Vacancy in Jonathan’s State House...

’Tunji Ajibade

Hello Friends!

Presidents do not lose battles. They win, all the time. It is a reason the office remains ever attractive. What with so much resources at a president’s disposal; and the uncountable number of canny men to carry out his or her instructions. So, why does getting whatever he or she wants, as the case of electing the ruling party’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees proved, become an uphill task for President Goodluck Jonathan? It must mean he needs new men around him, men who know where he is going, and the best route to it. They must be men who know what it means to the image, power and prestige of the Presidency, for their principal to get what he wants, and when he wants it.

The other day, President Jonathan presided over a meeting of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party. The task at hand was to get a chairman for the party’s BoT. But the meeting flopped. Presidents don’t sit over meetings that flop; they don’t sit over meetings that will flop. It’s because they know ahead a meeting that will flop. Students of power game comprehend that. This is so because prestige is at stake. And presidents have several foot soldiers to maintain it. Hatchet men. Call them wise men on a good day, on days when they are in their positive element, deploying energy to positive uses. Not the negatives, which this writer finds fascinating in itself — the negatives that leaders engage in, and get away with. The abracadabra that leadership performs and escapes with is so fascinating to this writer, that only the following quote can convey the very thought of it to the reader: “There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.” Here, the good wise men do a leader is in focus.

Mali-trained terrorists in Nigeria –Army chief

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubike Ihejirika.

Hello Friends!

In spite of the Boko Haram insurgency in the country, Nigerian security agencies now have a fresh challenge to contend with.

The new task, according to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubike Ihejirika, is the presence of suspected terrorists believed to have been trained by Malian rebels, in Nigeria.

Boko Haram terrorists, like the Malian Islamist rebels, have for years held the Northern part of Nigeria by the jugular, killing and maiming people, especially Christians in their quest to Islamise Nigeria. Ihejirika however, told journalists at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji, Kaduna State on Thursday, that internal security was being intensified to track them down.

“We are aware that most of the terrorists in this country today were trained in Mali.

“We are also aware that as of yesterday, there was still an influx of some chaps trained in Mali into the country,” he said, shortly after the first batch of Nigerian troops to the African- led International Support Mission to Mali departed the country(Nigeria).

She just can't help herself! Serial cougar Demi Moore, 50, splashes around with a younger man as she shows off her age-defying body in a bikini...

Hello Friends!

She is said to be currently dating Lindsay Lohan's ex-boyfriend, Harry Morton, 31.

But it seems that before the pair hooked-up, Demi Moore was casting her eyes over yet another younger man during a recent vacation in Tulum, Mexico.

Slipping her age-defying figure into a tiny patterned bikini, the serial cougar was seen splashing around in the sea with a muscular tattooed companion.

Bikini gal: Demi Moore, 50, displayed her age-defying body in a revealing bikini during a recent vacation in Tulum, Mexico

The 50-year-old Striptease star looked happy and relaxed as she emerged from the water, showing off her toned and tanned physique in her revealing two-piece.

Chatting and giggling with her new pal, the actress appeared to be having a ball.

Demi's long-haired pal meanwhile displayed his rippling torso in a pair a black swimming trunks.

Another toyboy: The serial cougar was seen splashing around in the sea with a muscular tattooed companion.

Flirty: Chatting and giggling with her new pal, the actress appeared to be having a ball

After reaching dry land, the pair toweled off alongside one another, still deep in their conversation.

During her vacation Demi was said to be attending a bikini bootcamp where she engaged in yoga, Zumba dancing, circuit training and mediation.

But the Ghost star, who recently divorced her toyboy husband Ashton Kutcher, was temporarily distracted by her hunky shirtless pal.

Give me wings: During the day Demi was seen sipping on several Red Bull energy drinks.

Serial cougar: According to reports, the actress was getting distracted by several younger men during her trip

After the pair's swim, the duo went for a stroll on the beach with other guests at the resort.

Demi had changed bikinis, this time slipping into an equally revealing black suit featuring a patterned triangle top.

Later in the day, she was again seen in deep conversation with yet another guest - the brunette star sipping on a Red Bull energy drink as the pair chatted away.

Drying off: After reaching dry land, Demi and her friend toweled off alongside one another, still deep in conversation

Demi spent the last few weeks at the spa resort Amansala Eco-Chic, where she had also been indulging in meditation and massages.

And it looks like the stay in tropical paradise did Demi the world of good judging by her appearance.

As well as meditation sessions, Demi treated herself to daily massages and treatments at the resort, where rooms at the ‘rustic luxury hotel’ can cost up 295 dollars a night.

Quick change: Demi later changed into a different bikini to go for a stroll with another guest.

Baring all: Demi revealed her slightly saggy bottom as she pottered around on the beach 

Demi headed to Mexico on December 23 – just two days after third husband Kutcher filed for divorce following their separation in 2011.

News of the looming divorce capped a difficult year for Demi, who has been battling health issues and checked into rehab last January.

According to The National Enquirer, Demi travelled to Mexico before Christmas at the behest of daughters Rumer, 24, Scout, 21 and Tallulah, 18, who had grown increasingly concerned by their mother since her split with Ashton.

Deep and meaningful: Later in the day, she was once again seen in deep conversation with yet another guest - the brunette star sipping on more energy drinks as the pair chatted away.

The girls told her that if she didn't straighten herself out, they’d have nothing more to do with her,' a family friend told the Enquirer.

New love? According to reports, Demi is currently dating Lindsay Lohan's ex-Harry Morton

The strains between Demi and her brood had become apparent last year when it was revealed her children had cut contact with her.

Rumer was reportedly furious with her mother after she was romantically linked to toyboy Vito Schnabel – at the tender of 26 almost half Demi’s age.

However The Enquirer quoted fellow guests as saying that Demi’s antics during her Mexican mini-break would have done little to assure her children that she is getting her life back on track.

'Demi’s behaviour was outrageous,' a guest told the Enquirer. 

'She skipped out on most of the spa activities and seemed to flirt with every young male in sight, including a 17-year-old.'

Since returning from her sunshine break, Demi has reportedly already fixed her sights on yet another toyboy.

It's being reported that restaurant owner Morton has taken Demi on several dates in recent weeks, including a romantic tete-a-tete at the South Beverly Grill in Beverly Hills.

Morton, who founded Pink Taco restaurant chain, dated Lindsay Lohan in 2006 and was linked to Jennifer Aniston in 2010.

Source told E! Online, who first reported the news, 'They are just getting to know one another ... [Moore is] in a really good place at the moment and is hopeful about the future.

Culled from The Daily Mail UK.

xoxo

Simply Cheska...

Police arraign pastor accused of raping 12-year-old girl...

The alleged rapist...

Hello Friends!

Alao Shobowale, the 42-year-old pastor of a white garment church who allegedly raped a 12-year-old foster daughter of his neighbour (name withheld) was on Wednesday arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

Shobowale, who speaks Igbo, the only language the girl understands, had allegedly lured the girl to the toilet of their residence and raped her.

According to the charge sheet, the incident happened at 10, Togodo Street, Temu, Epe, Lagos State at about 10pm on December 15, 2012.

The police said apart from having sexual intercourse with the girl, Shobowale also “sexually penetrated her anus.”

He was charged with two counts bordering on unlawful sexual intercourse and rape, which according to the charge sheet, is punishable under sections 137 and 259 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

When the charges were read to him, Shobowale pleaded not guilty to both charges.

His lawyers, Kola Afolayan and Saka Bello, made an application for his bail urging the court to grant it on liberal terms.

'Apparently that's inappropriate!' Anna Kendrick's admission that she pleasured herself while watching Ryan Gosling goes viral...

Anna...

Hello Friends!

With her wide-eyed innocence and coy smile, Anna Kendrick is the epitome of the all American sweetheart.

But it seems there is more to the actress meets the eye after she made a shock confession on her Twitter account on Monday night.

The 27-year-old wrote that she pleasured herself in the back row of a movie theatre while watching Ryan Gosling in his latest film Gangster Squad.

Butter wouldn't melt: Anna Kendrick caused controversy with her admission that she pleasured herself while watching Ryan Gosling at the cinema...

Like many women, Anna appears to have a crush on the 32-year-old actor who is fast becoming a global heart throb.

All American heartthrob: Ryan's latest movie Gangster Squad will only increase his female fanbase...

And it seems the actor's latest performance got her so hot and bothered, she took to Twitter to share her lust with more than 600,000 followers.

Writing on the networking site she joked: 'Ugh - NEVER going to a Ryan Gosling movie in a theater again. Apparently masturbating in the back row is still considered "inappropriate".'

The racy tweet has since gone viral - spreading across the Twitter world in lightning fashion.

It has been retweeted nearly 25,000 times since Tuesday evening and has also been favourited more than 21,000 times.

Most of the comments on the inappropriate tweet found it hilarious or expressed agreement with Kendrick's sentiment.

For instance, Twitter user @1D_For_Me101, who apparently loved her remarks, according to his or her response to her tweet: '@AnnaKendrick47 HAHAHAHA you're actually amazing omg. I wish you followed your fans cause I would DIE to be followed by you!'

And, according to @whereishawkins, Kendrick is not the only person engaging in illicit behavior during Gosling's films: '@AnnaKendrick47 the hell it is! I do that at Gosling movies and I never get in trouble,'the excited Twitter user tweeted.

Shock tweet: The tweet Anna posted sent the Twitter world into a spin and was retweeted 25,000 times

But not all of the responses were positive, as evidenced by the offense taken by @lucyhalenation, who posted the following disapproving comment: '@AnnaKendrick47 uhm you didn't warn me before I followed you that your tweets are NC-17'

Hollywood high life: Anna has grown up in the glare of the spotlight both onscreen and off...

However, while the cyber frenzy would cause embarrassment to most people, Anna is used to the being the centre of attention having started her acting career as a child.

She won her first major role at the age of 12 as Dinah in the Broadway musical High Society in 1998.

The performance won her Theatre World Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award nominations, making her the third-youngest Tony Award nominee.

Kendrick went on to appear in a number of other theater productions, including the musical A Little Night Music, before making her film debut in the 2003 musical comedy Camp.

But it was her performance as Natalie Keener in the 2009 film Up In The Air, opposite George Clooney, that brought Anna to mainstream attention, winning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

While she may confess to having a crush on Ryan Gosling, the actress is in fact happily settled with her long-term boyfriend, director Edgar Wright.

The pair have been dating since 2009, when they met during the production of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Culled from The Daily Mail UK.

xoxo

Simply Cheska...

'It was such a dizzy, stupid thing to do': Girl who posted naked picture on eBay tells of her embarrassment after image goes viral...

Hello Friends!

An eBay seller last night revealed her horror at accidentally including a naked view of herself when she posted a picture of a dress for sale on the website.

Aimi Jones, 21, hung the mustard yellow skater dress by ASOS on her wardrobe door to photograph it for listing.

But she failed to notice her own reflection in the door mirror, camera in hand, and in just a black bra and no knickers.

The post soon went viral and now the blunder has sparked a flurry of fake eBay sale ads for the yellow dress with fictional characters accidentally making an appearance.

Mirror, mirror: Aimi Jones, from Oxfordshire, did not realise she had captured herself half-naked in a mirror when she snapped the dress to sell on eBay...

Bit more demure: She re-listed the item on eBay and this time covered up with a black coat. It has attracted bids of £153, 911 so far

One eBay user went to the added effort of posting several pictures featuring James McAvoy in his role as Mr Tumnus in the first Chronicles of Narnia film modelling the yellow dress

The original image and mock-ups have since been shared on Twitter with the hash tag #ebayyellowskaterdress.

Miss Jones, from Oxfordshire, told The Sun: 'It's so embarrassing. It is such a dizzy, stupid thing to do and now the whole world's seen me in the nude. 

'I put it on eBay last Saturday morning and realized straight away so ended the sale. But what I didn't realise was that people could still it on the site.

'I reported it to eBay and they took it down, but by then it had gone viral. My boyfriend Andy thinks the whole thing is hilarious.'

Internet hit: Copycat hoaxers have posted their own versions of the original eBay blunder - but this joke ad featuring James McAvoy as Mr Tumnus in the first Chronicles of Narnia film only attracted a top bid of £9.50...

A dress for all occasions: The eBay user also helpfully posted a selection of pics of Mr Tumnus showing the dress off in a variety of locations

The new listing read: 'Asos yellow skater dress size 10, 2nd time round!! a MUST HAVE!!

'As seen by thousands. Never worn naked. Needs a good home.'

Bizarrely the listing caused a stir among eBay users. Originally listed at £15.99, the dress has received more than 130 bids and reached more than £153,000.

The picture brought mixed reaction on internet forums. One user commented: 'It is a shocking dress'.Miss Jones, who has the user ID sugart*t-2, relisted the dress with a similarly-posed picture but this time covered up in a dark Nike top.

Very versatile: It appears even fictional fauns can pull off the yellow skater dress with ease...

Joker: Another hoax ad featured a slightly bigger seller reflected in the mirror but it didn't manage to attract any bids...

Culled from The Daily Mail UK.

xoxo

Simply Cheska...

Has Robert Pattinson dumped Kristen Stewart? Pair hit by new claims they have 'split up following a tense holiday period'...

Robsten...

Hello Friends!

They rekindled their romance after their relationship was rocked by a cheating scandal when Kristen Stewart was caught on camera kissing her Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders.

But it seems that despite his attempts to move on, Robert Pattinson couldn’t quite get over the incident.New reports have emerged which claim that the hunk has dumped his former Twilight co-star.

Is this the end of Robsten? Reports have emerged that Robert Pattinson has dumped Kristen Stewart

The actor allegedly broke the news to Kristen this past weekend following a tense time over the holiday period, it has been reported by The Sun.

Fans of the once-golden couple will certainly have noticed the lack of time the pair have been spending together recently.

The last time the couple were spotted in public together was on November 27, when they were seen catching a flight out of New York’s JFK airport together.

Low profile: The last time the couple were pictured together was seven weeks ago, as they arrived into Los Angeles from New York on November 27

Robert Pattinson went solo on the red carpet at the Golden Globes on Sunday, with Kristen nowhere to be seen.

However counter reports emerged from Us Weekly claiming that the 22-year-old turned up at a Soho House after-party at 1am, where she ran over to greet her beloved.

‘They hung out and stayed close for over an hour,’ a source told the publication, adding that the stars then left with a group of friends.

Going it alone: Kristen was nowhere to be seen as Robert attended the Golden Globes on Sunday, where he presented an award alongside Amanda Seyfried...

Keeping him close: Kristen clutched onto Robert's jacket as she arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday. Conflicting reports claim she joined Robert at a Golden Globes after party in the early hours of Monday morning

Kristen was seen clutching onto Robert’s jacket as she arrived into Los Angeles from New York on Saturday.

Candid photos of Kristen and Rupert were published in July 2012, which led to Robert calling time on their four-year relationship.

But the pair were back together in October, just in time to promote the final installment of the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn: Part 2.

‘Robsten’ are believed to have spent Christmas apart, although they were together for Thanksgiving, which they celebrated in Robert’s native England.

Tense time: The couple spent Thanksgiving together and are pictured arriving in New York from Robert's native London the following day. However they were apart over Christmas...

Trying to move on: Robert and Kristen rekindled their romance in time to promote the final Twilight film, after Kristen was caught on camera kissing her Snow White and the Hunstman director Rupert Sanders in July...

Culled from The Daily Mail UK.

xoxo

Simply Cheska...

'Stand just a little bit closer': Photograph shows tourist moments before she is gored by rhinoceros after gamekeeper told her to move towards animal...

Hello Friends!

This is the photo taken seconds before a safari tourist was seriously injured by a rhino - after she was allegedly urged to stand closer to the animal by a wildlife expert.

Chantal Beyer, 24, was visiting the South African nature park with her boyfriend when they stopped to look at some rhinos.

Afrikaans-language newspaper the Beeld reported that guide Alex Richter then advised them to stand a little closer seconds before the animal gored her from behind.

Attack: Chantal Beyer, 24, pictured standing next to a rhino seconds before she was gored at a wildlife safari park in South Africa...

He allegedly told a group of visitors to get out of their vehicle to take photos and even encouraged the rhinos to come closer with food.

The photograph shows them only feet away from two white rhinos which can weigh up to two tons and stand as tall as 1.8metres.

Just after the picture was taken, a huge bull rhino attacked, and its horn penetrated Ms Beyers' chest from behind, resulting in a collapsed lung and broken ribs.

Injuries: Ms Beyer is understood to be in the intensive care unit at Krugersdorp hospital after being gored by the rhino...

Ms Beyer, a bachelor of commerce student from Johannesburg, is now in an intensive care unit at a Krugersdorp hospital where she is said to be in stable condition, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Mrs Beyer's uncle and family spokesman Thom Peeters told the Beeld: 'There were quite a few young people on the vehicle and they probably felt they could trust Richter, who was an adult.'

South Africa's Aloe Ridge Hotel and Nature Reserve, where the incident took place, declined to comment today. On the resort's website it lists rhinos as one of a number of animals which visitors can see 'at close range'.

Culled from The Daily Mail UK.

xoxo

Simply Cheska...

Robber kills woman after identifying gang member...

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Umaru Manko

Hello Friends!

The death toll of the Lagos robberies which occurred in various parts of the state on Saturday and Sunday, has risen to nine after it was reported at Ajah Police Division that a mother of two, Badejoko Akinrujomu, was killed by one of the robbers.

According to a friend of the deceased, the robbers had while attacking Akinrujomu’s home on Sunday night, tied up all the occupants of the house.

PUNCH Metro learnt that while the 37-year-old was being tied up by the robbers, she was able to identify him and the robber opened fire on her, killing her instantly.

She said, “What the neighbours told me was that the robbers came around 3am on Sunday and brought all the neighbours out of their houses. Badejoko (Akinrujomu) lives in the flat on the ground floor and was also brought out.

“The robbers then tied all of them and collected their car keys. As she was being tied up, she identified one of the robbers and the guy killed her. They entered the vehicles and drove away immediately. The deceased, who is a trader, had just moved into that area a few weeks ago.”

PUNCH metro learnt that the police were immediately alerted of the development and rushed down to the scene.

It was gathered that the policemen were on their way to the robbery scene when they were ambushed and killed by the robbers.

Meanwhile, the state police command has begun to beef up security across the state following the killing of six of its men and three civilians in Ajah and Oyingbo in Lagos.

It was learnt that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, on Monday summoned all the Divisional Police Officers in the state for an emergency meeting where security strategies were discussed.

We’re merging to save Nigeria –ACN, CPC, ANPP...

National Chairman, ACN, Bisi Akande, National Chairman, ANPP,Ogbonnaya Onu and CPC National Leader and a former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.)..

Hello Friends!

The three leading opposition political parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, on Tuesday said their plan to merge was to save the country from collapse.

Their leaders spoke in Abuja at the presentation of Manifesto of a Nigerian Opposition Politics, written by a civil rights activist, Mr. Salihu Lukman.

According to the ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, all progressives must unite in order to send the ruling Peoples Democratic Party out of power in 2015.

This, he said, was necessary in order to save the country and its people from the “misrule” of the PDP-led Federal Government.

Represented by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Lawan Shuaib, Akande said, “Nigerian and its people are at crossroads. We must move fast and save the country from the PDP. That is the essence of the merger.”

Also, the CPC National Leader and a former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), called on Nigerians not to lose hope.

Posterity, he said, would not forgive the opposition leaders if they allowed personal agenda to mar the proposed merger plan.

Kim Kardashian reveals she suffers 'similar fertility issues' to sister Khloe as she shows off her pregnancy curves in clinging dress...

Hello Friends!

She's looking forward to the birth of her first child.

But Kim Kardashian has revealed that her unplanned pregnancy was more than just a happy accident - as she has 'fertility issues'.

'Khloe has been very open about her fertility issues and I think I was always really kind of quiet about mine, and I have similar issues,' she told the Today Show.

All in yellow: Kim Kardashian shows off her pregnancy curves in a clinging floral dress as she arrives to film Live With Kelly And Michael in New York on Tuesday morning...

Fashion forward: She might be expecting, but Kim is as in trend as ever in her peplum dress with side cut outs and nude court shoes

Kim's younger sister Khloe has openly talked about her failure to conceive during three years of marriage, with initial fertility tests revealing she was not ovulating.

Meanwhile Kim has been dating her boyfriend Kanye West for nine months and is expecting their baby in July.

Kim explained of her pregnancy: 'It was a pleasant surprise when so many doctors were telling me one thing and then the opposite happens.'

Sister act: Kim was joined by Kourtney at the interview...

Woman with one of the world's worst cases of gigantism dies suddenly aged 34 after growing to nearly 7ft and 400lbs...

Hello Friends!

A woman who suffered from a rare condition which made her grow into a 6ft 11ins giant has died suddenly at the age of 34.

Tanya Angus, from Las Vegas, spent the last 12 years trying to find a cure for her acromegaly, which meant she couldn't stop growing.

Until the age of 21, Tanya was just 5ft 8ins tall and weighed 130lbs. She rode horses, went dancing and had a boyfriend.

Rare disorder: Tanya Angus was a slender 5ft 8 and 130lbs as a teenager, pictured here in 1995 (left). By 2010 (right), she was 6ft 6in and more than 400lbs. She died suddenly today at the age of 34

An inspiration: Tanya Angus celebrates her 34th birthday with a friend on November 27, 2012

Struggle: Miss Angus has died at the age of 34 after her heart failed due to her extreme size

But a tumour became wrapped around her pituitary gland, causing massive amounts of growth hormone to be released into her body.

Tanya, who became wheelchair-bound, had the most extreme form of acromegaly ever seen, growing to nearly 7ft tall, and more than 400lbs.

Ms Angus, who had been working as a supervisor at a Walmart in Michigan, was fired from her post when her condition worsened, and was dumped by her boyfriend when his parents questioned whether she was a man.

But she never gave up searching for a treatment to halt her incredible growth and hoped she could one day have a more normal life.

In August last year, it seemed like Tanya and her family had finally seen a breakthrough, when a blood test revealed that her growth hormone levels had fallen at last.

Tanya's mother Karen Strutynski said at the time: 'For the first time ever, Tanya's blood level for her disease is in the normal range.

'It gives us renewed hope and will give other people renewed hope.'

Enlarge 

Sorrow: A message was posted on Tanya Angus's website that she had sadly passed away on January 14...

New treatment: The 34-year-old was given renewed hope for her condition last year but it was not to last

The good news was short-lived. Tanya's Insulin-like Growth Factor levels, which had fallen from 3,000 at the worst of her condition to just 283, had started to creep back up into the 500's. The normal range for a healthy person is around 250.

It is thought the extreme pressure on her body, caused by 12 years of coping with her huge size, caused her heart to fail.

OUT OF CONTROL: ACROMEGALY, THE CONDITION THAT CAN STRIKE AT ANY TIME

Acromegaly, which affects 20,000 people in the U.S., is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumour on the pituitary gland.

Ms Angus had undergone radiation and surgery three times in an effort to have hers removed, but, as it is wrapped around her carotid artery, it has proved too difficult.

If left untreated, acromegaly can be life-threatening, as it causes organs such as the heart and lungs to grow along with height and weight.

Sufferers are at higher risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, while the pressure on their joints causes swelling and early onset of osteoarthritis.

A notice on Tanya's website, which has inspired and helped acromegaly sufferers around the world, reads simply: 'It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing on of our beloved Tanya Angus at 12.25am on January 14, 2013, due to her heart and TIA. RIP dear one'

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a type of mini-stroke, caused when the blood flow to the brain stops for a period of time. 

Tanya had suffered a number of TIAs in recent years.

Describing her acromegaly last year, Tanya said: 'Sometimes I feel really down about it but to me the most important thing is that I have to tell people about it.

'I read emails that people send in saying: ''You're my inspiration,'' or, ''You are so strong.'' 

'If I am helping other people, I feel I can do anything.'

Tanya, whose condition caused her to spend many hours sleeping, found her outlet through her website, which helped her gain friends around the world.

Last year, she was able to meet some of them for the first time at an Acromegaly Conference in Las Vegas, where fellow sufferers told Tanya how hearing her story had caused them to seek early treatment, and possibly saved their lives.