WORKING MOM TITILAYO'S REMAINS LAID To REST

By KATE HALIM and WOLE BALOGUN

It was tragic fate at its cruellest form. Tears cascaded down many cheeks as people wailed and gnashed their teeth. The remains of Titilayo Arowolo, the slain banker, who was allegedly murdered by her jobless spouse, Akolade Arowolo, on June 24 this year, were committed to mother earth on Wednesday at Atan Cemetery, Yaba Lagos.

Twenty years ago, Titi’s mum had been buried in the same cemetery.
Titilayo, until her death, was an employee of Skye Bank, Marina, Lagos. Her corpse was discovered a day after she was murdered on her husband’s 30th birthday at their Isolo, Lagos, home

The officiating priest, Pastor Charles Ayo Binitie, the deceased’s family pastor, and a close friend to Titilayo’s father, had many people sobbing and dabbing at their eyes with handkerchieves as he spoke during the service.
Binitie said he was saddened by the fact that he presided over the funeral ceremonies of both the deceased and her late mother, Mrs. Helen Folake Oyakhire, who passed on 20 years ago.

The cleric wondered why fate was so cruel to Titilayo and her surviving daughter, Olamide, who were both denied their mother’s care in their childhood. Recalling that Titi was just nine when her own mother died, he said he was very sad when he was called upon again by his friend 20 years later, to perform the same burial rites for the slain banker.
Pastor Binitie of House of Reconciliation Ministry said watching the deceased grow from a child into a woman until she was snatched away by a violent death was traumatic. He informed Daily Sun that he actually collected the deceased’s dowry on her father’s behalf. “I have watched her grow and it is unfortunate that I had to organise her burial like I did for her mum 20 years ago,” he lamented.

The man of God said the only product of the union, Olamide Arowolo, was living more with her maternal grandfather and her mother’s family before her mum’s death. “She is very much at home there. She has been enrolled in a school and she doesn’t even know what is going on but she has been asking for her mum,” he said.
He also spoke on the relationship between the deceased’s family and the family of the accused.

“The family of the accused has made reconciliatory moves but the matter is still in court because there is a case to answer with the state government. It is a homicide case that has been established due to the autopsy results. The accused claimed the deceased stabbed him and killed herself but the result of the pathological test proved otherwise. The stab wounds on her head alone cannot be inflicted by the deceased herself and the accused was the last person to see her alive. The death certificate made available to the family revealed that she was stabbed repeatedly until she gave up the ghost.”

He also revealed that Akolade’s mother has made moves to apologise to the Oyakhires. “She has called upon the church to help plead on behalf of her family. She asked for reconciliation but it was made clear to her that the Oyakhires do not hate the Arowolos. The deceased’s family is just demanding that justice be done and the case is not abandoned. The Oyakhires love them as Christians but we are not ready for them to take the only child of that marriage. The child is safe and well taken care of by her maternal family. We are not even ready to consider it let alone discuss it because it is not possible.

“Up till this moment, the Lagos State Government has been co-operating with the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP), and the press has done a good job publicising this case and justice is taking its course. The police are still keeping behind some information but I know that we are working on that to make sure nothing is hidden from the public regarding Titi’s murder. It is possible that the accused family members are here today but I can’t really say this person is a member of his family. It was published in some national dailies that the deceased would be buried on Wednesday and they did not indicate interest that they would attend the burial, neither were they identified in church as present during the burial.

“I am happy at the way the Nigerian press took this case. They made so much noise about it that if anyone were passing through domestic violence, she would know what to do and how to go about it. It has gotten to the level where we as pastors should advise any woman being abused constantly by her husband to leave him for some time because it is better for a woman to live as a single woman than to die as a married woman. If it was possible for us to have told the deceased to leave her husband for some time until he changed, it would have been better than burying her at 29.”
Binitie also gave a brief insight into the person of the deceased.

“She was a gentle girl, who lost her mum at nine and became a mum to her siblings and a wife to her father. Her father remarried 10 years after he lost her mum and Titilayo was the one who encouraged the dad to get married again. She was instrumental to the upbringing of her siblings and took care of her family members. She was a loving person, who was brought up in the way of the Lord. It is unfortunate that in marriage, she made a mistake that claimed her life. It’s so sad.”

Also speaking, Rev. Sylvester Aigbirion, who runs Christ Passion for Souls Ministry, said violence in all forms would reduce if people had a strong relationship with God. “Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God,” he asserted. “Anyone who professes to know God would not have been able to kill someone else in cold blood. If someone has a relationship with God truly, he won’t be able to harm his neighbour not to talk of his own flesh and the mother of his kid.”

Aigbirion, whose ministry trains pastors, evangelists and others, teaching God’s word, among other duties further noted: “We are praying that justice will be done in this case but you cannot predict what man will try to do to cover the truth. The Bible says that the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. They can try to turn it around and hide the truth. If anyone tries that, God’s justice is greater than that of any man. You can escape the law but you cannot escape God’s judgement. He is a fair judge. We have seen it happen. People escape the law but before they die, they cannot escape God’s judgement. We hope that justice will be done in this case.”
The late Titi’s immediate younger sister, Aidehi Oyakhire, said though Titi had been buried, the family was still enveloped in sorrow.

Her words: “We had good memories together and that is what has been keeping me sane. The last time we saw, we were planning how we would mark her 30th birthday on April 9, next year. I didn’t know she would leave so soon. When the hymns were being sung at the graveside, a lot of things came to my mind. She was a caring mother who called us every day to speak to her daughter because she (the daughter) stays with us. Everyone that went to her place to take care of the baby while she went to work had problems with her husband so, we decided to take the little girl, Olamide, to stay with us,” she said.

Aidehi said the family was aware that she was in danger while living with her husband because of the extent of the abuse she suffered in his hands but she said no one expected what eventually happened. “We were aware that he was violent towards her but she kept telling us she was hoping for the better. We are surprised that our sister was killed on our younger sister’s birthday because the accused shares the same birthday with one of our sisters.”

The lady regretted that the police had not been too open to the family in their investigations. She said it was unfortunate that the family was not told when the pathologist’s result was released. She, nonetheless, expressed hope that justice would be done so that Titilayo would not have died in vain.

Source: Sun News

Over 136 Dead in Yobe Boko Haram Attacks

BOKO HARAM: Church Bomb attack killing 100s and injuring many in Yobe, 92 Bodies spotted. PHOTO: Bodies of some of the dead.

Mothers and children who have taking refuse to a police station.

I hope this is a nightmare. Are we back to 1966? No no not again. "The SECURITY and welfare of the people shall be the purpose of government" section 14(2)b CFRN 1999. Nigerian Leaders where are you? Please do something and do it quick to curb this killings. Look at our women and children, they are the worst affected in a time like this. Where do we go from here?

NEW BORN TWIN SISTERS PERFORM WONDERS IN HOSPITAL

POWERFUL: New Born Twin Sisters Perform Wonders in Hospital

Twin girls - Brielle and Kyrie - were born 12 weeks ahead of their due date. Needing intensive care, they were placed in separate incubators. Kyrie began to gain weight and her health stabilized. But Brielle had trouble breathing; heart problems and other complications. She was not expected to live.

Their nurse did everything she could to make Brielle’s health better, but nothing she did was helping her. With nothing else to do, she went against hospital policy and place both babies in the same incubator. She left the twin girls to sleep only to return and found a sight she could not believe. She called all the nurses and doctors and the picture above is what they saw.

As Brielle got closer to her sister, Kyrie put her small little arm around her, as if to hug and support her fragile sister. From that moment on, Brielle’s breathing and heart rate stabilized and her health became normal... What a wonderful twin!

Nigerian Nurse's Licence Withdrawn In UK For Calling on Jesus For Help

A 51 year old Nigerian-born UK resident nurse, Omolayo Abayomi, has had her Nurse's licence withdrawn by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council for throwing her hands into the air and begging for Jesus to help, as a baby she was supposed to be taking care of suffered a heart attack. Omolayo Abayomi 'panicked' when the child, who suffered from a chronic lung disease, turned blue and stopped breathing in his cot at home. The nurse called for divine intervention more than 20 times before the vulnerable boy's mother told her to 'shut up'. Giving evidence, a tearful, the child's mother said Abayomi had effectively 'abandoned' her during the incident.

'The nurse was constantly saying "Jesus help him" and waving her arms around,' she said. 'She said it more than 20 times. I felt I had to do everything - at that point she was doing nothing to help my son. 'She never offered to take the lead at any point and at no point did she suggest calling 999.'I can't change what's happened to my son, I know I did the best for him but the nurse just completely abandoned her duty.'If I can save just one other person from having to go through what we have been through, then that's what I want to do.'


This is so pathetic, but I could tell that  what this nurse has done is just a reflection of where she is coming from. I was in London last month and to my surprise, the way the Nigerians in London carry on with their religion also baffle me. They do not talk nor behave like people who live in a country where things are working. How can someone live in London and have electricity, water, and food as a prayer point? No! sister, your prayers will definitely be different from mine.  I live in a country where we have all failed ourselves, so we are only left with God to come to our aid for almost everything.  Government refused to be responsible, parents have refused to be parents as children just grow as they deem fit, our leaders are looting, Bank executives are busy, the common man is also busy, who will then save this land if not God? So that explains the increase in the number of churches, Churches becomes hospitals and a place for everything we need. No wonder our dear Omolayo Abayomi decided to be a Nigerian even though she lives and practices in the UK. 


Moms Please let us be watchful when in the hospital especially in a time like this. One would have thought that the babies parents would have been the ones praying while our sister Omolayo gives her own as a nurse.  While I sympathize with the parents of the dead child, I will also like to say that Omolayo did what she felt was necessary and could help in this situation. She cried to God for help because she believes in miracle. She may have reacted in an unprofessional manner but it was not in bad taste. I really wish she will get back her license. 


My question to you, Dear readers, do you think that Nurse Omolayo Abayomi deserves what she got, Let me know your take on this. 


Mary Ikoku

OBAMA ON HIS DAUGHTERS TELEVISION VIEWING

Barack Obama Doesn't Like His Daughters Watching the Kardashians, Says Michelle

This morning, I stumbled on this story about Barrack not liking his daughters watch the Kardashians, I couldn't but just read through it. I am also aware that our children are watching something worse than the Kardashians. How do I know? You will ask; Many things we see around today points to the obvious; the mode of dressing, the dance steps, the lack of respect for parents and elders! Hmm, like joke like joke, what we termed the western culture is fast creeping in and eroding our beautiful cultures. What amazes me most is the carefree attitude of we mothers. Now tell me, how will a mother who enjoys watching the Kardashians and sees nothing wrong in their acts advise her daughter? I can readily see them both in front of the TV watching and exchanging notes. (Sad). There is absolutely nothing wrong with watching with your daughters because right then, you may be able to guide her and ask if she learnt a thing or two. My major concern is this; when mom are at work, what kind of programs do  the kids watch?.  To  some moms "Parental Control button" is only a feature on our  gadgets and not necessarily one that must be activated

Even though the Americans  live in a Kardashian nation, PresidentBarack Obama isn't exactly a fan of reality TV's royal family!

First Lady Michelle Obama tells iVillagethat her hubby, 50, doesn't like Sasha, 10, and Malia, 13, keeping up with Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian's antics on the boob tube. 

Michelle, 47, says that like most parents, she and Barack regulate how much TV their daughters watch and what they're allowed to see. "Barack really thinks some of the Kardashians -- when they watch that stuff -- he doesn't like that as much," she told iVillage.

"But I sort of feel like if we're talking about it, and I'm more concerned with how they take it in -- what did you learn when you watched that," Michelle explained. "And if they're learning the right lessons, like, that was crazy, then I'm like, okay."

While the Kardashian family is known for their big spending (Kim purchased a $325,000 Ferrariearlier this month), their upbringing wasn't entirely different from Sasha and Malia's.

Michelle tells iVillage she doesn't want her girls raised as "little princesses."

"They have to make their own beds, to clean up their rooms," she says. "Sasha has started doing the laundry. Malia was supposed to be doing it but [Sasha] is really into laundry."

Khloe, 27, told Babycenter last month about her "Cinderella" upbringing. "When I turned twelve, my mom's housekeeper was not allowed to enter my room," she said. Kris Jenner told her at the time: "You're twelve now. You do all your own laundry. You make your bed."

Khloe said when Kendall and Kylie Jenner were born, "I had to do all the dishes and I cooked for them. But honestly now, I'm a great cook and I'm OCD clean and I like that my parents did that."

Source: Yahoo.com

Wife of Slain Lagos Business Man Confesses.

‎“Yes, I killed him. I killed him but, he was the cause of it...When he came, he was very aggressive and he could beat the children. Immediately I saw him in that attire, I knew he was out for trouble and I took the children inside their room. While we were fighting, the children were shouting, banging the door and calling our names because they wanted to come out."

THE wife of slain Lagos business man, Mr. Kazeem Ademoye who was allegedly killed in his house at Magodo Phase 2 has finally opened up from her cell at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos where she is being detained.

The 35-year-old mother of three who spoke to Crime Guard under strict security watch lamented that since the incident took place, her three children have been locked out of their home and that they have been wearing one clothe.

Mrs. Ngozi Ademoye who was visibly bemoaning the fate that befell her, alleged that since the death of her husband, her three children have been locked out by relations of their father and that they have not been able to change into new clothes.

According to her, “Yes, I killed him. I killed him but, he was the cause of it. Members of his family wanted me and my children out of the house. They wanted to take the two small ones. But no one can take my kids, no one. My three children are from him. No one can take my kids because I stayed with him that long because of my children. He came that night. He was putting on a red dress with a feather and he was also wearing a small tortoise.

“When he came, he was very aggressive and he could beat the children. Immediately I saw him in that attire, I knew he was out for trouble and I took the children inside their room. While we were fighting, the children were shouting, banging the door and calling our names because they wanted to come out. While we were together, I never felt like I was in bondage because of my children

“Most times, my children will be praying and begging me to be there for them. When I saw him slump on the floor, I was with him and crying. In the morning, I called my children and we were begging him to wake up (crying) . My kids did not know what happened. They were like asking why I was crying and why I had this wound on the hand. I then took them to the parlor where we all cried for sometime, before we then called his brother.

“My children are presently with my sisters. Now that he is dead, I will still be there for my children. That night at the mortuary, the younger brother Jamiu and his friend started asking me about his office key. I then told them that it was not with me. When I then read what was going on in the papers, I said, these people are not after their brother who was in the mortuary, instead they were after getting me and my kids out of the compound and taking over his property.

“The other time, they said they went to a herbalist who told them I killed my husband because of Ogun and I said, is there any other Ogun that I don’t know about. Is it not that place we were living and the other office he was building. Is there any other place that I don’t know about. They also claimed they gave me a loan of N100,000.00. That I killed him because the loan is now in his account and I am the next of kin.

“He has three accounts, UBA where we have about N300 or N600,000.00. In Diamond bank, we have two accounts. We used to take loans with one while the other is personal account. And in this one that we used to take loan with, we took N5m and we have paid it and in the personal account we have over N2.3m and I wonder the Ogun they were talking about. I started hearing of my nightmare stories yesterday.

“You know I sleep in the cell and sometimes, we were over 16 persons in a cell and if I have had a nightmare like that, I am very sure people around me will hear about my screams. We all pray together before going to bed and when we wake up, we pray together again. It was even in that cell that I was taught to be strong . I was detained at Isheri police Station, after my brothers in-law invited the police and after wards, they brought me here.

“First I thought when I come here (Panti), my neck would be chopped off, but what I am seeing is not what I expected. Do you know what they changed to nightmare? Since we are lonely in the cell , we talk to ourselves a lot over so many things and during these conversations, I told my cell mates how my husband’s brothers have been busy trying to claim my husband’s properties. In fact, since he died, all they have been asking for is the office keys and his money.

“Nobody is talking about the welfare of my children who are still in school, no one is talking about me, they have all forgotten that I have not beencondemned yet by a judge. After having these discussions with my cell mates, I called my I.P.O and told him that I needed to speak with my brothers in-law. So, he called two of them and we met. First I begged them to forgive and I told them that I was sorry for every thing that has happened. My younger brother in-law, then told me that Jamiu wants to sub-let some part of my husband’s office building .

“And he also asked if it was true that I killed their brother for N100m, and I asked with N100m? Then he said the one in the bank account. I asked him which bank account, UBA bank or Diamond Bank? Then he told me that that was what everyone in the family is saying, after they consulted a herbalist, then I told him all the amount we have in the bank and he can also go to the banks and verify.

“I tried explaining to them that I have been with my husband for a long time and he has not told me about any N100m. After that, the next day, I read in the papers that my husband’s ghost was chasing me. There is no way a ghost will be haunting someone and nobody around that person will not know. They went and changed everything we said and the papers published a different thing.

“But I suspect something. May be, since the herbalist they consulted told them about properties, may be there are properties my husband had that I don’t know about. I used to sell men’s shoes. I stopped and went into selling natural hair and then my husband asked me to support him with my money to buy electrical lights t from one Mr. Segun Adesonya.

“I started with my husband from a very tiny room, it is as small as this room we are seated, there was no car, no housing property. We were just managing, until God started helping us. But I then noticed after some years that my husband was not happy. He normally complained that the frog my sister killed stopped him from getting more money.

I also noticed that, as rich as my husband was then, he wasn’t helping anyone, even as the bread winner of the entire family, he wasn’t helping anyone. Now, when I see people saying she killed her husband for this reason or the other, no one is asking questions. They are talking now as if they are closer to my husband than myself.

This Jamiu that is claiming to love my husband in death more than anyone was not even happy with my husband before he died. If you see his wife, she limps. She had an accident sometime ago and the doctor said they were going to cut off her foot, but my husband could not help them. Their elder sister was feeding from hand to mouth and we are rich. Is it supposed to be so? My father in-law died a very poor man and we are very rich.

“All these people coming around shouting, my children doesn’t even know them before. My husband don’t allow them come anywhere near us, I was even the one fighting for them. Now my worries are why are they going after my husband’s properties, why do they want to take everything I and my late husband laboured for years.

“Today my children can not even enter our house, they locked every where with keys, my children can not even change their clothes. Why are they treating my children like this, why are they trying to take over everything. My children comes to this place to see me with the same cloth they wore on the day of the ugly incident.

“My late husband was a very aggressive person. Whenever he is angry, you see him talking, talking, talking. He attacked me because I saw the fetish pot inside a locker and I had to try destroying it with holy water. We just started a new church close to our house and that was why the pastor was able to help me with the holy water. I saw hell when I sprinkled water on the fetish pot.

“I saw a big frog spring up from the pot and it was turning both its hands and head as if it was scratching the surface of a glass or looking for something to grip. I ran away. When he came back, he was very furious. Later, he appeared in that frightening attire and that was when he started reciting incantations and openly confessing how he killed my sister.

“My younger sister who was leaving with us died few years back after we burnt a frog we saw inside our house. Her death was a mystery because her body was burnt the same we burnt the mystery frog and she later died. We have been seeing strange things and creatures in the house. I continued staying with him just because of my children”, she stated amidst tears.

However, in another twist of events, relations of the husband have alleged that while they are patiently awaiting the outcome of the autopsy, it was discovered that the detained wife to the deceased, Mrs Ngozi Ademoye surreptitiously plotted and carted away documents of her late husband’s landed property including the palatial building at number 11, Ahirim Onuoha close , Magodo phase 2, Lagos. A spokesman of the family told Crime Guard that the widow allegedly contacted her sister, her son Tunde and a friend to her late husband pretentiously to fetch some money and food items for her kids.

It was gathered that Mr. Olumide unsuspectingly accompanied them to the house thinking that the detained widow had the approval of her husband’s family members only to learn later that the other party were in the house for another sinister motives.

It was further learn t that instead of opening the gates, the suspect’s sister and 15 -year -old Tunde scaled the fence, broke into the bedroom of the deceased and carted away landed documents including the Certificate of Occupancy C of O of the deceased’s Magodo house where he lived with his family until he was death.

Reacting to the recent development, head of the Ademoye family, Mr. Adesegun Hakeem Agbaye said it has become abundantly clear that Ngozi murdered their brother to take over his numerous properties. Mr. Agabye wondered why somebody who is being held for murder in a police formation as dreaded as SCID Panti should be allowed access to telephone facilities so much so that she could even plot the stealing of vital documents in her late husband’s bedroom.

He said, “I am shocked that some body who is being held for an offense as grave as murder can be allowed access to her telephones. As I speak with you all her lines are going and when you call them she personally picks her calls. Just on Sunday, I was told she called one of my late brother’s friends, that she wanted him to accompany her sister, Bella and her son Tunde whom she had for somebody else before marrying my brother to the house to fetch some clothes for the children as well as collect some money and food items.

“Already we had locked every where the moment she confessed that she killed my brother because we suspected she must be out for something; but what they did was to jump over the fence, broke into the house and because she has the key to my brother’s inner room, they entered it and collected documents and undisclosed amount of money and disappeared into thin air.

Source: Vanguard News By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor and Albert Akpor

BEHIND THE PRETTY FACE

Life in the 21^st century is full of frustrations, deadlines, hassles and stress that drains us psychologically, emotionally, physically and other wise. Yet these are nothing compared to the joys and pains of motherhood. Like a double edged sword, motherhood fulfills many parts of a woman’s soul. On the other hand, motherhood is also energy sapping, and behind the pretty smiling faces of the 21^st century working mother is the heavy burden of juggling a job, self-care, parenting, and babysitting a husband. This leaves women vulnerable to stress and other health hazards such as: high blood pressure, suppressing of immune system, heart attack, stroke, rewiring of the brain (anxiety and depression), skin conditions such as eczema, obesity, pain of any kind, sleep problems etc. As a result of this, there is need for working mothers to strike a balance between their career, family and social life.

As a working mother, your ability to cope or tolerate stress depends on so many factors like your quality of relationship, genetic make-up and emotional intelligence. However, some stress can be self generated through inability to accept uncertainty, negative-self talk, pessimism, unrealistic expectations and perfectionism. As a career mum, here are some symptoms you need to look out for:

• Mood swings
• Memory problems
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sense of loneliness
• Isolation
• Lack of concentration
• Poor judgment
• Anxious or racing thoughts
• Nervous habits (nail biting and pacing)
• Frequent colds
• Eating more or less
• Irritability or quick temper
• Loss of sex drive
• Rapid heart beat
• Inability to relax and
• Seeing only the negative.

All of the above and many more are indications that you need to identify the source of the stress and do the following in other to stay healthy and happy:

• Take charge: take control of your emotions, environment, avoid hot-button topics, and pair down your to-do list.
• Be assertive: learn to always express your feelings in a subtle way instead of bottling them up. Be willing to compromise (not core values please), and manage your time better by avoiding busy diaries.
• Change the situation: if you can’t change the stressor, then change yourself by adjusting your expectations and having attitudinal re-engineering.
• Have good sex: the human body benefits from sex in so many ways, says Joy Davidson, PhD, a New York psychologist and sex therapist. A recent research carried out by Davidson and other experts reveals that sex does the following for women.

• Relieves stress
• Burns calories
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Boosts immune system
• Boosts self esteem
• Improves intimacy
• Reduces pain
• Strengthen pelvic floor muscles
• Enhances good sleep.

While the working moms battle all of these health hazards, they need all the support they can get from their husbands, children and family members. Take out time to buy them gifts, tell them soothing words and shower them with praises. May God bless all the working mums of the 21^st century.

Dakore Egbuson-Akande Joins Motherhood!

Delectable Star Actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande joins motherhood as she and her husband Olumide welcomed their new bundle of joy, a baby girl in far away USA last week. Olumide was so overjoyed as his darling wife, Dakore, gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. 


We at working moms will like to say congratulations to them as they step into this new phase of their lives! We have no doubt that Dakore will be a good mother to her kids because she has been consistent in doing good as a woman.


Welcome to Motherhood our sweet Dakore! Congratulations to the Egbuson's and Akande's families.

WHAT TEACHERS WANT PARENTS TO KNOW

Back To School! Back to school!  the inscription you see in every shop as a new school year had just started. Now that our kids are back to school, I'm sure that some of us moms will enjoy some free time while the kids are at school. There will also be time to chat up your child's teacher to discuss your child's progress. At such times we need to be aware that in dealing with our kids teachers, there are a few things the teachers want from parents. Don't be a 'pushy mom' your child's teacher may not like it!

Heard about 'Pushy Parents' before? May be among teachers, this term may not be a new one. This is a new one I got from Yahoo, tales of pushy parents barging their way into school, to berate Sir or Miss over little Lara’s syllabus.
Moms pack indomie for their kids school lunch, to flout the healthy eating rules set by the school.

But while most of us would hope to behave rather better when it comes to dealings with our children’s teachers: are we really giving the profession our full respect?

Top Lagos educator, Mrs Edna Obaze points out that "parents non involvement in their children's education is one of the problem  the school face today. Parents need to discuss the progress of their kids with the teachers but some of them never show up for a whole term".

Top American teaching guru, Ron Clark points out: “Today, new teachers remain in our profession for an average of just four and a half years, and many of them list ‘issues with parents’ as one of their reasons for throwing in the towel.”
Bottom line is that we need to let parents be parents and let teachers be teachers. A pressing issue is the loss of teacher autonomy in the classroom.
Whether it’s outright hostility or a loss of respect, many teachers would say it’s not just the pupils who need lessons in how to behave – and parents too might benefit from a few dos and don'ts.

So, here are the Top ten things teachers want parents to know:

1. Be involved
Yes, teachers do want parents to get actively involved. But that doesn’t mean thinking you know better when it comes to curriculum decisions, or what marks to give your oh-so gifted offspring.

What it does mean is more than just turning up to parents’ evenings. As one teaching website notes: “Parent involvement helps students learn, improves schools and helps teachers work with you to help your children succeed.”

So keep communication lines open, checking in every so often to raise any questions you may have. If possible, volunteer to help occasionally – or ask the teachers if there is anything you can do at home.

2. Check up on your children
No, we don’t mean follow them to school disguised in a bouffant and funny glasses. But do look at their timetables and go through their folders with them regularly – so they know you’re on top of what they should be doing.

And read every letter and report that’s sent home with your child. Which leads us to…

3. Be organised
You can’t be expected to know about the letter you need to sign if it’s crumpled in the bottom of Chioma’s bag, among the empty biscuit pack and broken bits of pencil. Establish a routine where your child clears out their bag nightly so you get any important letters and homework doesn’t disappear into the black hole.

4. Homework’s for kids
There’s a fine line between helping and taking over. It’s important to review your little one’s homework, but if he or she gets an answer wrong don’t just tell them the right answer – help them understand why.

Teachers on parentdish.co.uk note: "Homework is for children not parents - if it's really beyond their capabilities let the teacher know."

5. Let your child make mistakes.
Teachers don't want perfect students, they want students who try hard. Don’t get caught up in thinking every assignment has to be perfect. It’s important for teachers to see where a child is going wrong, so they can go over material again.

6. Don’t leap on the defensive.
Remember, teachers are usually in the job because they want to teach – not because they’re out to get you/your child.

So if you’re told there is a problem with your child’s behaviour, don’t jump to their defence – listen to what the teacher has to say. As one quips: "Don't automatically believe everything your child tells you and, in turn, we won't believe everything they say about you!"

7. Don’t talk negatively about a teacher in front of your child.
US teaching guru Ron Clark points out: “If your child knows you don't respect their teachers they won't either, and that will lead to a whole host of new problems.”

8. Manners are important.
As one teacher on teachers’ website educationworld.com points out: “As much as I treat all students equally, the child who remembers to say ‘thank you’, ‘please’, ‘excuse me’ is thought of more fondly.”

9. If the teacher is doing something right, let them know.
Buck the trend and send an email or call when your child enjoys a class event, or says something nice about their tutor. It can make all the difference. And if you’re really pleased, why not let the head know?

10. If they’re doing something wrong, don’t overreact.
If there’s something you’re not happy about, speak to the teacher first rather than going straight to the head/head of year.

As one teacher wryly says: "If you've got a problem, come and see me first, going straight to the head is just rude. Next time I have a problem with little Johnny and your parenting I'll ring your boss and see how you like it." I am guilty of this particular one, I just reported my son to the head of school today although I didn't mean to disrespect is teacher. We learn everyday, don't we?

Preventing MRSA Infections

 Dear Moms, the article below was twitted by the kid's Doctor and I requested for the fool Article so that all of us will be further informed about the MRSA infections in children. I do not know if it is common in our society but it is always good to stay informed on new discoveries especially in the area of  our kid's health. Read and learn...

 A new school year not only means kids are headed back to the classroom – many are returning to, or starting, sports activities as well.  Cuts, scrapes, and broken skin are perfect breeding grounds for infections.
The most dangerous skin infection is MRSA, Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics that are similar to penicillin. This infection can be difficult to treat and serious, even deadly, so it’s very important to recognize it, and to practice prevention. MRSA is sometimes referred to as a “staph infection.”
Dr. Sue Hubbard, Pediatrician and Medical Editor of The Kid’s Doctor website, explains how a MRSA infection can be easily misinterpreted as a spider bite, or a simple boil.
“These skin infections present as a boil, or cellulitis (infection of the skin and soft tissues), or impetigo, or other infections related to the skin. Staph infections often appear quickly, -almost overnight- when a parent or child may notice a bump that may resemble a bite. But in this case this “bite” rapidly reddens and becomes tender and warm to the touch.”
“In reality, all of those “spider bites” are often due to a community acquired MRSA (methicillin resistant Staph Aureus) infection of the skin and soft tissue. The frequency of these infections continues and parents should be aware of the fact that an unusual “bite” that is becoming more tender, has surrounding redness (erythema), feels warm to the touch and may have the appearance of a large pimple or boil needs, to be examined.”
What does MRSA look like?
Because MRSA is a specific type of staph infection, symptoms of staph and symptoms of MRSA share many of the same signs or characteristics. However, MRSA superbug symptoms differ from traditional staph infection symptoms in that MRSA bacteria have learned to adapt to most common antibiotics, making them more virulent.
The most common visible MRSA symptoms are:
Bumps, pimple-like lumps, or blisters on the skin (these are also the symptoms of a Staph aureus infection in general). Lumps on the skin are often accompanied by swelling and reddening of the surrounding skin area. The center of the lump often has a white, or yellow pus filled head, which sometimes drains on its own.
The lumps are often tender, itchy and warm to the touch and can become deep sores with increasing pain and swelling if left unchecked. The color of the surrounding skin area is often red to purple and may begin to spread as the infection progresses.
Other symptoms, such as fever, difficulty breathing, chills, or chest pain, would typically be signs of a more serious MRSA infection that has spread beyond your child’s skin and to his blood, lungs, or other part of his body. This would usually require immediate medical attention.
Staph infections can show up anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found in areas where clothing friction and irritation occur, such as the legs, buttocks and shaving areas.  They also develop in sweaty areas like the armpits, neck, face, groin and feet.
The only way to tell if your child has MRSA is for your doctor to do a culture on the drainage from the site of the infection. This can be helpful in case your child’s infection doesn’t get better, if he or she keeps getting skin infections over and over, or if other family members get a skin infection too. Since it can take several days to get the results from an MRSA culture, your pediatrician will likely treat your child with an antibiotic that works against MRSA if he or she suspects this resistant bacteria.
Preventing MRSA:
The Kids Doctor website has addressed MRSA infections in previous posts, but because this type of staph infection can become a serious threat to a child so quickly, it’s a good idea to keep updated on preventative measures.
- Teach your child to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. This includes after playing with pets or other children.
- Have your child use alcohol-based hand sanitizers or wipes when washing isn’t possible.
- Teach your child not to share towels, uniforms, or other items that come into contact with bare skin.
- Keep cuts or broken skin clean and covered with dry bandages until healed.
- Encourage your child to clean shared sports equipment with antiseptic solution before each use. Or, he or she can use a towel as a barrier between skin and equipment.
- If your child has dry skin, eczema, or a skin condition, use creams and moisturizers as directed by the doctor.
- Protect against sunburn and bug bites.
Remember: although MRSA can show up anywhere, it is more likely when these “Five Cs” are present: crowding, contact between skin, compromised skin (cuts or scrapes), contaminated items, lacking in cleanliness.
To help prevent the spread of MRSA infection:
- Change any bandages often. Do it before you can see any drainage through the bandage.
- Wear gloves while cleaning a wound or changing bandages.
- Carefully dispose of used bandages.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after you finish or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Clean surfaces with detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants.
- Use separate hand towels, washcloths, and towels.
- Encourage showers instead of baths.
A new school year brings the promise of new adventures in learning and opportunities in a wide variety of sports programs. Practicing good hygiene can also help make it a safe one.

Source:The Kid's Doctor

Scots woman gives birth to UK's biggest baby girl

Scots woman gives birth to UK's biggest baby girl

Petite mum is just 5ft 2in

None of my babies weighed more than 6lb 90z at birth. This morning I read about Karen a Scottish woman who delivered a baby girl double the size of a normal new born baby girl in the UK. This is news in the UK but in Nigeria, I believe baby girls weighing much more than 12lb 9oz have been born, the records may not be there but I believe there exist. Below is detail of the story.

Karen Gallagher and new born Ferra

Farrah Gallagher weighed 12lb 9oz when she was born - nearly twice the average weight of newborn girls in the UK. A Scots woman has given birth to what is thought to be the UK's biggest ever baby girl.

Proud parents Karen and Robert Gallagher said their daughter's size had been something of a surprise to them, particularly as Mrs Gallagher is just 5ft 2in tall.

Mrs Gallagher, 36, said she had a normal pregnancy, without any cravings for unusual foods.

Mr Gallagher, 48, told the Daily Record newspaper: "We knew it was going to be a big baby but were told to expect something around the 9lb mark. When she eventually arrived we knew it was something else altogether.

"The midwife would normally lift the baby over the curtain to hand to us. Instead, she had to carry her round.

"I just thought, 'Wow.' I was very, very shocked. She had a full head of hair and was one really sturdy girl."

Baby Farrah, who was delivered by Caesarean at the Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on August 8, is now five weeks old and wearing clothes designed for three month old infants.

Farrah is the first child for the Gallaghers who have been together for 18 years. Mr Gallagher also said the couple were "ecstatic" and "over-the-moon" with joy at the birth of their daughter.

Raigmore Hospital already had experience in delivering larger than usual babies. Hugh Evans, weighed in at 13lb 10oz when he was born at the hospital in June.

Guy Carr is thought to be the UK's heaviest newborn baby. He was delivered in Cumbria in 1992 weighing 15lb 8oz.

Source:Yahoo lifestyle

REMEMBERING TITILAYO OMOZOJE AROWOLO:NIGERIANS WALK AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DV)

(Lagos, Nigeria, Wed. 7th Sep. 2011) Some time ago, I blogged about the killing of Titilayo Omozoje Arowolo, a banker working mom and subsequently posted some revealing pictures that were taken at the murder scene. Since then Titi's case have been in the Law court with hearing coming up  sometime this month. Today,  a network of NGO's and State/Federal Government organizations that provide services to abused Women and young girls today held an awareness walk against Domestic Violence (DV) Using the late Titi Arowolo as the face of DV. Titi's death occured two months ago, she was allegedly killed by her husband (wish I can remove 'allegedly'). Whilst the case of Titi's killing is still in the court and justice waited to run it's course, Nigerian Women and some men remembered Titi and all victims of domestic violence (DV) today Wednesday 7th September in a 'walk Against Domestic Violence (DV). 
The WALK kicked off by 9am.  It ran simultaneously on the Lagos Island and the Mainland. The Island group took off from Falomo Roundabout through Awolowo Rd to City Mall while the mainland walk took off from Maryland thru Mobolaji Bank Anthony to police College.  Notable Nigerians, professionals,  and celebrities gave talks on the issue of Violence, A representative of the Nigerian Bar Association gave a talk on the Domestic Violence Law of Lagos State, while Religious leaders talked on the religion perspective to DV. The walk was organized by Project Alert and a Network of  NGO's including members of the Working Moms Group. 
Those who participated in the walk today have said 'No to DV' I hope you all join in this campaign against DV. Tit's death will not be in vain! As we wait for justice, let's keep Titi's story alive.

Participants at the Walk

Truck decorated with Titi Arowolo's Pictures before n after her death

WALK Participants

A Section of WALK Participants

Project Alert Group @ the WALK

Actress, Stella Damascus Preaching against DV

Truck Decorated with Titi's Picture with participants preaching against DV

WALK Sponsors