl by cellphone after he left Ohio and threatened to kill her and her family if she didn’t take sexually explicit photos of herself and send them to him on Facebook, where he allegedly used his Facebook accounts to transfer the pornographic images.

Jackson now faces federal charges of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and production of child pornography. The charges were unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Cincinnati. He also faces state charges, including rape, kidnapping, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and interference with custody.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Russian’ drone downed by Turkey close to Syria border

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Read Time:3 Minute, 11 Second

Istanbul – Turkish fighter jets shot down an unidentified drone which entered its air space near the Syrian border, with the US military saying “all indications” showed that the unmanned vehicle was Russian.

If confirmed, the presence of a Russian craft in the air space of the key NATO member would further ratchet up tensions over Moscow’s behaviour in Syria. Russia denied it was to blame, despite repeated previous violations.

The Turkish army said that the craft had been warned three times by Turkish planes but had maintained course.

It was then “downed by fire from our aircraft on patrol, according to the rules of engagement.”

The statement did not say if the downed aircraft was manned or a drone. But a Turkish official told AFP in Ankara it was an “unmanned aircraft”.

The army warned the air force would “decisively” implement Turkey’s rules of engagement.

The US military believes the drone downed by Turkey was Russian, a US official said in Washington.

“All indications are, yes, it is a Russian drone,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official added there were no reports of the Syrian army using the type of drone that was shot down.

Television pictures showed the military examining the crash site by the village of Deliosman in the southern Kilis region on the Syrian border.

The state-run Anatolia news agency published pictures of what it said was the downed craft lying upside down in the grass, showing it to be a small vehicle just a few feet in length.

It appeared to be a drone used for reconnaissance operations.

Analysts said that the drone was similar to drones used by pro-Russian separatist forces in Ukraine, some of which had been shot down.

“A good working assumption is that it’s Russian,” said Nick de Larrinaga, Europe editor of IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, adding it was nonetheless different to a Russian Orlan 10 drone.

– ‘Could cause accidents’ –

But Russia’s military on Friday said all its planes in Syria had returned safely to base and its drones were “working as normal”.

“All the Russian planes in Syria have returned to the Hmeimim air base after completing their tasks,” defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies.

“Russian unmanned aerial vehicles monitoring the situation on the territory of Syria and carrying out air reconnaissance are working as normal.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu said Ankara had still not identified the drone. “We will announce once the nationality is clarified,” he said.

He said the drone had fallen three kilometres (1.85 miles) inside Turkish territory.

Turkey had earlier this month bitterly complained about two violations of its air space by Russian warplanes operating in Syria.

A NATO official said Turkey had not asked for NATO assistance or consultations over the downing.

“We understand that Turkish authorities are investigating the origin of the unidentified drone that was shot down,” said the official in Brussels.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had warned on October 5 after the Russian air space violation that Ankara would activate military rules of engagement irrespective of who violates its air space.

“The Turkish armed forces are clearly instructed. Even it is a flying bird it will be intercepted,” Davutoglu said.

Turkey supports the moderate opposition in Syria and has been infuriated by Moscow’s bombing campaign to support President Bashar al-Assad.

Sinirlioglu said that the Russian air strikes had not been aimed at striking at Islamic State (IS) jihadists and were simply seeking to prop up the regime.

“This is not a method that will ensure Syria’s unity. Nothing will emerge other than protracting existing chaos and war and more human losses,” he said.

Sinirlioglu said the Russian strikes near the Turkish border could lead to dangerous situations. “This is a serious issue that could lead to accidents.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Amaechi an asset to buhari, a strong voice for Rivers as a minister – APC

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Read Time:2 Minute, 11 Second

….Faults Wike’s opposition to Ex-Governor’s nomination

 

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described immediate past Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as the best possible choice for ministerial appointment from the State, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari was on point for nominating him for consideration by the Senate.

 

“Going by his antecedents, Rt. Hon. Amaechi will be an asset to the Buhari Administration and also a strong voice for Rivers State as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Rives APC said in a statement signed by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, and issued Friday in the state capital, Port Harcourt.

 

The party said it was eagerly looking forward to the confirmation of Amaechi’s ministerial nomination by the Senate on Tuesday.

 

“Judging Amaechi by the much he achieved as governor of Rivers State – from education to proper management of the State’s resources, road construction, agriculture, security, tourism, transport, commerce, human development, etc – one can safely conclude that when he becomes a minister, Amaechi will do everything humanly possible to protect the interests of Rivers State and improve the lot her people,” the party said.

Rivers APC, however, noted that as a minister, Amaechi would have all the 36 states of the country and Abuja as his constituency. It assured that “while he will not allow what is due to Rivers State and her people to elude them in any form, Amaechi as a first class patriot will fully collaborate with other members of the Federal Executive Council to make a big difference in the Buhari Administration and thus take Nigeria out of the woods in which it has found itself as a result of 16 years of visionless administration by the Peoples Democratic Party.”

 

The party berated the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for opposing Amaechi’s ministerial nomination and working hard to scuttle its actualisation. “We are confident that wise counsel will prevail and the patriotic men and women that constitute the Nigerian Senate will ignore Wike and his machinations and confirm Amaechi on Tuesday since Wike’s opposition is based solely on selfish reasons and his desire to prove that he can pull down the man who brought him out of obscurity and gave him the platform to become whatever he is politically today,” the statement said.

 

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,

 

SSA on Media and Public Affairs to the State Chairman, APC Rivers State.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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‘Dasuki staged a coup against Buhari during election’ – Presidential spokesman said

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Read Time:2 Minute, 6 Second

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has revealed that former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki staged a coup d’etat against President Muhammadu Buhari during the Presidential election.

Speaking at the RED Summit on Thursday, October 15, in Lagos, Shehu recounted how armed policemen in several vehicles with tinted windows stormed his home having heard that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was going to run a story in the media, revealing Dasuki's coup plans.

“The day there was a security siege at my home, I woke up to see that my house had been surrounded by armed policemen in the course of the campaign

“In fact it was the cocking of their guns that roused me and my family members from sleep. Only to discover that tens of policemen, police vehicles, and some other unidentified vehicles darkened the windows around my home," Shehu said.

The Presidential aide added that it took the help of Social media to send the police men away as he remained indoor while the siege lasted.

He said, “The first thing I did was to say ‘Who will help me out of this situation?’ I needed to expose what was going on, and the‎ first man I reached was Adebola Williams of Statecraft. Adebola began to announce on Facebook and Twitter from that moment until the security elements realized that the whole world was looking at what they were doing, because I remained indoors throughout the siege.

“Of course it was much later that we came to know why they had come. Even the APC Presidential Campaign was penetrated by fifth columnists, and I will make this confession, because a day before that siege we had had a meeting with the security committee at which we agreed that we were going to run a story announcing that the National Security Adviser at that time, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, was staging a second coup d’etat against Muhammadu Buhari.

“This time around, all the things that followed, the postponement of the election on account of this and that and a lot of the thinking of the campaign was that this was yet another coup being hatched by the National Security Adviser and we eventually discovered that this siege on our homes was to pre-empt the story.”

Dasuki was said to have been involved in a coup that threw Buhari out as military president in 1984.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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‘Criticize Buhari positively’ – Fmr. Head of State urges Nigerians

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Read Time:1 Minute, 36 Second

Former military Head of State, Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on Thursday, called for support for President Muhammadu Buhari-led-government, saying administering political leadership was not an easy task.

Gowon made the call while speaking to reporters during his condolence visit to the Obafemi Awolowo family over HID Awolowo's death at the family's country home in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun.

The former military leader urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the present administration, adding that he had utmost confidence in the leadership qualities of Buhari to increase the country's fortunes.

He said Nigerians should always make their demands to government known through appropriate channels, noting that positive criticism was good toward improving the nation's socio-economic challenges.

"Whenever any government comes in, it is highly important to give it time to be able to really put things right. Nigeria is not an easy place to govern.

"I can assure you that there are as many problems as there are Nigerians in the world and everybody wants to do things in a particular way, in his own way and probably for his own interest.

"When you think of that as a leader, you ponder how you are going to get all the ideas together and do things right.

"When you have problems in a nation, it is not easy to get rid of them overnight.

"I think we have got to be patient with our president and then we have to cooperate with government to get things in order.’’

Gowon further appealed to Nigerians to always seek peace to fast-track national development and support Nigeria's fight against insurgency by being vigilant at all times.

He said "peace in the country will lead to prosperity. We must work together for peace and a unified Nigeria, there is no two ways about it.’’

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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“There might be petrol scarcity soon” – oil marketer

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Read Time:3 Minute, 42 Second

Some marketers on Thursday expressed concern over the shutdown of all loading depots of the Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) in the South West due to activities of vandals.

The marketers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on condition of anonymity, expressed worry as over 2,000 trucks from various states in the South West now come to load at private depots in Apapa.

A NAN correspondent, who monitored the situation at Ejigbo Satellite Depot in Lagos and Mosinmi Depot in Ogun State, reported that loading was no longer going on at these places although trucks were parked there.

An executive member of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at Ejigbo Satellite Depot, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that it had been a serious challenge to trucks coming from Kwara, Ilorin, Ekiti, and Kogi to load at Apapa.

The source said that the current situation could lead to fuel scarcity if urgent steps were not taken.

According to the source, marketers have not also been able to load petrol in all NNPC depots in the South West since September due to pipeline vandalism.

"There might be scarcity of products soon because marketers now face serious problems getting the products in Apapa.

“We have over 4,000 trucks within the Western Zone that struggled to load products at Apapa due to non-availability of products at depots in Ejigbo and Mosinmi , but we hope that it will be resolved soonest,” the source said.

At Mosinmi, a senior member of IPMAN urged Federal Government to expedite action to combat pipelines vandalism in the area to reduce loading challenges in the South West.

Another source at Mosinmi said that the depot had been shut since Sept. 10 due to shutdown of system 2B pipeline network.

“Marketers have resorted to lifting the product from Apapa depot which is very expensive and time consuming.

“The shutdown of the pipeline by PPMC over incessant vandalism in Arepo is causing serious hardship,” he said.

Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, National President, IPMAN, condemned incessant vandalism of pipelines, saying that the menace was causing huge losses to the economy.

Okoronkwo said that IPMAN had constituted a surveillance team to curb activities of vandals along the petroleum pipelines across the country.

He, however, lauded government's initiative to curb incessant vandalism on pipelines network.

According to him, Federal Government is doing much is that direction to address pipelines vandalism as it is easy to spoil, but difficult to repair.

"Very soon, such will be addressed, l urge my members to bear with government on the ongoing challenges facing loading at Apapa.

“It is our collective responsibility to check and bring those pipelines culprits to book,” he said

Mr Tokunbo Korodo, Chairman, NUPENG (South-West), said that there was the need for government to decentralise loading of products to make for effective loading at depots across the country.

Korodo said that concentration of few trucks at Apapa could not address the fuel scarcity challenges in the Western Zone.

He said that the absence of Navy officials at the private depots contributed to the challenges of loading of products.

"NUPENG is not on strike, we are fully ready to work with the present government in achieving its commitment to the general public.

"We are 100 per cent available to load at any time when the products are available. Government should also stand firm to fight corruptions in the country,’’ he said.

Korodo lauded the Group Managing Director of NNPC for his efforts to find lasting solution to the oil and gas industry challenges.

Mr Nasir Imodagbe, Manager, Public Affairs and Community Relations at PPMC, confirmed to NAN that the depots were shut down in Sept.18 and Sept. 22, respectively due to pipeline vandalism that occurred in Arepo.

Imodagbe said that incessant vandalism of the pipeline contributed to the shutdown of system 2B pipeline network, adding that government had also put machines in motion to ensure adequate distribution of products in the South West.

"There is no cause for panic buying because we have 23-days products sufficiency.

"The issue of queue should not arise, Nigerians should not engage in panic buying due to speculation.

"Government has put in place a robust system that would ensure sufficient and effective petrol distribution chain network in the South-West," he said.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Police vow to arrest FESTAC bank robbers, finger prints analysis ongoing

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Read Time:3 Minute, 42 Second

The Nigeria Police have said that the finger prints it lifted from the scene of Tuesday’s robbery in two banks in FESTAC Town, Lagos would be analysed in the country.

Mr Bala Hassan, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 2 Command, made the assertion when he visited the robbery scene on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that robbers numbering 40 robbed Access and Diamond banks on 4th Avenue in FESTAC TOWN, an incident where a stray bullet killed a mother and her child in their apartment.

Hassan, who spoke with newsmen at the robbery scene, said that a forensic laboratory was recently opened for such investigations, stressing that the perpetrators of the act must be arrested.

"An office had just been opened at the order of the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Solomon Arase for forensic reports and analysis.

"We are not sending any of the finger prints and all other sundry investigations overseas for analysis; we are going to conduct them here.

"We are coming out with the results soon and we promise to bring the perpetrators to book,’’ he said.

The AIG added that members of the public should ensure that they divulged useful information to the police to enable them avert such incidents.

"We implore members of the public to help the police, I am sure the people that carried out this plan would have planned it somewhere.

"It could have been in a drinking joint. If someone had call on the Commissioner of Police that some people are planning a suspicious act somewhere, they would have been rounded off and arrested.

"We are in the ember wants, and as people want to celebrate Christmas, many want to enjoy the Christmas through unlawful means,’’ he said.

Hassan added that the Marine Police could not have accessed the carnal that was used by the robbers because of its location.

"The marine police could not have done anything with the place the carnal was located, there is a small a market there.

"We would have ended up with a lot of casualties from the bank and the neighboring community if we had engaged the robbers.

"They are not uniformed men, they were dressed in different uniforms to create an atmosphere of intimidation to carry out their evil act,’’ he said.

He urged members of the public in Lagos and Ogun states to go about their daily activities peacefully, adding that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice soon.

Hassan said that the only way to win the hearts and trust of the people in Lagos and Ogun states was to bring the perpetrators to face the dose of the law.

Also addressing the media at the scene, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni, identified some of the challenges the police faced.

He said that some of the creeks that were used by the robbers were where innocent people reside and it was difficult operating in such environments.

"This is part of our challenges that Nigerians do not know. This carnal is close to a market.

"Because of the way the robbers were dressed, the people could not recognise them early enough; they thought they were taskforce officials.

"We take what is left back to restrategise and ensure that places that are vulnerable are well protected in Ogun and Lagos states,’’ he said.

Owoseni said that Access Bank was set to commence operations again while Diamond Bank was still repairing some damaged properties.

Mr Dipo Olorunrinumi, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Amuwo-Odofin Constituency, said that the community would help the police with necessary information to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He added that the community had commenced the blockage of vulnerable places to ensure that the incident would not happen again.

"We have commenced the blockage of some places the community feels the robbers could use to have access into the community to avert such incidents.

"We will ensure that all necessary information that can help the police to arrest the robbers will be given,’’ Olorunrinumi said.

He said that the community had visited the family of the woman that lost her life and that of her daughter and would be fully involved in the burial arrangements.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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I was depressed about my condition but music gave me hope

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Read Time:4 Minute, 33 Second

Eighteen-year-old physically challenged budding singer,Godspower Ikharehon popularly known as B.O.G who recently emerged winner of the maiden edition of the “SOO Live The Dream Music Talent Hunt” competition, is still engrossed in the euphoria of his victory. The visually-impaired singer just returned from Dublin, where he performed at this year’s Miss Nigerian-Ireland 2015 Pageant.

B.O.G  emerged winner of the maiden edition of the grassroots music talent hunt competition  which rounded off recently, in Ubiaja, Edo State. He was in Dublin alongside the first runner up, 16-year-old, Deborah Christy Odiboh and the second runner up, Destiny Ogunnubi, a trained sound engineer.

Aspirations of music oriented youths

At the grand finale of the show, the initiator, Barr. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, a member representing Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives had promised  that the winner would enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Dublin. He later extended the gesture to the first and second runners-up when it turned out that a physically-challenged contestant won the competition.

B.O.G blew the minds of the judges comprising Muyiwa Asenuga a.k.a Nomoreloss, Sydney Shocker, Monique D Vibes and Elcee McEdwards away with his unique voice to emerge the winner of the show. The competition was targeted at giving life to the aspirations of music-oriented youths from Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State.

The budding singer  wowed the audience when he performed Cobhams Asuquo’s  evergreen single, “Ordinary People” from  his soul-lifting contemporary Christian album. His sonorous voice and dexterity on the keyboard not only earned him  a resounding ovation from the crowd, but it really floored the judges. After a suspense filled performances by the top 10 contestants that made it to the final round, the judges declared  B.O.G the winner of the show.

An elated Godspower, who fell down on the floor with joy, started dancing while being held by his brother, a move that brought the audience and fellow contestants to tears. Having been dazzling from the first day of the auditions with unique voice and dexterity with the keyboard, B.O.G revealed that at a point he was afraid he would not make it through.

“While I was at home I usually believed that I would win but when the auditions started and I started listening to some of the contestants sing, I was afraid that I had lost it all. My condition helped me to be serious in the sense that when I hear the performances of the other contestants, I would be spurred to work harder. The fact that I don’t see their faces is an advantage to me and I worked hard,” he said.

The winner, a student at Ihogbe College for the Blind in Benin Edo State disclosed that at a point in his life he was depressed about his condition but has music to thank for taking him away from his self-pity and putting him in the limelight in his community.

“Whenever I go to church and listen to people sing I feel very happy. In fact, inside me I would wish I was the one doing the songs. There were times I felt hopeless at such moments especially with my condition. I used to say people can walk, sing, see and here I am not being able to see; I felt that was how my life would be wasted but one day I took a decision and made a step to start singing. That decision helped me to get over self-pity and built my confidence that music is for me. Since then, I have never looked back and I must say that immediately I took that first step, God took it up from there,” he said.

While presenting prizes to the winners, a member representing Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and sponsor of the project, Barr. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, said he was happy with the outcome of the event and believed the next edition would be better.

“I am satisfied with the turnout of the event, it was wonderful, my prayer is that by the time we host the second edition next year the turnout will be more than this. That is why I am very anxious to put these guys on the world stage and then prove themselves on the world stage, others will queue in. The idea really is to use this project to get reverse migration.  community, there is an in surge of young people leaving for Europe through Libya.

They are dying in the Mediterranean sea as they try to transit to Italy and I think if you can do something for the young ones to showcase their talent and set up a structure that can tap into that talent, that talent will be taking to great heights,” he said. Applauded for his success by judges, a clearly delighted B.O.G can’t wait to release his first single.

He walks away with a recording contract from Dihoo Records, a cash prize of N200,000, while the  first and second runners up got cash prizes of N100, 000 and N50, 000 respectively.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Marriage can’t stop me from Disc Jockeying – DJ Lambo

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ALTHOUGH she will be saying ‘I Do’ to her long time boyfriend any time next year, talented female Disc Jockey and Chocolate City artiste,Olawanmi Okeryi, a.k.a, DJ Lambo has said  nothing would stop her from doing what she knows how to do best – disc jockeying.

She made this remark  in a chat with WG. According to her, “I doubt if anything would change about me. The whole point of being with someone you love is about understanding. It is about being with the person regardless of stereotypes and the norms. If my spouse likes me the way I am, then I don’t see any  reason  why I should change my career  because I am getting married.”

Speaking further, she said,  “Even if I am going to change my style in the long run, it would be because I decided to and not because of what anybody would say or as a result of societal pressure.”

Describing herself as “a non-conformist and a rebel, DJ Lambo said, marriage would not stop her from being a disc jockey. “After getting married, I would still be a disc jockey and I doubt if anything would change about me,”she said.

She however, revealed that she took after her father, who was a former DJ, with the stage name, DJ Tony Lewis. Despite looking masculine, she said,  “I get a lot of advances from men. In fact, I am getting married next year by the grace of God. And when I get married I would still be a disc jockey and I doubt if anything would change about me.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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