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Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Friday, May 22, 2020
FG declares Monday, Tuesday public holiday
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this in a statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mohammed Manga, on Thursday.
Aregbesola felicitated with all Muslim faithful for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
The Minister urged the Muslim faithful to replicate the life of kindness, love, tolerance, peace and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
The Minister also lamented the spate of ethnic conflicts that have resurfaced in some parts of Northern Nigeria in recent times.
He appealed to Nigerians to see themselves as a single entity and learn to tolerate one another despite ethnic and religious differences.
The Minister further urged Muslims to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and health regulations as they celebrate.
FG declares Monday public holiday
FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays
FG declares public holidays for Christmas, New year celebrations
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Trump threatens to pull U.S. membership from the WHO and make funding cut permanent
In a late-night tweet, Trump blamed the health agency for fumbling early responses to the outbreak and being too deferential to China, where the virus emerged and began spreading last year. Trump said he would make his temporary suspension of U.S. aid permanent if the WHO does not “commit to major substantive improvements in the next 30 days.”
Trump did not specify the changes he wants, but in a letter to WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Trump said discussions between the United States and the WHO are underway.
Still, he said he could not wait for the outcome to formally cite “repeated missteps by you and your organization in responding to the pandemic,” which he said had been “extremely costly for the world.”
“The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China,” Trump wrote.
His letter, a copy of which he released on Twitter, does not change anything right away. In April, Trump had placed a 60-day freeze on the approximately $400 million annual U.S. funding for the health body as part of a larger administration effort to highlight what Trump calls the failings of China, while shifting blame from his own early handling of the crisis.
Earlier Monday, Trump had said an announcement on the WHO was coming soon, and he suggested he might slash U.S. funding to around $40 million, or about commensurate with the Chinese contribution.
Trump said he chose not to address the WHO’s annual meeting on Monday, held virtually this year, although Chinese President Xi Jinping had done so.
Trump threatens to pull out of WHO, announces he is taking drug not proven to prevent covid-19
President Trump announced late Monday that the United States might permanently withhold all of its funding from the World Health Organization if “major substantive improvements” weren’t made in the next 30 days.
Trump blames the U.N. organization tasked with monitoring global health for bungling the early response to the pandemic and being too deferential to China. Without specifying exact reforms, Trump said the organization must “actually demonstrate independence from China.”
Trump also revealed that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine for about a week and a half to protect against the coronavirus, even though the drug can have deadly side effects and is not proven to prevent covid-19. The Food and Drug Administration warned last month that hydroxychloroquine should not be taken outside of hospitals or clinical trials because it could lead to heart problems.
Here are some significant developments:
Trump blames the U.N. organization tasked with monitoring global health for bungling the early response to the pandemic and being too deferential to China. Without specifying exact reforms, Trump said the organization must “actually demonstrate independence from China.”
Trump also revealed that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine for about a week and a half to protect against the coronavirus, even though the drug can have deadly side effects and is not proven to prevent covid-19. The Food and Drug Administration warned last month that hydroxychloroquine should not be taken outside of hospitals or clinical trials because it could lead to heart problems.
Here are some significant developments:
- Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to cooperate with an independent probe led by the World Health Organization — but only once the pandemic is over.
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) criticized the president’s decision to take hydroxychloroquine, “something that has not been approved by the scientists,” saying that he needed to be especially careful given his age and weight group, which she categorized as “morbidly obese.”
- The head of Florida’s coronavirus database says she was removed from her role because she refused to alter data “to drum up support for the plan to reopen.”
- People in nursing homes account for 81 percent of Canada’s coronavirus deaths.
- About 4 million stimulus payments will be sent to Americans on prepaid debit cards instead of as paper checks, the IRS and Treasury Department announced Monday.
- A new Congressional Oversight Commission report found that the Treasury Department has barely spent any of the $500 billion set aside to help businesses and local governments.
Liverpool FC eye move to sign former Man United winger – report
According to the same story, the 25-year-old feels ready to prove himself in the Premier League following his underwhelming spell at Manchester United. Liverpool FC would have to pay around £26m to lure Depay from the French club at the end of the Premier League season, the reports goes on to add. The French media outlet suggest Liverpool FC are lining up Depay as a potential replacement for Sadio Mane, who has been linked with Real Madrid.
Depay scored seven goals in 53 games in all competitions during a two-season spell at Manchester United after Louis van Gaal signed his compatriot in a £25m fee from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Manchester United sold the Netherlands international to Lyon in 2017 in a cut-price deal. Depay has 30 goals in 80 games in Ligue 1 since his move to Lyon, although his critics will point out that the Premier League is a superior league.
Monday, May 18, 2020
Singer Simi raises concerns over plight of women in decision making
Popular Nigerian singer, Simisola Ogunleye a.k.a Simi as expressed concern over the plight of women attaining their optimum goals especially in decision making processes. She said via her Twitter account @Simplysimi on Monday that women have to sweat to gain spots in policies and decision making processes in the country.
She wrote,
“I woke up angry today cos of a conversation I had before bed.
“Women are so strong. So obviously strong. You sweat blood for a spot at a table that disrespects a sweat.
“Then you spend every single day convincing people you belong there. And the damn table isn’t even all that.
“And when you say “F…. it. My life, my rules.” They ask why. It’s because it never ends. Nothing is ever enough. And complaining is a waste of time.
This is why most of the women that STAY winning have to win on their own terms. Ass-kissing is exhausting.’’ The bubbly expectant mother said that, her tweets were triggered by a discussion she had before going to bed the previous night.
She noted that although I have women are so strong but they have to struggle twice as hard to get a spot at the table, and when they get a table, they are still disrespected.
Angry at the situation of things, Simi said women have to spend every single day of their lives trying to convince people that they belong where they are.The 32 year old singer stated that when women finally decide to be in charge of their lives and make their own rules, they are still questioned.
Simi said that she still has a lot to say about the subject matter, but noted that it is not yet the right time. According to her, if she does not spill out what was in her mind, she may stay angry all day. Simi, recently took to her Instagram account to share a similar story saying that feminism makes men vulnerable. The singer stated that feminism makes many men feel vulnerable because the same society that makes them feel superior wants women to become better. Simi explained that life would actually be easier for everyone if men also support feminism.
The singer and her husband Adekunle Gold are expecting their first child as revealed in the music video for Simi’s latest song “Duduke”.
With lines such as “I cannot wait to see you, you are the treasure I have been waiting for… I am waiting for the day I finally get to kiss you,” a heavily pregnant Simi sings to her unborn child.
Released under her own record label, Studio Brat, “Duduke” is Simi’s first official single in 2020.
You underpaid PAYE tax, FG slams ASUU
The war of words between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the Integrated Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is getting hotter.
The Federal Government has revealed that members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) underpaid Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax running into billions over the years.
Reacting to criticisms from ASUU over discrepancies on recent salary payments, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) disclosed that “the rate of tax being applied by tertiary institutions was not correct, leading to underpayment of PAYE Tax.”
The OAGF noted that because of the underpayment “states governments of the federation made claims on the federal government to pay the differential arising from underpayment of tax by these institutions.”
Bowing to pressure from the state governments, the OAGF stated that the “federal government has paid several billions on behalf of these institutions because of their underpayment of the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax.”
The OAGF categorically to ASUU that “the request by the tertiary institution unions to formalize tax evasion through Integrated Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is not only untenable, but unpatriotic request to violate extant laws on tax.”
Regarding the demand for Bank Verification Number (BVN) from asuu members before they can be paid, the OAGF revealed that about 1,180 ASUU members “failed the BVN test and details have been forwarded to the universities for the necessary correction and update.”
According to the OAGF, “BVN as a way of confirming all account numbers of the tertiary institutions that are sent to IPPIS were forwarded to the relevant agencies for validation and confirmation” but over a thousand ASUU bungled their information.
With regards to non receipt of salaries after others have been paid, the Accountant General stated that “this arose because the names on the payroll are not in uniformity with the names in the bank. Employees are expected to update their bank details in conformity with names on the payroll as efforts to change payroll names in the banks is not allowed, except where there is a change of name as a result of marriage.”
The IPPIS platform the Office said “does not recognize joint accounts operated by two or more persons. Every salary payment is personal.”
On the alleged payment to dead university staff, the OAGF noted that “the Institutions deliberately forwarded to IPPIS the list containing dead ASUU members as being part of their personnel, to get more personnel fund.”
According to the OAGF: “It is the responsibility of the Institutions or Agencies to inform the IPPIS office about death, resignation or exit from service before due date. We sent payroll analysis to the tertiary institution Bursars for review of any omission or names to be excluded.”
On payment of allowances and salaries, the OAGF argued that “any other salaries and allowances approved by any other agency in Nigeria which are not formalized by the Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (SIWC) will amount to illegal payment.”
Therefore, the OAGF urged ASUU and other unions to understand this. “The fact that they arm-twisted their institutions to pay them these allowances does not translate to legality.”
Commenting on payments for sabbatical visits and adjunct lecturers the OAGF stated that “payment of sabbatical aid visiting lecturers is duly recognized by IPPIS, but it is dependent on furnishing the IPPIS with the particulars of such lecturers, including his IPPIS number, his primary institution, the start date of the sabbatical or the visiting and the end date.”
Government it said “recognizes the fact that all staff on sabbatical are entitled to 100% of their salaries as sabbatical allowances, while visiting and adjunct lecturers will enjoy 50% of their salaries as visiting allowance.”
The OAGF warned ASUU that “government will no longer incur unnecessary expenditure on pension, NHIS or such allowances that are not part of universities pensionable salaries.”
The Particular Cruelty of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a serious social and public health problem that occurs in all countries around the world. Domestic violence includes an array of physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviors by intimate partners. In 48 population-based studies from around the world, between 10% and 69% of women reported being physically assaulted by an intimate partner at some point in their lives, and for many of these women, physical assault was part of a continuing pattern of abusive behavior. The World Health Organization recently conducted a study on domestic violence against women and women’s health in which 24,000 women were interviewed, at 15 different sites, in 10 geographically, culturally, and economically diverse countries. Even though the settings varied greatly, both among and within countries, the results indicate that violence against women by their male partners is common and has serious consequences.
Although estimating the extent of domestic violence depends upon factors such as the exact definition of domestic violence and how its incidence and prevalence are measured, in many studies women have been found to experience more intimate partner violence than men. Moreover, women victims of this violence suffered more severe injuries and experienced significantly more distress than men. The physical and psychological consequences of domestic violence are both acute and chronic. Research in several countries has shown that male partner violence is associated with physical and mental health problems in women, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicidal behavior. Adult domestic violence is also associated with child abuse and there is evidence that children who are victims of or witnesses to domestic violence have more emotional and social problems than children not exposed to such violence. It has also been found that developmental impairments and psychological problems may affect these children throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Exposure to family violence is associated with community violence and dating violence. Although some results suggest that extrafamilial experiences with violence bring a greater risk for dating victimization than intrafamilial experiences, it has been found in many studies that exposure to family violence was associated with dating violence and with attitudes condoning violence, such as when it is considered to be a justifiable means of relationship conflict resolution. Intergenerational transmission of violence has mixed support and some differences according to gender have been found.
Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal assault to violence. And while physical injury may pose the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your relationship is abusive.
Signs of an abusive relationship
There are many signs of an abusive relationship, and a fear of your partner is the most telling. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around them—constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow-up—chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Other signs include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation.
To determine whether your relationship is abusive, answer the questions below. The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that you’re in an abusive relationship.
Are you in an abusive relationship?
Your inner thoughts and feelings
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Your partner’s belittling behavior
Does your partner:
humiliate or yell at you?
criticize you and put you down?
treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
blame you for their own abusive behavior?
see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Your partner’s violent behavior or threats
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
threaten to take your children away or harm them?
threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
Your partner’s controlling behavior
Does your partner:
Act excessively jealous and possessive?
Control where you go or what you do?
Keep you from seeing your friends or family?
Limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
Constantly check up on you?
Physical and sexual abuse
Physical abuse occurs when physical force is used against you in a way that injures or endangers you. Physical assault or battering is a crime, whether it occurs inside or outside of a family. The police have the power and authority to protect you from a physical attack.
Any situation in which you are forced to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity is sexual abuse. Forced sex, even by a spouse or intimate partner with whom you also have consensual sex, is an act of aggression and domestic violence. Furthermore, people whose partners abuse them physically and sexually are at a higher risk of being seriously injured or killed.
It is still domestic abuse if…
The incidents of physical abuse seem minor when compared to those you have read about, seen on television, or heard other people talk about. There isn’t a “better” or “worse” form of physical abuse; severe injuries can result from being pushed, for example.
The incidents of physical abuse have only occurred one or two times in the relationship. Studies indicate that if your spouse/partner has injured you once, it is likely that the person will continue to physically assault you.
The physical assaults stopped when you became passive and gave up your right to express yourself as you desire, to move about freely and see others, and to make decisions. It is not a victory if you have to give up your rights as a person and a partner in exchange for ending the assault!
Physical violence has not occurred. Many people are emotionally and verbally assaulted. This can be just as frightening and is often more confusing to try to understand.
Emotional abuse: It’s a bigger problem than you think
Not all abusive relationships involve physical violence.
Just because you’re not battered and bruised doesn’t mean you’re not being abused. Many men and women suffer from emotional abuse, which is no less destructive. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often minimized or overlooked—even by the person experiencing it.
The aim of emotional abuse is to chip away at your feelings of self a worth and independence—leaving you feeling that there’s no way out of the relationship, or that without your abusive partner, you have nothing.
Emotional abuse includes verbal abuse such as yelling, names calling, blaming, and shaming. Isolation, intimidation, and controlling behavior are also forms of emotional abuse.
Abusers who use emotional or psychological abuse often throw in threats of physical violence or other repercussions if you don’t do as they want.
The scars of emotional abuse are very real and they run deep. You may think that physical abuse is far worse than emotional abuse, since physical violence can send you to the hospital and leave you with physical wounds. But emotional abuse can be just as damaging—sometimes even more so.
Economic or financial abuse: A subtle form of emotional abuse
Remember, an abuser’s goal is to control you, and they will frequently use money to do so. Economic or financial abuse includes:
Rigidly controlling your finances
Withholding money or credit cards
Making you account for every penny you spend
Withholding basic necessities (food, clothes, medications, shelter)
Restricting you to an allowance
Preventing you from working or choosing your own career
Sabotaging your job (making you miss work, calling constantly)
Stealing from you or taking your money
Abusive behavior is a choice
Despite what many people believe, domestic violence and abuse does not take place because of an abuser loses control over their behavior. In fact, abusive behavior and violence is a deliberate choice to gain control. Perpetrators use a variety of tactics to manipulate you and exert their power, including:
Dominance – Abusive individuals need to feel in charge of the relationship. They may make decisions for you and the family, tell you what to do, and expect you to obey without question. Your abuser may treat you like a servant, child, or even as their possession.
Humiliation – An abuser will do everything they can to lower your self-esteem or make you feel defective in some way. After all, if you believe you’re worthless and that no one else will want you, you’re less likely to leave. Insults, names calling, shaming, and public putdowns are all weapons of abuse designed to erode your self a worth and make you feel powerless.
Isolation – In order to increase your dependence on them, an abusive partner will cut you off from the outside world. They may keep you from seeing family or friends, or even prevent you from going to work or school. You may have to ask permission to do anything, go anywhere, or see anyone.
Threats – Abusers commonly use threats to keep their partners from leaving or scare them into dropping charges. Your abuser may threaten to hurt or kill you, your children, other family members, or even pets. They may also threaten to commit suicide, file false charges against you, or report you to child services.
Intimidation – Your abuser may use a variety of intimidation tactics designed to scare you into submission. Such tactics include making threatening looks or gestures, smashing things in front of you, destroying property, hurting your pets, or putting weapons on display. The message behind these actions is that violent violent consequences will follow if you don’t obey.
Denial and blame – Abusers are adept at making excuses for the inexcusable. They may blame their abusive and violent behavior on a bad childhood, a bad day, or even on you and the kids, the victims of their abuse. They may minimize the abuse or deny that it occurred. Often, they will shift the responsibility on to you: somehow, their violent and abusive behavior is your fault.
Abusers are able to control their behaviors they do it all the time
Abusers pick and choose whom to abuse. They don’t insult, threaten, or assault everyone in their life who gives them grief. Usually, they save their abuse for the people closest to them, the ones they claim to love.
Abusers carefully choose when and where to abuse. They control themselves until no one else is around to witness their behavior. They may act like everything is fine in public, but then lash out instantly as soon as you’re alone with them.
Abusers are able to stop their abusive behavior when it benefits them. Most abusers are not out of control. In fact, they’re able to immediately stop their abusive behavior when it’s to their advantage to do so (for example, when the police show up or their boss calls).
Violent abusers usually direct their blows where they won’t show. Rather than acting out in a mindless rage, many physically violent abusers carefully aim their kicks and punches where the bruises and marks won’t show.
The cycle of violence in domestic abuse
Domestic abuse falls into a common pattern or cycle of violence:
Abuse – Your abusive partner lashes out with aggressive, belittling, or violent behavior. This treatment is a power play designed to show you “who is boss.”
Guilt – Your partner feels guilt after abusing you, but not because of their actions. They’re more worried about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences for their abusive behavior.
Excuses – Your abuser rationalizes what they have done. The person may come up with a string of excuses or blame you for provoking them—anything to avoid taking responsibility.
“Normal” behavior – Your partner does everything in their power to regain control and ensure that you’ll stay in the relationship. A perpetrator may act as if nothing has happened, or they might “turn on the charm.” This peaceful honeymoon phase may give you hope that the abuser has really changed this time.
Fantasy and planning – Your abuser begins to fantasize about repeating the abuse. They spend a lot of time thinking about what you’ve done wrong and how they’ll make you pay for it. Then they form a plan for turning the fantasy of abuse into reality.
Set-up – Your abuser sets you up and puts their plan in motion, creating a situation where they can justify abusing you.
Your abuser’s apologies and loving gestures in between the episodes of abuse can make it difficult to leave. They may cause you to believe that you are the only person who can help them, that they will change their behavior, and that they truly love you. However, the dangers of staying are very real.
The full cycle of domestic violence: An example
A man abuses his partner. After he hits her, he experiences self-directed guilt. He says, “I’m sorry for hurting you.” What he does not say is, “Because I might get caught.” He then rationalizes his behavior by accusing his partner of having an affair. He tells her, “If you weren’t such a worthless whore, I wouldn’t have to hit you.” He then acts contrite, reassuring her that it will not happen again. But later he fantasizes and reflects on past abuse and decides to hurt her again. He plans on sending her to the grocery store, purposely choosing a busy time. She is then held up in traffic and returns a few minutes later than expected. In his mind, he justifies assaulting her by blaming her for having an affair with the store clerk. He has just set her up.
Recognizing the warning signs of abuse
It’s impossible to know with certainty what goes on behind closed doors, but there are some telltale signs of emotional abuse and domestic violence. If you witness these warning signs of abuse in a friend, family member, or co-worker, take them very seriously.
People who are being abused may:
Seem afraid or anxious to please their partner
Go along with everything their partner says and does
Check in often with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing
Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner
Talk about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness
Warning signs of physical violence. People who are being physically abused may:
Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents”
Frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanation
Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses indoors)
Warning signs of isolation. People who are being isolated by their abuser may:
Be restricted from seeing family and friends
Rarely go out in public without their partner
Have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car
The psychological warning signs of abuse. People who are being abused may:
Have very low self-esteem, even if they used to be confident
Show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing person becomes withdrawn)
Be depressed, anxious, or suicidal
Speak up if you suspect domestic violence or abuse
If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, speak up! If you’re hesitating—telling yourself that it’s none of your business, you might be wrong, or that the person might not want to talk about it—keep in mind that expressing your concern will let the person know that you care and may even save their life.
Talk to the person in private and let them know that you’re concerned. Point out the signs you’ve noticed that worry you. Tell the person that you’re there for them, whenever they feel ready to talk. Reassure them that you’ll keep whatever is said between the two of you, and let them know that you’ll help in any way you can.
Remember, abusers are very good at controlling and manipulating their victims. People who have been emotionally or physically abused are often depressed, drained, scared, ashamed, and confused. They need help getting out of the situation, yet their partner has often isolated them from their family and friends. By picking up on the warning signs and offering support, you can help them escape an abusive situation and begin healing.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
Ask if something is wrong
Express concern
Listen and validate
Offer help
Support their decisions
Don’t:
Wait for them to come to you
Judge or blame
Pressure them
Give advice
Place conditions on your support
Project Alert on Violence Against Women
Lagos Office
17/21 Akinsanya Street off Isheri Road,
Ojodu-Berger, Lagos.
Email: projectalert@projectalertnig.org
info@projectalertnig.org
Telephone: 234-1-8209387; 08052004698; 08180091072
Website: http://www.projectalertnig.org
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ProjectAlertOnViolenceAgainstWomen
Address
21, Akinsanya Street
Off Isheri Road, Taiwo Bus stop (Behind FRSC)
Ojodu – Berger
P.O.Box 15456, Ikeja
Lagos, Nigeria.
Abuja Office
26 Bamenda Street, Off Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3
Telephone: 234-1-8708618
Media Concern Initiative
15A Bolodeoku Crescent, Dideolu Estate
By Sweet Sensation, Ijaiye Road,
Ogba -Lagos
E-mail: info@mediaconcern.net
Tel: 01-8944915, 08058208164
Mirabel Centre
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Department of Family Medicine
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
Ikeja-Lagos Tel: 08056268573
Office of the Public Defender
Lagos State Ministry of Justice
2/8 Iyun Street (Barracks Bus-stop)
By National Stadium
Surulere-Lagos
Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs
Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja
Child Abuse Help Lines: 08085753932, 08102678442
Women Empowerment and Legal Aid
25, Adekunle Fajuyi Way,
GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
Email: info@welaonline.org
08021063232, 08120799122, 08058143602
Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC
9B James Oluleye Crescent
Off Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja-Lagos
womenadvocate@yahoo.com; info@wardc.org
Domestic And Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Lagos State.
Website: http://www.dsvrtlagos.org
Email address: info@dsvrtlagos.org
Hotlines: 112 , 08056268573 , 07080601080 , 08085754226 , 07032165181, 08137960048.
Where to report: Police Stations with Special Family Units
Adeniji Adele – 0810-498-2245
Isokoko – 08081774694
Ilupeju – 08033137432
Panti – 0807-440-8863
Office of the Public Defender – 0708-0601-080
Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – 0808-575-4226
Ministry of Justice – 0703-837-9705
Helplines for child abuse (08085753932, 08102678442)
Helplines Domestic violence (08057542266, 08102678443)
Find nationwide resources on legal, housing and shelter support, Helpline, Counselling etc. from the Nigerian Domestic Violence/Abuse resource centre
COVID-19: FG announces palliatives for MSMEs
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo made this known at the virtual launch of palliatives for MSMEs by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He described the launch of NAFDAC palliatives for MSMEs as “a thoughtful and strategic response to the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“This is why the e-registration assistance for MSMEs through the Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) is so timely.
“These are all indicators of the new spirit of NAFDAC and foretaste of the support MSMEs stand to enjoy in wading through these trying times. But this is not a new undertaking for us. It is merely an extension or intensification of the Federal Government’s long-standing commitment to MSMEs.” he explained.
According to him, the palliatives reflect the President Buhari administration’s determination to support MSMEs and the priority the Federal Government places on small businesses.
The Vice President, therefore reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure that the projected growth in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector were not affected by the pandemic.
“Just after the first index case of the disease was discovered in Nigeria and before the lockdowns began, Mr. President put together strategic teams to immediately determine the impact of the disruptions likely to be caused to the economy and what our immediate and medium to long term approach should be.
“This is our moment and the government of Nigeria and its regulatory agencies are prepared to back MSMEs and other businesses that are prepared for the innovative and interesting times that lie ahead of us,” he explained.
“The vulnerability of MSMEs to the severe shocks that were to follow was priority at every consideration of the issues. But perhaps even our best projections could hardly have predicted the massive economic disruptions, the unprecedented number of business failures, job losses of what began as a health challenge and the ensuing lockdowns would cause especially to MSMEs, who, of course as you know, are the backbone of our entire economy.
“As the President has repeatedly urged, we have no excuse not to be one of the most productive and prolific economies in the world. Our hope is to achieve this aim in the incredible numbers of MSMEs that we have,” the VP noted.
The Palliatives:
E-Registration of MSMEs/products at 80% discounted rate over a period of six months, zero tariffs for the first 200 micro and small businesses to register on the E-platform.
Waiver on administrative charges for overdue late renewal of expired licenses of micro/small businesses products for a period of 90 days.
The Vice President urged regulatory agencies involved in the MSMEs sector to improve on their service delivery noting that “we expect to see from them in terms of innovation, adaptability in the next few months and through the challenges that we will be seeing in business environment.”
“I am sure that NAFDAC, SMEDAN, BOI and all of our MDAs concerned with the MSMEs see this period as one when we must work with the MSMEs, identify with them, and must be quick on the job to ensure we are able to resolve all of the problems that they have, “ he added.
The #Bopdaddy Challenge involves people video recording themselves transforming into a variety of clothes.
The NIS made this known in a series of tweets on its Twitter handle on Friday, saying the transfer was put on hold pending the outcome of an investigation into their conduct.
The five officers – Priscilla Irabor, Catherine Bakura, Blessing Udida, Binti Attabor, and Ockiya Eneni – were transferred to states far from their duty posts for participating in the #Bopdaddy challenge initiated by musician, Folarinde Falana aka Falz.
Eneni was moved from the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card Production Facility to the Borno State Command.
The service transferred Irabor from the Lagos State Command to the Nigeria Immigration Training School, Kano, while Attabor was posted from the service headquarters in Abuja to Yobe State Command.
Udida from the FCT Command was sent to the Akwa Ibom State Command while Bakura was transferred from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the NIS Training School Ahoada, Rivers State.
Eneni was moved from the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card Production Facility to the Borno State Command.
The service transferred Irabor from the Lagos State Command to the Nigeria Immigration Training School, Kano, while Attabor was posted from the service headquarters in Abuja to Yobe State Command.
After their transfer, there was an outrage on social media, with Nigerians, including Falz, the son of Femi Falana (SAN), urging the NIS to reverse its position.
Reacting to the outcry, the NIS tweeted, “The attention of the Comptroller General Muhammad Babandede MFR has been drawn to some trending matters on some social media platforms regarding the deployment of some of our Personnel to some Formations across the country.
“It is important to note that staff deployment remains a vital practice of regimented organisations such as ours and should be seen as such.
“As an agency, we maintain zero tolerance to any matters bordering on offences against discipline among members of our workforce irrespective of gender.
“We have a high premium for staff development and indeed encourage personal efforts but that must be within the confines of our rules and regulations.
“The matter involving the Personnel in question is still being investigated and therefore, the Comptroller General has directed that the earlier Posting Order be put on hold pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
Pregnant COVID-19 patient delivered of a baby boy in Lagos State (Photo)
It was a moment of joy and celebration from health workers when the mother finally gave birth to the baby boy early in the morning.
Announcing the great feat recorded by the State Government through her health workers, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the feat “is another validation of the government’s position to stamp out the Coronavirus virus from our state.”
He said: “I bring you great news from our isolation facilities. Today, (Saturday) a pregnant COVID-19 positive patient was delivered of a baby boy through the caesarian session at the Gbagada Isolation Centre. Both Mother and baby are doing well.
“Today’s achievement is a pointer that our strategies in Lagos state are working and yielding the desired results. It is also a sign of victory and motivation for us as we push ahead in the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic.”
Sanwo-Olu also announced the discharge of 67 more patients from four isolation centres after testing negative two consecutive times for the coronavirus.
Sunday, May 17, 2020
PDP gives FG 48-hour ultimatum to declare whereabouts of Chinese medical team
The opposition party noted that Ehanire’s statement had heightened apprehensions in the polity that the Chinese team, whose identity and activities have been shrouded in secrecy, might have been brought in by a certain cabal for another purpose outside the general public good.
It stated that it was suspicious that the Health Minister, who had previously assured that the Chinese came to support the country’s fight against COVID-19; and personally received them at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on April 8, 2020, turned around to claim ignorance of their whereabouts.
How First 32 COVID-19 Cases Were Treated
The study titled, “Clinical Presentation, Case Management and Outcomes for the First 32 COVID-19 Patients in Nigeria,” was published in The Pan African Medical Journal. The researchers led by a consultant public health physician and former Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Akin Osibogun, include, Abimbola Bowale, Akin Abayomi, Jide Idris, Sunday Omilabu, Ismail Abdus-Salam, Busayo Adebayo, Folarin Opawoye, Ore Finnih-Awokoya, Emmanuella Zamba, and Hussein Abdur-Razzaq among others.
They are drawn from Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos; Lagos State Ministry of Health; College of Medicine, University of Lagos; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH); Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor; Lagos State Primary Health Care Board; World Health Organisation, Nigerian Office, Lagos; Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Lagos, and African Field Epidemiology Network, Lagos. According to the researchers, success in curtailing pandemic depends largely on a sound understanding of the epidemiological and clinical profile of cases in a population, as well as the case management approach.
“This study documents the presenting characteristics, treatment modalities and outcomes of the first 32 COVID-19 patients in Nigeria,” they noted. The retrospective study used medical records of the first 32 patients admitted and discharged from the Mainland Hospital, Lagos State, between February 27 and April 6, 2020. The outcomes of interest were death, promptness of admission process and duration of hospitalisation.
According to the results, “the mean age of the patients was 38.1 years (SD: 15.5) and 66% were male. Three-quarters (75%) of the patients presented in moderately severe condition while 16% were asymptomatic. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (59%) and dry cough (44%). The mean time between a positive test result and admission was 1.63 days (SD: 1.31). Almost all (97%) the patients were treated with lopinavir-ritonavir with no recorded death. The median duration of hospital stay was 12 days.”
They concluded: “In this preliminary analysis of the first COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, clinical presentation was mild to moderate with no mortality. Processes to improve promptness of admission and reduce hospital stay are required to enhance the response to COVID-19 in Nigeria.”
On what this study adds to existing literature on the scourge? Osibogun told The Guardian: “Literature on COVID-19 is currently unfolding worldwide and the study would contribute to the growing body of knowledge. In particular, this study helps in identify the defining clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and shares experience with case management in an African context.”
Experts fear Madagascar’s organics could accelerate malaria resistance
While receiving a sample of COVID-Organics from the President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, Buhari said his position on all such herbal or traditional medicinal postulates had remained the same, stressing that he would not allow the solution, or any other drug to be administered on Nigerians without scientific instructions.
It would be recalled that President of Madagascar, Andry Ranoelina, recently dispatched consignments of the drug to African countries, some of which were sent to Guinea Bissau for onward delivery to West African countries.
According to Buhari: “We have our institutions, systems and processes in the country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification. I will not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions.”
Embalo said one of the reasons he was in the country having stabilized his country after the crises that attended the general elections won by him, was to come and seek counsel from his “father,” President Buhari, on his plan for a “government of national unity,” and a proposed war against corruption in his country.
He also said that his new government met a country beset with a number of issues and problems, the resolution of which would require tremendous assistance from “big brother,” Nigeria.
“Problems of Guinea Bissau are problems of Nigeria. I have come to you as your son. I need your help and assistance to make the people happy. I will not let you down, neither will I put you in any difficult situation,” the visiting leader told President Buhari. In response to these demands, the Nigerian leader commended “General“ Embalo on his confirmation as President and for stabilising the country.
“I commend your political dexterity in getting the opposition to join the proposed unity government,” he said, adding that Nigeria was determined to keep West Africa politically stable and promised to support the new government in Guinea Bissau. “I will cooperate and help in every way possible,” assured the Nigerian President.
But as Buhari promised not to allow the Madagascan solution, or any other drug to be administered on Nigerians without scientific instructions, some experts have warned that the misuse of Artemisia, one of the main plant extracts in the tonic (from Artemisia annua), could accelerate malaria resistance to artemisinin-based drugs, used as treatment for malaria.
Already, Artemisia annua, which is a source of artemisinin, a significant component of modern anti-malarials, has been the subject of some international research looking at possible Coronavirus treatments. Scientists at Germany’s Max Planck Institute, in Potsdam are among a group of researchers from Germany and Denmark collaborating with a United States company, ArtemiLife to explore whether Artemisia plant can be used against the raging contagion. Lately, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, during Presidential Task Force (PTF) briefing on COVID-19, in Abuja, also said that samples of plant from Madagascar would be compared with the ones that grow here in the country. He said, “The cure from Madagascar has been making the news and we have promised to get samples of the herb or the botanical products that is there for analysis and (also) use (that) as an opportunity to speak with the health authorities, particularly the scientific community, on how they use it.
“We will give that to the research community with us here to examine and see what they can do with it. We understand that it is something called Artemisia annua, which also grows here but if we get it, we will like to compare it with the strain here whether they are identical or whether they are similar, and see what properties they have. Things like that are subjected to analysis.
“All countries in the world are interested in finding a cure and we are no different, and we will look at all options, possibilities, and promises that were made. But before we give them to our people, we will ensure they are safe and make sure they work.”
The WHO recently also warned against using untested herbal therapies to treat COVID-19 patients without first “establishing their efficacy and safety through rigorous clinical trials” in step with global standards. The United Nations agency in a release this month acknowledged that medicinal plants such as Artemisia annua, were “being considered as possible treatment of COVID-19,” but stressed that they “should be tested for efficacy and adverse side effects.”
The organisation added that efforts were underway to find treatment for COVID-19, but cautioned against misinformation, especially on social media, about the effectiveness of certain remedies.
“Many plants and substances are being proposed without the minimum requirements and evidence of quality, safety and efficacy. The use of products to treat COVID-19, which have not been robustly investigated can put people in danger, giving a false sense of security and distracting them from hand washing and physical distancing, which are cardinal in COVID-19 prevention, and may also increase self-medication and the risk to patient safety,” the agency wrote.
Worries Over Artemisia Annua
One of the earliest concerns about accelerate malaria resistance to artemisinin-based drugs was raised by a Professor of Pharmacological Science and Experimental Medicine at Stony Brook University, New York, Dr. Arthur Grollman, who speaking to CNN said: “Widespread use of Artemisia annua in the pandemic will accelerate resistance to it, endangering people in countries, including Madagascar, where artemisinin-based drugs are being used to treat malaria.
“The product won’t work and will result in more people dying from Coronavirus due to the false sense of security created by the advertisement and also more people dying from malaria due to artemisia resistance,” Grollman said.
Reacting to this, a clinical pharmacist and public health expert Kingsley Chiedu, said: “In treatment of malaria, if artemisinin is used as monotherapy (that is alone without combining with an additional antimalarial medicine, then resistance could develop to it. That is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) insists on artemisinine being combined with other anti-malarial medicines. When the product is used alone at sub-optimal doses, resistance could develop. When used at higher than recommended doses, toxicity or adverse drug reactions can set in.”
The plant artemisia is found to be effective in treatment of malaria, but according to Chiedu, if used in sub-therapeutic dose, could lead to years of treatment failure.
Malaria is endemic in many African countries, and as many as 400, 000 people died of it globally in 2018, according to WHO. In terms of side effect, Chiedu said, “Artemisia herb is known to be quite safe. Safer than some orthodox medicine, but the problem is standadisation of dose. People tend to use such drugs as they like. In terms of efficacy tests, it is trial and error.”
Regarding injecting higher than recommended therapeutic doses, Chiedu said this could lead to toxicity and adverse reaction. “But for now, it is too early to speculate that it can lead to drug resistant. What we need to do now is to encourage our own local herbal products up to the point of testing,” he said. Another pharmacist, Olumide Akintayo, said when people begin to misuse herbs, they are exposed to consequences like ulcer, and gastrointestinal diseases. “Before you get to the stage of drug resistance, you must have abused the drug over and over again. If you begin to abuse lime for instance, within a week, I can assure you that you will come up with a gastrointestinal issue.
“There is no prophylaxis for the virus. The best people can do is to use supplements like Vitamin C- a high dose for a short period then substitute with fruits and vegetables. Avoid crowded areas, avoid air-conditioned areas were you have lots of people, this is why you have lots of people contracting it through flying in aircraft. People should focus on these preventive measures instead of focusing on herbal preparation,” he said.
Akintayo stressed the need to evaluate the safety profile of the drug saying: “It’s important that pharmacists embark on national dialogue with NAFDAC, to agree on the necessary pharmacological tests of some of these herbal preparations.
Artemisinin is not the first malaria treatment to gain attention in the search for a treatment for COVID-19. The malaria drug hydroxychloroquine has also been hyped in recent months despite little data supporting its effectiveness against coronavirus infection.
The Co-Chair, Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 in Kano, Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi, yesterday, said there was urgent need for Nigeria to search inward for a veritable treatment and cure for the pandemic. The professor of infectious diseases and public health, who spoke in Kano, noted that it was high time Nigeria and Africa focused more on local scientific research and development in a bid to finding homegrown treatment for the virus. Although, Nasidi disclosed that several clinical tests on vaccines for the cure of COVID-19 pandemic were presently at advanced stages, he reminded that such vaccines when finally certified may be difficult to access in Africa, even as he alleged that world powers may make it extremely expensive and reserved for their citizens first, before thinking of Third World countries. Nasidi, who expressed the belief that Nigeria and Africa have the scientific and alternative medicine competence to finding a cure for the virus, urged government to increase funding for research centres in the country.
Nigerian breaks record in U. S
“Coming from a low-income community, it means a lot in general because of the way I was brought up,” Adelakun stated in an interview ABC News. Timi, who has a 5.604 GPA, is the youngest youngster of three siblings and neither of his mother and father attended school.
He stated that his main accomplishment is considerably bittersweet as a result of his father, who was deported over a decade in the past, will not be there to have fun with him. Adelakun’s achievement comes after years of economic struggles.
The teenager has to help his mum pay payments by participating in aspect hustles, comparable to graphic design and images. To get monetary savings for the household, he typically walked to school if he missed the bus.
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Kanu fight for relevance
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is battling for relevance by spreading fake news, capable of causing ethnic distrust.
Kanu’s Ideology, according to an Obafemi Awolowo University Psychologist, Mr. Peter O.S, is embedded in brainwashing his followers into believing that he is their messiah and he would do anything to cause ethnicity war.
The proscribed IPOB leader, last year, claimed that the undue influence of Yoruba Muslims in the affairs of Yorubaland will mark the end of Yoruba as a great race.
Similarly, last week, during a live Facebook broadcast, he asked the South West (Yoruba) leaders to, without delay, demand the whereabouts of their son, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. He revealed that Nigeria’s Vice President was sick and not in Aso Rock, but the revelation turned out to be a false claim after the VP attend series of meeting physically and through video conferencing. Analyzing Kanu, Mr. Peter confirmed that the symptoms of mental disorders found in Kanu are strong feelings of anger, which make him always express extreme anger. He added that: “these traits are similar to those found in Jim Jones, the infamous American preacher and faith healer turned cult leader who conspired with his inner circle to direct a mass murder-suicide of his followers in Jonestown, Guyana.”
The Ife psychologist advised that “If Kanu submits himself for further examination, it is possible that we find more traits of insanity in him.
“From the above, I have been able to establish that he has delusions, hallucinations, strong feelings of anger, denial of obvious issues and confused thinking but there could be mo re.”
Kanu’s Ideology, according to an Obafemi Awolowo University Psychologist, Mr. Peter O.S, is embedded in brainwashing his followers into believing that he is their messiah and he would do anything to cause ethnicity war.
The proscribed IPOB leader, last year, claimed that the undue influence of Yoruba Muslims in the affairs of Yorubaland will mark the end of Yoruba as a great race.
Similarly, last week, during a live Facebook broadcast, he asked the South West (Yoruba) leaders to, without delay, demand the whereabouts of their son, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. He revealed that Nigeria’s Vice President was sick and not in Aso Rock, but the revelation turned out to be a false claim after the VP attend series of meeting physically and through video conferencing. Analyzing Kanu, Mr. Peter confirmed that the symptoms of mental disorders found in Kanu are strong feelings of anger, which make him always express extreme anger. He added that: “these traits are similar to those found in Jim Jones, the infamous American preacher and faith healer turned cult leader who conspired with his inner circle to direct a mass murder-suicide of his followers in Jonestown, Guyana.”
The Ife psychologist advised that “If Kanu submits himself for further examination, it is possible that we find more traits of insanity in him.
“From the above, I have been able to establish that he has delusions, hallucinations, strong feelings of anger, denial of obvious issues and confused thinking but there could be mo re.”
DID YOU KNOW: Picture of baptism as water takes the shape of a rosary
Argentina 10/24/2009: A single mother, Erica Mora, so poor to the point of not having a way to pay for a picture taken a photographer at the baptism of her son, Valentino Mora, asked Maria Silvana Salles ( who was io that church to take pictures of other babies) if she would take one to her son free of charges. The photographer said yes and took one to Valentino with a traditional camera with film. In receiving the picture from the development, Maria Silvana noticed with surprise that the water had taken the shape of the Rosary with cross. Now, the people of San Martín de Despeñaderos (Argentina) visit the studio of the photographer to see or buy the pictureGod
The photo of the baptism of Valentino Mora swept across the Internet, because in the very moment Father Osvaldo Macaya pours holy water, the liquid that falls form a rosary. This story began with the baptism of Valentino, a baby of just over a month, son of Erica Mora, single mom, held in the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady of the province of Cordoba Despeñaderos.
At the time that Valentino came to the baptismal font to receive the sacrament of baptism, Erica asked the photographer Maria Silvana Salles, who was in the hired by other parents place to take a picture of her son as a favor, since the young mother had no way to pay.
Maria Silvana, the photographer, moved by Erica’s request, agreed to take a picture of Valentino.
Maria Silvana works with a traditional camera and had to send the film to develop in Córdoba.
The surprise was even greater when he was sent copies and Silvana warned that spilled water from the head of Valentino formed a perfect rosary.
Silvana showed the picture to Father Osvaldo Macaya who could not believe what his eyes were seeing.
The photo of the baptism of Valentino has awakened faith in the people of Despeñaderos who come to the humble studio of Erica Valentino Mora to look at.
The truth is that this sign mobilized Despeñaderos faith, whose neighbors who go through the study of Silvana to buy the picture as if it were a prayer card.
Meanwhile Maria Silvana Salles told how he lived this experience: “I was hired to go to take pictures of a baptism and when I got to church this girl asked me if I could take pictures of his son as well, when I got photos back from the development center, I realize that there there was a rosary “
“When I saw it I went to talk to Father (Macaya)… Many people come to see it even from other towns, this is a sign that you have to believe in God”.
For 200 years, these villagers lived 2,600 feet up a remote cliff. Now they're in a housing estate
Atule'er, a 200-year-old village in Sichuan province, made headlines around the world when photographs emerged in 2016 of schoolchildren descending the cliff on unsteady rattan ladders -- or "sky ladders," as locals called them.
The two-hour climb was the villagers' only way to access the outside world, and they had to carry farm produce down the cliff to sell at the nearest market miles away. In recent years, local authorities replaced their hand-made ladders with a steel one that featured handrails, drastically shortening their travel time.
This week, however, 84 households of Atule'er left the ladders behind for good, resettling in apartment blocks closer to the town center of Zhaojue county, 75 kilometers (46 miles) away, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
Their new apartments range from 25 square meters (269 square feet) to 100 square meters (1,076 square feet), and have modern kitchens, toilets, running water, electricity and gas, according to state broadcaster CGTN.
"I'm very happy that today I got a very good house," villager Mose Laluo told CGTN.
"After moving to the county, life will be very convenient for my family. My children will go to school easily, and hospital services will be convenient too."
Not all villagers have been relocated, however -- about 30 households are planning to stay.
Atule'er has become a tourist attraction in recent years. In 2019, 100,000 visitors generated nearly 1 million yuan ($140,878) for the village, according to Xinhua. Further development will service that industry, with officials planning to build a cable car to carry tourists up and down the cliff, the state-run news site Paper.cn reported.
Eradicating poverty
Before the coronavirus hit, the Chinese government had pledged to lift all of its 1.4 billion people out of poverty by 2020.
The clifftop villagers' resettlement is part of that broader drive, and they are not alone. Some 18,000 impoverished residents -- or more than 4,000 households -- have moved into the sprawling new urban housing development from 92 remote villages in the region, according to Xinhu.
Villagers have been moved to apartment blocks 46 miles away.
The relocated Atule'er's villagers were technically already out of poverty, with an average per capita income of 6,000 yuan ($845) last year -- above China's official 2019 poverty line of 3,747 yuan ($527). But the drive is also aimed at improving the living conditions of rural people with low incomes.
10 buildings collapse at erosion site in Onitsha North LGA
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obeleagu community in Onitsha metropolis has been threatened by gully erosion which has turned into an unending nightmare for the people of the area.
NAN recalls that the Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor accompanied by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Nkem Okeke had in October 2019, inspected the erosion site and promised that work would be carried out on the site.
However, member representing Onitsha North 2 State Constituency, Mr Edward Ibuzo described the situation as “an emergency that needs urgent attention”.
Ibuzo, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, expressed sadness that the erosion had continued to worsen each time it rained.
“The issues have been discussed at the plenary of the state House of Assembly and we have informed the state governor, even the Federal Government had some time ago sent a delegation to inspect the damage.
“Things like this should be taken seriously because it involves lives and property which is the responsibility of government,” the lawmaker said.
While promising to draw the attention of NEWMAP to the erosion site, Ibuzo advised residents of the area to relocate pending when palliative work would be carried on the site.
A resident of the area, Mr Godwin Aniakor expressed sadness that several property had been destroyed due to the erosion.
Aniakor, who said the erosion had rendered many citizens homeless, noted that it started eight years ago.
He described the level of menace as “devastating and worrisome” and urged both the federal and state government to come to their rescue.
Another resident, Mr Christian Onwudinjo, who was seen dismantling the structure of his building said they were living in danger therefore had to make plans for relocation.
Onwudinjo also appealed to the government to intervene in the situation as the erosion might worsen and lead to unavoidable deaths as well as further loss of property.
Mambilla Power, East-West road projects won’t benefit from Abacha loot – Presidency
Presidency says the recently repatriated Sani Abacha loot will go towards three of the Federal Government’s five priority projects, excluding the Mambilla power and East-West road projects.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, gave this clarification in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
The statement read in part: ”In an earlier statement, I had mistakenly noted that the Mambilla was one of five priority projects to benefit from the $311 million Abacha loot under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). That error is regretted.
”Although the Mambilla and East-West expressway are regarded under the PIDF as priority projects, I have ascertained that they are exempted from the agreement signed between the Nigerian, United States and British territory of Jersey governments.
”According to the document, only the second Niger bridge, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, and Lagos-Ibadan expressway will benefit from the repatriated funds.
"The funds are domiciled in the NSIA.”
The presidential aide, therefore, enjoined all print and online media to take note of the correction and make the necessary adjustments to their previous publications on the issue.
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