Flight QZ8501 Breaking News: Sadness as over 40 bodies are recovered fom the Java Sea

Breaking News: Indonesians are in a state of mourning as more than 40 bodies and debris from the missing Indonesian Flight QZ8501 have been found. A shadow has been allegedly been identified by rescue teams.
There are speculations that some of the bodies found do not match the list of names on the flight's manifest. It has now been announced by the Indonesian Aviation Ministry that the plane crashed after stalling in bad weather.

Ebola patient in UK admitted into the Royal Free Hospital

According to Sky News, a patient who recently arrived from West Africa has been taken to the London Royal Free Hospital with a suspected Ebola infection. 

More news to follow.

Prayers for the end of the year 2014 - Feel free to Share

PRAYER FOR THE END OF 2014 

Thank you Lord God JEHOVAH for showing me your goodness and your mercy;
Through this year 2014 you watched over me and my loved ones;
You protected us and watched over our coming in and our going out;
As we went to bed to sleep you were there keeping watch, as we went about our daily life you followed us and kept us out of harm’s way.
You kept us healthy and well;
You provided for us - you gave us the ability to find good food, water and a place to lay our heads.
You sent good friends and family our way;
You lead us to safe and secure places;
You anointed our heads with oil to help us excel and succeed.
You filled us with hope in times of loss and distress;
You promised us that you would take care of us and You did, that it why we are still here today, praising you!
Even at times of sorrow, You promised us that our tears would only run for a little while;
You comforted us and filled our mouths with laughter and thanksgiving!

You blessed the works of my hands;
You blessed my spouse;
You blessed my children;
You blessed my siblings, my parents and all my loved ones;
You blessed my friends;

You took disease, sickness and death away;
And, You healed our infirmities Lord God and we praise You!
Things that others could not do, did not understand, You made it better
We thank you Lord God for all that you did for us in 2014! Yes we do!

All that you have done for me are uncountable and I know my words are not enough to let you know how grateful I am, I am thankful indeed and I stand in awe of you Lord.
Thank You Lord God for my yesterdays, thank You for my today and thank you for my tomorrows.

I am hopeful and believe that next year will be better, greater and more fabulous by Your grace O Lord!
And, I stand to lift my heart and hands in praise and thanksgiving to You!  

I declare that as this year ends, evil, destruction and sadness will not come near my home. Me and my dwelling will forever be covered in the blood of Jesus and the goodness of the Lord will follow me into 2015 and beyond. I decree and declare that I and my loved ones will see 2015 in good health, peace and joy in the name of Jesus! I declare that no weapon of the enemy against me and my loved will ever prosper.

Thank you Lord God my Creator for everything you have done and for what you are doing in my live!

End of year 2014 Prayer © by Morin Okenla - Business Development Director at i-Shine Group

Follow on Twitter @MorinOkenla

Like on Facebook at Jesus is Lord

"Have the ALIENS arrived?" People ask as another plane carrying 162 passengers goes missing

The last contact with Flight QZ8501

Another plane has gone missing with all on board! What is going on? How can we travel by air and feel safe?  And, how can a plane go missing without any trace? Is that possible? What is going on? How can a massive Airbus plane disappear from radars without trace, while a tiny machine can be sent to Mars monitored and followed closely? Are we not an intelligent race with numerous tracking devices, so, why can't we successfully track a plane? How can Air Controllers say they can't suddenly find a plane and there was no distress call made by the pilots?

About Flight QZ8501
The AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501 to Singapore that has been reported missing follows a similar pattern to Malaysia's national carrier Malaysia Airlines - Flight MH370 which disappeared without any trace earlier this year. The plane vanished from radars on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March with 239 passengers and crew. The wreckage, thought to be in southern Indian Ocean, has still not been located. MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July, killing all 298 on board.

Facebook Statement
AirAsia made a statement on Facebook confirming that there were 155 passengers and 7 crew members on board these include:

• 138 adults, 16 children and one infant
• Most on board were Indonesian
• Two pilots and five crew were also on board 

The plane took off from Surabaya in eastern Java at 05:35 local time (22:35 GMT) and was was due to arrive in Singapore at 08:30 (00:30 GMT). It flew over the Java Sea path, but at 06:24 local time (23:24 GMT Saturday) and 45 minutes into the flight air traffic controllers lost contact with  Flight QZ8501.

What the Air Controllers have said
The plane, an Airbus A320-200, disappeared midway into the flight of more than two hours from the city of Surabaya. No distress call was made. According to Air Asia, the plane's pilot had requested a "deviation" from the flight path to avoid thick storm clouds and had asked permission to climb to 38,000ft (11,000m). The request according to Indonesia Aviation Ministry "could not be approved at that time due to traffic, as there was a flight above, and five minutes later flight QZ8501 disappeared from radar".

Boats and aircraft have continuously searched the area as desperate relatives wait for news.

The Aliens?

Fear is now gripping the world as people are trying to understand what could be going wrong. This particular plane had just been serviced and the pilot is said to have over 22,000 hours of flying. There have never been any crashes in the company's 13 year history. So, what is going on? Some people I spoke with have said it could be aliens coming to abduct our planes and later drop them into the deep ocean.

Can this be true or is there something else going on? What do you think? please drop your comments here.

Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School Old Girls in London celebrate fundraising event in style

Morin Okenla with Mrs Labode, the former principal of Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School, Suru-Lere, Lagos

LONDON, UK - The Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School, Suru-Lere Old Girls Association (LAGGS OGA UK) in London celebrated their first fundraising event recently.

As an old girl, I was proud to be part of this great event. There are many old students from various schools in Nigeria who reside abroad but not many have been able to carry off a feat like this.

The celebration cake

More goodies

The flyer designed by iShine Media & Design

I remember meeting up with Ms Yetunde Odebiyi about five years ago. Her dream was to bring old girls in London together. Yetunde and I had been class mates at 'Anglican' as we called it way back then and her idea sounded refreshing. 

Ms Yetunde Odebiyi, Director at Healthier Lifestyle Options (HLO)

Yetunde had tried for a few years before we met up and she told me how hard it was to get people involved. I think it wasn't about the people, it was just the wrong time. We girls six to seven years ago were knee deep in childcare issues. We met up a couple of times with Senior Oluyinka Olumide and a few other old girls, and I must say, Yetunde really tried her best to pull it along.

Pictures of the original school badge, the LAGGS OGA logo and a redesigned school badge. Digital designs by iShine Media, Design & Publishing.

The raffle ticket

The LAGGS OGA event theme logo - Steel Magnolias -Woman of Substance

 The highlight of the event was the arrival of former principal of the school, Mrs Oluyomi Labode. Mrs Labode was the principal from 1982 to 1996  and she flew in from Lagos Nigeria specially for the occasion. Also with her was the president of the Nigerian chapter of the LAGGS, OGA.

 Mrs Labode's presence was not an ordinary one as she is one of the best loved heads of the school. And so, everyone was looking forward to welcoming her. Once she arrived, an entourage of excited old girls including Vice President, Ms Adetutu Kujore and head of Hospitality, Ms Yetunde Odebiyi met her at the door and walked her to her seat.

Mrs Labode flanked by old girls. Morin Okenla, that me - first left!

Most old girls from the 1980s remember phrases used by Mrs Labode to nurtur and raise us such as, "pick it up," "tummy in," "shoulders high," "heads up," walk upright," and these I believe have molded our early life and helped us develop into the successful women that we are today. 

LAGGS OGA UK at the event

Some old girls meet up for the first time in ages!

Morin Okenla, owner iShine Group

LAGGS OGA UK, singing the school

Some of the night's fun activities included a three course meal, 'correct' music by DJ Omo Whyte, an American auction which raised some money (I donated one of my paintings) and Hajia Lara also donated beautiful jewellery. There was a raffle draw and a lucky fellow won the top prize...a washing machine!!!

The best part was the end, when Mrs Labode stood up to encourage us and give us words of advice. She thanked us for all our hard word and prayed for us. When she finished, all old girls gave her a standing ovation and sang, "Iya ni wura iye biye" to her and she cried! It was tears of love, joy, appreciation and as a teacher myself, I guess she was crying tears of relieve that all her efforts had not been in vain! Thank you ma!

The three course meal was served in the beautifully decorated hall

It was a lovely night...representatives of other schools attended such as, CMS Grammar School OGA, Regan Memorial OGA, old friends met up, the music was good and we all danced the night away. Kudos to all officers and the organising committee and to Ms Yetunde Odebiyi, Senior Olubusola Olumide and Ms Adetutu Okunoren and others whose dream it has always been to make the LAGGS OGA a reality!

Here are some more pictures from the event courtesy of Le Kafe photography.  The number one photo agency in London. Visit the website for offers.

Mrs Labode cuts the cake

Ms Augustina Akinpelu and an old girl

A section old girls begin to sing the school song, bringing back memories

Mrs Labode takes centre stage

We sang all the stanzas of the school song with angelic voices

Old girls open the dance floor

Ms Bukky Akinwowo-Olaniyi with a  friend

Ms Mistura Lawal and Ms Bunmi Adekoya beautiful and regal in purple

Dance, dance and dance!

You May Also Like:
Find out what is happening - Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School Old Girls Events in London, UK

Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association, UK website

Girls having fun - The Tea Party organised by Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association, UK

Who is who in LAGGS OGA UK - The list of current officers of Lagos Anglican Girls Grmmar Schiool Old Girls Association, UK

Why is there a sudden rise in police killing black people in America?

PHOENIX — The facts surrounding Rumain Brisbon's death — the ones that could be agreed upon as of Wednesday evening — follow a narrative familiar to a nation still reeling from the racially charged police incidents in Ferguson, Mo., New York City and elsewhere.
In Phoenix on Tuesday evening, a white police officer who was feeling threatened used lethal force on an unarmed black man. The incident left the officer unharmed and Brisbon, 34, dead with two bullet wounds in his torso at a north Phoenix apartment complex.
Phoenix police quickly released a detailed account of the killing for the media on Wednesday morning in what officials said was an effort to promote transparency, especially in light of the unrest that has played out in Ferguson and New York City following the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of white officers. But portions of that account have already been challenged by some witnesses and community activists who say that the officer's use of force was excessive and that Brisbon's death was unwarranted.
Shortly before 6 p.m. MT on Tuesday, officers were in the area of Interstate 17 and Greenway Road for a burglary investigation when a resident of an apartment complex told them that men inside a black Cadillac SUV were engaged in a drug deal, said Sgt. Trent Crump, a Phoenix police spokesman.

Cop in chokehold case won't be charged

Police checked the license plate that the tipster provided and found it was registered to a resident in the 15400 block of North 25th Avenue, where there was also a pending report of a "loud music disturbance."
The loud-music call was canceled, so the officer went to the SUV to ask questions of those inside, Crump said.
The officer said the driver, later identified as Brisbon, got out and appeared to be removing something from the rear of the SUV. The officer told Brisbon to show his hands, but Brisbon stuffed his hands into his waistband, Crump said.
The officer drew his weapon and Brisbon ran toward nearby apartments, Crump said. A short foot chase ensued.
"Witnesses indicated to us that the suspect was verbally challenging to the officer," Crump said.
Brisbon refused to comply with the officer's commands to get on the ground, and the two struggled once the officer caught up with him, Crump said.
"During the struggle, Brisbon put his left hand in his pocket and the officer grabbed onto the suspect's hand, while repeatedly telling the suspect to keep his hand in his pocket," he said. "The officer believed he felt the handle of a gun while holding the suspect's hand in his pocket."

After Eric Garner was choked by a white police officer in New York

A woman inside an apartment opened a door at that moment, and the officer and Brisbon tumbled inside, Crump said. Two children, ages 9 and 2, were in a back bedroom, he said.
The officer could no longer keep a grip on Brisbon's hand and, because he feared that the suspect had a gun in his pocket, fired two shots, Crump said.
The item in Brisbon's pocket turned out to be a bottle of oxycodone pills, he said.
Crump said the officers are aware of the delicate nature of the case and are asking the community to allow investigators to gather all the facts.
"I would like to think that in our officer-involved shootings, that we are transparent as we can be as an organization," Crump said. "We always have been and always will be concerned about what it is that our residents think about our role in this community and the levels of force that we use.
"Let's be very clear: The officer was doing what we expect him to do, which is investigate crimes that neighbors are telling him are occurring in that part of the complex."
Crump said the department was not identifying the officer, a 30-year-old with seven years on the force.
He also acknowledged that, as in most police investigations, witness accounts varied.
Martin Rangel lives upstairs from where the shooting occurred and said he heard some banging and then a gunshot.
"It was so loud, I heard the vibration through the floor," Rangel said. "I ran to the window, and that's when I saw the cop running out, or like, walking out, and he was cussing, you know, he was screaming, 'F--k, f--k,' like upset that he shot the guy."

White ex-cop charged in 2011 death of black S.C. man

Brandon Dickerson, who said he was in the car with Brisbon shortly before the shooting and witnessed some of the incident, said Brisbon was dropping off fast food to his children in the apartment. On Wednesday evening, strewn french fries still littered the front porch.
Dickerson said he never saw the officer try to talk with Brisbon. He also said his friend wasn't yelling at the officer.
"Who's gonna argue with police?" Dickerson said. "He had no death wish yesterday."
Marci Kratter, a Phoenix attorney who represented Brisbon in a previous DUI case and is now representing his family, said she is concerned that the story offered by police is not complete.
"There are numerous witnesses that will challenge the police officer's account of what transpired," she said.
Kratter said she dispatched investigators to the scene to determine whether a civil wrongful-death suit is necessary.
"Tonight, four children are missing their father, a woman is missing her husband and a mother is missing her son," she said. "It was a senseless tragedy. He was unarmed and not a threat to anyone. We intend to pursue this to the full extent of the law."
Civil rights activist Jarrett Maupin was at the scene Wednesday and said he spoke with Brisbon's family members.
"I think the statements given to me by neighbors, friends and family members are in direct contrast to what has been disseminated by the Phoenix Police Department," he said.
Court records show that while Brisbon was serving a five-year probation sentence stemming from a 1998 burglary conviction,he spent several months in the hospital after being shot. Details of the shooting were not immediately available, but court records state that he had been on "a self-destructive path due to his emotional state" after the shooting.
Records show that Brisbon was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence twice in 2009 and once in October. He also had a marijuana conviction.
Officer-involved shootings are not uncommon, but the events that transpired in Ferguson, Mo., in August triggered a national debate about lethal police force and whether it too often crosses the line in minority communities.

The Aug. 9 death of Michael Brown, an unarmed man, sparked riots in Ferguson and protests nationwide. Darren Wilson, the White officer who shot him, was not indicted.
Then, on Wednesday, it was announced that a white officer would not be indicted in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, who was allegedly selling loose cigarettes on Staten Island.
Karl Gentles, a local leader in the black community and public policy chairman of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, said there is clearly a concern in Phoenix, as well as nationwide, that justice is not being served in defense of the African-American community.
Gentles encouraged police to address these perceptions and for city officials to get all the facts surrounding the shooting.

"There has to be some additional communication, dialogue, training, about how black males are perceived," he said. "Because, as you see from other incidents, black males are feared with unfound reason in many cases, and there is an explicit overreaction in dealing with African-American males that leads to these contentious situations."
Ann Hart, chairwoman of the African American Police Advisory for South Phoenix, wonders how this latest incident could have been prevented.
"It gives the impression that it's open season for killing black men," Hart said. "We need to take a deeper dive into why police officers are feeling compelled to shoot and kill as opposed to apprehend and detain, arrest and jail."

Stricker Adebaýòr accuses his mother of 'juju'

Breaking News - Tottenham star, Emmanuel Adebayor has accused his own mother of putting a 'juju" curse on him. Juju is a form of witchcraft or evil spell, a pratice commonly found in Africa.

The Togolese stricker said his mother, Alice put a curse on him to stop him from scoring. So far, this season Adebayor has scored just two goals.

Ghana' Peace FM radio reported the allegation and further went on to say that 60 year old Alice had been sent out of the family home after a family rift. His mother, and brother Kola who works as a lorry driver in Germany say, the ex Arsenal and Manchester City star has left their mother penniless, homeless and saddened.