Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
When 18 years old Swift Myers, who’s battling bone cancer, woke up after almost 11 days in an induced coma,
he knew exactly what he wanted to do next: marry his girlfriend of almost two years, Abbi and he didn’t have to think twice about it.
“I was never kidding,” Swift told the Tulsa World. “I knew we were always going to get married.”Swift has been battling Ewing’s sarcoma cancer for the past 7 years and has beaten it six times. However, it came back for a seventh time, sending Swift to the intensive care unit at Saint Francis Children’s Hospital.
“I thought he was joking at first,” Abbi told The Huffington Post of the proposal. “He’s always joked about it in the past. And the then he said ‘I’m being serious.’”
Swift asked Abbi’s father for her hand in marriage on July 22. Two days later, the eighteen-year-old high school graduates wed in the intensive care unit at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in Tulsa, Oklahoma in front of family and friends
Friends say Swift’s girlfriend now wife, Abbi Ruicker, does not leave his side and he wanted to keep it that way. According to the Tulsa World, Swift proposed to Abbi and they immediately started making plans, including the hospital and nursing staff every step of the way.
On Sunday, the pair tied the knot in front of family and friends in the hospital.
"My dad said that it would be an honor to have him as a son-in-law," says Abbi. "He's the love of my life," she says of her new husband.
Around 100 people crowded into the intensive care unit for the emotional ceremony.
Family, friends and hospital staff arranged for a photographer, videographer and flowers for the occasion. Swift’s high school history teacher, Kendra Roulet, even purchased their wedding rings a gift.
The ICU lobby was a tight squeeze for the Myers’ guests, so some attendees waited outside the window as to not disturb the other patients. About 70,000 people also watched the couple get married on Facebook livestream.
"My favorite moment was seeing Swift, he was smiling from ear to ear," she says. "I had to look away though, because everyone was crying and I didn't want to cry!"Swift's future is uncertain, but Abbi says the wedding has completely changed him – and lifted his spirits. "He's doing better!" she says. "He's been happier than I've ever seen him."
Swift and Abbi coincidentally met at the same place they wed.
They were visiting a mutual friend at the hospital who was battling leukemia at the time.
Since marrying Abbi, Swift has been moved out of the ICU and into a regular oncology room.
Since marrying Abbi, Swift has been moved out of the ICU and into a regular oncology room.
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