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I  want to go back home, but my father has rejected me outright. He told me he does not want me as his son anymore. My mother died in 2009 and my father remarried. I am not  happy that I am in the street,” says 14-year-old boy, Victor Okon, who has been roaming the streets of Calabar for the past seven years. Teenager Okon is one out of the hundreds of abandoned street kids that roam the streets of the Cross River State capital without convenient shelter. The abandoned kids take shelter in uncompleted houses, abandoned yards, undeveloped plots of land in highbrow areas, unused caravans, unmonitored public facilities such as playgrounds and parks, among others. They loiter around fast food joints and big restaurants to scamper for food remnants. Most of the kids, who are not happy with their present situation, are victims of child abuse. At a workshop on violence against children organised by the United States Agency for International Development in collaboration with the Un

A judge in Colorado has sentenced a woman to 100 years in prison for cutting an eight-month-old baby from a stranger’s womb with kitchen knives, local media reported. The sentence included the maximum penalties for attempted murder and unlawful termination of a pregnancy, which Judge Maria Berkenkotter said on Friday reflected the brutality of last year’s attack. A jury in February found Dynel Lane guilty of attempting to kill Michelle Wilkins by beating, stabbing and choking her after luring her to her home by posting an advertisement for maternity clothes on Craigslist, the online classified listings service. Prosecutors could not charge Lane with murdering the baby because a coroner found no evidence it had survived outside the womb. Lane, 36, had faked a pregnancy for months, deceiving her husband David Ridley, whom she had told would be the baby’s father. “You embrace your narcissistic fantasy to live the lie you created, and it was more important than my life and m

A selection of Gunners supporters staged a protest in the 12th and 78th minutes of the win over Norwich City, while others chose to get behind their under-fire manager 'Time for Change' was the pre-match theme at Emirates Stadium as  Arsenal  took on Norwich City in a stale-looking encounter on paper. The Gunners still have something to play for in their final two league games of the season, but not the trophy they sought after when the season begun in August 2015.  Murmurings of discontent became apparent days before the match against Norwich kicked off as fan groups including 'RedAction' and the 'Black Scarf Movement' joined together in a protest favouring 'change' – whether it be the manager or in the boardroom. As 12 minutes hit the clock in north London, tricklets of fans in their hundreds proudly stood up and showed their placards in the direction of manager Arsene Wenger. Those supporters were immediately drowned out by thousand

Manchester United can postpone Leicester's party but not spoil it, according to Louis van Gaal. The Foxes travel to Old Trafford on Sunday where victory would give them a stunning first Premier League title. But United are also desperate for three points to close the five-point gap to Arsenal and Manchester City as they chase Champions League qualification. Van Gaal's side have finally found some consistent winning form, claiming victory in six of their last seven matches to keep the pressure on in the league and reach the FA Cup final. Leicester are unbeaten in nine and the United boss has no doubt that they will end up lifting the trophy, with games against Everton and Chelsea still to come. He said: "I think we have to beat them because we are still in the race for fourth position. We cannot allow that they are the champions this weekend at Old Trafford. "I think they shall be the champions a week later. We don't spoil the party, only postpone

Yemi Alade, has added another feather to her cap as she has been unveiled as the brand ambassador, 2016 Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and Africa Fashion Week London respectively. She was officially unveiled recently at a ceremony held in Lagos. Yemi Alade said, “With over six years as the biggest African-inspired fashion event in Europe and one of the most anticipated fashion shows in Nigeria, AFWN and AFWL have become world-class brands.” Alade, who is also a jewellery designer, also hinted of her plans to work on a fashion project with some of the emerging designers which would be launched later in the year. On her part, the AFWN and AFWL founder, Miss Ronke Ademiluyi said, “This year, we chose someone who embodies the true African woman. A strong, intellectual and musically inclined woman; her music reflects what’s good, what’s great and what’s best about the motherland. We couldn’t have chosen anyone more suitable to be our brand ambassador.”

The deaths of seven disabled children are thought to be linked to contaminated drinking water at a government home for people with special needs in northern  India , officials said on Friday. Since April 21, a total of 15 children aged between 8 and 12 years have been admitted to a nearby hospital in Jaipur city after falling ill. Meanwhile, a probe was ordered to investigate the deaths. " The children were brought in with similar complaints of diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration. "Most of them went into septic shock, which can be a result of toxins or sometimes a result of bacterial infection in the body ,’’ hospital superintendent Ashok Gupta, said. Police said that preliminary investigations showed the children had fallen ill after consuming dirty water but autopsy reports have yet to reveal the exact cause. A report released by International Charity Water Aid said India had the world's highest number of people without access to clean water at 76 milli

At least four people have been killed with three others injured after heavy rainfalls destroyed a perimeter wall in Nairobi. The heavy rains which continue to wreck havoc around Nairobi have left motorists and pedestrians stranded, as the water levels prevented smooth movement due to impassable roads. Dozens of vehicles were also damaged following the rains that poured for over three hours. Police said the deceased included a woman and her three-year-old son, who were swept away by raging floods in Kayole and an eight-year-old boy who was killed in Baba Dogo area. Kayole OCPD Ali Nuno said the bodies of the mother and child were later retrieved. “We suspect they tried to cross on foot when they were swept away and drowned. There were also massive damages,” said Nuno. The bodies were later moved to the mortuary. The rains led to heavy traffic jam on major roads in the city that lasted past midnight. The rains poured at a time when President Kenyatta was arriving fro

Denrele Edun made a name in showbiz industry primarily due to his weird personality. Of course, he broke the internet when he came with the gist that he was getting married last year. Even as many people wondered who the young man was getting married to, not just a few believed that the news was just one of Denrele’s  publicity stunts. But in a recent chat with  Saturday Beats,  the entertainer said his wedding plans was not a hoax. He said, “I will still get married, honestly, I was supposed to get married last year and I did not plan to publicise the whole affair. I intended to tell people few days to the day of the wedding so that they would come and find out who I was getting married to. But somehow, the news leaked and there was too much media hype around it. “At a point, it began to look as if I fabricated the story to be in the news but it was the real deal for me. I am trying to pursue the matter but I am not going to say when it would happen. When it is time, peop

All is set as the Lagos State government is ready to host the International Jazz Day today with the likes of Darey Art Alade, a member of Jackson 5 music group, Jermaine Jackson and Yinka Davies, as some of the headliners of the event. Speaking on the event, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategic Duties, Steve Ayorinde, told Saturday Beats  that Governor Ambode’s jazz appreciation is in sync with President Barack Obama’s gesture who also hosted a jazz concert in the White House on Friday. He said, “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, in fulfilment of his campaign promise to use tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and sports for excellence to market Lagos as a destination and create jobs, has decided to commemorate the IJD 2016. The governor is hosting an evening of jazz at the state house and it will be an exclusive but colourful evening to share the warm hospitality of Lagos State with the jazz community. “There would be performances by artistes like Dare- Art Alade

Multiple award-winning entertainer, Helen Paul, has celebrated her 17 years on stage with the release of her anticipated play, ‘Live Burial’. The event which was held at the University of Lagos Guest House, was attended by Prof Olumuyiwa Adebanjo-Falae, (Dean, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG), Barrister Femi Bamisile, Chief Charles Nwoji and Dr. Otun Rasheed among others. The comedienne seized the opportunity to officially unveil the members of her drama troupe. Prof Adebanjo-Falae, who was the chief launcher of the day with his wife, described Helen Paul as a special breed and congratulated her husband for having a wife like her. “She is also lucky to have a gentleman like him too because without his support and sacrifice, she can’t be where she is,” the Professor said. Helen Paul recently toured some Nigerian universities with her crew to present ‘Live Burial,’ her first work as a playwright. The tour started from the University of Lagos, before moving to Obafemi Awolowo Universit

Seventy three suspects who specialise in cultivating and dealing in cannabis have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The suspects made up of 60 males and 13 females were apprehended in Edo State with 10,094.75kgs of cannabis between January and March 2016. A statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, released on Thursday, described how the cannabis hauls were seized. He said, “A cannabis laden Toyota Hilux and a J5 bus with cannabis disguised as pineapple shipment were impounded, while a warehouse located at the Okpuje forest, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, was detected and 2,590kgs of cannabis were seized. “Four notorious drug dealers at Ekpoma, Auchi and Benin as well as five young farmers from Taraba and Plateau States are among those being investigated for cannabis cultivation and trafficking by narcotic undercover operatives in Benin City. The Edo State Command exhibit room is already filled to capacity with over 80,0

Seated on a fragile-looking plastic chair, metres away from where a handful young men treated themselves to cold bottles of beer and spicy, peppered meat enticingly heaped on a ceramic plate, LA, as he is fondly known around his Shitta, Surulere,  neighbourhood, a sprawling suburb in the heart of Lagos, was completely cut off from the realities around him that sunny Tuesday afternoon. Decked in a long-sleeved khaki shirt, a pair of black chino trousers dotted with cream coloured butterfly design and a brown suede boot to complement – about the best in his wardrobe at the moment – the compelling aroma of the delicacy and the tempting sight of chilled liquor yards away was not enough to arrest his attention – he was deeply lost in thought. At 53, life has dealt the Kwara State-born several deadly blows, inflicting on him, sharp, excruciating wounds in the process. The fifth of 14 children born under the roof of a polygamist, Sadiq Ibrahim, as he is originally known, had huge dream

The tragic incident of Sunday, April 24, was one that the family of Ashinwo, did not see coming. Had a prophet told Oluwatosin, her siblings and their widow mother, of the danger that lurked around the corner that day, it is unlikely they would have believed it. In fact, months after they all knew 45-year-old David Ogundele, an engineer, who was deeply obsessed with 30-year-old Oluwatosin, they had no idea they had a killer on their hands. But it is late to regret; Oluwatosin is dead after being stabbed multiple times by Ogundele along with her mother, who was trying to ward off the attack on her daughter in a flat she rented at Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State. As of the time of filing this report, Oluwatosin’s mother was still in intensive care at  a hospital in Ilorin where she had undergone a round of surgery to repair the extensive damage caused by the knife attack on her body. In fact, one of Oluwatosin’s brothers, told our correspondent that their mother was stab