BY DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA — The Ogun State government has explained  that the decision to return the  two  children who  were  allegedly raped by  a pastor  to the orphanage where the incident took place was in the best interest of the children who had known no other place than the Home.

State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, in a statement, yesterday, explained that the victims of the alleged child abuse were returned to the Light of Hope Orphanage, Akute, run by Pastor Olutayo Atunde, who is currently remanded in prison for allegedly raping them, because the home is the most conducive place for them.

Pastor Atunde  who  has been accused  of  luring the  two children before having the carnal knowledge of them  was subsequently arrested by police  and then  charged to court which remanded  him in prison.

Explaining why it took the action, the government  said: “A Non Governmental Organisation,  Project Alert,  which petitioned the Police over the allegation against Atunde, demanded money to accommodate the children and  relatives who were invited to take them into custody outrightly rejected the offer to take up such responsibilities.”

“We don’t want a break in the education of the subjects. In actual fact, one of them is sitting for the on-going JSS 3 examination and we don’t want their educational circle to be broken as this could make

them have cause to regret ever opening up.

“The psychological state of the children was put into consideration. The children needed to be where they would be comfortable and also be in the right psychological state of mind. The orphanage is the only home they have ever known.

“Some of the 33 children in the orphanage whose ages range between two and 22 years, are in higher institutions of learning while others are in pre-basic class and SSS 2, as we are approaching the middle of the third term many of them will soon be sitting for promotion examinations in their respective schools”.

Sonubi   however denied  a media report that the victims had Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, PID, but that it only show that they have infection which could have emanated from any source.

She said logistic challenge associated with an outright closure of the Home should be appreciated in its right perspective, stating that two officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs have been detailed to

constantly monitor the orphanage since the beginning of the case as its officers visit the home every other day.

“It should be noted that before his remand in prison, the state government had ordered that Atunde should not visit the premises of the orphanage while his wife, who was allowed to take over the

management, gave an undertaken not to interfere with the on-going judicial process or take action which will intimidate the children,” the statement added.

American lottery player wins $590.5m jackpot

An American lottery player has won Powerball lottery jackpot of more than $590 million, organizers said yesterday, adding that the winning ended days-long American quest for a life-changing payout.

The winning numbers — 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11 — were drawn just before 11:00 pm eastern time (0300 GMT Sunday) and the winning ticket was sold in Florida, according to the competition’s website.

US media quoted lottery officials as putting the winning purse at $590.5 million. Powerball did not name the winner but said further details would be released later Sunday.

Americans by the droves plunked down their cash Saturday in a last-minute push for a chance at scooping the top prize, snapping up the $2 tickets at supermarkets, corner stores and gas stations.

The jackpot had been trailed as “the largest in the 21-year history of the game,” the Iowa state lottery agency said in a statement before the draw.

The prediction proved accurate, narrowly surpassing a November 2012 Powerball jackpot of $587.5 million.

“Strong sales across the country are the reason the prize is taking big jumps now,” the organizers said — particularly after the May 15 draw, when the jackpot stood at $363.9 million and there was no winner.

Sales were also boosted after Powerball tickets became available in California starting in April, the 43rd US state to join the competition.

Powerball — a shared jackpot coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), formed by the participating state lotteries — cannot be played from outside the United States or outside participating states.

The game presents a choice of five numbers from a pool of 59, plus a Powerball number from a separate pool of 35.

Like all US lotteries, the winnings are subject to tax.

The richest US lottery jackpot of all time is $656 million, won in a Mega Millions draw in March 2012 and split between three tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.

Back then, when entering cost $1, big lines of customers formed for three days, said Rajendra Prasad Bhusal, an employee at the Continental Wine and Liquor store in downtown Washington.

In recent days, hopefuls have again streamed in to buy Powerball tickets, but the crowd is only a third of the numbers seen in March last year, according to the liquor salesman.

“Now, people complain that the tickets cost too much,” he added.

The Powerball website had put the odds of winning at one in 175,223,510. For a comparison, the chance of getting struck by lighting in the United States is one in 280,000, according to the National Lightning Safety Institute.

The main Powerball website advised that “swinging a live chicken above your head while wishing for the future numbers does NOT work” to improve the chances of winning.

Buying more tickets helps, “but the odds are still high and hitting the jackpot is still a question of fate,” it added.