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Valentine Ozigbo joins Catholic Bishops in conference, pledges to partner with church on healthcare, education

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Valentine Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 6 governorship election, has called on politicians to stay focused on the reasons for seeking office, which “is fundamentally to serve the people”.

Mr Ozigbo made these remarks while attending a forum of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference held in Enugu at Holy Ghost Cathedral on Saturday, August 21, 2021 which was hosted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

A respected business leader and inspirational figure, Ozigbo stressed the need for politicians to ensure that the core values of the church – peace-building, compassion, and community – are reflected in politics.

“The church has a significant role to play in shaping the way politicians behave and by so doing, shape the politics of the country,” Ozigbo, a multiple-award-winning global CEO, said.

“Catholics and indeed all Christians who are politicians must, therefore, strive to ensure that values which form the doctrines and traditions of the church, are reflected in their leadership for the good of all.

“I came into politics because I believe I am led to serve my people. That is all there is to my race for the governorship. I have a dream bigger than me or any one person, and it is the dream to bring a real and positive transformation to Ndi Anambra.

“I pledge to work with the church on programmes in healthcare and education which benefit all people in the society whether they are Catholics or not. That spirit of inclusiveness will permeate my government if I am elected,” Ozigbo declared.

Other notable politicians who attended the August event were the governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; the governor of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; a former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi; the president-general of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; a former aviation minister, Mrs Fidelia Njenze; the interim president, Old Catholic Seminarians of Nigeria, Ambrose Obiora; and the state chairman of the PDP in Kaduna, Felix Hassan, among others.

The president of the Bishop Conference, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, called on politicians to remain good ambassadors of the Church by “playing politics of principle, ideology, and with fear of God”.

Most Rev. Akubeze also referred to the 2019 Catholic manual as a guide for politicians and other professionals. He said that the document was produced to shape the minds of Catholic and other politicians and impact a culture of values in service. He exhorted politicians of all denominations and faith to ensure that the masses feel their impact in politics by following the tenets and teachings in the manual.

Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, also spoke at the event on the topic, “Are we politicians who are Catholics or are we Catholics who are politicians?” As he posed the questions to the audience, Kukah maintained that it was a paradox for a Catholic politician to not be equipped with the values and moral fabric that define Catholicism.

The Bishops commended former Governor Obi for the bold steps he took in returning mission schools to the church during his tenure as Anambra State Governor. They urged other governors to follow in line with that policy, which positively impacted the quality of public education.

Ozigbo, who has served as Chairman of Unusual Praise, Africa’s largest Catholic gospel concert, also joined the Bishops on Sunday, August 22, 2021, when they held a Vespers/Benediction Service as part of the annual Bishop’s Conference.

At the service, held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Enugu, the Bishops held a prayer session that centred on the advancement of the gospel, progress of the Church, and unity in the country.

Culled from the Vanguard News Nigeria

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Stephcynie’s “No Lie”: A Soulful Anthem Redefining Love

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With a feature on Billboard.com and placements on Netflix television, Stephcynie is an artist poised to enchant listeners once again with her latest single, “No Lie.” With its chill, romantic sound, and Stephcynie’s sultry vocals, “No Lie” is a soulful anthem that redefines love.
Stephcynie Shares Soulful New Single ”No Lie” Featuring S-Wrap | Stereofox  Music Blog
The song’s lyrics delve into the joy and security of being with someone who allows you to be fully yourself. Picture the harmonies of H.E.R and Snoh Alegra blending seamlessly with the seductive delivery of Jill Scott and SIR – that’s the addictive vibe you’ll experience. Stephcynie’s genre-melding style incorporates jazz phrasing with her smoky voice, showcasing her vocal versatility and offering a refreshing musical perspective. She’s an empowering songwriter, skilled at transforming life’s challenges into motivating musical narratives.
At a BPM of 134, “No Lie” sets the perfect mood for celebrating the beauty of true connection. Produced by the talented Daniel Sauls (known for his work with Lauren Daigle) and featuring word hip hop artist S-Wrap, the song is a testament to Stephcynie’s ability to seamlessly blend classic influences into a modern, genre-defying musical hybrid.
Stephcynie’s resiliency, determination, and undeniable talent have cemented her status as an in-demand vocalist with a solid foundation in the music scene. From her Billboard features to collaborations with industry heavyweights like Eric Church and Christopher Cross, Stephcynie consistently pushes boundaries and exceeds expectations.
No Lie” marks the beginning of Stephcynie’s journey to greatness. With her commanding stage presence and resilient artistry, she’s destined to inspire the next wave of musicians.

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Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.

In the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Emilio Garcia said that after a night out in 2022 in Ibiza, Spain, he was in an SUV with the hip-hop star when she began having sex with another woman right next to him. He was unable to get out of the moving car, and would have been in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country even if he was able. Garcia was “embarrassed, mortified and offended throughout the whole ordeal,” according to the lawsuit.

Alex Spiro, Megan’s lawyer, said she would fight the lawsuit in court.

“This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her,” Spiro said.

The next day Megan told Garcia never to discuss what he saw and berated and fat-shamed him, the lawsuit said. The complaint also said Garcia, who had already considered quitting because he was overworked and underpaid in a hostile work environment aggravated by Megan’s possessiveness and abusiveness, was misclassified as an independent contractor but treated as an exclusive employee.

Garcia raised those issues in the conversation with Megan, and was fired the following day after four years of working for her, the suit said. He has since filed a job discrimination complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.

The lawsuit, first reported by NBC News, names as defendants Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete; her companies Megan Thee Stallion Entertainment and Hot Girl Touring; and her label, Roc Nation. A defense response has yet to be filed. There was no immediate response to an email seeking comment from a representative of Roc Nation.

Garcia is seeking financial damages to be determined at trial, alleging he has suffered severely both emotionally and physically because of his treatment on the job, the firing and having to witness the scene in the SUV.

Megan, 29, was previously involved in major legal drama — and underwent a torrent of online abuse — as the victim of a shooting by rapper Tory Lanez, who a jury found fired at her feet on a street in the Hollywood Hills in 2020. She testified at the trial where jurors convicted Lanez of three felonies and a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Already a major rising artist at the time of the shooting, Megan has since become one of hip-hop’s biggest stars. She won a Grammy for best new artist in 2021, and she had No. 1 singles with “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, and as a guest on Cardi B’s “WAP.”

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Body of O.J. Simpson to be cremated this week; brain will not be studied for CTE

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April 15 (UPI) — The body of O.J. Simpson, who died last week at the age of 76, is to be cremated, a lawyer representing the ex-football superstar’s estate said, adding his brain will not be donated for research.

Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson’s longtime attorney and executor, told the New York Post that his client’s body is to be cremated Tuesday in Las Vegas.

He said Simpson’s family also gave a “hard no” to scientists seeking to examine the former running back’s brain for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is better known as CTE.

CTE is a rare and little understood brain disorder that is likely caused by repeated blows to the head. According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE results in the death of nerve cells in the brain and the only way to definitively diagnose it is with an autopsy of the organ after death.

Memory and thinking problems, confusion, personality changes and erratic behavior, including aggression, depression and suicidal ideation, are among CTE’s symptoms, the Alzheimer’s Association said.

The disease has been found in those who play contact sports, including football and hockey.

LaVergne confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that at least one person has called seeking Simpson’s brain.

“His entire body, including his brain, will be cremated,” he said.

Simpson died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.

Known by the nickname “The Juice,” Simpson was a NFL superstar during the 1970s, which made him a household name that propelled him into film and television during the next decade.

But his stardom would come crashing down in the mid-1990s when he was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

His high-profile trial lasted months, but ended with his acquittal.

In 2008, he was found guilty on a dozen charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and was paroled in 2017 after serving nine years of his 33-year sentence.

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