Young Progressive Nigerians Initiative - YPNI

First-Time Mum Gave Birth to 15lb Baby Boy Naturally: How big was your baby?

First-time mum Jade King had a very big delivery room surprise last month when her son George arrived weighing a whopping 15lbs and 7oz! That would be somewhat astounding on its own, but add to that the fact that Jade delivered her baby boy vaginally after 16 hours of labor and George’s birth story becomes almost unbelievable. Jade and her husband Ryan King, both 21, had no clue that their son would be so big – the second biggest baby ever to be born vaginally in the UK, according to reports.  “It was a massive shock for everyone – no-one had any idea he would be this big,” says mom, who was induced 15 days after her due date and labored with the aid of gas and an epidural. “During the pregnancy I was just getting bigger and bigger.” We were told everything was normal until he popped out,” adds her husband.

The delivery took a very frightening turn when the baby became stuck in the birth canal and was without oxygen for 5 minutes. Jade and Ryan say that medical staff gave him just a ten percent chance of survival. “His shoulders got stuck and that is when everything kicked off,” recalls Jade. “There were about 20 doctors in the room and that is when it got really scary.” Six weeks later, though, George, who at 2ft 2 inches long is in 6-month size sleepers, is now happy, healthy and at home with his relieved parents.  “He is a little miracle – a big miracle actually!’ gushes Jade, though she admits that she’s now wary of having another baby just in case the next little one turns out to be not-so-little as well!

Father accused of raping his two Daughters and Granddaughter

A seven-year-old girl (name withheld), has accused her 49-year-old father of rape. The girl said her father, Sylvester Ehijele, had on numerous occasions had sex with her, adding that he used to promise to buy her goodies and toys before the actions. She said he usually had sex with her on a daily basis whenever her mother was not home. She said, “Whenever my mum is not at home, he grabs me, forces his hand over my mouth and then inserts his penis into my private part. He promises to buy me a car, cake and biscuit but he doesn’t buy anything for me. “He also threatens to use a knife to gouge my eyes out anytime I threaten to report to my mother.”

Sylvester’s wife, Margaret, told PUNCH Metro that he (Ehijele) also raped their 23-year-old daughter when she was much younger and recently, he raped their one-year-old granddaughter that lives with them. She said, “I am a caterer. In 2006 I went to Abuja for a catering job where I spent five days. But at about 1am, my first daughter, who was about 17-years-old at the time, called me on the phone crying that her father raped her that night. “When I returned, I confronted him but he beat me up and he continued to molest our daughter and each time I confronted him, it earned me a beating. I had no choice but to leave him when I got fed up with seeing him molesting our daughter and later sleeping with me. I took my six children and we relocated.” She said in 2011, Sylvester’s family settled their differences and urged the couple to reconcile for the sake of the children. She said her husband swore never to touch any of his daughters again and she reluctantly returned to her husband’s house. Margaret said she was however disappointed to find out that less than a year after moving in with her husband, he went back to his old ways. 

She said, “We reconciled in May 2011 and I really thought he had changed but in August last year, I caught him in a compromising situation with our seven-year-old daughter. I called her out and she told me how her father had constantly been abusing her. “Again, I confronted him and he beat me up. I had to pick my daughter and ran to his brother’s house, where I stayed for three days before I went back home.” Mrs. Ehijele said she continued to cope with her husband’s ways until he finally raped their 15-month-old granddaughter. She said, “Because my oldest daughter works, we decided to put her daughter baby at a day care in Ejigbo. I have always been the only one that brings her back at 6pm everyday from the day care. But on that particular day, my husband went to the day care and after an altercation with the teacher, he took the baby home.

 “He took the baby home and hours later the baby was crying profusely. When I got home, the baby was still crying and I wondered what was wrong. When I finally took off her diapers so I could bathe her, I noticed she was bleeding in her private part. When I raised the alarm, my husband was unnerved. That was when I suspected him. “I rushed down to the Ejigbo Police Station and reported the matter.” Margaret said she had been married to the suspect for over 23 years and lamented that he had had carnal knowledge of all their daughters. “I have two daughters, four sons and a granddaughter. Sadly, my husband has raped all of the females,” she said. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the suspect would soon be charged to court on charges of defilement. “The suspect is in the habit of sleeping with his daughters and now his granddaughter. We have the doctor’s report which shows that the girls have been defiled,” she said.A copy of medical report issued by the Isolo General Hospital reads in part that, “The vaginal hymens of the girls are no longer intact.”

Sylvester however denied the allegation, adding that it was his wife that poisoned his daughters’ minds against him. He said his wife left him initially because he had refused to pay her dowry. He said, “If I was the one that raped them, let me die. My wife and I were separated for four years and it was because her family said I hadn’t paid her bride price. After we reconciled, she told my daughters to tell lies against me in order to disgrace me. “Even my oldest daughter confessed to my family that I never raped her and that it was my wife that told her to lie.” When quizzed about the medical report, Sylvester said it was not authentic.

Culled from Punch

Were you Bullied in High School?

Were you bullied in high school? Please share your experience.

Schoolboy, 15, Killed Himself after Months of Cruel Taunts from Bullies over His Learning Difficulties

A schoolboy who was found hanged in his bedroom was being bullied because he suffered from learning difficulties and was dating a younger girl, his family and friends have claimed.  Joshua Maddox, who suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), had allegedly suffered months of cruel taunts from classmates because the condition had left him struggling with his schoolwork.  His devastated mother Michelle Maddox, 34, also claimed today that her son was called 'paedo' by classmates because his girlfriend of two months was two years younger than him. She issued a desperate plea for tougher punishments to be handed to bullies. The 15-year-old was found hanged by his younger sister Leighlauren at the family home in Walsall, West Midlands, as she went to wake him for school last Thursday morning.  Miss Maddox said: 'I want young people to see what effect bullying can have and educate them better about how to deal with children who have mental health issues. 'I think bullies need a stronger punishment, I feel deep down that nothing will be done about this and I worry it could happen to another family.

 

'He was my baby, I can't replace him, he's never coming back and I want people to be aware of what bullying can do to people. 'We all went to bed the night before, he never gave any indication or let on that anything was wrong. 'That day he'd been playing with his brothers and they'd been laughing and joking together. 'The only thing we do know is he deleted stuff off his phone just before he died, the police are looking through it for any clues. 'He was very good at putting up a front, you wouldn't be able to find out what was wrong with him. 'Even if you asked he'd say he was fine.' Heartbroken Miss Maddox said that her son, who died just a month before his 16th birthday, had been dating a younger girl since just before Christmas. She added: 'We only knew that he had been bullied about his girlfriend because his sister was in the art room when it happened, otherwise we probably never would have known. 'They were calling him a "paedo" because she was two years younger and making fun of the fact that she had glasses. 'We were told about it the week before he left us but he said he wanted to deal with it himself and didn't want me to get involved. 'The problem when children are bullied is that they feel like if they tell on people they'll just get it back ten times worse.'

Scores of Joshua's friends took to social networking sites to play tribute to the 'lovely' and 'cheeky' Year 10 student who was known as Josh, but others hit out at bullies who had targeted him. Friend Jessica Mary posted on a facebook page set up in his memory: 'R.I.P gorgeous! We were always so close.  'I hope the bullies die inside, I hope they suffer I don't get how they can bully you because you have adhd, its so sick you was lovely lad you was so nice sleep tight lovely x (sic). Stepdad Philip Downes, 32, said that Josh behaved as though he was much younger due to his ADHD and autism. He said: 'I think children need to be more aware of the symptoms of ADHD and other mental health problems. 'Josh showed no physical difference to the other children his age, but in his head it was a different story. 'His body was 15 but his mind was more like a twelve-year-old. 'His body had gone through puberty but his brain hadn't, he just didn't fit in any more with the other children so they picked on him.' Friends of the youngster who attended St Thomas More Catholic School in Willenhall, West Midlands, described him as a talented artist, footballer and keen video-gamer on the site.

Kirsty Price wrote: 'Josh u was truely amazing and just a total ace person I will never forget u the way u flipped ur hair the way u alway had a smile on ur face we have lost a true angel. 'I will never forget the laugh we have had when we had piggy back race down all the streets. 'U was so amazing at drawing and I will never forget the time I popped ur nose and u still had a smile on ur face rip josh I will never forgett u xxxxxx (sic).' A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed that Joshua died at the family's Walsall home.

She said: 'We were called to a medical incident, one patient was confirmed dead at the scene. 'No-one was taken to hospital.' A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed officers were called to a medical emergency at around 7am last Thursday. Detective Inspector John Smith said: 'We are completing routine enquiries on behalf of the coroner; the death is not being treated as suspicious.'

Joshua's school today said that students were being offered counselling following his death. A school statement said: 'Our deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of Joshua Maddox who tragically passed away. 'He was a kind and friendly boy well-liked by friends and teachers. 'School counselling staff have been made available to support staff and pupils over the coming days and weeks as they come to terms with this sudden and extremely sad news. 'Walsall Council and Walsall Children's Services - Serco have also offered their sympathy to Joshua's family, friends and to our school. They are in regular contact with us and we will continue to work together to support the family and school community. 'It would be appreciated if the family's and school's privacy could be respected at this difficult time.

Understanding Bullying

What is Bullying?

Bullying is when someone intimidates or causes harm to another person on purpose. The victims of bullying can be verbally, physically or emotionally assaulted and are often threatened and made to feel frightened. Bullying should not be viewed as an unfortunate but unavoidable part of school life. No child deserves to be bullied - it's unacceptable behaviour and can have a devastating effect on the victim. Most schools have an anti-bullying policy, so it's a good idea to be aware of the position adopted by your child’s school.

Bullying in school can include:

·         verbal harassment - face to face, by phone, text or over the Internet

·         hitting, hair-pulling and kicking

·         teasing and name-calling

·         spreading rumours

·         damaging possessions

·         frightening and intimidation

·         exclusion at playtime or from social events and networks

How can I tell if My Child is being Bullied?

Your child may not tell you that he or she is being bullied. However, you may notice some changes in his or her behaviour, including:

·         unwillingness to go to school

·         feeling unwell, often with a headache

·         irritability

·         anxiety

·         aggression towards you or others in your family

·         bedwetting

·         waking in the night

·         missing or damaged belongings

What should I do if my Child is being Bullied?

If you suspect your child is being bullied, don’t ignore it.

Find a quiet time to talk to your child. Explain that bullying is unacceptable and that no one should have to put up with it. Promise to do all you can to stop it.

Make an appointment to see your child's class teacher as soon as possible. Useful tips for the meeting:

·         Decide what you want to say and what you'd like to achieve from the meeting before you go.

·         Try to stay calm even though you may feel angry and emotional.

·         Don't blame the teacher - he or she may be unaware of the bullying.

·         Give specific examples of how your child is being bullied.

·         Ask what the school's anti-bullying policy is.

·         Discuss what action the teacher will take.

·         Arrange to meet again within two weeks to discuss progress.

If you're unhappy with the way your child's teacher deals with the situation - either at the meeting or after the school has taken action - make an appointment to see the head teacher and go through the same process described above.

What should I do if my Child is a Bully?

If you suspect your child is bullying another child or other children, don’t ignore it.

A child who is bullying others often has problems of his or her own. Try to understand what may be causing this behaviour and think about what is going on in your own home. Bullying can be subtle, so watch your child’s behaviour closely.

Consider the following:

·         Is your child going through a difficult time?

·         Does your child feel overlooked or overshadowed?

·         Could your child be copying someone else's behaviour - maybe an adult or older sibling at home?

·         Do other members of your family use aggression or force to get what they want?

·         Are you allowing your child to use aggression or force to get what they want from other people?

Make sure your child understands that bullying is unacceptable. Encourage your child to be friendly, understanding and kind to others. Try to bolster friendships by inviting other children over to your home but watch out for any signs of bullying.