Family Sacks Mother Of Eight-year-old Rape Victim For Seeking Justice

Ifeyinwa Ezukamma, a 40-year-old mother of five, was chased out of her matrimonial home by her husband’s family for insisting on justice for her eight-year-old daughter, raped by her tenant.

Ezukamma told newsmen that the incident took place in their country home, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. She said though she caught the suspect, aged 57, in the act on July 23, she claimed the man had been violating her daughter since March.

The woman, who had since packed to her relatives’ home, alleged that her husband had been compromised, and therefore, warned her not to pursue the matter because it would bring disgrace to their family.

“I noticed an unusual noise and movement in the bathroom. So out of curiosity, I went to check if everything was normal. To my amazement, it was a tenant in our house, an old man, having sex with my daughter. I asked my daughter what happened, she said the old man had been raping her for some months and had threatened to kill her if she told anybody about it, that was why she did not tell me,” she said.

Ezukamma alleged that her husband collected money and asked her to do the same, and her travail started when she refused, insisting that she would get justice for her daughter. She said the family chased her and took away her teenage daughters from her for insisting on bringing disgrace to the family and reporting the matter to a child rights organisation, after the matter was reported at a police station.

Preliminary reports from Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, where the child was taken to on August 4 and examined, showed that there was penetration. The document signed by Dr Madubuike Chinelo said the history was sturdily suggestive of sexual abuse.

“The episode had happened up to five times prior to the most recent encounter. The examination done in the presence of a chaperon showed there was hyperemia of the vaginal mucosa, no obvious vaginal discharge, and a hymen that had already been tampered with, the client was placed on some drugs for the vaginitis,” it stated.

Child Right Brigade International (CRIB), an NGO, said the matter was reported to its office on August 12. CRIB vowed to resist any cover-up and would ensure that the suspect was charged to court and prosecuted.

Obiora Nnaemeka, coordinator of CRIB in Anambra, said the information the organisation gathered was that the father of the victim, Mr Alex Ezukamma, collected some money to strike out the case from the police.

Nnaemeka said CRIB had written the Divisional Police Officer at Ogidi station to effect the arrest of the suspect and the father of the child, and bring up the matter for investigation and prosecution. He said this would serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders and stem the tide of rising rape and pedophilia in society.

On his part, the father of the victim confirmed to newsmen that his daughter was raped and that the man had been arrested, detained, and granted bail. He added that the suspect had also been warned not to return to the house.

Ezukamma denied collecting any form of gratification for his raped daughter, saying though he was a pagan, he would never touch such money but would prefer to do some cleansing.

He said his family was not in support of the wife’s push for prosecution because of the shame it would bring to the family and the stigma it would leave on his daughter.

“She disobeyed me, and my elders and junior ones’ order not to drag our family name into the mud, and the shame it will bring to us and our daughter. That is why I asked her to leave my house. My wife can go to any length she wishes, but our name must not be involved,” he said.

When contacted, CSP Remigus Ekuri, DPO, Ogidi, confirmed the incident and said the matter would be charged to court as soon as the medical report was available.

SOURCE: NAIRALAND

Manufacturers urges Nigerian government to review levies on imported electricity meters

The Electricity Meter Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EMMAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to review its levies on imported electricity meters to promote full local content in the production of pre-paid meters.

The appeal is coming on the heels of President Muhamadu Buhari’s approval of one year deferment of the 35 percent import adjustment tax (levy) imposed on fully built unit (FBU) electricity meters HS Code 9028.30.00.00 under the 2019 fiscal policy measures for the implementation of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) common external tariff (CET) 2017 – 2022.

EMMAN believes the approval is an incentive for mass importation of pre-paid meters as against upscaling of local production.

It noted that it takes an average of three months to set up Semi Knock Down (SKD)/Complete Knock Down (CKD) factory, while advising that importers should be encouraged to set up factories so as to create a value chain that would provide employment opportunities to Nigerians.

Speaking as a member of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in the downstream of the power sector, Mr Kola Balogun, Chairman of Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Limited (MEMMCOL), said the removal is an indication that the government is more disposed to favour importation to the detriment of local production.

He said, “The implication of this is that over 600million US dollars would be exported to China to import the approved 3million meters. This means we would further be developing another country’s economy and continue to increase unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment in our country.

“We are bold to emphatically say that we at MEMMCOL, have the local capability to bridge the metering gap if the right policy is put in place.

“This can be by way of financial intervention by the government whereby certain agreed percentage of the cost of meter supply would be advanced to us like the importers do with the Chinese and upon completion of installation balance payment would be made to us. We do not even mind to furnish a bank guarantee as our own commitment in such deal.”

Also speaking on the issue, Mr Kunle Olubiyo, President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, also said that there is an urgent need for the Federal Government of to put in place a strict regime of sanctions against off-takers who have deliberately refused to accept indigenous technology and made in Nigeria pre-paid meters.

According to him, metering devices in the electricity sector provides the end users, market players, participants and regulatory agencies a spectrum of energy, accountability, efficient conservation and probity.

“As important as the vexed issue of metering is, there are other variables and extraneous factors that if not eradicated or boldly addressed once and for all, Nigerian electricity market shall remain an elusive growth and a vicious circle of stagnation.

“As a matter of fact, what we need now is a review downward of the presently discriminatory pricing of gas pricing methodology and disparity in the gas pricing business model with different pricing options for different Off-takers.

“Electricity consumers are increasingly being made to pay for fixed cost, padded cost, over bloated indexes of hyper-inflated cost of production of each Unit of electricity measured in kilowatt hour etc,” Olubiyo added.

Source: Today.ng

Over 1,500 Ghost Teachers Uncovered in Primary School In Niger

A committee set up by the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) to audit its staff has uncovered over 1,500 ghost teachers in primary schools in the employ of the Board.

The committee also returned a report that 1,000 teachers did not have the qualification to teach in any primary school in the state.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Usman Katako, made the findings known when he submitted the panel’s report to the Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Isah Adamu, in his office on Monday.

Katako did not give details of the ghost workers but explained that 28,058 personnel were on the payroll of the board but that only 26,070 showed up for screening.

He said that of those that appeared for screening, 1,000 were not qualified to teach and “cannot read and write”.

“The verification covered all the LEA administrative staff and classroom teachers. We are more particular with teachers and administrative staff because administrative staff supervise those in the classroom. And about 50% of those with issues of certificate racketeering are class teachers. We found that over 1,000 of them couldn’t read and write,” the committee chairman revealed.

The committee however advised the Board to ensure the implementation of the approved promotion for some teachers who have been on the waiting list since 2018.

Adamu, receiving the report, said he would ensure the full implementation of the report to put the teaching profession on a proper footing.

Adamu sad: “If you cannot read and write, you cannot be a teacher, so everybody must work according to his capacity.

“We can reshuffle the system. If you cannot teach, we are going to send you to either be a cleaner or a nanny but definitely not as a classroom teacher.”

Source: THISDAYLIVE.COM

PPPRA: Forex, uncertainty responsible for lack of fuel import by marketers

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, blamed foreign exchange challenges and prevailing uncertainty for the inability of oil marketers to resume fuel import.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr. Saidu Abdulkadir, explained that the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, had been the one announcing the price of petrol over the last few months, because it was within its rights to do so, as one of the oil marketers and a major supplier of the commodity.

Abdulkadir, who was represented by the General Manager, Administration, and Human Resources of the PPPRA, Mr. Victor Shidok, stated that because of the difficulties in accessing foreign exchange by oil marketers, the PPMC is currently the sole importer of the commodity into the country, and announces the prices at which it sells the commodity to oil marketers.

“You know the role that foreign exchange plays with the sourcing of PMS. When you are not producing and earning foreign exchange as you ought to do, then there would be pressure on the little that you have. That is why you see the galloping foreign exchange. We did not expect it would remain like that forever; that is why the government is doing all it can and in the near future, we would begin to see an improvement in the value of the naira.

“Secondly, we believe marketers are still studying the market before they come in fully to resume fuel import. There is also skepticism whenever a new policy is being put up. We do not envisage that the exchange rate would remain at the rate at which it currently is,” he assured.

The PPPRA boss also explained that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, is not directly correlated with the crude oil price, adding that a number of other factors are responsible for the price of the commodity.

He noted that the government had agreed that henceforth, the price of petrol in the Nigerian market would be determined by market forces, adding that the PPMC, just like other marketers and importers would continue to determine the prices at which they would sell to their customers.

However, he stated that the PPPRA would continue to remain relevant irrespective of the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, adding that it would continue to regulate the sector, and stipulate codes of conduct within which marketers must operate by.

He said: “With the government’s pronouncement that he sector is deregulated means that prices would strictly be based on the forces of demand and supply. You can have a regulator that always serves as a watchdog to see how these forces are being played out; how the interests of all operators and consumers are taken care of.

“It is a market that is open, based on bargaining power and based on where you source your product. PPMC is a marketer; it also sells the product and also carries out the analysis as to the price it wants to sell the products to its customers. That is the announcement they always make after doing an analysis of their cost and analyzing their margins.”

Source: Today.ng

I’M NOT AN EX MILITARY MAN BUT A FORMER MILITARY MAN- OBASANJO TELLS A MAN

I’m not an Ex-military man, I am a former military man- Obasanjo tells a man who called him an ex-military man I’m not an Ex-military man, i am a former military man- Obasanjo tells a man who called him an ex-military man.

The man went ahead to tell the former president that he is a compelling writer and he’s written to many people, Obansanjo turned to him again to ask him if he has ever written to him, they all laughed.

See video below:

Southern-Kaduna Christian leaders boycott peace summit

A peace summit organized in Kafanchan to find an end to the conflict in Southern Kaduna, suffered set back as Christian leaders in the area who doubted the genuineness of the occasion, boycotted the summit.

Nevertheless, the peace summit still went on as scheduled with over 100 participants across religious faiths.

The Kaduna chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Christian leaders from the Southern part of Kaduna and the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, were earlier scheduled to attend the peace summit in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Tuesday.

Friends of Southern Kaduna in collaboration with the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission organized the summit as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the killings in Southern Kaduna.

Explaining why they did not attend the summit, Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, said they boycotted because some “key stakeholders” were left out.

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union also asked that the summit be rescheduled to a later date.

CAN in Kaduna state said they were not part of the planning. Chairman, Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, Bishop Simon Peters Mutum, said that the key stakeholders who had bore the brunt of the genocide over the years, l got to know of the peace summit few hours to the commencement.

He said all the arrangements had been completed without the involvement of some of the key stakeholders of Southern Kaduna that have been suffering from the killings.

“The group will welcome an explanation as to why the organizers of the summit decided to sideline SOKAPU and the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the planning of the summit,” he said.

“We are, therefore, deeply concerned about who the ‘Friends of Southern Kaduna’ are and what may be their real motives!

“We are also troubled that a Peace Summit can be organized for a people without involving the key leaders of the people to be discussed with/ about!

“So, in as much as we would love to be part of a Peace Summit, we want to know who the organizers are and what they really want to achieve by this Summit going by the way they planned it!

“We would also want an explanation as to why the leadership of SOKAPU, CAN and SKCLA were sidelined in the planning of the Summit

“We would have wished that the Peace Summit be rescheduled until all our questions are properly answered and every key player (the youths, CDAs, traditional institution, regional groups of interest & religious groups) are contacted, organised and carried along! and that is our prayer,” he stated.

SOKAPU in a letter dated 6th September, 2020 and addressed to the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the Peace Summit, Pastor James Novel Wuye, said they wished to have had a consultation with the conveners before the summit.

The letter which was signed by Secretary of SOKAPU, Stephen Mallan, en titled, ‘Re: Invitation to participate in Peace Summit for the de-escalation of conflict in Southern Kaduna, stated that “the Central Executive Committee of SOKAPU met and exhaustively discussed on the Peace Summit, and hereby resolved as follows;

“SOKAPU appreciates this laudable initiative for a peace summit especially at this crucial period when peace has eluded most of our communities.

“That SOKAPU has accepted the invitation and is willing to participate in the Peace Summit.

“However, this invitation came when we were yet to conclude our consultations with key stakeholders in Southern Kaduna.

“Furthermore, SOKAPU had wished to have prior consultations with the conveners before the summit.

“In this regard, we are kindly requesting that the summit be rescheduled to a later date to enable us conclude all consultations. Otherwise, the summit may proceed and we shall be glad to be communicated with the outcome.”

On their part, the CAN noted that they won’t take part in the summit because it lack transparency.

A letter by the CAN’s Secretary in the state, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, and addressed to the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Pastor James Wuye, insisted that the Christian body won’t guarantee the genuinness of the peace summit.

According to the letter, CAN will not support conflict entrepreneurs to use the horrible situation in Kaduna State to their advantage.

The letter read, “At about 5:00 pm on the 1st of September 2020, we received your letter dated 28th August 2020 with the reference number PSC VOL 1/28/20 under the above referred title.

“The letter invites us to participate in a peace summit “to dialogue with relevant stakeholders in Southern Kaduna…”organized by “Friends of Southern Kaduna” in collaboration with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

“Attached to the letter is the Agenda of the Summit in which our Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, is proposed to say the opening prayer at the said summit.

“While we thank you for the invitation, we find the organisation of the proposed summit as inappropriate even as CAN Kaduna State has been involved and is still involved in working for long-lasting peace in southern Kaduna and Kaduna State as a whole in partnership with genuine, purpose-driven, and sincere stakeholders in peace building and are open to such partnership always.

“However CAN will not support conflict entrepreneurs to use the horrible situation in Kaduna State to their advantage. The Southern Kaduna security challenges need a holistic and genuine approach and not a whitewash, playing to the gallery approach.

“Accordingly, since CAN was not involved in the organisation of the summit but only an invitee, CAN cannot guarantee the genuineness of those planning it.

“Without a doubt, CAN and UNI remain the most recognized authorities representing Christians and Muslims, respectively, hence, are legitimate authorities to partner with for a peace process as the one we year for and other matters relating to religion in Nigeria as a whole.

“CAN having established that the organisers of the proposed summit did not contact CAN ahead of the planned summit, enlisting CAN Chairman, Kaduna State, in the agenda is aimed at merely using CAN adding credibility to the ambiguous peace process.

“To this end, CAN Kaduna State disassociates itself from this summit in its entirety given the lack of transparency in the planning of the summit. If the organisers recognize the need for CAN’s participation, the proper steps should have been taken.”

Source: Today.ng

UN condemns use of schools as isolation centres, IDP camps, military bases

The United Nations has condemned the repurposing of schools for use as markets, military bases, isolation centres and camps for internally displaced persons, IDPs, saying schools must remain safe places free of conflict and violence.

It also warned against further attacks on educational institutions and students, lamenting that between 2009 and December 2018, about 611 teachers were killed in the Northeast due to the wave of insurgency in the region.

In a statement marking the first International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the UN urged Nigeria to prioritise school safety as well as learners’ protection.

It said while 910 schools were destroyed in the region within the period, 1, 500 schools were forcefully closed, with 4.2 million children at the risk of missing out on an education.

Also, the Education in Emergencies Working Group (EiEWG) Nigeria, a platform of some Non-Governmental Organizations NGOs, UN agencies, academics, and other partners has said attacks on education is not limited to the damage of education buildings and facilities but include attacks on key education assets – the most precious assets being school children, teachers and non-academic staff without which education cannot happen.

“Beyond physical attacks, when due to fear, a student cannot go to school because it has become a place of danger causing the desire for school to become eroded, then education has been attacked psychologically. When a girl-child is afraid to go to school because the path to school is no longer safe and secure or due to a traumatic experience or knowledge of one, education has been attacked. When a vulnerable boy becomes exposed to recruitment into an armed group involved in a conflict or is used as a carrier of improvised explosive devices or to manufacture, transport and plant devices as recorded between 2018 to 2019 when 57 children with 45 being girls were used and killed as human bombs, education has been attacked”, the group was quoted in the statement.

The global body also urged states in Nigeria to incorporate building a resilient education system into their Covid-19 response plans in order to be able to withstand future shocks.

“The United Nations in Nigeria today said safeguarding education from attack is urgently needed to restore confidence in schools as places of protection for children and teachers. This is particularly pressing in light of COVID-19, which affected 46 million primary and secondary learners across Nigeria due to pandemic-related school closures.

“The protracted conflict in the north-east has had devastating impacts on education. From 2009 until December 2018, 611 teachers were killed and 910 schools damaged or destroyed. More than 1,500 schools were forced to close and some 4.2 million children in the north-east are at risk of missing out on an education. Hundreds of girls have been abducted, some even from their own schools, which are meant to be safe zones. Notably, many children have been used to act as carriers of person-borne improvised explosive devices. The attacks on schools, communities and education itself are tragic consequences of a protracted conflict that has left a generation of children traumatized”, the statement noted.

According to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon “as State Governments plan to reopen schools after prolonged closures, building a resilient education system to withstand future shocks should be included in pandemic response plans”.

He noted that prioritising safety in schools for educators and learners is an indication of the Government’s commitment to protecting investments in the education sector and a validation of Nigeria’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration.

“While the world marks the first-ever International Day to Protect Education from Attack under the theme ‘Protect Education, Save a Generation’, more than three million children in the conflict affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe in north-east Nigeria are in need of education-in-emergency support.

“Education is essential to helping crisis-affected communities in the north-east rebuild and recover. Attacks on schools are a direct attack on future generations. I call on all parties to the conflict to take all necessary measures to protect education and give learners a chance to build a brighter future”, Mr Kallon said.

The statement quoted the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres as stating that “as the world fights to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, children and youth in conflict zones remain among the most vulnerable to its devastating impact. We must ensure our children have a safe and secure environment in which to learn the knowledge and skills they need for the future”.

The UN also “vehemently condemned any and all attacks on education including abductions of school children, school-related gender-based violence, herders-farmers clashes, and repurposing of schools for use as isolation centres, IDP camps, markets or for military purposes”.

UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, said “Schools must remain safe places, free of conflict and violence”.

He said; “Our collective future, as well as the achievements of all development goals, depend on it. Safeguarding the right to education for all contributes to the achievement of sustainable development and nurtures the international community’s decades-long gains towards peace, economic prosperity, and social inclusion worldwide”.

The statement noted that left unchecked, incessant attacks on schools and learners could reverse the gains on education investments made by government of Nigeria, the UN and other multilateral, bilateral, and private sector partners over the years.

“Attacks on schools are a violation of humanity and basic decency. We must not allow these senseless attacks to destroy the hopes and dreams of a generation of children. We must do all in our power to ensure that schools and the children and teachers within them are protected,’’ said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.

“As the world begins planning to re-open schools once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we must ensure that schools remain safe places of learning, even in countries in conflict.”

With school reopening plans underway in many states, the UN called for increased funding, noting that it would go a long way in mitigating the effects of prolonged school closures on learners, especially vulnerable children, including girls and others living with disabilities.

“In north-east Nigeria, education in emergency partners are appealing for $55 million USD to provide emergency education to 3.1 million conflict-affected children this year. So far this year, only $3.3 million USD, a mere 6 per cent of the total needed, has been received so far.

“The Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to build a resilient education system, invest in human capital and strengthen communities who act as first responders in the event of attacks on schools.

“To deliver for children in Nigeria, education must remain on top of the public agenda while Government should boost efforts to translate its vision for education into real change for children, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged learners”, it added

The Safe Schools Declaration is an inter-governmental political agreement that outlines a set of commitments to strengthen the protection of education from attack and restrict use of schools and universities for military purposes.

It seeks to ensure the continuity of safe education during armed conflict. To date, 104 countries around the world have joined this international political agreement.

Source: Today.ng

Senator wants Nigerian government to give priority to mental health

The senator representing Sokoto East senatorial district Ibrahim Gobir on Tuesday expressed the need to give attention to people with mental challenges.

He stated this at Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH) Kware, Sokoto state when he paid a courtesy visit to the management of the hospital.

The senator called on government to give attention to psychiatric facilities in order to ensure desirable impacts in the administration of mental health across the country.

The lawmaker expressed satisfaction with the state of facilities and good managerial leadership of Dr Shehu Sale at FNPH, Kware in compliance with modern standards.

”I am delighted with the level of development so far recorded in the hospital under the leadership of able Board Chairman Dr. Iheanyi Nwachuku, and Medical Director, Dr Shehu Sale.

”I am overwhelmed by the state-of-the-art equipment, manpower and infrastructure in the hospital.

” This has demonstrated Dr Sale’s commitment to the development of the hospital and the speciality which will surely translate to enhanced productivity and efficient services to Nigerian populace as well as overall development of mental health,” Gobir stated.

Kware Hospital has good hands, modern tools and facilities, besides being the mist most affordable in the country.

Gobir said National Assembly would support the hospital by facilitating more government attention to sustain the laudable initiatives and routine activities.

Responding, Dr Sale commended Gobir for the visit which, he said, had demonstrated his concern and urged him to use his position in bring more development to the hospital.

The Medical Director said Sen. Aliyu Wamakko and house member Ahmad Kalambaina had facilitated infrastructural projects in FNPH Kware through their constituency projects allocation, which greatly enhanced the hospital’s face-lift.

”FNPH Kware is fully accredited with Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and met the requirements of speciality training of medical doctors across the country beside, running School of Post Basic Nursing in Psychiatric,” Dr Sale said.

Sale lauded the federal government for supporting the hospital and appealed for release of appropriated funds to the hospital.

The medical director called on people to access the facility and cautioned them against seeking alternative therapy and patronizing unprofessional healers adding that accessing mental health at early stage helps to solve the perceived mental challenges.

He decried the fact that mental health had not been given adequate attention globally, compared to other areas such as HIV/AIDS and Malaria.

Dr Sale along with other directors went round with visiting Senator to inspect hospital wards and other departments.

Source: Today.ng

Governor Sanwo-Olu: Coronavirus has shown us we need prayers

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said that the Coronavirus pandemic had shown Nigerians that there was need for prayers.

Sanwo-Olu, who said this at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Session of the 34th Synod of the Diocese of Lagos, also urged everyone to continue to pray for the state and country.

Newsmen report that the 2nd Session of the 34th Synod was held at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

“COVID-19 has shown us in reality that we need to pray. We are not out of it yet, we need to continue to take precautions. Your prayers has really held us all together.

“The church has also participated in series of activities during the lockdown, various donations have been given to the citizens and I thank all churches for these,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu, who said the numbers were gradually going down in the state, also sympathised with everyone that had lost someone during the pandemic.

“This is a painful thing and as a government we will continue to do what we need to do to keep life alive.”

He said that the theme, “Pray, Serve and Grow’, was apt due to the ongoing pandemic ravaging the world.

“Service to the Lord is serving, loving and supporting one another.For us to build a greatest Lagos, we certainly need to hold on to God and pray.

“We certainly need to use God as an instrument of contact for all of us,” he said.

He, however, appreciated the frontline health workers who had been working tirelessly during the pandemic.

The Bishop of Lagos, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, in his address, appreciated everyone for their presence.

He said: “We are here, gathered to register our unreserved appreciation and gratitude to God Almighty, for seeing us through the devastating season of global outbreak of an infectious pandemic disease.

“The kernel of our joyful celebration is anchored to the unshakeable assurance, that we have a bigger God, by whose fulfilled promises of protection upon our lives, gave us the grace to gather today,” he said.

Source: Today.ng

NAFDAC urges herbalists to collaborate with researchers on acceptable products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged herbal medicine practitioners to collaborate with researchers to make herbal products internationally acceptable after clinical trials.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the agency, made the plea on Tuesday.

Adeyeye said in a statement that the African Traditional Medicines Day that holds every Aug. 31 should be a daily reflection of who we are as Africans.

She said that many Nigerians were using herbal medicine every day.

“NAFDAC has been focussing on making traditional herbal medicines prominent with regards to its activities.

“To this end, in March 2019, long before the advent of COVID-19 in Nigeria, we called for a meeting of all stakeholders including academia, herbal medicine practitioners and legal practitioners.

“The essence of the meeting was to engender a culture of collaborative efforts aimed at promoting research, discovery and production of herbal products,” she said.

According to her, herbal medicines renaissance in Nigeria had already begun.

She said the country has the biodiversity and complementary human capital to sustain herbal medicines production.

“The Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is making loans available to qualified manufacturers of pharmaceutical products.

“The CBN has also launched the Health Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme to fund successful proposals on translational R&D and manufacturing of therapeutics, herbal medicines and medical devices for infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

“In addition, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is funding COVID-19 related herbal medicines clinical trial research through NAFDAC administrative oversight.

“The agency currently has about 40 applications on COVID-19 related herbal medicines submitted by interested parties, many of these are for listing, while only very few are for clinical trials.

“It is important to note that while the listing of herbal product guarantees safety, it is for two years at the first instance.

“An herbal product that has successfully gone through clinical trials would receive NAFDAC full registration and the claims of efficacy and cure can then be made by applicants,” she said.

Adeyeye said that further step to enhance collaborative efforts between the various stakeholders in the herbal medicines industry was the institutionalisation of confidentiality agreement among the parties.

“NAFDAC Legal Services Directorate developed the document and will broker the agreement.

“This is necessary to assure traditional practitioners that intellectual property will not be lost in the process of collaboration.

“The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Trade Mark Office, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion and patent legal practitioners in the area of protection of intellectual property were brought into discussions with the researchers and practitioners by the agency.

“NAFDAC development of modalities for registration of herbal products is to encourage the growth and standardisation of the sector,” the director-general said.

She said that the ultimate goal, with regards to traditional herbal medicines was to come up with products that were not only marketable in the country, but also acceptable globally.

Adeyeye said this could only happen when NAFDAC, as the regulatory authority, subjects products that were submitted for approval to global standards.

She, however, encouraged everyone with products to bring their applications forward.

According to her, registration procedures are already made simple through the published template of required documentation, guidance on registration and clinical trials and the agency’s online platform.

Source: Today.ng

Temi Otedola Makes Acting Debut, Movie ’Citation’

Temi Otedola, daughter of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, says she’s excited about her acting debut in an emotional movie ’Citation’.

Newsmen say that Kunle Afolayan directed the star-studded film, which had happened to be a teaser of Otedola’s first feature film.

Temi played a role in a character as Moremi Oluwa in the movie ‘Citation’ which also featured prominent artistes.

Temi, said she was so excited and overfilled with gratitude over her first debut. And she took it to her Instagram page @temiotedola to make the announcement to her fans.

“I can’t believe this day is here. I can officially share the first teaser for #CitationTheMovie…

“This day is an emotional one for so many reasons. Citation is my debut feature film, as many of you already know. And is directed by legendary @kunleafo, who I have been a fan of since Figurine.

“He not only trusted me to bring Moremi Oluwa to life, but also my Citation Family, made up of the most wonderful and supportive cast and crew members. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for that trust right now.

“We put so much sweat, tears and sleepless nights into the movie, and I hope you guys will love it as much as this experience changed my life.

“Enjoy this teaser, get ready for the full thing,” she wrote.

Newsmen also report that the movie ‘Citation’ discussed about sexual harassment, which passed a powerful message to the society.

Apostle Suleiman Saved Me From Ritualist Who Beheaded My Co-Travellers- Edwin Alex

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleiman has succesfull  secured the release of his kidnapped church member, Edwin Alex, by cursing the ritualist/kidnappers and declaring them impotent.

Edwin who took to his social media page to narate his ordeal in the hands of the deadly kidnappers revealed that

edwin stated that

“4th to 7th September were the worst days of my entire life. I was kidnapped and adopted by Fulani herdsmen on my way to Benin from Auchi on Friday.

“Join me to thank God for saving my life.

“I stayed 3 days with them. My car was scattered and destroyed by them, 13 persons killed right before my eyes even after collecting ransom from them.

“I stared at death in the face but God said it’s not yet my time. I just got released. Currently receiving treatment at the hospital. Join me and appreciate this God.

“The kidnappers got mad knowing Apostle Johnson Suleman’s number was the number I gave them to call, they refused to call him, they kept calling him names, later they summoned courage and they called him.

“However, instead of discussing ransom, dey were insulting him for always interfering in their business.

“Immediately My father told them that for this they have said, they will all be impotent for life, they all ended the call, later they started discussing within themselves to call him back after one of them said he tried testing his manhood but it was stiff but he wasn’t picking up their calls.

“They transferred the aggression to me, beat the day light out of me, all the people killed were all beheaded with a Cutlass, my life was preserved because of Grace.

“When they escorted me to the road to take a bus, the leader told me that “my juju dey work oh”

“I saw hell in these 3 days, stared at death in the face but still came out alive, all the time I was there, I didn’t pray for deliverance from the evil people, I was praying for God to accept my soul when I die because I was certain I would die.

“Glory to God. Hospital don Taya me already.”

NSCDC Officer Killed By Gunmen In Kaduna State

Gunmen yet to be identified has reportedly killed an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kaduna State.

According to the report confirmed to newsmen in a statement released on Tuesday, September 8, by the NSCDC command, Mr Bulus Sanda was kidnapped from his residence at Mararaba-Rido, in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

The NSCDC Commandant, Babangida Dutsinma through the Public Relations Officer of the security agency, Mr Orndiir Terzungwe told newsmen in Kaduna the deceased was abducted from his apartment.

Terzungwe noted that Sanda joined the corps in 2010 and served in different locations, adding that he was dedicated to his duty in an exemplary manner.

“His last location was Kaduna-North Division. He even received an award a day before his abduction and eventual death,” he said.

The commandant regretted the death of the officer as he commiserated with his family, prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of their beloved.

He, however, urged residents to support the activities of security agencies in the state to ensure the safety of lives and property.

I Can Bring Nnamdi Kanu Back To Nigeria, Convince Him To End Biafra- Orji Kalu

A Former Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu has said that he can convince the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu to come back to Nigeria and end the agitation for Biafra.

Kalu, in a statement made available to the press in Abuja on Tuesday, said he that Kanu will listen to him.

“If the Federal Government permits me, I will go to the United Kingdom and negotiate with Nnamdi Kanu to return to Nigeria.”

“I will convince him to drop the agitation for Biafra because our people don’t need it,” Kalu said.

The Senate Chief Whip maintained that he is a believer in ‘One Nigeria’, adding that people of Nigeria are entangled with each other. He stated that Nigerians need to focus on is taking advantage of the country’s population to build a stronger economy.

President Buhari, Family Under Fire For Breaching CBN Act, NCDC Guideline At Hanan Wedding

Many Nigerians have called out the first family for violating part of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act at the wedding ceremony of Hanan Buhari, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Many also condemned the safety guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with regards to overcrowding and social distancing to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hanan and Turad, son of a former lawmaker, Mahmud Sani Sha’aban, got married at the Aso Rock villa on Friday – a ceremony which was graced by top government officials, members of the diplomatic community and politicians.

Pictures and videos from the wedding, including those shared on Instagram by the first lady, Aisha Buhari, went viral and trended throughout the weekend.

One video circulated by Sahara Reporters showed the couple dancing and other attendees dancing while some dancers sprayed money on the couple. No social distancing was observed in the video and many attendees were seen without face masks.

This generated outrage as many expressed disappointments at the public figures and other attendees for breaching the CBN Act as well as the NCDC safety guidelines.

Many called for sanctions for offenders while a few others believed the wedding should have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic situation in the country which has caused hardship in the lives of citizens.

What the law says

Section 21 of the CBN Act warns against defacing the Naira. It prescribes a fine of N50,000 or six months imprisonment or both for offenders.

“21. (1) A person who tampers with a coin or note with or trading in issued by the Bank is guilty of an offence and shall on notes and coins imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to a fine not less than N50,000 or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) A coin or note shall be deemed to have been tampered with if the coin or note has been impaired, diminished or lightened otherwise than by fair wear and tear or has been defaced by stumping, engraving, mutilating, piercing, stapling, writing, tearing, soiling, squeezing or any other form of deliberate and willful abuse whether the coin or note has or has not been thereby diminished or lightened.

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section,” part of the Act states.

The law further clarifies the term “spraying in Section 21(5):

“(i) “Matching” includes spreading scattering or littering of any surface with any Naira notes or coins and stepping thereon, regardless of the value, volume, occasion or intent.

“(ii) “Spraying” includes adorning, decorating or spraying anything or any person or any part of any person or the person of another with Naira notes or coins or sprinkling or sticking of the Naira notes or coins in a similar manner regardless of the amount, occasion or the intent.”

The CBN has often re-echoed its fight against the abuse of Naira notes either by spraying at events, trampling on or squeezing it.

The bank has repeatedly vowed that it would clamp down on any person or group culpable of such acts.

With regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials of the NCDC, other public officers including the president, have on several occasions warned against breaching the safety guidelines issued by the agency.

Offenders, including celebrities, have been made to face sanctions ranging from community service to payment of fines.

Although the number of new cases has declined in recent times, the country is still battling with the pandemic as well as the impact on citizens and the country.

As at Monday, the number of confirmed cases stood at 55,160 with 1061 deaths.

Mum is the word

As it stands, only social critics have condemned the act publicly.

Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, did not respond to telephone calls put across to him. The CBN’s spokesperson, Isaac Okoroafor, could not be reached via telephone as well.

Although Hanan’s wedding is one of many ceremonies across Nigeria where the Naira has been defaced and the CBN Act violated, there have been few reports of prosecution of offenders by the authorities.

Source: Premium Times

‘It Still Feels Like We Just Fell In Love’ – Adeboye And Wife Celebrate 53 Years Wedding Anniversary

The Nigerian pastor and General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and his wife, Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary today, September 8th.

Adeboye, 78, got married to his wife in the year 1967. He was 25-year-old at the time, while his wife was only 19-year-old.

The couple is blessed with four children and many grandchildren, Adeolu Adeboye, Bolu Adubi, Leke Adeboye, and Dare Adeboye.

All four of Adeboye’s children are all successfully established in their individual spheres of life and are also pastors under the Redeemed Christian Church of God under different capacities.

The excited husband took to his Instagram page to thank well-wishers who have sent gifts and prayers to celebrate them.

He wrote;

“I really appreciate all the wishes and gifts sent across today to celebrate the 53rd wedding anniversary of me and my wife. You will live long and your marriages would be filled with Joy as well in Jesus’ name.”

Similarly, his wife took to her verified Instagram page to reveal that it’s been 53 years of joy and love with Pastor Adeboye, and still feels like they’ve just fallen in love.

She wrote;

“It been 53 years of Joy, Love, and blessings and every moment with @pastoreaadeboyeofficial still feels like we just fell in love over again. I bless God for how far he has brought us and I pray for everyone that wishes for a home like ours and even more, God will grant all your heart desires in Jesus name.”

You Don’t Need To Run Abroad – Bishop David Oyedepo Condemns Mindset To Flee Nigeria

Bishop David Oyedepo has said there is nothing abroad that isn’t in Nigeria but most Africans want to flee their country.

He kicked against the search for greener pastures abroad by most Africans as he says there’s nothing there that isn’t where they are.
According to him, there’s no need for one to run away abroad before making it in life as there’s nothing anywhere else that isn’t at where you are now.

Adding that no one is created to be a beggar therefore there’s no need going else where to beg before making it in life like others.
Netizens reacted to his comment sarcastically as they don’t seem to get where he’s coming from hilariously asking what exactly is at where they are now which is Nigeria.

Philippine Arrested 4 Nigerian students for ‘hacking’ the banking system

Philippine arrested Four Nigerians in Muntinlupa City, for alleged involvement in an international syndicate that hacks and siphons funds from banks.

However, the Nigerians denied the allegations.

The National Bureau of Investigation made this known in a statement on Tuesday, ABC CBN News reports.

Vic Lorenzo, the chief of the NBI Cybercrime Division, signed the document, written in Phillwas.

The investigative office reported that “the transactions of the fraudsters-Nigerians-were traced when they hacked a system of one Philippine bank in which at least P100 million was transferred and funneled into another account.”

It alleged that the Nigerians violated the Access Device Law, Anti-Cybercrime law, and falsification of public documents.

But the NBI in the statement failed to name the arrested Nigerians.

The sentence read, “Complicated is the international trade union .. To the extent that they are researching the defects in the method. Once they see a weakness, they will take advantage of that.

“One of the suspects’ Filipina girlfriend admitted to having used her account to deposit and withdraw money amounting to at least P2 million, which was supposedly for tuition.

“The offenders had blank ATM cards and bank receipts seized.”

The Nigerians told ABC CBN that they were in the country to study. And they “know nothing about the hacking incident”.

“The funds withdrawn were donations from a Nigerian student community”, one of them said.

Military kills wanted Benue gang leader Terwase Agwaza alias Gana, after repenting for amnesty

Shortly after Terwase Agwaza popularly known as Gana, a wanted Benue criminal gang leader surrendered in Katsina LGA, the military has reportedly killed the repented militia warlord yesterday evening in Nasarawa and forty of his men were said to have been captured in Benue State.

GCFRNG had reported that the gang leader surrendered for the amnesty programme in Katsina Ala township stadium in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue north senatorial zone on Tuesday.

Gana (in black) being received earlier on Tuesday in Katsina-Ala by traditional rulers and youths of the areas, before he was taken away by the military.

Many prominent sons of the Sankera Area including traditional rulers and clergymen and politicians had gone to Katsina-Ala Local Government to receive the repentant militias including Gana and were on their way to present them to the state government when they were allegedly rounded up at Yandev.

67 criminals from Logo, 25 from Ukum and over 80 from Katsina-Ala repented in the Sankera area and had surrendered their arms, only 42 of this number reportedly made it to Makurdi after the military interception.

Governor Ortom confirmed that the convoy conveying the repented criminals to Makurdi around Maseje village close to Yandev roundabouts was intercepted by the military.

Confirming the killing of Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana to GCFRNG via telephone, the Commander of the Four Special Forces Command, Doma Local Government Area, Brigadier General Maude Ali Gadzama said “the warlord was killed on Tuesday evening in a firefight with military personnel”.

Brigadier General Maude Ali Gadzama, while giving account of how Gana was killed at a roadblock mounted by the Army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following exchange of gunfire, said “at about 12:00 hours today (Tuesday), we received strategic information on the movement of the dreaded bandit Terwase Akwaza Agbadu AKA Gana along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road.

“Troops of Operation ‘Ayem Akpatuma III’ moved swiftly and mounted snap roadblocks along the routes.

“At about 13:00 hours, there was a meeting engagement with the convoy of Gana, a shoot out ensued and the bandit was killed.”

Akwaza (right) when he allegedly surrendered at Katsina Ala

Gana had been on the wanted list of security operatives after he was fingered in various criminal acts including the murder of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Special Security, Denen Igbana.

A bounty of N5 million was initially promised anyone who could give useful information that would lead to Gana’s arrest in 2018. The ransom was later jacked up to N10 million and then N50 million.

However, the militia kingpin who had enjoyed amnesty under Governor Ortom’s government had resurfaced after being in hiding for four years to surrender to government for a second amnesty following appeals by elders of the Sankera intermediatete area.

Source: GCFRNG