Lol. I gave my friend only one blow – Murder suspect

 

 

Fatai Photo: Samson Folarin

Samson Folarin

Fatai Sabitu, a 19-year-old vulcaniser who was alleged to have killed his friend, Yusuf Sheu, says he punched him only once.

Sabitu, who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State, explained that after the 38-year-old slumped, he rushed him to two different hospitals before he died.

PUNCH Metro had reported that Sabitu and Sheu, who both lived on Raji Fashola Road, in the Imude-Shibiri area of Ojo, Otto Awori Local Council Development Area, had fought over a stolen phone.

Our correspondent reported that Sheu, a Kwara State indigene, bought a phone from the suspect, which was later discovered to have been stolen.

After the real owner took back his phone, the deceased was said to have demanded a refund of his money, which led to a fight.

The deceased was said to have slumped during the fight and was confirmed dead in a hospital.

The matter was reported at the Ilemba Hausa Police Division, and the suspect was arrested.

It was learnt that while Sheu’s remains were deposited in a mortuary, the matter was transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.

The suspect was said to have confessed to police detectives that he killed the victim, adding that he acted in self-defence.

Sabitu, a primary school dropout, told our correspondent that he was a victim of bad companionship.

He claimed that Sheu was the one who stole the phone, adding that after the owner found it and collected it back, the deceased attacked him.

He said the deceased believed that he was the one who exposed him.

He said, “We have known each other for about three years now. I am a vulcaniser, and he worked in a hotel. We lived within the same community. He used to drink a lot and he introduced me to a lot of bad things, like the tattoo in my arm.

“He had stolen a woman’s phone and I saw him when he took it, but I didn’t say anything. He went and used the phone to borrow money from one of his friends in the area.

“The owner of the phone, who had been looking for it, later saw it in the man’s hand and picked a fight. The man then explained how he came about the phone.

“The owner of the phone took it back, and Sheu was ordered to return the money he borrowed from the man.

“He was angry and thought I was the one that exposed him. He came to meet me where I was and started punching me; I had to fight back. I only gave him a punch before he slumped to the ground.”

Sabitu said he took Sheu to a private hospital, where he was rejected.

He added that the victim was finally admitted in another hospital, while he left to narrate the incident to his (Sheu) family and bring them to the hospital.

The suspect said when they returned to the hospital, they could not find him and the hospital management told them some people had taken him away.

“After searching several hospitals in vain, I decided to return home. I saw his dead body in front of our house and some people started beating me. They drove the police away and were about lynching me when the Baale (community leader) came and drove them away. He took me to the police station.

“My life is ruined because I made him my friend. It was just a blow that I gave him,” he added.

PUNCH Metro learnt from a police source that the autopsy result was being awaited on the matter.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Joe Offor, when contacted promised to call back our correspondent, but he had yet to do so.

Copyright PUNCH.

Christmas fire destroys buildings, property in Edo

Tragedy struck on Friday when an inferno razed four buildings on First East Circular road in Benin, the Edo State capital.
It was gathered that the fire started at about 12pm, when many Christians were still attending the Christmas service in their respective places of worship.
Two residential buildings, a furniture showroom and workshop were affected in the fire.
Although the cause of the disaster had yet to be ascertained by the appropriate authorities, at the time of filing the report, some eyewitnesses suggested that the fire might have been triggered by the storage of petrol in one of the rooms or the use of heavy firecrackers.
“I suspect that somebody stored fuel or chemical. Otherwise, the fire would not have had such an impact,” one of them who identified himself as Mr. Ifeanyi, said.
Sympathisers who thronged the scene of the incident to assist in putting off the fire described the disaster as a tragedy for the victims who had planned to celebrate the festive period with their families.
Some of them also noted that the situation might have been worsened by the harmattan season.
Although no live was lost in the fire, property ‎worth millions of naira was destroyed prior to the arrival of officers of the state fire service‎.
One of the victims, Mr. Vincent, while lamenting his loss, said, “As I talk to you, no single thing, not even a plank was spared. The things burnt are not less than N3m. I am so surprised; I don’t really know the cause of the fire.”
The fire comes a day after an explosion at a gas plant in Nnewi, Anambra State killed 100 people. The Christmas Eve explosion resulted in a fire, which razed several buildings, 60 cars and 50 motorcycles, leaving more than 20 other people with injuries.

Source: Punch

U.N. Security Council approves peace plan for Syria

By Elise Labott and Ralph Ellis, CNN

Inside look at Russia's military operation in Syria 02:42

Story highlights

• U.N. Envoy to Syria says, "It will be complicated. But it will be possible."
• U.N. Security Council approves resolution calling for free elections in Syria within 18 months
• Friday's meeting of the International Syria Support Group seeks to put in place a peace plan reached by ministers last month

(CNN)The United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a resolution that supports international efforts to seek a political solution in Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the process is designed to end the nation's civil war and provide a new government in Syria.

Russia and the United States both approved the resolution, even though it doesn't address the major issue separating those two nations: What will happen to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad? Russia supports Assad but the United States wants him removed.

Still, the accord was hailed as a major step toward bringing peace to Syria, where a civil war has killed thousands and sent millions of refugees fleeing into other nations.

"It's going to be uphill," said U.N. Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura. "It will be complicated. But it will be possible."

"This council is sending a clear message to all concerned," Kerry said. "The time is now to stop the killing in Syria and to lay the groundwork for a government the people of that battered land can support."

Besides recognizing the 17-nation International Syrian Support Group's efforts in the peace process, the resolution provides a rough timeline for political change in Syria.

It calls for "credible, inclusive and nonsectarian governance" within six months and "free and fair elections, pursuant to the new constitution," within 18 months.

The resolution, which passed 15-0, seeks a ceasefire in Syria. Kerry said that ceasefire would not include ISIS.

Kerry said some Security Council nations disagree on Assad's future but that nations involved in writing the resolution didn't want that issue to stop the peace process. Ending the war and bringing political stability to Syria go hand in hand, he said.

"If the war is to end, it is imperative that the Syrian people agree on an alternative in terms of their governance," he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned against the "demonization" of Assad, which he said happened to leaders like Moammar Gadhafi in Libya, who ended up being killed. That would not help the peace process, he said.

The resolution has a schedule for changing the political situation in Syria.

"We hope this process will not be protracted ad infinitum," Lavrov said.

Senior State Department officials told CNN that Kerry and Lavrov led negotiations Friday to fine-tune the text of the U.N. resolution.

Friday's meeting of the International Syria Support Group, or ISSG, the third in six weeks, sought to put in place a peace plan reached by ministers last month in Vienna under the umbrella of the United Nations.

The resolution does three things, which internationalize efforts to seek a political solution in Syria. It endorses the 17-member ISSG as the main body dealing with the Syria peace process; validates the peace plan agreed to by the ISSG in Vienna last month, including a ceasefire between the regime and opposition in six months and talks leading to drafting a new constitution; and gives the United Nations a leading role in working with the regime and opposition on negotiating a ceasefire and drafting a constitution, which officials said is aimed at putting an international stamp on the peace process.

Diplomats close to the talks said Friday that there is heated discussion among the nations in the meeting about the list of groups that will be considered terrorist groups and unable to take part in talks.

But they said it was unlikely to affect passage of a U.N. resolution giving international endorsement of the peace process.

"The consensus is that they won't reach consensus on the terrorist list today," one of the diplomats said.

Spurred on by the deadly attacks in Paris, the 17 nations overcame their differences on how to end the civil war in Syria and agreed to the road map for a political transition now being worked on.

The United States and Russia have long split on the best path forward in Syria. The United States supports groups warring with Assad, a close Kremlin ally. Moscow, meanwhile, has been bolstering Assad with airstrikes ostensibly aimed at ISIS but more often, according to the Pentagon, targeting other opposition fighters, including ones supported by Washington.

Not only have Russian military strikes had a minimal effect on ISIS, being mostly focused elsewhere, they have also exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis.

But an increasingly bloodied Russia -- now a target of ISIS -- and growing U.S. urgency in resolving the 5-year-old conflict whose chaos only strengthens the terror group, seems to provide some common ground for finding a resolution to the conflict.

After holding marathon meetings in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lavrov, Kerry said the United States and Russia hoped to enshrine the agreed-upon road map for an end to the civil war in a U.N. Security Council resolution.

The United States hopes a ceaseire between the regime and Syrian rebels would allow Russia, along with the U.S.-led coalition of Arab and Western allies, to focus on fighting the jihadists.

"You can't defeat Daesh without also de-escalating the fight in Syria," Kerry said in Moscow, using another name for ISIS.

State Department Spokesman John Kirby said Friday's meeting seeks to "better define" what a political transition in Syria would look like and how a ceasefire could be implemented and monitored.

Still undecided is which rebel groups should be part of the negotiations between the regime and the opposition, expected to start in early January.

Friday's talks follow a meeting last week in Saudi Arabia in which Syrian opposition groups agreed to unite to negotiate with the regime on a ceasefire. The Kremlin has rejected the results of the meeting in Riyadh, saying it considered some of the rebels present terrorists.

The question of whether Assad could take part in the political transition continues to be a main sticking point. For the past four years, the United States has sided with Gulf States in calling for Assad's ouster.

But this week in Moscow, Kerry raised eyebrows when he said "the United States and our partners are not seeking so-called 'regime change,' as it is known in Syria."

Some viewed Kerry's statement as an effort to placate his Russian hosts. Kerry did add that the United States still did not believe Assad "has the ability to be able to lead the future Syria," and soon after his remarks, the State Department said the U.S. policy that Assad should go remained unchanged.

Russia is now agreeing to the drafting of a new constitution and new elections, a position that has evolved over the last few months.

But Fred Hof, a former top U.S. diplomat handling Syria now at the Atlantic Council, warned that regardless of Assad's fate, until Russia and Iran are willing to press him to stop bombing the Syrian people, there is little hope the political process will yield any results and that the bloodshed will end.

"Stopping the mass murder is a good place to start," he said. "How the hell do you sit down for a peace process featuring compromise when one of the parties doesn't accept the rules of the game and the other party's constituency is being blown away on a daily basis?"

He continued, "The first symptom of Assad being under control would be an end to the collective punishment and mass homicide and only then would the Syrian people truly have a chance to decide their fate."

IK OgbonnaActor buys a Range Rover jeep

IK Ogbonna has just gotten him self a Range Rover jeep.

  Ik Ogbonna in a black and white ensemble
(Instagram)

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has gotten himself a Christmas gift.

The actor is now the owner of a Range Rover jeep. His wife Sonia Ogbonna shared a picture of her husband's new car on her Instagram today (December 25).

  IK Ogbonna's new car
(Instagram)

"It's not like you can wrap up all the Christmas gifts
Y'all didn't need to believe in us,but we believed in each other even when times were very tough,we held on each other's potential,hard work and hella strong faith ,and it's all that matters.
Together,we slay.
Now and forever.
When money wasn't there,we still had love,respect and mad loyalty for each other. I didn't need to see a one naira to know that I married a billionaire. A king. I saw it in him and i made him start seeing himself the same way i did.
With the right person by your side,nothing you can't do.
Always believe in that one person you love. Encourage. Support. Love. Speak positivity and life into them. You have power in you,you will see how your lives will change for better! Don't bully,compare,nag,complain. It won't work. And you guys,love your lady. Cherish her. Be loyal and faithful. Appreciate. She will do magic for you. Trust me.
Now I can confidently tell you that is possible and available. Everything you ever dreamed of. But you have to choose Love first and make it your priority.
Because God loves Love and He will always make it happen.
#aintNoSugaDaddyBish#partnersInCrime4life" she wrote as the caption of the picture.

  Ik Ogbonna with his wife and child
(Instagram)

The licence plate on the Range Rover reads 'ACE' which is the name of the couple' son.

Tiwa Savage finally reveals her baby's face

On Christmas Day, Tiwa Savage finally reveals her son's face.

Tiwa Savage's son
(Instagram)

After months of debate and Instagram drama, female pop queen Tiwa Savage has finally unveiled the face of her baby son.

Tiwa Savage who just released a new album 'R.E.D' this week unveiled his face today, Christmas Day. She shared his photograph on Instagram.

"My Little Christmas Teddy Bear" she captioned the picture.

Tiwa Savage's husband/manager Tunji 'Tee Billz' Balogun shared a picture of him carrying his son also today on Instagram.

play Tee Billz holding his son
(Instagram )

"One of the best gifts that God has blessed me with #FlashBackFriday" read his caption. 

Early this month Tiwa Savage was attacked by fans online for not showing her baby's face.

Tiwa Savage shared a picture of her son’s feet, and did not reveal his face. This photo got a lot of her fans on Instagram angry. In the comment section below of the photograph, they blasted the pop queen.

Louis van Gaal walks out of briefing and insists Manchester United job is safe

• Van Gaal says he has received assurances over future as United manager
• Dutchman walks out of press conference after four minutes 58 seconds

Van Gaal walks out of press conference.

Louis van Gaal has received assurances about his future at Manchester United, including calls from the executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, and the former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and insists he will keep his job at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal said he had also been given the backing of the former chief executive David Gill and asked whether the journalists at his press conference wanted to apologise. He then walked out in a fit of pique. It lasted four minutes and 58 seconds, comprising only three questions, before he made for the exit, saying he was there only because it was part of the Premier League’s regulations.
His performance was reminiscent of some of Ferguson’s regular walk-outs but the key line before leaving his seat was that Woodward had told him there were no plans to sack him on the back of the dismal run in which the team has been eliminated from the Champions League and managed only seven shots on target in their past four home matches.

Louis van Gaal transcript in full: Do you think I want to talk with the media now?

United’s manager was clearly aggrieved about the level of speculation since the 2-1 home defeat by Norwich City last weekend, when he admitted that he “cannot close my eyes” to the prospect of losing his job. His team have fallen to fifth in the Premier League, with growing criticism about their style of play, but Van Gaal has been assured that José Mourinho has not been offered the job, in keeping with what the former Chelsea manager’s agent, Jorge Mendes, said on Tuesday.
Van Gaal had previously admitted being “worried” he was vulnerable but the Dutchman seemed emboldened by what he had heard from the people directly above him and grateful for Arsène Wenger’s comments about the speculation being “disrespectful” for a manager with the Dutchman’s background.
“Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me?” Van Gaal asked. “That’s what I’m wondering. I think I was already sacked, I read. I have been sacked. My colleague [Mourinho] was here already. What do you think happens with my wife or my kids [when they read that]? Or with my grandchildren? Or with the fans of Manchester United? Or my friends? What do you think? They have called me a lot of times and also Arsène Wenger is saying something about that. So, you think that I want to talk with the media now? I am here only because of the Premier League rules that I have to talk with you. But I can see when I say something that you use my words in your context. And I only want to say that I have tried to lift the confidence of my players. I have done everything this week.

Arsène Wenger criticises ‘disrespectful’ Louis van Gaal speculation

“I held meetings with the players and with my members of staff. I held a Christmas lunch. I did a speech and I felt the warmth and support of everybody in Carrington, our training complex. But I didn’t feel that in the media and, of course, I can imagine you can write about that subject. We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were first in the Premier League and in four weeks’ time we can be back in that position again.”
For that to happen would need a dramatic shift in form, with United nine points adrift of Leicester City at the top. United have not won any of their past six games, meaning Van Gaal’s win ratio, 50.7%, is lower than David Moyes’s figure of 52.95%. There have also been clear indications that many supporters have lost faith in Van Gaal but the former Holland manager had clearly been encouraged by what he has heard from the club’s England-based directors. His team play at Stoke City on Saturday, followed by Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford two days later, and Van Gaal insisted they were still in the title race.
“I don’t think that you can do that [speculate about my position] because you have to stick by the facts and when I get calls off Alex Ferguson and David Gill and Ed Woodward [it is] because you are creating something that is not good, which is not the facts,” Van Gaal said, before rising to his feet. “Now I have to answer questions; I don’t think I want to do it. I say that I am focused on Stoke City. I help my players. I wish you a Merry Christmas and also maybe a Happy New Year when I see you. Enjoy the wine and a mince pie.”

Hmm. Should a father do this with his daughter? Actor criticized for kissing daughter on the lips

Many of his Femi Adebayo's fans felt it was wrong for him to kiss his daughter on the lips.

  Femi Adebayo kissing his daughter
(Instagram)

Nollywood actor Femi Adebayo yesterday (December 23) shared a picture of him kissing his daughter.

The photo which was shared on his Instagram account got him a lot of criticisms because he kissed his daughter on the lips.

Many of his fans felt it was wrong for him to kiss his daughter that way.

In order to avoid controversy, Femi Adebayo took down the picture and replaced it with another picture of him and his daughter.

  Femi Adebayo with his daughter
(Instagram)

He captioned the new picture "1st love,#wcw ,I'm not a fan of negativity,2 my diehard fans thank you."

Femi Adebayo is set to feature in a new comedy film titled  'Kodi Ologbo Aye'.

The forthcoming movie sees Adebayo working alongside his father Adebayo Salami aka Oga Bello and younger brother Tope Adebayo who plays the role of both director and actor on this project.

The 'October 1' actor who is popular for his roles in indigenous language movies says 'Kodi Ologbo Aye' is going to be even more entertaining than 'Jelili'.

Rapper visits hospital to cheer sick children

It’s the season for cheer and giving, and all over the world, celebrities alike, in one way or the other, are trying to give something in celebration of the Christmas spirit.

  Ludacris

It’s the season for cheer and giving, and all over the world, celebrities alike, in one way or the other, are trying to give something in celebration of the Christmas spirit.

It is in that Spirit that rapper turned actor, Ludacris visited the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta to help spread the cheer that would really by lacking in the lives of most of the patients at the hospital and their families.

The actor went round the hospital to see the children and also gave them toys: A practical modern-day Santa Claus.

Ludacris, who has a charity organization called, the Ludacris Foundation which he started in December of 2001 and which aims to help youth help themselves by volunteering across the country, tagged the posts from his visit #MerryLudacrismas, a pun on the season using his name.

The father of three further posted more photos with heartfelt wishes and prayers for the parents and families of the patients.

In the spirit of Christmas, or shall we say, Ludacrismas.

The star is not the first to visit children’s hospitals across the United States. Earlier in the week, Chris Pratt, Ciara and Russell Wilson spent time at the Seattle Children’s hospital.

The stars came together to visit the patients at the Seattle hospital and also at the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, posing for photographs and greeting the children receiving treatment at the hospital.

The hospital tweeted a photo of a patient with Chris Pratt, holding a figurine of Groot from his movie, Guardians of the Galaxy, and wrote,

“Hanging out with our friend @prattprattpratt. Thanks for being #StrongAgainstCancer”

The Jurassic World star also posted about his visit to the children’s hospital on his Instagram account, gushing about getting to spend time with the children alongside Ciara and husband, Russell Wilson, who he called his role models.

He further asked his followers to “say a prayer for all those kids who don’t get to be at home for Xmas”, and quoted a verse from Psalm 37 in the Bible.

Russell Wilson who plays for the Seattle Seahwaks is a regular fixture at the Children’s hospital, occasionally visiting the children who are patients there.

8 healthy reasons to have more sex!

Did you know that having sex could be as healthy as eating a fruit? Well, find out how.

the healthsite Editorial Team  

Sex maybe one of the best pleasurable experiences to have as a human being. But, did you know that having sex could be as healthy as eating a fruit? Well, it is.  Here are some health benefits of sex that you might have not known about.
1. Boosts your immunity
Yes! It’s true. Having sex regularly will decrease your chances of falling sick. According to a research conducted at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania, people who had more sex had 30% higher levels of the antigen immunoglobin A, as compared to people who didn’t. This antigen defends your body against colds and flu.
2. Helps you sleep
After you orgasm, endorphins which are released in your body make you feel relaxed and sleepy. Sleeping well is important too and has a range of health benefits of its own. 
3. Reduces stress
Indulging in sex releases endorphins like oxytocin which releases your stress by making you feel good. Even though, stress can lower your libido, it is advised that you do not get dissuaded and have sex.
4. Helps you lose weight
Obesity is a serious problem in today’s world and if gymming does not count high on the pleasure scale – try having sex. A research conducted by William Masters and Virginia Johnson showed that men burn 4.2 calories, and women burn 3.1 calories for every minute of sex that they have.
5. Lowers your risk of prostate cancer
According to a study conducted by National Cancer Institute, men who ejaculated more than 21 times a month had a significantly lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
6. Makes you look younger
Dr David Weeks of Royal Edinburgh Hospital conducted a 10 year long study which found that people who had sex more than 4 times a week, felt as much as 10 years younger. This is not just a perceptive feeling, as the hormones released during sex actually help in preserving your youth.
7. Reduces risk of heart disease
Heart disease is a major problem these days with 70% of the urban population at risk. According to a study published in American Journal Of Cardiology, men who had sex twice a week had a lower risk of having heart disease than men who didn’t. With sex helping you lose weight, releasing your stress and helping you sleep – this study is not surprising at all. 
8. Makes you more intelligent!
Extremely intelligent people like George Bernard Shaw, Einstein and Mozart loved having lots of sex. We can’t say for sure, but probably that was the secret to their genius. Scientists in Melbourne have found that sex boosts mental performance by helping in the production of neurons in the hippocampus. 
So yes, sex is indeed good for you! But make sure you always use protection to avoid STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

Female masturbation: what you need to know

In this post, Dr Margaret Redelman, doctor and medical sex therapist busts some of the common myths about female masturbation and assures our readers that it isn’t just a male activity:

Despite the fact that it’s considered biologically abnormal, the truth is that masturbation is a very common activity in both humans and animals. Sadly, many people who masturbate feel ashamed or embarrassed about it. Many wrongly believe that masturbation is deviant, dangerous and sinful. It is not any of these things!

Simply speaking, it involves the sexual stimulation of the genitals usually to the point of orgasm and can be solo, parallel or mutual with a partner. While people mostly masturbate using their hands and fingers there are an infinite number of ways in which people learn to give themselves sexual pleasure, arousal and orgasm. For example, rubbing the genitals with clothing, rubbing against other surfaces such as bedding and using specially designed toys like vibrators and dildos.

The difference between masturbation and lovemaking

Masturbation and lovemaking with a partner are two separate activities. With masturbation we only have to consider ourselves and most people who do it are very good at knowing exactly what to do to bring themselves to orgasm. However, masturbation does not kiss or cuddle you, or tell you that you are beautiful and wonderful. Some people think only people without partners or unsatisfactory sex lives indulge in it. This is not always true. While it is a normal healthy way to meet one’s own sexual needs when without a partner, it can also meet needs in a good relationship when there is a desire difference between the couple, they are separated for various reasons or one partner is sick and not able to participate in lovemaking. There are no negative medical consequences at all.

Myths about masturbation

The myths associated with it are very misleading as they are usually picked up sub-consciously through innuendo and jokes and are not ever scientifically verified. Some myths claim that masturbation:

• Can cause blindness or colour blindness
• Can cause hair to grow on the palm of the hand
• You can run out of orgasms (i.e. using up sexual reserve)
• Can cause mental health problems and craziness
• Excessive masturbation can cause decreased sexual stamina
• Can cause fatigue and tiredness

Many people worry about masturbating too much. There is no right number of times to masturbate or to have sexual activity. The right number is what makes you happy and works for the relationship.

It is important that women rinse their genitals with water once a day, wipe themselves from front to back after using the toilet, wash their hands before touching their genitals and always use a lubricant when masturbating. There is no natural lubrication on the external genitals and around the clitoris so rubbing with fingers or anything else can cause friction and irritation, and predispose to infections. Saliva, oil and water-based lubricants are all good. 

There are many general health benefits to masturbation such as release of feelings of physical and mental wellbeing through release of brain chemicals called endorphins, decrease in stress and blood pressure, enhancing sleep, and possibly improving immunity. And of course there are very definite sexual benefits to masturbation such as: 

• Becoming more comfortable with one’s body
• A way for women to find out what makes them orgasm so they can share it with their partner
• Have the ability to meet one’s own sexual needs without a partner
• There is no risk of sexually transmissible infection or unplanned pregnancy
• Free, unlimited, pleasurable and fun
• It can be a very enjoyable intimate activity for couples who don’t want to, are not able to or don’t feel ready for intercourse

Sexologists advise masturbation as a learning step for women who have not yet learned to have orgasms. Solo masturbation gives the privacy, security and unlimited time in an unpressured space which allows a woman to learn about her very special individual sexual arousal and orgasm response pattern.

Masturbation attitudes are learned early in life and a parent’s own sexual beliefs and responses to a child’s early sexual touching and questions are very important. Think about what you would have preferred in your own childhood learning about your body and sexuality and think about creating a positive sexual environment for your children. It is important to teach children that their bodies are beautiful, that they belong to them, that their genitals are lovely areas of the body that can give a lot of pleasure but need to be treated with care and respect. The belief that masturbation is a private enjoyable activity should be reinforced.

Top reasons why masturbation is healthy - Nirmalya Dutta

“Sir, I masturbate once in three days. I don’t want to do it but have to. I am now getting married and am scared I will not be able to satisfy my wife. My friends say masturbation makes us weak and prevents good erections. Please help”.
“I am a 15 year old boy. Whenever my parents are not at home, I look at girls’ pics and masturbate. I have now started feeling very weak all the time, not able to do well in studies. I read somewhere that people have gone blind and some have even gone mad because of masturbating. Is it true?”
These are just two of the queries we got on our site on the taboo topic of masturbation. Most people aren’t even willing to admit that they masturbate though the fact is almost everyone does.  And before you think that this topic is taboo only in countries like India, you should know that when the Surgeon General of the United States suggested that it should mentioned in the school curricula that masturbation was safe and healthy, she was forced to resign.

We figured it’s high time we’d mention some of the hidden benefits of masturbation that we bet you didn’t know :
1. Refreshes the semen
Various researches have suggested that ejaculation helps sperm count and motility. You’re replacing old sperm with fresh ones and this is good for fertility.
2. Reduces stress
 Masturbation is nothing but simulated sex and is a great stress-buster. Masturbation releases hormones like dopamine and oxytocin, which helps us feel elated. There is no better  way to let off some steam and it actually helps people sleep as well.
3. Prevents sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
The one positive aspect where masturbation scores over sex is the fact that the chances of catching STDs is zero. It’s the safest sexual practice possible.
4. Reduces chances of prostate cancer
A 2003 Australian study observed that men who ejaculated more than five times a week were less likely to develop prostate cancer. Masturbating flushes your system and prevents cancerous cells from building up.
5. Ups your game
For long masturbating has been linked to people who don’t have or can’t get sex partners. This is a gross misconception. Turns out people who masturbate more are likelier to last longer in bed. Think of it as net practice, the more you practice the better you get.  This doesn’t hold true only for men. Masturbating will allow women (who have a more erogenous zones) to discover their body properly, to find out what buttons to push and then tell her man how to please her. Masturbating regularly can also allow you conquer that embarrassing premature ejaculation and gain better control.
Read: Female masturbation – you don’t need  man to please you
It is a healthy practice to masturbate whenever you feel the need to. Simply put, as long as it doesn’t affect the different facets of your life like work, relationships, etc. then  you’re fine.

5 reasons for pain during sex in women and how to avoid them

Feel pain during sex? Know what causes it and how to treat your problem for a better sex life.

There are several factors that influence a woman’s sexual health and desires — hormonal changes, pregnancy, menopause, etc. However, what makes sex undesirable for most women is pain during intercourse. Here are a few common reasons that could lead to pain during sex in women and how to avoid them:
#1 Vaginal dryness: Lack of natural lubrication is one of the common reasons of pain during sex in women. There could be a various reasons leading to vaginal dryness. Certain medications like contraceptive pills, antidepressant and medications for allergies tend to make the skin down there become dry and flaky. For women who are reaching menopause the vaginal lining can lose its moisture and become itchy causing pain during sex.
What you can do: Use a water based lubricant to moisturise the area before having sex. Also, vaginal stimulation and foreplay before the act could help you lubricate the area naturally. If medications are the reason behind your problem, talk to your doctor to come up with a plan to spice up your sex life. Avoid taking hot water baths before having sex as it dries the vaginal area.
#2 Vaginal infections: Fungal or yeast infections in the vagina are a root cause of pain during sex. These infections lead to itching, burning sensation and also make the vagina dry. Sometimes an infection in the cervix could also trigger pain during sex. This is because the penis reaches the cervix during maximum penetration.
What you can do: Tropical creams that treat vaginal infections could be of help. However, talk to your doctor before using one. An infection in the cervix would need medical monitoring or an advanced test like a pap smear to ascertain the cause.
#3 Injury to the vagina: A tear in the vagina due to natural birth or an episiotomy could make sex painful after childbirth.
What you can do: Don’t be in a hurry to resume your sex life after six weeks of delivery, as the doctor advised. You body needs more time to heal than what is speculated. In fact, take a break from sex if your vagina is not completely healed. Also, low levels of estrogen post-delivery make the vaginal area drier and difficult for penetration.
#4 Vaginismus: In this condition the vagina goes into spasm as the penis tries to penetrate inside. This is an involuntary condition where the reason for the spasm is mainly a previous trauma, pain or other physiological factors.
What you can do: There are a lot of therapies like relaxation techniques, couple therapy or even the recent treatment with Botox to help relax the vaginal muscles during intercourse. Sometimes doing Kegel exercises also helps to get some relief from the symptom.
#5 Other female problems: Fibroids, cysts in the ovaries, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory diseases and ectopic pregnancy can all trigger pain during deep penetration. Apart from this, sexually transmitted diseases could also be a problem during intercourse.
What you can do: Most of these problems would need medical interventions. Also, the symptoms of these problems would vary from one another. Hence, if there is no known cause for pain during sex get checked with your doctor to ascertain the cause and get treated accordingly.

16 things all women should know about sex - Pavitra Sampath

Listen up ladies, here are a few things you should know about having sex.

 

There is so much information about sex out there. How do you sift out all the myths from the truth? Well, ladies, here are some things you should know about sex.
There’s more to a man than his penis: Yes, it is the most sensitive part of his body and it definitely needs and deserves your attention. But know that there are other parts of his body that can turn him on too. For instance his lips, neck, ear lobes, chest, back, nape, inner thighs and groin. Kiss, touch and caress these areas. Give them enough attention and you’ll see how excited he becomes.

The bottom line: Men love to be pampered and caressed too. Give his body some attention just as you’d like him to do for you.
He doesn’t notice your flaws: No matter how terrible you think you look in the buff, know that the urge to have sex is far stronger than all those flaws you think you have. According to Iam Kerner, author of the book ‘She Comes First’,  during sexual arousal the neurochemical cocktail that courses through a man’s body is very high, and he often gets so wrapped up in the feeling that he is too overjoyed to notice your flaws. So put aside your body-image issue and have as much fun as he is having. .
The bottom line: You are beautiful, just the way you are. Don’t doubt it. The more confident you are, the sexier you’ll be to him. Plus a confident you is more likely to enjoy sex than one who is worrying about how she looks and feels.
The first time with a man may not be perfect: The first time you have sex with a partner, it may not be perfect. It can be awkward and the two of you may require some practice to get each other’s rhythms right (yes, there is a rhythm). So if it’s not the most mind-blowing sex you’ve had the first time, don’t judge him or the experience. Give it some time and you’ll see that it does get better with time.
The bottom line: Allow for some leeway the first time around.
Move with him: Thrusting or moving is not the responsibility of the man alone. You should move too. Try to find his rhythm and match it. Your moving to his speed and motion will intensify the pleasure you both feel and what’s more, you’ll be more proactive! Which, by the way, is a huge turn on. So move and moan. Tell him what you want and how you like it.
The bottom line: Thrusting is important, don’t just lay there.
Men like it when you are proactive: Being proactive in bed, and when it comes to sex, is a big turn on for men. Don’t let him be the only one initiating the act, show him you want it too sometimes. Whisper in his ear and tell him what you’d like him to do to you or better still, message him your intentions. You could even dress up sexily one night and entice him. Apart from that, while you both are having sex or even during foreplay, pleasure him too. Don’t be the one hogging all the attention. Sex is a lot more than just penetration.
The bottom line: Making the first move does not make you anything but a woman who knows what she wants. Don’t shy away from it. And if a man finds that unattractive, maybe you need to rethink the situation.
Take some time out for yourself before sex: It is important you unwind before you have sex. All the stress of the day’s work, family, friends and household chores can put a dampener on your sex drive. So instead of just jumping into the sack, take some time off, have a hot shower, relax and then you’ll be ready to have some steaming, hot sex.
The bottom line: Sometimes, putting yourself first is essential for a good experience, right?
The more you have of it the more you’ll want it: Sex makes you feel good and your body remember that. Therefore, once you’ve had some of that yummy pie, you’ll definitely want some more (especially if it was great). So acknowledge that feeling and know that it is normal. Don’t guilt yourself into thinking that it is not the right thing to do or feel.
The bottom line: Go, get your man and show him how much you want him. We promise it’ll be really hot!
Don’t worry about orgasming: Thinking about the fact that you want to orgasm or that it may not happen is the perfect  way to ruin your chances of having one. Not only does it make you extremely anxious, but it also reduces the flow of the happy hormone, and tenses you up — making it more difficult for you to experience an orgasm. So, just enjoy the moment. Every aspect of his touch can be enjoyable — the orgasm will happen all on its own.
You can touch yourself during the act: Sometimes you just need to give your man a hand and touch yourself. This can be extremely sexy for the man you are with. Not only will you be able to help the guy out, but you’ll also turn him on.
The bottom line:  There are instances when you touching yourself can be very hot and then there are those times when your man may not really like it. So gauge how he feels about it, and then proceed.
Focusing is important: There are a number of times when women have too much on their mind and tend to get distracted extremely easily. But, when you are having sex try to focus all your attention on the act at hand. This will not only help you be an active part of the entire process but it will feel so much better.
The bottom line:  Once you stop your mind from wandering to other thoughts you’ll see the difference. A good way to do that is to actually participate, talk to your partner, touch feel and move with him.
Feeling guilty doesn’t help: There will be times when either your partner is unable to perform or doesn’t have an orgasm. Then there are those moments when you wish you had done something differently. There is no need to feel guilty. You can always try once again. If it bothers you too much, talk to your partner and figure out what the problem could be.
Kegels is the key: Kegel’s exercise is great for you. It strengthen and tone your PC (pubococcygeal) muscles which help you tighten them during sex making your orgasms more intense and sex much more pleasurable.
You might experience pain during sex, don’t panic: Some amount of pain when you are having sex for the first time is normal. Even if it is at some point later, it could be due to dryness in your vagina. If that is the problem consider using a good lubricant. But if the pain is persistent then it is a good idea to get checked by your gynaecologist.
Always pee and clean-up after the act: No matter how strong the urge is to cuddle, make sure you get up and pee after you have had sex. Apart from that you must make sure you clean up the area with some warm water. Why?  all of this will keep your privates healthy and safe from infections like UTI (urinary tract infections).
Sex gets better with age and experience: It absolutely does. You know what to expect, you are better at it and you are more tuned into what your body want, likes and wishes it would have. So don’t think of age as a barrier, instead think of it as a wonderful boon that make things so much better.
It’s okay to masturbate even if you are in a monogamous relationship: There are times when you just want to pleasure yourself. This is absolutely normal too. And if you feel guilty about  have your partner join the fun and watch you masturbate.
Don’t fake an orgasm: Yes, it’s normal to do, but it isn’t the best practice. While you might do it to help make your partner feel better know that it sends out the wrong message. If what he is doing does not make you feel good and he doesn’t know about it, how is he ever going to know that he has to change his technique? Instead of faking it, tell him that it’s not working out for you and tell him how you’d like it.

Sex: Does it hurt to lose your virginity (and what you can do about it)

Will first-time sex hurt? What happens when the hymen breaks? Will you bleed? Dr Rajan Bhonsle, sexologist, solves all your doubts.

By Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti  
 

Can you have sex immediately after your hymen breaks or ruptures, or should you wait a while because of the pain
 
Dr Rajan Bhosale answers
‘There is no standard answer to this question because the hymen is not the same in every woman. Whether you should have sex soon after or a while later depends on the thickness of the hymen, the type of the wound and the time it might take to heal. All three factors will help you decide when you should have penetrative intercourse again. Moreover, it depends on your emotional state and the experience you have during the act,’

Before you know about the right time to have sex after losing virginity, here is what you should know about the hymen.

1. If your hymen is very thin, like a paper, it might break easily and not hurt you as much. Also, it doesn’t cause much bleeding but few drops.
2. If it is thick and tight, it might hurt when it breaks and might lead to bleeding (not like menstrual bleeding but more enough to stain your bed sheet).
3. In some cases, the hymen is very thick and do not break during the course of the act. It accounts to around 1 – 3% of women and might require a hymenectomy, which is a surgery to perforate the hymen.
4. Moreover, 10 – 15% of women don’t have a hymen at birth so the question of breaking the hymen doesn’t exist when they lose their virginity. Here are 6 things you ought to know about this female sex organ – Clitoris.

Here are few things you should keep in mind before having sex after your hymen breaks.

• If it is hurting or bleeding, it is better to abstain from sex for few days or till the pain subsides.
• Secondly, it is better to indulge in sex only after the wound heals which might take few days or even a month. If the wound is mild, it might take 3 – 4 days time for it to heal. If the wound is slightly severe, it might take a week or two for the wound to heal. However, if the wound is infected, it can even take a month’s time to heal. In such cases, it is wise to consult a doctor rather than waiting for the wound to heal naturally.
• Lastly, have sex only if you are emotionally ready for the act. In some cases, women find it difficult to recover from their experience if they have been badly hurt but others are ready to continue the act the very next day. Basically, it varies from a person to person and their emotional state and their experience. You may also like to read about 16 things all women should know about sex.

Bank customers lament as ATMs fail in Port Harcourt

Punch - Port Harcourt

 

SCORES of customers, who were stranded in some new generation banks on Thursday, have lamented their inability to get cash from most of the banks’ Automated Teller Machines.
Though some customers, who succeeded in getting money, expressed surprise that they found it difficult to get money from the ATM a day to Christmas, a few others were lucky to be paid after trying for several hours.
A customer, Philip Onyekachi, said he had been banking with one of the new generation banks for the past six years and had never been stranded until yesterday.

Onyekachi told our correspondent that he had been trying to get money from the ATM to no avail, adding that none of the three ATMs at the bank was paying.
Explaining that he was depending on using his ATM card to cash money for a last minute purchase of food items for the Christmas celebration, Onyekachi expressed disappointment that all the ATMs at the bank failed him.
“I have been standing here for the past three hours to get money, but the ATMs are not paying. The banks did not open today and that is why I have nobody to attend to me.
“I waited for today, believing that I will use my ATM to get cash. But each time I slot in my ATM card, nothing happens. Some say it is network problem while others simply said they (bank) did not put money in the machine to pay people.
“Maybe I will come tomorrow and see if I will be lucky to get money. But I must say that I am so sad over this development, Onyekachi, who was at a new generation bank located on NTA Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, lamented.
He disclosed that he had earlier being at another branch of the same bank and added that he experienced a similar problem.
Another customer, who gave her name as Cynthia, said she had waited for two hours before the ATM could pay her, adding that she would have slept in the bank if the machine had refused to respond to her demand for money.
Cynthia, who had gone to withdraw money from an old generation bank on Ikwerre Road in Port Harcourt, expressed anger that none of the officials of the bank was around to attend to her.
“Christmas is tomorrow (today). I waited for two hours before the ATM could pay me. If the worst had happened and the ATM did not pay me after such a long wait, I would have slept here because I would not have been able to give my children any excuse.
“I need to buy things for them for the celebration and if I go home empty-handed, my children will not be happy,” Cynthia, who told our correspondent that she was immediately heading for the market, added.
Our correspondent observed the crowd waiting to be paid through ATMs situated inside some of the bank premises in Port Harcourt.
A private security guard at the gate of an old generation bank pointed out that only four out of the six ATMs were functional, even as one of the customers in the queue contradicted the guard’s claim, saying, “Don’t mind him, only two ATMs are working and with so much wasting of our time.”
Meanwhile, traders in Port Harcourt said they had not been experiencing the type of increase in the purchase of goods noticed every Yuletide.

Bad news for christmas? Fattened chicken can cause food poisoning, infections –Experts

Christmas is definitely in the air. You only need to go to the nearest market in your neighbourhood to know that a lot of shopping is going on in preparation for the feasting on Friday.

However, as you plan to cook tomorrow, don’t buy meat that has been fattened with hormones and genetically modified feeds.

One of such meat is chicken. Nutritionists say that when it comes to buying a healthy chicken, it is better to buy organic farm animals.

Organic or free-ranged animals are fed only with naturally grown feed and plant sources. Also, organic animals cannot be given hormones or medical pills. These animals are treated differently from factory-farmed animals.

Organic farm animals include cows, pigs, chickens, and turkey that are fed only grass and other organic feeds. Nutritionists say that such meat reduces ones risk of food poisoning and infections.

According to them, organic animals are usually very healthy because they are fed with naturally grown foods.

Explaining why they are better than factory-reared animals, nutritionist and dietician, Dr. Segun Alonge, says that since free-ranged chickens are not fed with antibiotics, artificial hormones, or the bovine human growth hormone, otherwise known as rbGH, and they do not eat genetically modified foods nor have their genes modified, they contain natural nutrients that are safe for the body.

Alonge notes that organic beef, poultry and more also contain no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical or synthetic fertilisers, nitrates, nitrates or preservatives that can harm the body.

He adds, “It’s not filled with toxins, chemicals, and drugs. All meat contains fat. And much like your body, fat on animals is where toxins are stored. Hence, growth hormones and antibiotics fed to cows and chickens end up in their fat.

“Eating organic meat and poultry decreases your risk of being exposed to residues of pesticides and synthetic chemicals, such as DDT, PCBs, dioxin, and more, which end up concentrated in animal fat. Such chemicals can contribute to a number of health problems, including excess weight gain and other infections.”

Also, studies show that animals, especially poultry fed with grass, contain higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

The American Nutritionist Society, in a report titled ‘Go Organic’, states that grass-fed animals, otherwise known as free-ranged animals, have two to four times more omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain-fed animals.

It states,“ Omega-3s are called “good fats” because they play a vital role in every cell and system in your body.

For example, of all the fats, they are the most heart-friendly. People who have ample amounts of omega-3s in their diets are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat.

“Remarkably, they are 50 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack.Omega-3s are essential for your brain as well. People with a diet rich in omega-3s are less likely to suffer from depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder (hyperactivity), or Alzheimer’s disease.”

The ANS notes that since organic animals are reared under ethical and conducive conditions, their meat is less likely to be infected when compared to infection rates in factory-raised animals.

“Factory-farmed animals live in feedlots that prevent normal growth and development. Infections spread faster among animals that are grown in a caged environment. The chances of spreading infections in organically raised animals is minimal because they get to experience the outdoors grazing on grass and wandering freely on the farm,” it adds.

Factory-farmed animals could also make you sick. Alonge states that to reduce your chances of contracting food-borne diseases through meat, buy and eat organic animals.

He says that many farmers fed factory-reared animals with remains of other animals that died of infections.

He says,“ If you eat the meat of a cow that has been fed with the carcass of another cow that died of mad cow disease. You can also contract the disease when you consume such meat. Factory-reared chicken have significantly contributed to E.coli and salmonella infections in humans.”

Here are some other nutritional benefits of eating organic or free-ranged animals over factory-reared animals:

Less fat

Organic chicken tends to be less fatty than its commercially-raised relatives, according to the American Culinary Federation, which recommends adding a little fat to the pan when you’re cooking organically raised chicken. Leaner cuts of meat make chicken an even healthier protein choice.

More flavour

Another benefit of organic chicken is the flavour, according to the American Culinary Federation. Chicken that is not commercially produced tends to be very tender and they have more complex flavours.

Don’t overlook the facts, organic meat, like organic vegetables, will serve your body better in the long run. You can decide to put the right food on the table for your family this season.

Source: Punch

Christmas has lost its moral relevance – Kukah

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, says Christmas has lost its moral relevance.
The cleric said this in his Christmas message entitled, “Our hope does not disappoint us,” issued on Thursday.
He said, “As the years have rolled by, Christmas has tended to lose its moral compass. This is a danger and a threat that we must address. The Chinese who do not believe in God have made the most out of Christmas by focusing on its economic value.

“There is nothing wrong with this in principle. However, in reality, we must return to the spirit of what we are really celebrating. Jesus gave us a model in the circumstances of His own birth and life on earth.”
The bishop said religion has not failed the world contrary to negative opinions about it.
He said religion was not responsible for the hard times and insecurity being witnessed across the world.
Kukah, however, said Christians should be blamed for where religion finds itself today.
He said the Zaria killings were at variance with the spirit of Christmas because Christmas should be about the celebration of life and not death.
He, therefore, called for reconciliation.
The statement read, “Amidst so much pain, injury, war and death, what can we say today about religion? Some people think that religion has failed and others claim that religion is to be blamed for the woes of the world. Neither of these positions is correct.
“However, we believers cannot turn our eyes from the fact that we must take a substantial part of the blame for where religion finds itself in our society. What has gone wrong? For us as Christians, what has become of the messages of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and our Saviour?
“The only change that is urgently needed now is a clearly defined agenda for genuine reconciliation among our people. We do not have any other options. In hope we must turn the corner and take the highway. This hope does not disappoint us. God heal our country and merry Christmas to us all.”

While mortals sleep; Jesus’s birthplace is hit by a spate of burglaries

The residents of Jesus’s birthplace, snug in their beds on Christmas Eve, will hope that the only unexpected visitor is wearing a red suit and coming down the chimney. At least 55 people have been burgled in the city of peace over the past two months. Some of the thefts were quite serious, with more than $64,000 lifted from a house in the suburb of Beit Jala on December 11th. There were just 230 thefts in all of 2013, the most recent year for which official data are available. So the past few weeks have seen a 43% increase in property crime.
Bethlehem, and the West Bank in general, remain remarkably safe by Western standards. In 2013 the rate of theft was less than 2 per 1,000 residents. London’s Metropolitan Police would be thrilled with those numbers: the rate in England and Wales was four times higher. But the crime wave in the little town of Bethlehem is a sign of how badly the Palestinian economy is faltering. The World Bank reported in September that GDP per capita across the occupied territories had shrunk for a third consecutive year.

The downturn has hit particularly hard in Bethlehem, which depends heavily on hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims who visit annually. Officials had hoped for a bumper year in 2014. The devastating summer war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza ruined their plans. And this holiday season has brought no relief, with a wave of Palestinian stabbings and vehicular attacks against Israelis since October scaring away visitors.
Hotels that often have 90% occupancy around Christmas are less than half full. The lobby of the Manger Square (pictured) hotel was deserted on a recent morning, save for a lone Russian priest tapping away on an iPad. “I haven’t had a single customer all week,” said Mustafa Alawi, an accountant who works as a tour guide because he cannot find work in his field.
A quarter of Bethlehem residents are jobless; more than 20% live below the poverty line. “We suffer from the highest rate of unemployment, of poverty, in the West Bank,” says the mayor, Vera Baboun. Many of the tourists who do visit stay for only a few hours. Israelis are barred from visiting Palestinian cities, but in 2010 the military allowed dozens of tour guides to cross the checkpoint from Jerusalem into Bethlehem
The Palestinian Authority (PA) welcomed that decision, calling it a sign of improved security in the occupied territories. The residents of Bethlehem did not rate it. Israeli coaches disgorge hundreds of passengers in Manger Square in the morning; after a quick tour, a souvenir stop, and perhaps a quick lunch, they return to Jerusalem.
Security concerns are only part of a wider malaise. With the political process and the job market both stagnant, a growing number of young people, even those with advanced degrees, are being forced into the informal economy, or to seek opportunity abroad—or, it seems, to rob their neighbours.
A few dozen thefts hardly seems the most pressing concern amidst a rash of violence that has killed 22 Israelis and more than 120 Palestinians (two-thirds of them attackers shot dead in the act). But Israeli officials describe the assailants as desperate young people with nothing to lose. Their profile sounds familiar on the increasingly mean streets of Jesus’s birthplace. “We have nothing to offer them,” Mr Alawi said. “What do you expect to happen?”

Oil Mogul Gives His Employees N25 Million Christmas Bonus Each

A Texas oil mogul is giving his 1300 plus employees $100,000 Christmas Bonus.
As the Houston Chronicle reported in their annual Top Workplaces in November, Jeffrey Hildebrand, owner and CEO of oil and gas company Hilcorp, issued every one of his 1,399 employees bonus checks in April after the company met their annual goals with eight months ahead of schedule.
From the Chronicle:

Hilcorp CFO Shelbie Dezell said it was no easy task, but the employees did everything in their power to make it happen.
“It was a stretch goal to meet that,” she said. “We looked at it every month and talked about it every month. Then we had a huge celebration in the corporate office and in the field after we made it.”
Dezell said receiving a $100,000 bonus check was a “life-changing” event for many of the company’s employees. She said some used the money to pay off debt, others to fund college for their children, and still others to purchase new homes.
The goals met by the company included doubling its oil field production rate, net oil and gas reserves and equity value over five years.
More than 400 of the company’s employees are based in Houston and it operates oil and gas exploration properties across Texas, Louisiana, Alaska and the Northeast, according to the Chronicle.

image: http://i1.wp.com/herald365.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/24095526/920x920.jpg?resize=920%2C610

Hildebrand is full of Christmas cheer

This isn’t Hildebrand’s first time to reward his employees with something out of the ordinary.
In 2010, Hildebrand offered each of his employees a choice of $35,000 cash of $50,000 toward a new car, according to Forbes, who asked the question “What oil bust?” in response to Hildebrand’s latest bonus.