A new report from Buzzfeed News details an alleged “cult” run by R&B singer R. Kelly.
The extensive piece, written by Jim DeRogatis, quotes distressed parents who have expressed concern about their daughters relationship with the Chicago native. DeRogatis also speaks with three former employees of Kelly, who corroborate the parents concerns that Kelly houses, and abuses the lives of, six women living in Chicago and Atlanta.
Parents J. and Tim explain to DeRogatis that after previously meeting with the 50-year-old singer under the guise of music industry mentorship, R. Kelly flew their 19-year-old daughter out to a show in 2015. Since then, J. and Tim have only heard from her twice and the parents have been fighting for her return since they last saw her in 2016. Two other parents featured in the report make similar claims.
In the chilling report, three folks within Kelly’s circle—Cheryl Mack, Kitti Jones, and Asante McGee—explain that the singer dictates every aspect of the girls lives: “what they eat, how they dress, when they bathe, when they sleep, and how they engage in sexual encounters that he records” and if rules are broken, they are punished verbally and sexually.
The women are not technically considered missing persons because of age of consent laws.
Though this story is new, DeRogatis has been reporting on Kelly for the better part of two decades. He most famously reported about sexual assault accusations and lawsuits filed against Kelly for The Chicago Reader—and turned over a 30 minute video anonymously left in his mailbox that later resulted in Kelly being charged with creating child pornography in 2013.
The recent revelations have caused “R. Kelly” to trend on Twitter. Many people have spent the morning expressing their disgust and concern, while also referring to DeRogatis previous work to expose the nefarious side of the singer.
R. Kelly allegedly holding multiple women in a ‘cult’R. Kelly allegedly holding multiple women in a ‘cult’ By Graphic Showbiz
Although actress Christabel Ekeh and her family say her nude pictures which have been making rounds on social media for the past week is introducing the “new Christabel” and advocating for women to embrace their body types regardless, her mother, Madam Emma Odoom insists Ghanaians pray for and with her daughter.
In addition to that, Madam Odoom is pleading with Ghanaians to stop insulting, calling her daughter names and talking about things they do not know about.
According to Madam Odoom, there is nothing mentally wrong with her daughter and that Ghanaians should pray and rally behind her so that whatever she is doing, will be successful instead of trolling her on the Internet.
“I think people should pray for my girl instead of circulating her pictures online. I wonder what they hope to achieve by doing that. Why would they engage themselves in things they know nothing about?
Christabel is working and she needs our love, support and prayers to succeed,” she said in an interview with Showbiz last Saturday.
“My daughter is a very decent girl, she was brought up well and cannot do anything she knows will tarnish her image. She is not sick and does not need any psychological treatment or help as people are saying out there,“ she added.
“I can only say that, as a mother, I should support my children in anything they do, I need to love them and pray that whatever they touch would go well. That is where my fulfillment lies,” she noted.
When asked if she personally thinks, it was appropriate for the Before Noon actress to take such pictures in the first place, Madam Odoom said, “like I said earlier, it is work related. She is a model too and sometimes due to the nature of their work and who they are in society, they need to take on some campaigns and loving your body is one of them” she said.
Since she said people do not really know her daughter, Madam Odoom was asked to describe Christabel Ekeh and this is what she said, “Christabel is the first of my three children. She is very cool, intelligent, loving and respectful.
She is kind and is very passionate about the things of God, which is how I brought her up.”
“Her siblings look up to her and she disciplines them when they go wrong. She uses the least chance she gets to spend time with them, advising them to take their education serious and grow to become society changers,” she added.
Christabel Ekeh has been criticised and lambasted since last week for releasing more than 18 nude pictures of herself on an Instagram page that bears her name.
While some of her fans believed her account was hacked, others took to social media to express their disappointment in the Potomanto actress for posting such photos.
The hacking ascertion was later debunked by the actress herself who says displaying the nude pictures of herself on social media was a way of introducing to the world the “new Christabel.”
Christabel who has Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother, came into the limelight at the age of 17 when she participated in the 2008 edition of Miss Malaika Ghana beauty pageant where she came second. She later followed it up with a modeling and acting career.
She has featured in movies like Peep, Potomanto, Before Noon, College Girls, Afia and Friends, The Battle, Sweet Mistake, Wrong Target and a host of others.
My daughter is not sick – Christabel Ekeh’s mumMy daughter is not sick – Christabel Ekeh’s mum By Slow Food International
The United States is joining Slow Food’s extensive worldwide network of chefs committed to cooking and promoting products from the Presidia, Ark of Taste and other communities of local producers.
The Slow Food Chefs' Alliance project already has hundreds of members in 19 countries (Albania, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Russia), making the USA the 20th country to join.
The US Slow Food Chefs' Alliance was officially launched during the international Slow Food Nations event (Denver, July 14-16). Already 31 chefs have joined.
“The Slow Food Chefs’ Alliance is a really good Slow Food project, especially because chefs are at the forefront of food and they decide what people are going to eat,” said Kevin Mitchell, the first African-American chef-instructor at the Culinary Institute of Charleston in South Carolina.
“Adopting the Slow Food philosophy of good, clean and fair in the kitchen is essential since food is related to so many things, such as the environment, health and education. The Slow Food Chefs’ Alliance is a great thing not only for Slow Food USA but also for Slow Food internationally because it’s a mutual exchange of knowledge among chefs all over the world. I am proud to be part of this.”
Chefs have a fundamental role to play in safeguarding the biological and cultural diversity of our food. They interpret the histories and ecosystems of their regions with skill and creativity, supporting local producers while awakening eaters to the role we all play as custodians of biodiversity.
The Slow Food Chefs' Alliance is a network uniting chefs around the world who are committed to defending and celebrating biodiversity, food traditions, local cultures and artisan food producers.
Slow Food is a global grassroots organization that envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet. Slow Food involves over a million activists, chefs, experts, youth, farmers, fishers and academics in over 160 countries.
Among them, a network of around 100,000 Slow Food members are linked to 1,500 local chapters worldwide, contributing through their membership fee, as well as the events and campaigns they organize. As part of the network, more than 2,400 Terra Madre food communities practice small-scale and sustainable production of quality food around the world.
Slow Food Chefs' Alliance Comes To The USASlow Food Chefs' Alliance Comes To The USA By Corruption And Fraud Audit Consortium (CAFAC)
The Corruption and Fraud Audit Consortium (CAFAC) of Ghana wishes to lend its voice to the ongoing debate about the towing of disabled vehicles in Ghana and the best way to finance the program. The CEO of CAFAC, Hector Boham is a consultant with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and believes that the program utilized by the Authority which has worked effectively for decades will bring some critical insights and solutions to the Ghanaian dilemma.
It would seem to me that the most controversial issue in the raging debate centers around the question of whether paying for the towing of vehicles should be the responsibility of the incidental vehicle owner or it should be paid by all motorists along the lines of an insurance policy.
I can say on authority that the NJTA program makes the incidental vehicle owner, responsible for paying for the cost of towing and any other incidental expenses such as storage beyond a certain grace period.
It seems that many years ago, NJTA made the decision that it will not make the entire driving public pay for the financial cost of the acts of a private vehicle owner - acts which sometimes are irresponsible, such as running out of gas on the highway.
The details of the NJTA program are outlined in the appendix below but I will spell them out in six simple sentences
When your vehicle breaks down you have to call a designated number
Assistance will come shortly thereafter
The vehicle will be towed to a place chosen by the driver
The driver is responsible for paying for the towing and any demurrage before his vehicle will be released
Where the driver abandons the vehicle or is unable to offer a designated refuge location, the towing company(contracted with NJTA) will tow the vehicle to a local garage that has a contract with NJTA
When the driver contacts NJTA, he or she will be given the address of the refuge garage. The driver will then be able to take delivery of his vehicle upon proper identification and payment of the towing and storage charges.
Without taking sides in the raging debate, we at Corruption and Fraud Audit Consortium (CAFAC) Ghana, hope that this little expose will inform the debate even as the government continues to engage stakeholders with a view of reaching a win-win solution.
Below are the summary details of the program for the New Jersey Turnpike.
New Jersey Turnpike
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE — DIAL #95
If your vehicle becomes disabled:
Move your vehicle off the roadway to the shoulder on the right.
Dial #95 on your cell phone to reach the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's Operations Center and request assistance. An authorized service garage will be dispatched to assist you.
If you don’t have a cell phone, turn on your hazard lights and wait for a State Police patrol. If you have a white handkerchief or some other bright cloth, display it on the outside of your vehicle, on the side facing traffic, to signal that you are in need of assistance.
For your safety and the safety of others, do not attempt to flag down passing vehicles. Do not attempt to hitchhike. Picking up or discharging persons on the Turnpike is illegal.
Remember that the safest place on the Turnpike is inside your vehicle with your seat belt fastened. Do not attempt to cross the highway. Do not walk along the shoulder.
If you want to make your own repairs, be mindful of the danger posed by the passing traffic. If possible, use cones, flares or reflective emergency signs.
TOWING AND RECOVERY RATES FOR AUTHORIZED TURNPIKE GARAGES
Only authorized garages are allowed to provide towing and roadside assistance on the Turnpike. The Turnpike Authority regulates the maximum rate our authorized providers may charge for those services.
General Towing and Road Service Rates
Effective Wednesday, April 12th 2017 at 7:00 AM – The new Road Service Charge for Sunoco will be $60.00 USDs, plus tax. All other information remains the same until further notice.
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NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY TOWING AND RECOVERY RATES (Effective March 2017) MAKE CERTAIN YOU RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL AUTHORITY TOWING RECEIPT. For the safety of our motorists, only garages and Road Service vehicles authorized by the Authority are permitted to tow or perform emergency services on the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway. TOWING AND ROAD SERVICES RATES ARE REGULATED BY THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY. ACTUAL RATES MAY BE LESS DUE TO LOW BID SYSTEM.
You can email Hector Boham at cafactraining@gmail.com or Boham@turnpike.state.nj.us. You can also call him on 732-416-2878
“Paying For The Cost Of Removing Disabled Vehicles From Ghana’s Roads”“Paying For The Cost Of Removing Disabled Vehicles From Ghana’s Roads” ranscorp Hilton Hotels Abuja played host to the gathering of state governors from about 15 states across the country in recognition of their efforts towards encouraging competitiveness and good governance at the Business Day Good Governance Awards 2017 as Abia State stole the spot light with its promotion of Made In Nigeria goods.
These states were recognised for boosting their respective economies showcasing their areas of comparative advantage and invariably enhancing their competitiveness and bilateral trade amongst states in a developing economy like Nigeria.
The partnership between Kebbi state and Lagos state in rice production, Abia State and the Nigerian Military in production of boots just to mention a few confirms that trade partnerships across the competitive advantage of states grows the local economy of the States but more importantly it creates employment, food security, entrepreneurship and enhances inclusive growth.
It is also worthy to note that these states and their governors have embraced the fact that the era of relying totally on federal allocation may soon be over and thus the need for viable alternatives in generating state revenue to meet up with recurrent and capital expenditure of their various state governments.
According to the organisers of Business Day Competitiveness and Good Governance Awards, Abia State at the moment is top on the list of states which have transitted into this phase of dynamic governance module which has seen it enhance internally generated revenue, improved economic wellbeing of its citizenry, creating integration and most importantly delivering value to the masses either through its cardinal frontiers as espoused by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu agriculture, minerals, industry, commerce or enterprise. Business Day Newspapers have therefore identified these activities as the door to self sufficiency in the near future.
As the major promoter of Made in Aba products, one of the first things Governor Ikpeazu did was to take the campaign to the Legislature as the leadership have taken the message to promote it evident in the made in Aba exhibition for about two years. He also took the campaign to the Presidency where he has been given assurances of the federal government's commitment.
In terms of Job Creation the Abia state governor has clearly brought in a new sense of vigour to the subject as his administration has commenced the training of some youths in China to understudy the art of making shoes and other accessories to meet international standard with exportation in mind. Aba is fast becoming one of West Africa's rising economic hubs as Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has been described as one of the best governors in terms of the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Abia state is unarguably the best state in terms of promoting Made In Nigeria products as this campaign has won him several awards locally and internationally even though he appears not to be ready to rest on his laurels, Business Day Good Governance and Competitiveness Award 2017 is a recognision of his unrelenting desire and commitment to reshape the history of Abia State.
The people of Abia state at this moment will certainly take advantage of this opportunity to become a self reliant economy if things continue to go this way as the governor and his Made In Aba brand continues to dominate the spotlight at yet another Award night.
Spotlight On Abia As Ikpeazu's Made In Aba Tops At Business Day AwardsSpotlight On Abia As Ikpeazu's Made In Aba Tops At Business Day Awards Accra, July 17, GNA - The Reverend Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, the Speaker of Parliament, is to deliver Ghana's 60th independence anniversary lecture, scheduled for Friday, August 4, 2017, at the Accra International Conference Centre, Accra.
The lecture themed '4th August, Ghana's Day of Destiny,' would chronicle the events of the national liberation struggle from August 4, 1897, to the day of Ghana's independence on March 6, 1957.
A delegation from the Ghana's 60th Independence Anniversary Committee, led by the Chairman, Mr Ken Amankwaa, and the Vice Mr Abu Jinapor, on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Speaker to formally invite him to deliver the lecture.
The Speaker accepted the invitation.
Mr Jinapor praised the Speaker, not only for his statesmanship, but also for his pedigree in academia, politics, religion and public service, explaining that the choice for the Speaker was based on those values.
He explained the significance of the date in the struggle for independence, when in the Gold Coast, the name of Ghana in pre-independence, the Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS), led by John Mensah Sarbah, was formed as a conglomerate of different groups of intellectuals in Cape Coast and Southern Ghana, to protect the traditional land tenure practices of the indigenous Gold Coast peoples from being usurped by the colonial government of Britain.
It is on record that The Gold Coast ARPS became a voice for the rights of indigenous peoples by both broadcasting their aims in their own newspaper, Gold Coast Aborigines, and advocating on behalf of indigenous land rights by presenting the reasons for their dissent of the Lands Bill of 1897 in front of the Legislative Council.
Particularly, John Mensah Sarbah, a key member of the Gold Coast ARPS and a lawyer, helped to advocate against the introduction of the Lands Bill of 1897 by arguing that it was no different from a previous, unsuccessful bill in 1894.
Fifty years on, the United Gold Coast Convention was formed, and J B Danquah of the Convention chose the eagle as the emblem of the nation, and it was approved.
Prof Oquaye acknowledged with thanks, the invitation, and said it was an honour to the House.
He praised the courage of the nation's forebears for resisting the attempts by the colonial British to usurp Ghana's lands, as the former set out to apply land acquisition policies elsewhere in Africa to the then Gold Coast.
'But in the Gold Coast, we are not people you can easily take advantage of. Mensah Sarbah was quick to protest that Ghana's costmary land is never waste. No land in Ghana is fallow, no matter bushy,.. It belongs to a family, or an individual, for which the chief is a custodian.
'...The land belongs to the dead, the living and the unborn.
'Any chief who sells land arbitrarily must be de-stooled,' Speaker Oquaye cautioned.
Speaker Oquaye also praised the use of brain power by the forebears in the fight for independence.
Prof Oquaye to deliver Ghana's 60th independence anniversary lectureProf Oquaye to deliver Ghana's 60th independence anniversary lecture