Low Sperm Count: Causes, Symptoms And Treatments.

Low sperm count means that the fluid (semen) you release during an climax contains fewer sperm than normal. A low sperm count is also called oligospermia. Your sperm count is considered lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. 

Having a low sperm count decreases the odds that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner’s egg, resulting in pregnancy. Nonetheless, many men who have a low sperm count are still able to father a child.

Low sperm count symptoms may include:

1. Problems with sexual function — for example, low s*x drive or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)

2. Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area

3. Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosome or hormone abnormality

When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you:

1. Are unable to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected s*xual intercourse with your partner.

2. Have erection or ejaculation problems, low s*x drive or other problems with s*xual function

3. Have pain, discomfort, a lump or swelling in the testicular are

4. Have a history of testicle, prostate or s*xual problems.

5. Have had groin, testicle, man-hood or scrotum surgery.

Low sperm count can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments. Some of these include:

1. Varicocele. A varicocele (VAR-ih-koe-seel) is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. It’s a common cause of male infertility. This may prevent normal cooling of the testicle, leading to reduced sperm count and fewer moving sperm.

2. Infection. Some infections can interfere with sperm production and sperm health or can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm. These include some sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea; inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis); inflamed testicles due to mumps (mumps orchitis); and other infections of the urinary tract or reproductive organs.

3. Ejaculation problems. Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder during climax instead of emerging out of the tip of the man-hood. Various health conditions can cause retrograde ejaculation, including diabetes, spinal injuries, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra. Certain medications also may result in retrograde ejaculation, such as blood pressure medications known as alpha blockers. Some men with spinal cord injuries or certain diseases can’t release semen at all, though they still can produce sperm.

4. Antibodies that attack sperm. Anti-sperm antibodies are immune system cells that mistakenly identify sperm as harmful invaders and attempt to destroy them. This is especially common in men who’ve had a vasectomy.

5. Tumors. Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly, or can affect the glands that release hormones related to reproduction (such as the pituitary gland). Surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat tumors can also affect male fertility.

6. Undescended testicles. During fetal development one or both testicles sometimes fail to descend from the abdomen into the sac that normally contains the testicles (scrotum). Decreased fertility is more likely in men with this condition.

7. Hormone imbalances. The hypothalamus, pituitary and testicles produce hormones that are necessary to create sperm. Alterations in these hormones, as well as from other systems such as the thyroid and adrenal, may impair sperm production.

8. Sperm duct defects. The tubes that carry sperm can be damaged by illness or injury. Some men are born with a blockage in the part of the testicle that stores sperm (epididymis) or a blockage of one of the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles (vas deferens). Men with cystic fibrosis and some other inherited conditions may be born without sperm ducts altogether.

9. Chromosome defects. Inherited disorders such as Klinefelter’s syndrome — in which a male is born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y — cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. Other genetic syndromes associated with infertility include cystic fibrosis, Kallmann’s syndrome, Young’s syndrome, and Kartagener syndrome.

10. Celiac disease. A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility. Fertility may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.

11. Certain medications. Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), certain antifungal medications, some ulcer medications and some other medications can impair sperm production and decrease male fertility.

Environmental cause:

1. Over exposure to certain environmental elements can affect sperm production or function. Specific causes include:

2. Industrial chemicals. Extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials and lead may contribute to low sperm counts.

3. Heavy metal exposure. Exposure to lead or other heavy metals also may cause infertility.

4. Radiation or X-rays. Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production. It can take several years for sperm production to return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently reduced.

5. Overheating the testicles. Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs may temporarily lower your sperm count. Sitting for long periods, wearing tight clothing or using a laptop on your lap for long periods of time also may increase the temperature in your scrotum and reduce sperm production. The type of underwear you choose to wear is unlikely to significantly impact your sperm count.

6. Prolonged bicycling. Prolonged bicycling is another possible cause of reduced fertility due to overheating the testicles.

Health, lifestyle and other causes
Other causes of low sperm count include:

7. Illegal drug use. Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well.

8. Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels and cause decreased sperm production.

9. Occupation. Certain occupations may increase your risk of infertility, including those associated with extended use of computers or video display monitors, shift work and work-related stress.

10. Tobacco smoking. Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don’t smoke.

11. Emotional stress. Severe or prolonged emotional stress, including stress about fertility itself, may interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm.

12. Weight. Obesity can cause hormone changes that reduce male fertility.

13. Sperm testing issues. Lower than normal sperm counts can result from testing a sperm sample that was taken too soon after your last ejaculation; was taken too soon after an illness or stressful event; or didn’t contain all of the semen you ejaculated because some was spilled during collection. For this reason, results are generally based on several samples taken over a period of time

Treatments for low sperm count include:

1. Surgery. For example, a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle (varicocele) can often be surgically fixed or an obstructed vas deferens tube repaired.

2. Treating infections. Antibiotics can cure an infection of the reproductive tract, but this doesn't always restore fertility.

3. Hormone treatments and medications. Hormone replacement or medications may be prescribed to change hormone levels. It can take between three and six months before you’ll notice any effects on your semen analysis.

4. Assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART treatments involve obtaining sperm through normal ejaculation, surgical extraction or from donor individuals, depending on your specific case and wishes. The sperm is then inserted into the female private part tract, or used for in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

When treatment doesn't work
Sometimes male fertility problems can’t be treated, and it’s impossible for a man to father a child. If this is the case, you and your partner can consider either using sperm from a donor or adopting a child.

VIDEO: DRUNK GIRL SHOWING PRIVATE PART AND DISPLAYING ON ROAD

Only God knows what must have gone wrong with this beautiful girl why she would have to start acting strange by showing her private part in the public, different  people around saying the girl must have been drunk or must have been high on weed

 Mobile Download

Zimbabwean Mum Caught in The Act With Boyfriend While Son Watches (video)

This article has been published sometime ago but this video was then not available, few minutes ago a reader from zimbabwean sent in this video and on the video truly you can see the boy watching as her mum go down with her so called boyfriend.

What do you think should be this woman's punishment for child abusing this boy?

Watch the video at our media page after the cut..

Click here to watch

You Have To Be A Lady Before Being A "First Lady" - Soyinka To Patience Jonathan

The wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, has been accused of getting away with murder in the country and of being used as a political tool, with the tacit support of her husband.

Making this allegation Thursday during an international press conference on the state of the nation, Nigeria’s Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who alongside human right lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), pointedly identified the first lady as being neck deep in the political crisis in Rivers State, added that her “seizure of Port Harcourt for 11 days with full security apparatus in tow, indicated that there is something about that madam herself.”

Falana and Soyinka condemned the crisis that had engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly, when five out the 32 lawmakers attempted to impeach the speaker, Hon. Otelemaba Amachree.

Soyinka described the entire scenario as reflective of meddlesomeness and decried Mrs. Jonathan’s involvement in the crisis in the state, pointing out that she has no constitutional role in the country.

“This is getting to a state where an unelected person, a mere domestic appendage, can seize control of a place for 11 days and as a result of her presence, the governor of that state was told by policemen that you cannot pass here because the queen was there. What sort of jungle are we living in?

“A person with no constitutional position is able to enjoy the full security apparatus of the state which is being denied a governor,” he said.

He said his advice for the first lady was to be a lady before being a “first lady”.

“My worry for her is that she should be a lady first before being a first lady. You cannot be a first lady without first being a lady. That is the only advice I have for her,” he said.

Meet The World’s First ‪‎Pregnant‬ Man [PHOTO, VIDEO & HISTORY]

Since hitting the headlines in 2008 for being the world’s first pregnant man Thomas Beatie has gone on to give birth to three children with his wife Nancy.

This year the couple’s ten year relationship broke down after Nancy, who had a hysterectomy before the couple married in 2003, started to drink heavily and Thomas was granted sole custody of their three children Austin, Jensen and Susan.

Today Thomas, who still has a womb but now also has a penis, has found love with day care worker Amber Nicholas. The couple want children and Thomas says if Amber struggles to conceive then he is happy to step in.



Talking to the Sunday Mirror 38-year-old Thomas, who had his first sex change operation 15 years ago said: ‘ Amber and I are totally smitten. We would love kids together and we are already discussing it.

‘Being pregnant was the most ­incredible experience, but we want Amber to do it this time around. I think it would be amazing to experience ­pregnancy as the father.’
Surgeons have advised Thomas, who is originally from Hawaii but now lives in Arizona, against getting pregnant because he is biologically a man following a full sex change five years ago.

But it is still physically possible because he still has his womb
Thomas says: ‘It is just about which one of us would be more successful at ­having a baby,
‘It is even ­possible we could both be pregnant at the same time. Amber suggested we both try to get pregnant and ­whoever gets there first goes through with it.’





At the same time as trying for a baby Thomas is battling with the courts to get divorced from his wife Nancy.
An Arizona judge is blocking the action by refusing to recognise that the couple were ever actually legitimately wed.
The judge believes that because both Beatie and his wife have female sex organs their union could equate to a same sex marriage which is not legal in Arizona, arguing that he cannot find any legal authority that defines a man as someone who is able to give birth.

Talking on This Morning today Thomas talked about his struggle to get their marriage legally recognized.
He said: ”Divorce is never fun. This is extremely complicated and uncharted territory.
‘We were married ten years ago, we own property together, all our finances are bundled up together.
‘Legally I am a man but there is a hiccup in recognizing the marriage.
‘I wanted to live and die with Nancy.

‘She is working out some issues but she is still a friend and hopefully one day she will be better and be able to co-parent our children.

GRAPHIC PHOTOS: Family Of 5 Set Themselves On Fire In Protest

A family of five set themselves on fire in an act of desperation against a threat to demolish their home.

Four of the Nepalese victims - a mother, her two sons and their wives - died after the shocking protest inside the grounds of government offices in Rajkot, in Gujarat, western India.



Hasumati Dalvani, 62, her sons Bharat Mansingh, 40, and Girish Mansingh, 38, and their wives Asha, 35, and Rekha, 33, had poured kerosene over their bodies before setting themselves ablaze.

The family has been battling the government's attempt to demolish their house - their shelter for 35 years - after residents complained its construction was unsafe.

Witnesses tried to extinguish the fires with pieces of curtain material, but were too late. 



Both sons and their wives died of their injuries at Rajkot Civil Hospital.

Dr Sanjay Shah said: ‘They had sustained 90 to 95 per cent burns to their bodies. They were in a critical condition. We tried to save them but in the end we couldn’t do enough. The mother is still with us but in a very critical condition.’

However, the mayor of Rajkot city, Janak Kotak, said the municipality had no plans to demolish the house and their grievances were with the residents.



Police arrested four other people who assisted the family in their suicides.

The Rajkot Municipality has confirmed a compensation figure of £27,700 to the family.

Saturday, July 13, 2013 #BBATheChase: Selly Infects Nando With An STD

In a hushed conversation between Nando and Bimp, Nando narrated how he got infected with an STD after his liason with Selly! Is Selly still going to deny sleeping with Nando after such maddening evidence? Nando coming down with an STD from her? And Big Brother had to intervene to get him on medication and strictly warned Nando never to touch Selly again without a condom. The same Nando has also openly called her out on her arena failure right before everyone else causing Selly to run off crying saying they should nominate her out to go home if that is how badly they all feel about her. 

Did Selly make a mistake by getting involved with Namdo who has only disgraced her every step of the way since then? 


The lesson here, this is Big Brother, no matter how much you want it, close your legs, drinking water and sleep! 

Check out what Africa is saying below on BBA’s Facebook page:

Soyinka Is An Embarasment Says The First Lady Patient Johnathan

Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Friday took a swipe at Prof. Wole Soyinka, for attributing the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly to her.

In a statement by her spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, the First Lady said Soyinka betrayed the moral duty that was expected of him as a respected member of the society, to carefully consider all shades of issues that informed his opinions on any matter.

Mrs. Jonathan said Soyinka had become an embarrassment to his admirers with his diatribe against her.

“Unfortunately, Soyinka betrayed moral duty in his recent diatribe against Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

“Of course, this would not be the first time he would reach out against the First Lady, usually from self-righteously indignant lecterns.

“In this particular instance, his verdict was that Mrs. Jonathan was ‘stoking the crisis currently rocking her home state of Rivers…’, and thereupon asked Mr. President to caution his wife.

“The good, old Prof. reminds one of the truth that indeed, most of the giants on the street are men of like passions like everyone else. Worse still, most of them are actually standing on clay feet and would fail the test of a gentle push.

“Otherwise, who would have believed that the social, civil, constitutional and sundry rights crusader Prof. would maintain a safe distance from the heart of an activity that is a potential threat to the peace, security and safety of the people of a state, then collect exaggerated stories and jaundiced perspectives from familiar propagandists and character assassins, and promptly summon the media to a ‘state of the nation’ address.

“It’s an embarrassment to his throng of admirers and followers, that a sage of Prof. Soyinka’s status, who used to be a gauge of public morality in this nation, would lend himself to a propaganda of high drive, to save a governor who elected to launch into a river without applicable survival skills,” the statement read in part.

Mrs. Jonathan argued that the plan was to attack the President and pull to pieces anyone associated with him, as a strategy for attracting public sympathy to the “clear underdog.”

According to her, Soyinka was only contributing to the project when he claimed that she was Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s problem.

Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti Post UTME 2013: Cut Off Marks, Registration Form Details

All interested applicant who made Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti as first and second choice of the institution in the 2013/2014 UTME, are requested to notice the following:

ELIGIBILITY:

1. Candidates who chose Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti their first or second choice of the institution in the 2013 UTME and who score is not below 170.

2. Each candidates will be expected to pay:  

        a). A screening fee of 1000 naira only

        b). Fee for result checking and admission status  verification              1500 naira only.

        c). candidates is expected to complete the post UTME online.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Candidates seeking admission into Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti are required to complete the institution's application form available on-line at www.fedpolyado.org, with effect on 1st July, 2013 to 2nd August 2013.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING APPLICATION FORM ON-LINE:

obtain Post UTME application E transact from any branch of the bank specified upon payment of 2500 naira only.

     a) First Bank

     b) Skye Bank

     c) Access Bank

     d) GTBank

     e) Enterprise Bank

Candidates are reminded to that bank charges will be paid at the point of purchase.

INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES:

Log on to www.fedpolyado.org

Click on post UTME screening.

Log in with your E-transact confirmation order number as printed on the e-transact slip.

Complete the application form as appropriate, upload your passport photograph, supply your number and your email address

Click on submit to print out application form and your exam slip.

SUBMISSION OF FORM ON-LINE:

Candidates are here by informed that submission of application for the post UTME of the polytechnic website will be closed on the 2nd of August 2013.

REQUIREMENT FOR THE SCREENING EXERCISE:

Candidates are required to bring the following document to the screening exercise 

      1) UTME notification of result slip

      2) Original and photocopies of the print out of the post UTME on-line registration form

MODE OF SCREENING:

Candidates will be allowed to write an e examination made up of questions in English language, mathematics and other relevant UTME subjects as stipulated in the UTME brochure for different programmes.

VENUE AND TIME OF THE SCREENING EXERCISE:

Venue: The Polytechnic Digital Library on campus

 Date: Monday 12th of August, 2013 to Saturday 17th of August,  2013.

 Time: 8:30 am prompt each day. 

RESULT OF THE SCREENING EXERCISE:

The result of the screening exercise will be published on the polytechnic website after the examination

Another Robbers Have Been Set Ablaze By Angry Mob For Stealing Recharge Card

An angry mob has set three suspected armed robbers ablaze in Ikotun, Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday that the robbers were set on fire on Wednesday evening, shortly after robbing a recharge card trader at Second Junction bus stop on Governor’s Road.

Our correspondent, who visited the area, observed burnt tyres, carcass of a burnt motorcycle and some human flesh on the side of the road.

The recharge card trader, Ese Akporhono, who had a bandage on her head, told our correspondent that the robbers came to her shop posing as customers.

She said a few seconds later, the suspects pointed a gun at her and stole recharge cards worth N400,000 before fleeing.

She said, “Around 5pm, I was closing the shop when the men approached me saying they wanted to buy recharge card.

“Before I knew what was happening, the men brought out guns and went into my shop, They stole recharge cards and money. I engaged them in a struggle and attempted to prevent them from fleeing. They overpowered me and used the butts of their guns to hit me in the face and head.”

Our correspondent learnt that the robbers allegedly snatched a motorcycle and shot a man in the area and were fleeing when a motorist knocked them down.

An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said a bystander prevented them from fleeing as he pelted them with stones while they were attempting to stand up.

Other residents quickly joined the bystander and grabbed the weak robbers, beating them up to a pulp.

He said, “After the vehicle knocked them down while they were attempting to escape, we seized them and beat them to a pulp. The crowd grew larger and this attracted the attention of policemen.”

Our correspondent learnt that a team of policemen from Ikotun Police Station stormed the scene and attempted to rescue the robbers but were overwhelmed by the mob.

It was learnt that policemen even fired gunshots into the air but the mob remained adamant.

A woman, who runs a bar in the area, said another team of policemen also arrived from Area M, Idimu, but the mob set the robbers ablaze.

She said, “The policemen came in a patrol vehicle and asked the crowd to hand over the robbers but they refused because they did not trust the police.

“Another team of policemen also came but the crowd ignored them. Some of them (crowd) got tyres, placed them round the robbers’ necks and set them ablaze.

“They however handed over their guns to the police.”

When asked why the residents took laws into their own hands, the woman said there had been an increase in robbery in the area and the police had failed them.

She said, “It is because armed robbers have been terrorising us that is why we close our shops early. Last year, a pregnant woman was robbed and killed in this area.

“We cannot continue to fold our arms. By this act, robbers will be afraid anytime they think of coming here.”

Akporhono told our correspondent that her recharge cards were still with the police and they had refused to return them to her.

“Police are holding my recharge cards as exhibit, I want them back because I am the victim,” she said.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she was aware of the incident and promised to call back.

via Punch

REMEMBER - Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA) Post UTME form is out: Cut Off Mark, Exam Date, Registration, Details

This is to inform all the UTME and Direct entry candidates who has applied for admission into Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo State for the 2013/2014 academic section that the post UTME screening exercise  will hold on 29th of July to 3rd of August 2013 at the University campus.

Candidates eligible for the screening are:

1. Those that made Adekunle Ajasin University the first and second choice in the 2013/2004 in the last UTME and have scored above 180
2. Direct Entry candidate who chose the University as second and second choice, and
3. Candidates who did not pick Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba as first or second choice but scored 180 and above in the 2013/2014 UTME and are interested in admission to the University.

Registration procedure:

1. Candidates are to register online on the University website www.aaua.edu.ng between 1st and 21st of July 2013
2. Candidates are to pay 3,400 naira only covering: 
   *  administrative charges- 2000 naira
   * online application and result checking- 1000 naira
   * samples of pass questions (online)- 400 naira.
Use the ATM cards (Master Card and Verve) at any banks listed below via e-transact 
   Keystone Bank
   First bank
   Skye Bank
   Wema Bank
   Enterprise Bank
   Access Bank

Police Parade Suspected Killer Of LAUTECH Student (LOOK)

The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday paraded Alex Akinyemi, an alleged accomplice in the killing of a student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Miss Seun Adaramoye.

The remains of Adaramoye were found by passersby near a guest house at Under-G area of Ogbomosho on June 20, 2013. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyanganku, Ibadan, Dansuki Galadanchi, said upon investigation, the owner of the guest house where the corpse was found told the police that his security guard was involved in the murder. 

Galadanchi said, “When the owner of that guest house heard about the incident, he called the CCTV engineer to play back the video camera recording. 

“He saw where one of his security men, Alex Akinyemi, carried the corpse. He quickly reported the matter to the police. 

“On the receipt of the case, police swung into action and the security guards, namely Dauda Aliyu and Samuel Ojo, were arrested. 

“When the CCTV was played back, they (guards) identified the person in the film to be one Alex Akinyemi, a day guard at the guest house at Under-G area of Ogbomosho.” 

He explained that the security guard was arrested on July 6 in Ogbomosho. 

He added that the corpse of the student was removed and taken to LAUTECH teaching hospital for post mortem. 

Galadanchi said efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect, Charles Aregbesola, while further investigation was being conducted. 

The suspect, however, insisted that he was not the killer, saying another man he identified simply as Segun, was responsible. 

Akinyemi said, “I have been working as a security guard in this guest house for over two months. 

“I only know Segun aka police, as a resident of that area before I saw him dropping the corpse around 8am that day. 

“He threatened to kill me with an axe that he was holding that day if I reported him to the police. He promised to give me N500, 000 but he did not give me.” 

In a related development the SCID paraded a 50 – year-old man, Wajud Akande, for conspiracy, stealing and conversion of goods worth N1.2m. 

Galadanchi said on June 5, 2013, Alhaji Lawal Mohammed reported that his co-worker chartered an Iveco truck with registration number XA 487 MGR to convey 4,554 cartons of soaps valued at N9.12m from Apapa, Lagos State to Zaki-Biam in Benue. 

He said, “But the driver of the truck diverted the goods and sold it at Agbeni market in Ibadan. Upon investigation, Wajud Akande was arrested in his house in Molete, Ibadan were he kept part of the diverted goods.”

MAN MACHETES THEN POURS ACID ON FRIEND OVER MONEY

A middle aged man, Deji Yussuf, has been arrested by the Police in Ondo State for allegedly axing his friend, Tope Ezekiel, to death and there after poured acid on him overargument on proceeds from commercial motor bike popularly known as Okada. 

The family of the deceased said their son owned the Okada and was keeping the proceeds with the suspect on daily basis with intention of using it later to buy another Okada. 

However, police source said the story is the other way round, that the suspect owned the motor bike. 

Investigations showed that the suspect and the deceased who were close friends had been living in a room apartment at God’s Glory Layout, Eyin Akpata in Akure metropolis for four years before the ugly incident. The police said on the ill-fated day, one Owonifari came to report that one Deji Yusuf said he heard the grand mother of the deceased shouting for help and when he got there, he met him in his pool of blood. 

According to the police, on inquiry the suspect admitted killing Tope with an axe and there after poured acid on him.The Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, said the suspect is currently in police custody and under going interrogation, adding that the he would soon be charged to court for murder.

'We Seek Your Forgiveness' - Boko Haram Begs Nigerians For Forgiveness For The Killings In The Country

According to the Boko haram sect “We are seeking forgiveness from the people over the number of people killed in the country". I appeal to those who lost their loved ones to our activities to forgive us and on our side we have forgiven all those who committed atrocities against us. 

I want to state clearly that we have no hands in the unfortunate attack on the secondary school (Government Secondary School, Mamudo, Yobe State).” 
With these words, Imam Muhammadu Marwana, an influential member of the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram sect, yesterday, confirmed a ceasefire agreement with the Federal Government to end their deadly activities across most states of Northern Nigeria, which have claimed about 4,000 lives and destroyed properties worth billions of Naira since 2009. 

The agreement came exactly 82 days after the Federal Government raised a 25-man committee to work out modalities for granting the amnesty to the sect. 
Indeed, the Federal Government, yesterday, said that it had signed a ceasefire agreement with the militant group. Minister of Special Duties and Chairman of the Peace and DialogueCommittee in the North, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki announced the ceasefire agreement on the Hausa service of Radio France International monitored in Kano .

The announcement came on the eve of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan expected to commence today throughout the world and also coincided with a vehement denial by the insurgents that they had no hands in the murder of 30 boarding students of a secondary school in Yobe weekend. 

Although details of the peace deal were scanty,Turaki who spoke in Hausa further said that the Boko Haram insurgents had agreed to lay down their arms. 
“We have sat down and agreed that Jama’atu Ahlul Sunnah Lidda’awati wal Jihad, known as Boko Haram will lay down their arms as part of the agreement so as to end the insurgency.

Government agreed with ceasefire and will look into ways to ensure that the troops relax their activities till the final take off of the ceasefire,” Turaki told his interviewers. 
Confirming the truce, Imam Muhammadu Marwana said: “This ceasefire, in sha’Allahu, from the time I am talking to you (Radio France Hausa Service) we have ceasefire because of the discussion held so as to have peace over this struggle.” 

The Boko Haram stalwart added that “we are seeking forgiveness from the people over the number of people killed in the country. Sounding apologetic during the Radio News Imam Marwana declared that “I appeal to those who lost their loved ones to our activities to forgive us and on our side we have forgiven all those who committed atrocities against us” 

He added that “I want to state clearly that we have no hands in the unfortunate attack on the secondary school.”
How the agreement was reached A member of the presidential committee, whichPresident Godluck Jonathan gave 90 days to hammer out a solution to the problem told Vanguard how the agreement was brokered. He said “Shekau’s leadership came out through several fronts and set traps for us. The government gave them confidence, the confidence led to trust and they said they will call their men to cease-fire and they have done so.” 

Mixed reactions trail move Meanwhile, Nigerians have received news of the truce with cautious optimism 
A step in the right direction—Gani Adams 

National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams said it was a step in the right direction. Iine a telephone chat with Vanguard, he said: “It is a step in the right direction and I think from there, they will create room to dialogue with the Federal Government and state their position. 

They cannot continue to waste lives just like that. I don’t know what they stand for but no matter what they stand for, their approach is wrong and deadly. Nobody in the world will support their struggle. But calling for a ceasefire will afford Nigerians the opportunity to know exactly what they want.” 
Identity of the group should be ascertained — Afenifere Also, Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere was of the view that the identity of the group calling for ceasefire should be ascertained. Speaking with Vanguard on phone,Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said “We should be sure whichof the Boko Haram sect is calling for a ceasefire.Is it a strategy to rule or what is it all about? 

The identity of the group should be ascertained and its genuineness should be known before the Federal Government is taken off guard. Since emergency was declared in those three states (Yobe, Adamawa and Bornu, the incidence of bombings has gone down but killings continue here and there. So, we must know how genuine the call is and the identity of the group calling for the ceasefire. Was it not Boko Haram that said it was the Federal Government that needed amnesty?”

CONDOM FOR 12-14 YEAR OLD GO ON SALES IN SWITZERLAND

A new brand of condom is being marketed in Switzerland that is aimed specifically at the youngest of sexually active men.

 The Hotshot, which is smaller than the average condom, is being sold with the slogan, “it fits when passion hits” to boys between 12 and 14 years old. The company that makes the new condoms is Lamprecht AG

As parents do you think ?

Women, Girls, Join Civilian JTF In Fight Against Boko Haram In Borno

The fight against Boko Haram in Borno State has led to the creation of youth volunteer groups popularly called ‘Civilian JTF’ but what most do not know is that these groups have girls and women in their fold.

This development comes on the heels of reported cases of suspected Boko Haram members disguising as women or deploying women to help carry out their dastardly acts of terror.

The girls and women, who are between the ages of 15 and 30, wield swords, daggers, knives, sticks among other crude weapons.

They stop and search vehicles and pedestrians together with their male counterparts.

About ten of such girls were seen along Shehu Laminu way, with five sighted at West End roundabout and more than 25 at various checkpoints mounted by the “civilian JTF” along Baga road.

The ladies among the youth volunteers perform a body search of their womenfolk whenever a vehicle is stopped while the males check their men folk and after the vehicle is ‘certified’, the driver is giving the go-ahead to continue on his journey.

It was observed that both private and commercial vehicles were subjected to these searches even as the checkpoints mounted by the youths far outnumber that by security operatives.

A girl of about 17-years, who simply gave her name as Halima was seen around Ramat Square in Maiduguri metropolis, underscored the importance of having females among the ‘Civilian JTF’.

“We joined the civilian JTF in order to be searching females. A woman can search any other woman anywhere and nobody can raise eyebrows,” she said.

Putting up a brave front, Halima said she was not oblivious of the dangers of her involvement in the fight against insurgents because according to her, “Securing Maiduguri is now a collective responsibility, irrespective of age, gender or status; the safer the town, the better for all of us”.

Another girl, who identified herself as Saratu, said she left her job as a salesgirl in order to partake in the routine patrol conducted by civilians.