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reading-writing-revolution · 5 years ago

Text

This is long but it is important. Thanks for this!

#resist

This is where I stand. I feel that our 45th President, his Cabinet and administration, and the majority of Republicans in Congress are a real and active threat to me, my way of life, and all the people I love. Some people are saying that we should give Trump a chance, that we should "work together" with him because he won the election and he is "everyone's president." I am willing to do all of that if/when his policies seem reasonable. However:

•I will not forget how badly he and so many others treated former President Barack Obama for 8 years...

•I will not "work together" to privatize Medicare, cut Social Security and Medicaid.

•I will not "work together" to build a wall.

•I will not "work together" to persecute Muslims.

•I will not "work together" to shut out refugees from other countries.

•I will not "work together" to lower taxes on the 1% and increase taxes on the middle class and poor.

•I will not "work together" to help Trump use the Presidency to line his pockets and those of his family and cronies.

•I will not "work together" to weaken and demolish environmental protection.

•I will not "work together" to sell American lands, especially National Parks, to companies which then spoil those lands.

•I will not "work together" to enable the killing of whole species of animals just because they are predators or inconvenient for a few, or because some people want to get their thrills killing them.

•I will not "work together" to remove civil rights from anyone.

•I will not "work together" to alienate countries that have been our allies for as long as I have been alive.

•I will not "work together" to slash funding for public education.

•I will not "work together" to take basic assistance from people who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.

•I will not "work together" to get rid of common sense regulations on guns.

•I will not "work together" to mark transgendered men and women as something to fear.

•I will not "work together" to eliminate the minimum wage.

•I will not "work together" to support so-called "Right To Work" laws, or undermine, weaken or destroy Unions in any way.

•I will not "work together" to suppress scientific research, be it on climate change, fracking, or any other issue where a majority of scientists agree that Trump and his supporters are wrong on the facts.

•I will not "work together" to criminalize abortion or restrict health care for women.

•I will not "work together" to increase the number of nations that have nuclear weapons.

•I will not "work together" to put even more "big money" into politics.

•I will not "work together" to violate the Geneva Convention.

•I will not "work together" to give the Ku Klux Klan, the Nazi Party and white supremacists a seat at the table, or to normalize their hatred.

•I will not "work together" to deny health care to people who need it.

•I will not "work together" to deny medical coverage to people on the basis of a "pre-existing condition."

•I will not "work together" to increase voter suppression.

•I will not "work together" to normalize tyranny.

•I will not “work together” to eliminate or reduce ethical oversight at any level of government.

•I will not "work together" with anyone who is, or admires, tyrants and dictators.

•I will not support anyone that thinks its OK to put a pipeline to transport oil on Sacred Ground for Native Americans. And, it would run under the Missouri River, which provides drinking water for millions of people. An accident waiting to happen.

This is my line, and I am drawing it.

•I will stand for honesty, love, respect for all living beings.

•I will use my voice and my hands, to reach out to the uninformed, and to anyone who will LISTEN:

That "winning", "being great again", "rich" or even "beautiful" is nothing... When others are sacrificed to glorify its existence.

If you agree, feel free to copy and re-post (this results in larger numbers of people seeing a post than sharing...just press your finger down on your phone screen, hit "copy", go to your Facebook...comment by pressing your finger on your comment area and hit "paste"), and if you want, sign your name below ours.

Also, if we have left anything out, feel free to add it to this list.

Signed:

Annette Joseph-Walker

Denise Edlow

Patricia Rollins Trosclair

Andrea Dora Zysk

George Georgakis

John Christopher

John Bowles

Patrick St.Louis

Carla Patrick

Darnell Bender

Vickie Davis

JMichael Carter

Janice Frazier-Scott

Rev. ELaura James Reid

Jeanette Bouknight

Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey

Gerald Butler

Carolyn McDougle

Vaughn Chatman

Adrienne Brown

Gary Trousdale

Steven E Gordon

Isis Nocturne

Debi Murray

Maureen O. Betita

Mona Enderli

Fernie James Tamblin

Myrna Dodgion

Alan Locklear

Tom Wilmore

Jackie Evans

Donna Endres

Lora Fountain

Roberta Gregory

Heather A Mayhew

Stevo Wehr

Nathan Stivers

Jen RaLee

Joan Holden

Leigh Lutz

Deborah Kirkpatrick

Linda Levy

Tom Rue

Nancy Hoffmann-Allison

Beejay McCabe

Michael James Myers

Edward T. Spire

Rupert Chapman

Dawn R. Dunbar

Robin Wilson

Monique Boutot

Laura Brown 💪🏼

Susan Aptaker

Steve Katz

Bonnie Wolk

Risa Guttman-Kornwitz

Angela Gora

Butch Norman

Sharon Tolman

Sue Zislis

Maurice Hirsch

Satch Dobrey

Jim Krapf

Don Starwalt

Deb Johansen

Daniel Anderson

Diane Kenney

Rebecca Koop

Nancy Shuert

Bill Pryor

Patrick Lamb

Bob Travaglione

Margaret Ragan

Martha Peters

Steve Wilson

Lauren Sullivan

Scott Bevan

Roger Saunden

Jane Ayer

Alex Simon

Laura Gross

Kevin Geiger

Michael Mikula

CJ Niehaus

MaryLou Mateja

Robert E Mateja, Sr.

Diane williams

Joseph Mele

Brenda Horne Bain

Laura Love

Christine L. Linde

Carlotta Spears

Kate Schmidt

Antonia Nelson

Mayo Underwood

Jackie Miller

Daniella Zimmerman

Margot Kovacs Fulmer

Ann Denison

Devney Schendorf

Matt Wheeler

Monica Bruno

Debbie Pierson

Rachel Licitra

Carol Mele

Dan Moldovan

Ray Miller

Diane Miller

Joey Frank

Lisa Del Sordi

Philip J Ofiesh

Carol Mulligan

Michelle Gonnering

Darian Gavin

Scott Meek

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dammar · 7 years ago

Photo

The wonderful Patrick McGovern has done it again. He’s shown that people living at Gadachrili Gora and a nearby village in Georgia were the world’s earliest known vintners—producing wine on a large scale as early as 6,000 B.C., a time when prehistoric humans were still reliant on stone and bone tools. Read the full story HERE.

#wine #archaelogy #winemaking #georgia #biomolecular

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upshotre · 5 years ago

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Kaduna Sexual Assault centers record 662 cases of abuse against women, children

A non-governmental organization (NGO), Save the Children, on Wednesday said that sexual assault referral centers in Kaduna State had received a total of 662 cases of abuse against women and children since inception in 2016. Isah Ibrahim, an advocacy advisor with the NGO made the disclosure in Zaria, during a two-day sensitization workshop on Violence Against Children (VAC). The workshop was organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “Out of the 662 cases recorded, 373 were received at Gwamna Awan specialist hospital, Nasarawa, 104 received at Sir Patrick Yakowa memorial hospital, Kafanchan, 114 cases at Yusuf Dantsoho specialist hospital, Tudun wada and 71 received at Gambo Sawaba hospital, Zaria”, he said. He said the centers provide medical consultation on individual cases and assist with psychosocial management of the family while in crisis. Ibrahim mentioned some major flashpoints of child abuse in Kaduna metropolis to include Tudun wada, Kakuri, Gonin Gora, Rigasa, Rigachikun, Sabon tasha, Nasarawa, Romi among others. He however noted that the centers were faced with challenges of weak implementation of policies and limited working time, urging the state government to ensure proper implementation of the Child Right Act. On her part, the centre manager of Salama sexual assault referral center, Kafanchan, Mrs Grace Yohanna said the centre provides medical intervention and optional legal intervention for victims of abuse. She stated that females were mostly affected in terms of abuse with 94 cases out of the 104 cases received at the centre. “We have 79 cases of emotional abuse and 25 cases of rape; children were most affected in the rape case. “That is why we want everybody in the community to be part of the war against all forms of violence against children; let’s be our neighbors keepers and report any case of abuse to the nearest center”, she said. Yohanna who commended the government for providing such centers that support survivors of rape and other sexual abuse, stated that the center needed more drugs. She appealed to members of the public to speak up and report any case of abuse whether physical, sexual or emotional. Mr Denis Onoise, a Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF, stated that most perpetrators of Violence Against Children (VAC) were not strangers, but people close to the children such as parents, teachers, religious leaders and relatives. Onoise said that a national survey conducted by the National Population Commission with support from UNICEF in 2014, showed that Nigeria has high prevalence of VAC, with six out of every 10 children experiencing some form of violence. He urged parents and caregivers to support their children and report any incidence of VAC to the appropriate authority. Read the full article

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taylorscorner · 8 years ago

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Where I Stand

This is where I stand on the 45th President, his power hungry cronies taking positions of authority in his Cabinet and administration, and the majority of Republicans in Congress are a real and active threat to me, my way of life, and all the people I love. Some people are saying that we should give Trump a chance, that we should "work together" with him because he won the election and he is "everyone's president." This is my response: •I will not forget how badly he and so many others treated former President Barack Obama for 8 years... • I will not forget how he disrespected a gold star family based on their religion. • I will not forget how he discriminated against a federal judge based on his ethnic background. •I will not "work together" to privatize Medicare, cut Social Security and Medicaid. •I will not "work together" to build a wall. •I will not "work together" to persecute Muslims. •I will not "work together" to shut out refugees from other countries. •I will not "work together" to lower taxes on the 1% and increase taxes on the middle class and poor. •I will not "work together" to help Trump use the Presidency to line his pockets and those of his family and cronies. •I will not "work together" to weaken and demolish environmental protection. •I will not "work together" to sell American lands, especially National Parks, to companies which then despoil those lands. •I will not "work together" to enable the killing of whole species of animals just because they are predators, or inconvenient for a few, or because some people want to get their thrills killing them. •I will not "work together" to remove civil rights from anyone. •I will not "work together" to alienate countries that have been our allies for as long as I have been alive. •I will not "work together" to slash funding for education. •I will not "work together" to take basic assistance from people who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. •I will not "work together" to get rid of common sense regulations on guns. •I will not "work together" to eliminate the minimum wage. •I will not "work together" to support so-called "Right To Work" laws, or undermine, weaken or destroy Unions in any way. •I will not "work together" to suppress scientific research, be it on climate change, fracking, or any other issue where a majority of scientists agree that Trump and his supporters are wrong on the facts. •I will not "work together" to criminalize abortion or restrict health care for women. •I will not "work together" to increase the number of nations that have nuclear weapons. •I will not "work together" to put even more "big money" into politics. •I will not "work together" to violate the Geneva Convention. •I will not "work together" to give the Ku Klux Klan, the Nazi Party and white supremacists a seat at the table, or to normalize their hatred. •I will not "work together" to deny health care to people who need it. •I will not "work together" to deny medical coverage to people on the basis of a "pre-existing condition." •I will not "work together" to increase voter suppression. •I will not "work together" to normalize tyranny.I will not “work together” to eliminate or reduce ethical over-site at any level of government. •I will not "work together" with anyone who is, or admires, tyrants and dictators. •I will not "work together" to help private corporations build pipelines to transport their oil, at the expense of our safety and environment.This is my line, and I am drawing it. •I WILL stand for honesty, love, respect for all living beings, and for the beating heart that is the center of Life itself. •I WILL use my voice and my hands, to reach out to the uninformed, and to anyone who will LISTEN: That "winning", "being great again", "rich" or even "beautiful" is nothing... When others are sacrificed to glorify its existence.

Signed:

Kathrine Iacofano

Susan Goldberg

Debbie Slavkin Linda Rosefsky Rebecca Tortorice Anna Konya Karen Redding Wendy Lemlin Patricia Rollins Trosclair Andrea Dora Zysk George Georgakis John Christopher John Bowles Patrick St.Louis Carla Patrick Darnell Bender Vickie Davis JMichael Carter Janice Frazier-Scott Rev. ELaura James Reid Jeanette Bouknight Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey Gerald Butler Carolyn McDougle Vaughn Chatman Adrienne Brown Gary Trousdale Steven E Gordon Isis Nocturne Debi Murray Maureen O. Betita Mona Enderli Fernie James Tamblin Myrna Dodgion Alan Locklear Tom Wilmore Jackie Evans Donna Endres Lora Fountain Roberta Gregory Heather A Mayhew Stevo Wehr Nathan Stivers Jen RaLee Joan Holden Leigh Lutz Deborah Kirkpatrick Linda Levy Tom Rue Nancy Hoffmann-Allison Beejay McCabe Michael James Myers Edward T. Spire Rupert Chapman Dawn R. Dunbar Robin Wilson Monique Boutot Laura Brown 💪🏼 Susan Aptaker Steve Katz Bonnie Wolk Risa Guttman-Kornwitz Angela Gora Butch Norman Sharon Tolman Sue Zislis Maurice Hirsch Satch Dobrey Jim Krapf Don Starwalt Deb Johansen Daniel Anderson Diane Kenney Rebecca Koop Nancy Shuert Bill Pryor Patrick Lamb Bob Travaglione Margaret Ragan Martha Peters Steve Wilson Lauren Sullivan Scott Bevan Roger Saunden Susanne Lavelle Benita Yimsuan Kathryn Scarano Kathleen E Neff Evey G Quines Debbie Dey John Dennehy, Jr. Marsha Vaughn Adam Sklena Larry David McGregor Blumenthal Gustavo Rodriguez ARJ Alva Freeman Yvette Ellard Rory Thayer Wilson Wayne Booth Streven King Phyllis Vlach Adrian Sandy Miller Castellano Nick Strippoli Ben Papapietro RenaePerry Ann Elliott Maria DelloStritto Kimberly Bauso Rebecca Smith Theresa Taylor Terri Feldman Cheryl Pitman Molly Spalding Janice Wiles Michael Bello Vicki Carlson Gloria Salazar Angie Sincell Dana Shimrock Cheryl Josh Henderson Danielle Luscombe Clint Bickford Jason C. Frank Aviad C. Sasi Michel L. Poli Quintin Kreutzer Malcolm McHugh Sharon Hamer Bob Melvin Mike Feinstein Allison Parker Barbara Darrow Amy Levitt Michael Chechanover Bruce Kanin Rhonda Friedman Tina Bug Dave St.Hill Arty Williams Al Ward Charline Forrest Donna Fargas Alice Bowdwin Terri Holman Ronald Jones Dollise Howard-Whitehurst Miriam Lucas Simmon Anita Jackson David E. Early,Sr. Alexander Thomas, Jr. Delano Tucker Donnie Fitzgerald Michael j Washington Vern Owens Jr. ALFONSE P. JOHNSON SR.😡 Tom Outland Millard whatley Jr. Joseph Kane III Bill Dix Ruth Price Scott Taper Bernard Coley Susie Richardson Marde Ross Carol Landa-McVicker Lindy Cater Ben Cater Cameron Smith Becky Oos Lori Freshman Ellen Moody Brian Cummings Tom Hall Jeff Cohen Wayne Humphrey Kenneth Felz Tom Schneiter Patrick Ley Lynn Ray Allen Jill Williams Sheila Woods Deandra Clark Allan Dunlap Roger Morales Veronica Rios Angela Quiles. Michelle Villanueva Alexis Castro

Bobby Lewis

Your turn. Copy, paste, add your name, post...

#notmypresident #resistance #dumptrump

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evelynmartinezblog-blog · 8 years ago

Photo

03-23 Patrick Thaler of Italy celebrates after the second run of the FIS World Cup men's slalom race in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia on March 5, 2017. ... http://dlvr.it/NhqfD5

#jastrzebia-gora

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henrique2022 · 8 years ago

Text

This is where I stand. Our 45th President, his power hungry cronies taking positions of authority in his Cabinet and administration, and the majority of Republicans in Congress are a real and active threat to me, my way of life, and all the people I love. Some people are saying that we should give Trump a chance, that we should "work together" with him because he won the election and he is "everyone's president." This is my response: •I will not "work together" to privatize Medicare, cut Social Security and Medicaid. •I will not "work together" to build a wall. •I will not "work together" to persecute Muslims. •I will not "work together" to shut out refugees from other countries. •I will not "work together" to lower taxes on the 1% and increase taxes on the middle class and poor. •I will not "work together" to help Trump use the Presidency to line his pockets and those of his family and cronies. •I will not "work together" to weaken and demolish environmental protection. •I will not "work together" to sell American lands, especially National Parks, to companies which then despoil those lands. •I will not "work together" to enable the killing of whole species of animals just because they are predators, or inconvenient for a few, or because some people want to get their thrills killing them. •I will not "work together" to remove civil rights from anyone. •I will not "work together" to alienate countries that have been our allies for as long as I have been alive. •I will not "work together" to slash funding for education. •I will not "work together" to take basic assistance from people who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. •I will not "work together" to eliminate the minimum wage. •I will not "work together" to support so-called "Right To Work" laws, or undermine, weaken or destroy Unions in any way. •I will not "work together" to suppress scientific research, be it on climate change, fracking, or any other issue where a majority of scientists agree that Trump and his supporters are wrong on the facts. •I will not "work together" to criminalize abortion or restrict health care for women. •I will not "work together" to increase the number of nations that have nuclear weapons. •I will not "work together" to put even more "big money" into politics. •I will not "work together" to violate the Geneva Convention. •I will not "work together" to give the Ku Klux Klan, the Nazi Party and white supremacists a seat at the table, or to normalize their hatred. •I will not "work together" to deny health care to people who need it. •I will not "work together" to deny medical coverage to people on the basis of a "pre-existing condition." •I will not "work together" to increase voter suppression. •I will not "work together" to normalize tyranny. I will not “work together” to eliminate or reduce ethical oversite at any level of government. •I will not "work together" with anyone who is, or admires, tyrants and dictators. •I will not support anyone that thinks its OK to put a pipeline to transport oil on Sacred Ground for Native Americans. This is my line, and I am drawing it. •I WILL stand for honesty, love, respect for all living beings, and for the beating heart that is the center of Life itself. •I WILL use my voice and my hands, to reach out to the uninformed, and to anyone who will LISTEN: That "winning", "being great again", "rich" or even "beautiful" is nothing... When others are sacrificed to glorify its existence. Signed: Kathrine Iacofano Susan Goldberg Debbie Slavkin Linda Rosefsky Rebecca Tortorice Anna Konya Karen Redding Wendy Lemlin Patricia Rollins Trosclair Andrea Dora Zysk George Georgakis John Christopher John Bowles Patrick St.Louis Carla Patrick Darnell Bender Vickie Davis JMichael Carter Janice Frazier-Scott Rev. ELaura James Reid Jeanette Bouknight Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey Gerald Butler Carolyn McDougle Vaughn Chatman Adrienne Brown Gary Trousdale Steven E Gordon Isis Nocturne Debi Murray Maureen O. Betita Mona Enderli Fernie James Tamblin Myrna Dodgion Alan Locklear Tom Wilmore Jackie Evans Donna Endres Lora Fountain Roberta Gregory Heather A Mayhew Stevo Wehr Nathan Stivers Jen RaLee Joan Holden Leigh Lutz Deborah Kirkpatrick Linda Levy Tom Rue Nancy Hoffmann-Allison Beejay McCabe Michael James Myers Edward T. Spire Rupert Chapman Dawn R. Dunbar Robin Wilson Monique Boutot Laura Brown Susan Aptaker Steve Katz Bonnie Wolk Risa Guttman-Kornwitz Angela Gora Butch Norman Sharon Tolman Sue Zislis Maurice Hirsch Satch Dobrey Jim Krapf Don Starwalt Deb Johansen Daniel Anderson Diane Kenney Rebecca Koop Nancy Shuert Bill Pryor Patrick Lamb Bob Travaglione Margaret Ragan Martha Peters Steve Wilson Lauren Sullivan Scott Bevan Roger Saunden Susanne Lavelle Benita Yimsuan Kathryn Scarano Kathleen E Neff Evey G Quines Debbie Dey John Dennehy, Jr. Marsha Vaughn Adam Sklena Larry David McGregor Blumenthal Gustavo Rodriguez ARJ Alva Freeman Yvette Ellard Rory Thayer Wilson Wayne Booth Streven King Phyllis Vlach Adrian Sandy Miller Castellano Nick Strippoli Ben Papapietro Jerry Briesach Steve LaRosa Judy LaRosa Nini Diaz Inez Sandejas Irene Salazar Maria de Quinto Theresa Carr Ogle Mina Junio Lori Franzoni James Demestihas Robert Rauff, Jr. Lenore Barnard ThomasSkabry Bob Feger Christine Lauber Nikki Lynette LouiseBlackburn Joelle Efthimiou Steven Goldleaf Debra Tanklow Cyndie Bellen-Berthézène Lauren Aryah Vern Katz Mary Walston Susan Wa Marsha Marin Scott Hale Denis Hulett MARK B ROPERS Susan Bacon Hulett Jen Marsh Brenda Fox Pam Vink Fassett Gillian Estes Diana Dodson Warren Petoskey Renée L. Roman Nose Marcia Sytsma Dana Buchwald Bonnie West Karen Lynn Schwarz Davis Suzanne Levin Diane Kliebard Silverberg Michael B. Plaisted Mary Kay Risi Vincent Pennisi Fran Richter Rosen Llaura Sanacore Rubin Ellen Leder Dr. Gail Simon-Boyd Sheri Karnilow Margaret DuBois Stone Paul Hornick Judy Sampieri Deborah Sampieri Corbishley M. Julia Pace Jessica Alecio Enrique Oropesa Please copy, paste, add your name, and post.

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emergingkarachi · 11 years ago

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The Gora Qabaristan

The Gora Qabaristan (Urdu: گورا قبرِستان; also spelled as Gora Kabristan), or Gora Cemetery, literally transliterated as Fair skinned graveyard is Karachi's only operational Christian cemetery. The original consecration of the Karachi Christian Cemetery was in 1845 during colonial rule but there is a tombstone set in the wall near the main gate of the cemetery bearing the date 1843.

After the partition of India, the British High Commission in Karachi invited the members of the various Christian bodies to form the Karachi Christian Cemeteries Board

Location

It is located on main Shahrah-e-Faisal.

Division

Until around 1981, the cemetery was divided into two parts, Protestant and Catholic. However, since then, the wall separating them was removed and the two merged.

Management

The Karachi Christian Cemetery Board manages its affairs.

Over time the condition of the cemetery has deteriorated. In 1995, a group called CARE (Caring, putting into Action, and Restoring the Environmental degradation of the cemetery), made up of people from all parishes and churches, made it their objective to make the cemetery a clean and peaceful resting place for the departed.

Among the problems identified requiring attention were: stopping the continuous flow of sewage into the cemetery grounds; the cutting and clearing of weeds almost 8 feet high, removal of garbage piled up at least 3 feet high over an area of almost 2000 square yards along the West wall; the construction of a concrete wall (estimated to be 6,000 feet), and a permanent pumping station to drain out rain water during the monsoons.[2]

In 2006 the cemetery continues to be desecrated with boys of the surrounding localities playing cricket and football here causing damage to the graves.[3]

Burial services

From 1885, burial services have been performed by a family firm, Anthony Coutinho & Company. The office still exists on Shahrah-e-Iraq, near St. Patrick's Cathedral, but it has all but stopped functioning. More recently, the St. Joseph's Association, a diocesan organization that organises burials has taken over this function.[4].[1]

#United States #Shara-e-Faisal #Karachi #Iraq #Gora Qabaristan #Death Care #Death #Cemetery #Cemeteries

0 notes

cleverlassie · 8 years ago

Text

Fighting for America

This is long but it is important. This is where I stand. To me, FB is a useful vehicle for my passion and activism. Our 45th President, his power hungry cronies taking positions of authority in his Cabinet and administration, and the majority of Republicans in Congress are a real and active threat to me, my way of life, and all the people I love. Some people are saying that we should give Trump a chance, that we should "work together" with him because he won the election and he is "everyone's president." This is my response: •I will not forget how badly he and so many others treated former President Barack Obama for 8 years... •I will not "work together" to privatize Medicare, cut Social Security and Medicaid. •I will not "work together" to build a wall. •I will not "work together" to persecute Muslims. •I will not "work together" to shut out refugees from other countries. •I will not "work together" to lower taxes on the 1% and increase taxes on the middle class and poor. •I will not "work together" to help Trump use the Presidency to line his pockets and those of his family and cronies. •I will not "work together" to weaken and demolish environmental protection. •I will not "work together" to sell American lands, especially National Parks, to companies which then despoil those lands. •I will not "work together" to enable the killing of whole species of animals just because they are predators, or inconvenient for a few, or because some people want to get their thrills killing them. •I will not "work together" to remove civil rights from anyone. •I will not "work together" to alienate countries that have been our allies for as long as I have been alive. •I will not "work together" to slash funding for education. •I will not "work together" to take basic assistance from people who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. •I will not "work together" to get rid of common sense regulations on guns. •I will not "work together" to eliminate the minimum wage. •I will not "work together" to support so-called "Right To Work" laws, or undermine, weaken or destroy Unions in any way. •I will not "work together" to suppress scientific research, be it on climate change, fracking, or any other issue where a majority of scientists agree that Trump and his supporters are wrong on the facts. •I will not "work together" to criminalize abortion or restrict health care for women. •I will not "work together" to increase the number of nations that have nuclear weapons. •I will not "work together" to put even more "big money" into politics. •I will not "work together" to violate the Geneva Convention. •I will not "work together" to give the Ku Klux Klan, the Nazi Party and white supremacists a seat at the table, or to normalize their hatred. •I will not "work together" to deny health care to people who need it. •I will not "work together" to deny medical coverage to people on the basis of a "pre-existing condition." •I will not "work together" to increase voter suppression. •I will not "work together" to normalize tyranny. I will not “work together” to eliminate or reduce ethical oversite at any level of government. •I will not "work together" with anyone who is, or admires, tyrants and dictators. •I will not support anyone that thinks its OK to put a pipeline to transport oil on Sacred Ground for Native Americans. And, it would run under the Missouri River, which provides drinking water for millions of people. An accident waiting to happen. This is my line, and I am drawing it. •I will stand for honesty, love, respect for all living beings, and for the beating heart that is the center of Life itself. •I will use my voice and my hands, to reach out to the uninformed, and to anyone who will LISTEN: That "winning", "being great again", "rich" or even "beautiful" is nothing... When others are sacrificed to glorify its existence. If you agree feel free to copy and re-post (this results in larger numbers of people seeing a post), and if you want, sign your name below ours. Also, if we have left anything out, feel free to add it to this list. Signed: Patricia Rollins Trosclair Andrea Dora Zysk George Georgakis John Christopher John Bowles Patrick St.Louis Carla Patrick Darnell Bender Vickie Davis JMichael Carter Janice Frazier-Scott Rev. ELaura James Reid Jeanette Bouknight Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey Gerald Butler Carolyn McDougle Vaughn Chatman Adrienne Brown Gary Trousdale Steven E Gordon Isis Nocturne Debi Murray Maureen O. Betita Mona Enderli Fernie James Tamblin Myrna Dodgion Alan Locklear Tom Wilmore Jackie Evans Donna Endres Lora Fountain Roberta Gregory Heather A Mayhew Stevo Wehr Nathan Stivers Jen RaLee Joan Holden Leigh Lutz Deborah Kirkpatrick Linda Levy Tom Rue Nancy Hoffmann-Allison Beejay McCabe Michael James Myers Edward T. Spire Rupert Chapman Dawn R. Dunbar Robin Wilson Monique Boutot Laura Brown 💪🏼 Susan Aptaker Steve Katz Bonnie Wolk Risa Guttman-Kornwitz Angela Gora Butch Norman Sharon Tolman Sue Zislis Maurice Hirsch Satch Dobrey Jim Krapf Don Starwalt Deb Johansen Daniel Anderson Diane Kenney Rebecca Koop Nancy Shuert Bill Pryor Patrick Lamb Bob Travaglione Margaret Ragan Martha Peters Steve Wilson Lauren Sullivan Scott Bevan Roger Saunden Mary V. Buck Murray Miller Cheri Kemp Silver Sharon Tuckman Kathy Hanold Gail McMahon

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adambstingus · 7 years ago

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Evidence of world’s earliest winemaking uncovered by archaeologists

Humans made grape wine hundreds of years earlier than previously believed, according to analysis of clay pottery dating back to 6,000 BC

A series of excavations in Georgia has uncovered evidence of the world’s earliest winemaking, in the form of telltale traces within clay pottery dating back to 6,000BC – suggesting that the practice of making grape wine began hundreds of years earlier than previously believed.

While there are thousands of cultivars of wine around the world, almost all derive from just one species of grape, with the Eurasian grape the only species ever domesticated.

Until now, the oldest jars known to have contained wine dated from 7,000 years ago, with six vessels containing the chemical calling cards of the drink discovered in the Zagros mountains in northern Iran in 1968.

The latest find pushes back the early evidence for the tipple by as much as half a millennium.

“When we pick up a glass of wine and put it to our lips and taste it we are recapitulating that history that goes back at least 8,000 years,” said Patrick McGovern a co-author of the study from the University of Pennsylvania museum of archaeology and anthropology, who also worked on the earlier Iranian discovery.

The find comes after a team of archaeologists and botanists in Georgia joined forces with researchers in Europe and North America to explore two villages in the South Caucasus region, about 50km south of the capital Tbilisi.

The sites offered a glimpse into a neolithic culture characterised by circular mud-brick homes, tools made of stone and bone and the farming of cattle, pigs, wheat and barley.

Earliest evidence of winemaking found in Georgia

Researchers were particularly intrigued by fired clay pots found in the region – likely to be some of the earliest pottery made in the Near East. Indeed, one representative jar from a nearby settlement is almost a metre tall and a metre wide, and could hold more than 300 litres. What’s more, it was decorated with blobs that the researchers say could be meant to depict clusters of grapes.

To explore whether winemaking was indeed a part of life in the region, the team focused on collecting and analysing fragments of pottery from two neolithic villages, as well as soil samples. Radiocarbon dating of grains and charcoal nearby suggested the pots date to about 6,000–5,800 BC.

In total, 30 pottery fragments and 26 soil samples were examined, with the inside surface of the pottery ground down a little to produce a powder for analysis. While many of the pieces were collected in recent excavations, two were collected in the 1960s; researchers have long suspected they might bear traces of wine.

The team then used a variety of analytical techniques to explore whether the soil or the inner surface of the vessels held signs of molecules of the correct mass, or with the right chemical signatures, to be evidence of wine.

The results, published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, reveal that for eight of the fragments, including the two previously unearthed, the team found traces of tartaric acid – a substance found in grapes in large quantities. Tests on the associated soils largely showed far lower levels of the acid. The team also identified the presence of three other acids linked to grapes and wine. Other evidence indicating the presence of wine included ancient grape pollen found at the excavated sites – but not in the topsoil – as well as grape starch particles, the remains of a fruit fly, and cells believed to be from the surface of grapevines on the inside of one of the fragments.

A drone photograph of excavations at the Gadachrili Gora, Georgia. Photograph: Stephen Batiuk

While the team note that it is possible that the vessels were used to store something other than wine, such as the grapes themselves, they note that the shape of the vessels is suited to holding a liquid and that grapes or raisins would have degraded without trace. Moreover, there are none of the telltale signs that the pots were used for syrup-making, while grape juice would have fermented within a matter of days.

The findings suggest the sites were home to the earliest known vintners, besting the previous record held by the traces of Iranian wine found just 500km away and dated to 5,400-5,000 BC. Older remnants of winemaking have also been found at the Jiahu site in China’s Henan province, dating back to 7,000BC, but the fermented liquid appeared to be a mixture of grapes, hawthorn fruit, rice beer and honey mead.

With their narrow base, the large clay pots used do not stand up easily, suggesting they might have been half buried in the ground during the winemaking process, as was the case for the Iranian vessels and which is a traditional practice still used by some in Georgia.

Davide Tanasi, of the University of South Florida, said the results of the study were unquestionable and that the findings were “certainly the example of the oldest pure grape wine in the world”.

The excavations in Georgia were largely sponsored by the National Wine Agency of Georgia.

“The Georgians are absolutely ecstatic,” said Stephen Batiuk, an archaeologist from the University of Toronto and one of the study’s co-authors. “They have been saying for years that they have a very long history of winemaking and so we’re really cementing that position.”

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/evidence-of-worlds-earliest-winemaking-uncovered-by-archaeologists/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/168912578562

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wavyunicornrider · 5 years ago

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Presidency Lists Major Security Milestones Achieved In 2019 Under Buhari’s Gov

In the face of complaints by Nigerians over the alleged escalating degree of insecurity across the nation, the presidency on Sunday, Might 12, listed the achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari authorities in regards to the challenge.

In a prolonged detail, Femi Adesina, listed a few of the achievements in the space of security to incorporate the varied operations that the police and other safety businesses created to resolve issues of kidnappings, armed banditry and related points.

The presidency additionally gave a timeline of all of the efforts made by the security businesses within the battle towards insecurity within the nation.

Read particulars as listed by Femi Adesina:

MAJOR SECURITY MILESTONES IN 2019, BY PRESIDENCY

These are little question occasions of nice safety challenges for our country, and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led authorities shouldn’t be leaving any stone unturned to restore sanity and calm.

For the data, under are a number of the security initiatives taken between January and now, for the security and security of Nigerians:

1. Operation Puff Adder (Nigerian Police), Operation HARBIN KUNAMA 3 (Nigerian Military) and Train Egwu Eke 3 (Nigerian Army) have all been launched in 2019, to enrich the prevailing Operations Sharan Daji (launched in 2016 by the Nigerian Army) and Diran Mikiya (launched 2018 by the Nigerian Air Pressure). All of those operations are targeted on tackling banditry and criminality in the North West of Nigeria.

2. Operation HARBIN KUNAMA 3 was launched on 1 April 2019 to make sure the entire defeat of the bandits fleeing army operations in Zamfara and escaping into Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Niger and Sokoto states.

3. A whole lot of kidnappers and bandits have been arrested or killed since January, several camps/hideouts destroyed; and tons of of hostages rescued. In a two-week operation in February (lasting from February four to Feb 14), 80 hostages have been freed by the Nigerian Military, with 37 bandits killed.

four. Aerial bombardments of bandits’ camps have been intensified in current months. A brand new Air Pressure Base – the 271 Nigerian Air Drive Detachment (271 NAF Det) – was commissioned at Birinin Gwari in Kaduna state in Might 2019, to enrich the 207 Fast Response Group (QRG) established in Gusau, Zamfara State, in 2017.

NIGERIAN POLICE:

Between January 2019 and the first week of Might, 2019, a total of 270 suspected kidnappers, 275 suspected armed robbers, have been arrested and 105 assorted weapons plus a big cache of ammunition recovered by the Nigerian police inside the states of the North West and North Central Nigeria.

● April 5- The Nigerian Police launched ‘Operation Puff Adder’, a multi-agency strategy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Division of State Providers (DSS), tailor-made in the direction of ridding the Kaduna – Abuja Expressway, Kogi, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states of all forms of crimes and criminality- kidnapping, armed theft, cattle rustling, amongst others.

● April 9- Police operatives hooked up to ‘Operation Puff Adder’ arrested three notorious criminals concerned in the kidnap of Channels Tv’s employees, Mr Friday Okeregbe- Hanniel Patrick, Abdulwahab Isah and Salisu Mohammed.

● April 10- Officers of the ‘Operation Puff Adder’ killed 9 infamous criminals on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. 6 Ak47 Rifles, 1 Pump Motion Gun, 1,206 Rounds of Ak47 Ammunition, 7 Magazines, 28 Cartridges And 158 Expended Shells have been recovered from the criminals.

● April 16- Operatives hooked up to ‘Operation Puff Adder’ arrested one Mallam Salisu Abubakar, 48yrs previous, a local of Dutsinma LGA, Katsina state. The Mallam, is a self-confessed religious father of kidnappers terrorizing Abuja-Kaduna expressway and elements of other North-West/North-Central states.

● Following the arrest of the kidnappers’ ‘spiritual father’, police detectives hooked up to ‘Operation Puff Adder’, arrested 18 infamous kidnappers and armed robbers at totally different occasions and locations throughout the country. A total of twenty- two (22) AK 47 rifles, 5 (5) regionally fabricated pistols and a cache of stay ammunition have been recovered from the bandits.

● Might 5- Operatives from ‘Operation Puff Adder’ rescued unharmed 27 kidnap victims together with 5 Chinese nationals. The Chinese citizens who have been earlier kidnapped on 15th April, 2019 in Bobi, Niger state, have been safely and successfully rescued from a forest in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state, following painstaking investigative efforts, including both air and ground surveillance.

Two of the kidnappers died from accidents sustained during trade of gun hearth with the police in the middle of the rescue mission. Twenty-two different kidnap victims have been rescued in Zamfara state and other elements of the nation.

NIGERIAN ARMY:

● Eight January – The Military flagged off ‘Exercise EGWU EKE III’ in 8 Division Nigerian Military’s space of duty at 1 Battalion, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.

● 2 February- Troops of 8 Division of the Nigerian Army on ‘Exercise EGWU EKE III’, at the side of different security businesses recovered harmful weapons from criminals and political thugs in Sokoto state. This has really contributed immensely to a peaceable safety state of affairs within the state.

● 15 March- Troops of 72 Special Forces Makurdi, deployed at Yelwata, in Guma LGA, which is a border town between Benue and Nasarawa states, whereas on patrol along Yelwata-Kadarko street engaged armed robbers in a gun battle, which resulted in the elimination of one of the armed robbers, while others took to their heels. The suspects have been wearing army desert camouflage and robbing motorists alongside the street.

● 13 April- Troops conducting ‘Operation Sharan Daji’ in Zamfara state killed 23 bandits and arrested 18 suspected informants, cattle rustlers, kidnappers and logistics suppliers to armed criminals within the state.

● 20 April- Troops on Operation ‘HABIN KUNAMA III’, based mostly on credible intelligence about bandits’ movements in Kirsa and Sunke in Anka LGA, Zamfara state, continued with the clearance operation into the hinterland to clear the brigands, arresting 18 informants and recovering arms and motorcycles.

● 22 April- Troops of 72 Special Forces (SF) Battalion Makurdi deployed for inner security operation in Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue state, averted a horrible clash between two Tiv clans-Shitile and Ikyora within the early hours of that day. They exterminated 5 mercenaries, recovered arms and ammunition.

● Might 8- A patrol workforce of 1 Division of the Nigerian Military raided a bandits’ den at Gonan Bature East of Rijana and Kasarami farm home in Chikun LGA, Kaduna state. The abandoned Kasarami farm home was reportedly forcefully occupied by criminals and had been used as a shelter and a place where victims of kidnapping have been stored.

● Might Eight- Troops on Train ‘HARBIN KUNAMA III’ arrested a notorious logistics provider for bandits crouching between Jibia-Batsari axis -one Marwana Abubakar was arrested at Kwashabawa village in Jibia LGA, Katsina state.

● Might Eight- Troops of 311 Artillery Regiment successfully carried out a raid operation on a suspected facility in Kontagora township, Niger state. In the course of the raid, some weapons have been found and recovered.

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE:

● 19 January- The Nigerian Air Pressure deployed a fighter plane, together with help gear, and a detachment of Special Forces (SF) personnel to Sokoto to further increase anti-banditry operations in Northwest Nigeria beneath ‘Operation DIRAN MIKIYA’. The deployment is aimed toward including value to the efforts to cope with the spate of insecurity in some elements of Sokoto state and the border areas between Zamfara and Sokoto states.

● 7 February- The Air Process Pressure (ATF) of ‘Operation DIRAN MIKIYA’ intensified the bombardment of armed bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara state and environs, after several camps being used by the bandits to launch assaults towards harmless civilians have been recognized.

● 21 February- The Nigerian Air Pressure (NAF) offered a cellular Jet A-1 fuelling facility to allow the refuelling of NAF Helicopters that might function out of the 23 Quick Response Wing (23 QRW) Nguroje. This can further enhance security on the Mambilla Plateau.

● 12 March- In continuation of efforts to reinforce safety in Kaduna state and its environs, the Nigerian Air Drive (NAF), working with other security businesses, intensified aerial surveillance over identified hotspots and flashpoints in the state while sustaining its air patrol alongside the Abuja-Kaduna Freeway. A number of the areas coated within the surveillance missions embrace Gonin Gora, Kajuru, Kujama, Kasuwar Maganin and surrounding settlements.

● 31 March- A Nigerian Air Pressure (NAF) Special Forces (SF) Staff working in Zamfara State efficiently repelled attacks by armed bandits who attempted to invade Hayin Mahe and Hayin Kanawa Villages in Gusau local authorities space.

● Eight April- The Air Process Drive (ATF) for ‘Operation DIRAN MIKIYA’ renewed air offensive towards armed bandits in Zamfara state and its environs. The air strikes are aimed toward flushing out the bandits from their hideouts in Sububu, Rugu and Kagara Forests, amongst others, whilst making certain the protection of the lives and properties of residents in Northwest Nigeria.

● 9 April- The Air Process Drive (ATF), ‘Operation DIRAN MIKIYA’ neutralized dozens of armed bandits in Sector 2 Area of Operation in Zamfara State and in addition supported surface forces to maneuver into the attacked areas to mop-up the fleeing survivors and recuperate their weapons. A number of the bandits fled across the border into Niger Republic.

● 13 April- The Air Activity Drive (ATF) for ‘Operation DIRAN MIKIYA’ destroyed some logistics stores belonging to bandits at a location inside Kagara Forest, Zamfara state. A few of the armed bandits who had fled their camps because of NAF’s earlier air strikes had relocated some logistics gadgets, including gasoline, motorcycles and local arms-making gear, to a different location within Kagara Forest.

● 16 April- In response to stories that prime profile armed bandits have been gathering round Rafi and Doka villages of Mada district in Gusau Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara state, which is underneath the Space of Duty (AOR) of the 207 Quick Response Group (207 QRG), a Nigerian Air Drive (NAF) Particular Forces (SF) Staff was dispatched to the world to secure the two settlements.

● 22 April- The Air Activity Pressure (ATF) for ‘Operation DIRAN MIKIYA’ neutralized about 10 armed bandits at Sububu Forest space in Zamfara state. This was achieved while the ATF was responding to a request for close air help by floor troops of Sector 7 Area of Duty of Operation SHARAN DAJI, who had come into contact with armed bandits in Shinkafi native government space.

● four Might- NAF commissioned the 271 Nigerian Air Pressure Detachment (271 NAF Det) at Birinin Gwari in Kaduna state.

The Detachment was established to serve as help Base and a blocking drive for troops in Operations DIRAN MIKIYA and SHARAN DAJI.It is the constitutional obligation and duty of presidency to safeguard lives and properties.

The Buhari administration remains committed to this, and regardless of current spikes in the spate of crime and criminality, the evildoers will probably be crushed, and badly, too. The ravening clouds can by no means be victorious. Soon, they shall not possess the sky.

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yourcelinesaconlineventeblr · 5 years ago

Text

Presidency Lists Major Security Milestones Achieved In 2019 Under Buhari’s Gov

The presidency additionally gave a timeline of all of the efforts made by the security businesses within the battle towards insecurity within the nation.

Read particulars as listed by Femi Adesina:

MAJOR SECURITY MILESTONES IN 2019, BY PRESIDENCY

These are little question occasions of nice safety challenges for our country, and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led authorities shouldn’t be leaving any stone unturned to restore sanity and calm.

For the data, under are a number of the security initiatives taken between January and now, for the security and security of Nigerians:

NIGERIAN POLICE:

NIGERIAN ARMY:

● Eight January – The Military flagged off ‘Exercise EGWU EKE III’ in 8 Division Nigerian Military’s space of duty at 1 Battalion, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE:

● four Might- NAF commissioned the 271 Nigerian Air Pressure Detachment (271 NAF Det) at Birinin Gwari in Kaduna state.

Submit Related To This Article You Just Read

The post Presidency Lists Major Security Milestones Achieved In 2019 Under Buhari’s Gov appeared first on Techno Crats Blog.

#Blog #Breaking News

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raylovesrp-blog · 5 years ago

Text

Presidency Lists Major Security Milestones Achieved In 2019 Under Buhari’s Gov

The presidency additionally gave a timeline of all of the efforts made by the security businesses within the battle towards insecurity within the nation.

Read particulars as listed by Femi Adesina:

MAJOR SECURITY MILESTONES IN 2019, BY PRESIDENCY

These are little question occasions of nice safety challenges for our country, and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led authorities shouldn’t be leaving any stone unturned to restore sanity and calm.

For the data, under are a number of the security initiatives taken between January and now, for the security and security of Nigerians:

NIGERIAN POLICE:

NIGERIAN ARMY:

● Eight January – The Military flagged off ‘Exercise EGWU EKE III’ in 8 Division Nigerian Military’s space of duty at 1 Battalion, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE:

● four Might- NAF commissioned the 271 Nigerian Air Pressure Detachment (271 NAF Det) at Birinin Gwari in Kaduna state.

Submit Related To This Article You Just Read

The post Presidency Lists Major Security Milestones Achieved In 2019 Under Buhari’s Gov appeared first on Techno Crats Blog.

#Blog #Breaking News

0 notes

newsnigeria · 6 years ago

Text

Check out New Post published on Ọmọ Oòduà

New Post has been published on http://ooduarere.com/naija-gist/relationships-romance/man-set-to-wed-fiancee/

Man Set To Wed Fiancee After Wedding Was Delayed 7 Years Ago Over Accident. Photos

A Nigerian man is set to wed his lovely fiancee – seven years after their wedding ceremony was delayed due to a ghastly motor accident. The man identified as Zabrang Shehu, was involved in a motor accident in 2012 as his wedding to his partner, Rahab Mercy Yohanna, was postponed.

Seven years after the unfortunate incident, the loyal couple are set to get married on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the same Church where the wedding had been billed to take place in 2012.

Read the details of what happened as shared by Facebook user Emmanuel Junior Zakka.

Zabrang Shehu was a U02… ABU student – that is he was admitted in the year 2002. He studied Archaeology and was the best graduating student of his class; he graduated with a very good Second Class Upper Degree (2:1). Before he gained admission to study Archeology in ABU, he attended the famous Federal College of Chemical and Leather Technology (a.k.a. Leather Research), Samaru, Zaria: the school Opposite the ABU Main Gate. There, too, he was the best graduating student with an Upper Credit and National Diploma in Leather Technology.

Expectedly, and indeed not surprisingly, Zabrang got two job offers the same year, 2012, before he suffered a setback in that ghastly motor accident that nearly claimed his life and therefore he couldn’t pick either of the jobs – yes he had to forfeit them both because of his ill health.

After my National Youth Service (NYSC) in 2008, I met this lady by name Rahab Mercy Yohanna in Kaduna. We were (and still are) both members of the same Church – Living Water Anglican Church, Ungwan Pama. Before I met her, something happened. I went home in 2011 and informed my parents that my wedding would be on 28th December, 2012. That was a date I had fixed by faith because at that time I had not found the woman to marry yet. It was a faith declaration of some sort. That was on September 27, 2011, to be exact.

When I met Mercy, I told her my intentions and we agreed to pray about it. A month later we were courting. After a while we went for the usual test – phenotype, genotype and the rest. When it was confirmed that we were good to go, I then took the next step and informed my pastor, then Rev A.A. Imade (now Venerable Imade). He is now at Bagado Church. He prayed for us and asked what my intentions were and I told him I wanted to settle down. He then became my marital counsellor and he is my spiritual father even today.

Next, I took Mercy home to Gada Biyu, my home town, for my parents to see her. That was in December of 2011. At the time she was going for her Higher National Diploma, HND, at Nuhu Bamali Zaria. On Friday, 6th April, 2012, we went to the motor garage to board a car to travel to the village for proper introduction at my fiancée’s place, Gora Gida. At that time I was the Youth President of my Church and a lady in my church was getting married the following day, Saturday, April 7, 2012. I was to represent the church at the wedding at Zagom. So I had programmed to attend the wedding and then head to Gora the next, Sunday, April 8, for the introduction proper.

Meanwhile at the garage in Sabon Tasha, only two people were left for the car that was loading passengers, an Opel, to get full before takeoff. As my fiancée stepped into the car, I followed suit. No sooner had I sat in that car than I felt something within me telling me not to get into that car with her. I now disembarked and told her that we were not traveling in the same car. She asked why and I told her I was sorry but my spirit was not at peace with it. I bought bread and gave her to take home for me because she would get to my house before me.

As we were having some discussion before takeoff, a friend of mine, Mr Polycarp, an Igbo guy, called and told me that he was in Kaduna with his 14-seater bus from Enugu; that we should use it to go home so that we could pick some people to accompany us for the introduction on Sunday. So my friend, Mann (Simon Marcus ), also called that he and his fiancée (now his wife with two kids) were coming from Zaria; that Polycarp had called and told him we were going together. We agreed that I would wait for them so that we go in Polycarp’s bus together.

Even with the free bus, I still told my fiancée she should go ahead of me in the car she had already boarded. The last passenger came and they left. I had a strong conviction that we couldn’t go together no matter what. So I waved her farewell and crossed to the other side of Sabo garage to wait for Polycarp to arrive.

Interestingly, the day, 6th April, was a ‘Good Friday’ and what happened later explains just how the experience of Good Friday became my own. There were passengers everywhere on that day, as people were traveling home for the Easter celebration. We then decided to pick a few passengers to fill the empty spaces in the bus since we were heading home. There was no conductor and so I was the one closing and opening the door for incoming passengers.

Something happened as we were about to start the journey. A man came from nowhere and said he must join our bus. We insisted that he wouldn’t but he kept disturbing us to help him. Polycarp asked someone passengers to move to the engine side of the bus and let the man take a seat but shockingly the man demanded that he must seat where I was sitting. I couldn’t believe such troublesomeness. I was angry. We were all angry because it did not make sense to any us one bit. Why should this man dictate to us what we should do in our own bus? Why should someone we agreed to help become such a dictator? Moreover, it was ‘our’ bus and we should be free to decide to go with him or not; so why the troubles? He kept persuading me to vacate the seat for him. In the end I agreed, howbeit reluctantly, and sat close to Mann, while he sat close to door where I was before. And then we took off.

As we started the journey, a few minutes later, as we got to Kujama, we had a tyre burst and Polycarp later narrated that he was confused when it happened and in that state of confusion he applied the brakes… You know what happens in such a scenario. Do you know what? The “troublesome” man who insisted on having, and actually had my seat, was the only one that died in that accident. The door of the car was said to have squeezed with him. You can imagine what went through my mind when I got to know it. It remains an incident I will never forget. He took my place. He exchanged his life for mine without knowing it. It was a Good Friday indeed for me! But I wish no one had died though! But seriously, God saved me.

We were rushed to St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kakuri – Kaduna, at about 5.15pm. AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF MY YEARS OF PREDICAMENT, AGONY AND SORROWS.

At St. Gerard’s, I underwent two surgeries within the space of two weeks. I suffered what they called Pelvic Fracture Distraction Defect (PFDD), which resulted in bladder burst. I was therefore on a regular change of catheter since the bladder was on repairs. I was also using crutches because I couldn’t walk unaided.

While we were at St. Gerard’s, my fiancée came back from the journey – she actually cut it short after my brother, Zicham, called and informed them about the accident because she had traveled safely to the village ahead of me. RAHAB MERCY YOHANNA STOOD BY ME IN THE HOSPITAL. SHE WAS MY ANGEL. I CANNOT EXPLAIN THE KIND OF HUMAN SHE IS. MY HEART’S ONLY RESPONSE TO HER LAVISH LOVE IS GRATITUDE.

Still at St Gerard’s, one fateful evening, after my second surgery, a man came into the ward where I was admitted, around 7:20pm, and made his way to my bed – two of them to be sure. They greeted me and the man whose bed was close to mine (he was lying unconscious). After that they left. All I can recall with clarity is that the man came down from his car, came towards me at the male surgical ward, greeted me and left.

I later saw a medical personnel who came and asked me if I was a relation of the Governor. I asked him the Governor he was talking about because it was funny, and he said to me “Governor Patrick Yakowa.” My mother shouted, “Yakowa? Where is he?” Seriously, the man that came was Sir Patrick Yakowa of Blessed memory. He took my hospital bills and PAID ALL IN FULL. Can you see another Good Friday experience? I was then transferred to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria., probably because they thought I was a relation of the Governor. Between 2012 and 2015 I underwent 6 different surgeries in all.

Back to my fiancée. She completed her HND programme and was posted to Rivers State for her National Youth Service Scheme, NYSC. She completed and came back. She told me something which struck me hard and has stuck with me ever since. She said, “God spoke to you and you saved me. And I won’t have peace of mind if I run away and abandon you.” She also added, “I know how I felt the day we agreed to settle down – an inner joy that I had never felt before all my life. I must make sure we complete what we have started. No matter how long it takes, no matter for how long you will be in this state, I will WAIT. I know you will recover. BE STRONG.”. Those words kept me! I was determined to be back on my feet to reward this love with my own love.

Dear friends, eerything about me is grace; I am seriously a living Testimony.

#naija gist

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