Former President Goodluck Jonathan Gets International Appointment

Goodluck Jonathan, the Former President of Nigeria, has been appointed as the Chairman of the African Union's International Summit Council for Peace, ISCP.

Speaking at the International Leadership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he emerged as the chairperson of the newly inaugurated ISCP, a body made up of mainly African former Presidents and ex-Heads of State, Jonathan urged the AU to set minimum acceptable standards for appointing the leadership of electoral commissions.

The two-day conference tagged 'Africa Summit and Leaders Conference 2019' has in attendance government officials, former African Heads of State, clergy and traditional rulers from across Africa.

In a keynote speech titled 'The Need for Good Governance and Peaceful Electioneering Process in Africa, former President Jonathan noted that the credibility and legitimacy of electoral processes are hugely dependent on the competence, impartiality and independence of electoral management bodies (EMBs).

"The AU should, through its Political Affairs Department, set up a team of electoral experts to study different models and recommend the system they consider best for the continent.

"Such benchmark should also take cognizance of the need to review the election of judicial processes to ensure that, where election tribunals are set up to specifically handle election cases, one judicial officer do not handle the role of appointing all members of the tribunals.

"Since neutrality of the security services is absolutely necessary in ensuring free and fair elections, it is also important that the Africa Union should establish a code of conduct guiding security officials in charge of elections. All these recommendations should be accommodated in AU's procedures for elections that should serve as guidelines for election observers."

"Once you get to that point where all role players in elections can express confidence in the umpire and the security systems, you would have solved more than 70% of your electoral challenges. Sadly, not many African countries have got to this point. The point where they can beat their chest and boast of political freedom, inclusiveness, independence of the electoral management body and credibility of the political process," he added.

I’ll pray if any of my children wants to sing secular songs – Bisi Alawiye

Ademola Olonilua and Timileyin Akinkahunsi

Gospel musician, Bisi Alawiye, has said that her dream was to become an accountant but along the line, music 'found' her. She described it as the manifestation of the purpose of God in her life.

The songstress also praised her husband for always being in support of her career, even before they got married.

"I released my first song before I got married; my husband understands my profession very well. We met each other while we were still in the university but at that time; even though I was a chorister, I didn't think I would go into the music industry because I studied accounting and dreamt of being an accountant after school, but God's ways are not our ways. I believe in predestination," she told Saturday Beats.

Asked about the possibility of any of her children following her career path in music, Alawiye noted that was one of her wishes in life.

"I still pray that one of my children will take after me; even if they decide to go into secular music, I'll simply pray for them for God to lead them and guide them spiritually. There are many secular artistes today that are making waves in their own way," she added.

Speaking about her upcoming programme , Oluwashindara Mega Concert,  centred on prayer, she said it has been a blessing to people who have participated in it in the past.

By Emily

Why does the Queen have two birthdays every year? As monarch celebrates official birthday

 The Queen's birthday is celebrated twice a year, once on her actual day of birth and on another occasion in June – but why?

Today is Queen Elizabeth II 's official birthday, which is marked by a military celebration in London known as Trooping the Colour.

But the monarch is lucky enough to have two full days dedicated to her every year.

One day is her actual birthday, and the second day is the official ceremony in June.

Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21 in 1926, and this year marked her 93rd birthday.

TROOPING THE COLOUR: The Queen has two birthdays (Pic: GETTY)

This day is usually a low-key event where the Queen will celebrate with her nearest and dearest.

It will usually be marked by a gun salute at midday, 41 in Hyde Park, 21 in Windsor Great Park and 62 at the Tower of London.

But today is her ceremonial birthday, which is always marked on the second Saturday in June.

This is a public celebration where everyone is invited to celebrate with a horse procession in central London and a fly-past over Buckingham Palace.

This year it falls today, Saturday, June 8.

OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY: Trooping the colour is the Queen's official birthday (Pic: GETTY)

Why does the Queen have two birthdays?

The reason for the Queen having two birthdays is actually quite simple – it's to do with British weather.

The tradition of the British monarch celebrating two birthdays has been in place since 1748, during the reign of King George II.

The then-monarch was born in November, but he hated celebrating his big day when it was cold and wet.

King George wanted it to be for the British public to come outside, enjoy the day and have a big celebration.

WEATHER: The official birthday is held because of the nicer weather (Pic: GETTY)

In 1748 he took matters into his own hands, combining his birthday with the annual Trooping of the Colour parade.

This always took place in June, which is less risky in terms of weather in the UK.

Trooping the Colour was originally a parade to help soldiers familiarise themselves with the colours of the regiment flags.

Edward VII also had a November birthday, and became the first monarch to standardise Trooping the Colour as an official birthday celebration.

But now it is combined with the Queen's birthday, and is actually known as The Queen's Birthday Parade.

She initially held the celebration on the second Thursday of June, the same day as her father, King George VI.

However, in 1959, seven years into her reign, she changed it to the current day.

By Star Buzz

SAD! American Man Commits Suicide After Finding Out His Son Wasn't His

An American elderly man has reportedly taken his own life after finding out through paternity test that the child he thought he fathered with his wife belongs to another man. 

The man, married to his wife for 21 years reportedly committed suicide after he found out that the child he had with his wife doesn't belong to him.

The revelation was made after a paternity test was conducted on the child. The story of the man was shared in a popular American Confession page on twitter, HBCU Confessions. 

According to a man who claimed to be the roommate of the said son involved, advised all men to take a paternity test on their kids, even if they trust their partners. 

The old man couldn't get hold of himself after hearing the news and considering the fact that he had taken responsibility of the child up to the college level TXSU wrote: Fellas get a paternity test on all your kids…I dont care how much you "trust" your partner… my Roomate's dad just found out after 21 years of marriage that his only child (my roommate) isn't actually his due to an affair and he commited suicide. -txsuHBCU Confessions@HBCUfessions