The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has attributed the return of scarcity of fuel and the resultant long queues in many filling stations to adverse weather conditions. A statement today, July 8 by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Ltd. Olufemi Soneye said that the fuel queues seen in the FCT and some parts of the country, “were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from recent thunderstorm. “The adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.” The NNPC Ltd said that due to flammability of petroleum products and in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations, it was impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning. The statement emphasized that adherence to regulations is mandatory because any deviation could pose severe danger to the trucks, filling stations and human lives. It said that the development has been compounded by consequential flooding of truck routes which has constrained movement of PMS from the coastal corridors to the Federal Capital, Abuja. The NNPC Ltd assured however that it is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore seamless supply of petrol to affected areas. According to the statement, loading has already commenced in areas where the challenges have subsided, “and we are hoping the situation will continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy would be restored.” The NNPC called on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petroleum products.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello is planning to go on exile and has therefore requested INTERPOL to watch-list him in three North African countries: Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. According to EFCC sources, there is credible intelligence report about such plan and that various strategies are being considered to address the situation, including the possibility of storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where he is alleged to be hiding. Sources within the anti-graft agency hinted that the watch-listing has been activated in anticipation of Yahaya Bello’s expected court appearance on July 17th before the Federal High Court in Abuja. An EFCC source said: “ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa. We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon and are determined to prevent him from fleeing into exile.” The EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was recently in Tunisia, where he met with Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa to request Bello’s placement on a Red Alert. The request was accepted, and the watch listing took immediate effect. “We took this step because we suspect that Bello has been biding his time to avoid arraignment. We expect him to appear in court to prove his innocence. The EFCC must do its job to prevent setting a bad precedent.” Yahaya Bello is facing a 19-counts charge, including allegations of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds amounting to about N80.2 billion. Despite denying the allegations, he has repeatedly failed to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite on scheduled dates in June. Source: The Nation
Nigeria’s music star, Davido has narrated more details about his estranged ex girlfriend, Sophia; their daughter, Imade; Dele Momodu and Mrs. Momodu. The music star shared all the text and supporting images on his Instagram page this morning and deleted everything an hour later. In this piece, Davido explains why he has acted in certain ways and also sheds more light on details about Sophia Momodu. Read the lengthy (and detailed) piece below.
Birth of Imade Adeleke When the second trimester of Sophia’s pregnancy was closing, she tortuously announced to me that she was in the family way. My mind was bemused, and so was my soul confused. But I quickly realized that nothing more could be done to alter my status as a father-to-be. I knew that i was not ready to be a dad. Still, I adjusted myself to the realities of my new situation and the consequences of my past personal indiscretions. I made the determination that I was going to be a good dad. I also reasoned that my blunder is not enough pretext to make me a husband. I was just 21. And so I decided to be a responsible dad without being husband to the mother of my baby. I never was in love with Sophia neither was marriage ever in the offing. Without knowing for sure that I was the real dad of the baby, I entrusted Sophia to the services of a private hospital for both pre-natal and post-natal medical cares. An apartment at Lekki was leased for 2 years, and paid for by me. The burden of medical bills, feeding, transportation and sundry costs rested on my person. No family member of Sophia including Uncle Dele Momodu rose to help nor guide Sophia. I own my property at Lekki and had allowed Sophia to stay in the house because she claimed that she knew nobody in Lagos and that her father was deceased whilst her mother was resident in Abuja. For real, Sophia was a drifter without a dime, education nor career. My compassion, ignorance, naivety and poor judgment had combined to make me a victim to a much older lady with super cunning sense that was mixed with a vicious and diabolical nature. I stand accused but calmly accepted my responsibility for the sad misadventure that caused me to be a seat-mate with Sophia on a plane that was flying nowhere. All along, I have only been generous with Sophia without knowing for sure I was the father to the baby she was carrying. On May 14, 2015, Sophia delivered her baby named Imade. It was after Sophia had delivered the baby that DNA testing medically confirmed that I was indeed the biological father of our child named Imade. Once this status was obtained, Sophia started to apply maximum financial demands on me. I bought all the baby things and fully furnished her apartment. Sophia knew well how to spend money and yet contributed zero to the vast expenses that I incurred. None in her family contributed even a fake coin to the cost of having Imade. Uncle Dele Momodu, now the pompous moralist, never visited Sophia nor even delivered an ordinary greeting card to Imade nor to her mum. Throughout the many months that Sophia stayed at my house when she claimed she has no family in Lagos, Uncle Dele Momodu and his bossy wife never showed up at my house to say hello to either of us. When the going was good, Sophia had told me plenty things about her uncle Dele Momodu that I need not repeat here. And she never invited me to go with her to visit him and I don’t have the knowledge that she ever visited him throughout the time she stayed in my house. She always explained that a visit to Uncle Dele was needless and unnecessary. Uncle Dele Momodu never liked, and still does not like Sophia. He is now just grandstanding because Sophia had a baby for a fairly prominent family and famous Davido. The case of Mrs Momodu baffles me even more. Why did she not think it necessary to move to Sophia’s apartment to help her out and show her the tricks of motherhood when Imade was newly born. Not once did she visit Sophia and her baby until December 2015. She gave neither care, love nor financial support to Sophia. Now, at 7 months old, and a child with special medical needs, Mrs Momodu rushed to the Lagos Airport to make an awful botch of her standing as a mother: Mrs Momodu certainly not a good person. She put time and energy to prevent my daughter and I, the real father of Imade, from travelling aboard to keep an appointment with the American Hospital, Dubai. At the point of dying in November, 2015 Imade had been rushed to this medical facility in Dubai, where she received helpful and adequate treatment, and was duly returned to Nigeria, without any side excursions. What then suddenly propels the fear or dangerous love of Mr & Mrs Momodu for Sophia? I deeply sense this couple never loved Sophia nor her late father. They also resent her mum, and probably are jealous that Sophia ever became a mum herself, and thus, wish that Sophia’s daughter who is also my daughter, must needlessly perish. Where is the inherent value in a callous human ploy that directly intends to prevent a child from receiving necessary medical care aboard once the biological father, David Adeleke, the child’s grandfather and all my siblings who are uncles and aunties to Imade are booked to fly on this essential medical trip to which we have attached a restful family vacation? Sophia ain’t a member of our family, period. Surely, Sophia was not with Imade when she first visited Dubai, and yet Imade was promptly returned to Nigeria. And no one said Sophia cannot come to Dubai except that I declared that I don’t want the trip to seem like a spousal get-away. Sophia ain’t my wife and I refuse to let any action conspire to make us look like a couple. She seemed unable or unwilling to pay her way to Dubai. Also, her boastful Uncle, alas, refused to volunteer to pay her way to Dubai. I never suggested to an elder what he should take up as his personal responsibility if indeed he cared at all for Sophia as his robust involvement in our odd relationship wishes to establish. Mr Momodu never bought the ticket but wanted to enforce his cosine to join my family on this Dubai trip. Dangerous lights are furiously blinking red around my daughter, Sophia and my person. Uncle Dele Momodu and his wife are providers of the energy espousing the idea of a needless death to my daughter. I now say it loud and clear, should my daughter die, this strange couple are mainly responsible. Mr Dele Momodu should just leave me and my family alone! His daughter is not who had a baby for me, and he has been too much of an absentee uncle to Sophia to have any traction on the moral authority that commands the soul and heart of this matter. Sophia Never formally introduced him nor his wife to me, at any time. Why are they now crowding my space and that of my daughter?
Custody, Lifestyle and Imade’s Loss of Wellness In May, the same month Imade was born, Sophia settled in her fancy apartment for which I paid a hefty bill for a 2 year lease. Her baby was healthy. And she seemed happy. I would take care of all the financial needs of Imade and still pay Sophia a living allowance of 300,000 Naira plus utility bills. Within a matter of weeks, Sophia was missing and lusting for the streets of Lagos, especially the glitzy night life. She often left Imade home for clubbing, binge drinking and a life of debauchery and deviant living. She would sleep all day and party all night. When awake, she was addicted to the telephone and cannabis. She paid the baby no attention at all and seemed to despise motherhood and parenting. Imade was in her custody for 2 straight months, unchallenged and uninterrupted, until the baby took badly and severely ill in July. Imade cried, ceaselessly, for 48 hours. She was rushed to the hospital where her condition confounded medical experts. Several tests were conducted on her and later on the mother. Medical reports, herein attached (exhibit 1), proved that Sophia’s blood was polluted to the maximum level with cannabis and she had by the process of breast feeding infected her child with complicated medical conditions associated with the use of alcohol and especially cannabis. The trouble spot for Imade was her lungs. She had difficulty breathing largely because of the contaminated breast milk and the severity of the “Second Smoke” of marijuana inhaled by the poor child.
The Management of Media Trust Group, owners of Daily Trust, Trust TV and Trust Radio, has admitted that it might have been wrong in the interpretation of the Samoa Agreement, signed by Nigeria, the report that has raised dust in the country since June 26. Reacting to the threat of the Federal Government to go, not only court to challenge the report, but drag the newspaper company to the ombudsman of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the newspaper management said: “We have also acknowledged lapses in our reporting on this particular matter (that was) pointed out to us by professional colleagues, and we will review and take appropriate measures.” In a statement, the company’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Maryam Aminu Bello, Esq. said: “Two ministers of government, and other sundry commentators have taken us to the cleaners over our story on the Samoa Agreement in particular, and some other reports published earlier. We have followed with attention what these government officials said, and left unsaid, and we will publish that in full, for the records… “As our editors understood it, the Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria has expanded the definition of gender rights, from the traditional male-female, to a new norm, captured by the term LGBTQ (Lesbian; Bi-sexual, Gay, Transgender and Queer). That is the crux of the matter. “If the agreement does not aim at promoting such new orientation, widely accepted in Western countries, then we are wrong in our interpretation. We will readily apologise both to the government and to the public for crying wolf. “We expect that those qualified, by training and experience, to make such a judgement, will weigh into the matter and we will as usual, publish all sides in the discussion, including that of the government. “We wish to add that in this story, as in others over the last 26 years, the Daily Trust tried to be guided by public interest. “It is also important for us to clarify some of the insinuations by the information minister about other stories that Daily Trust had done. First, the statement that our newspaper had given “a banner headline to a baseless accusation that the Government was working on citing foreign military bases in the country. “Nothing could be further from the truth. We only reported in the Daily Trust of Sunday, 5th May, 2024, details of an open letter by six scholars and activists urging the president and the National Assembly to reject any bid to cite United States of America and French military bases within Nigeria. “Also, the minister said “Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Muhammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. “We did publish two opinion articles in Daily Trust of Wednesday and Saturday, June 12 and 15, 2024, in which the opinion writers raised concerns over alleged renaming of the Murtala Muhammed Way, Abuja, after Wole Soyinka. “We recall that the information minister’s press statement on that matter, which was issued on the 17th of June, 2024, with the headline “Abuja’s Murtala Muhammed Way NOT Renamed after Soyinka-FG”, was reported generously in our online and offline platforms. “We wish to reiterate that we are an impartial media outlet. Since 1998, we have operated under six different governments, with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration being the seventh. Throughout this period, we have consistently demonstrated a high level of impartiality in our reportage.” The Nigeria’s minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, had, at a media briefing in Abuja, yesterday, July 6, described the report on the agreement as “baseless and sensational.” He accused Daily Trust of attempting to set the country on fire on the issue that was not as severe as such made other governments clamped down on the media. “On the part of the Government, we continue on the honourable path of civility by restraining ourselves from taking self-help or draconian measures. “While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are however toeing the path of civility and the rule of law.” “The Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting. In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law,” the minister had said.
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed has assured corps members that their monthly allowance will soon be reviewed upward in line with the soon-to-be implemented national minimum wage for workers. The Director General, who spoke to 2,762 corps members of Batch B, Stream one at Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu, yesterday, July 6, said that the corps members are too special to be forgotten by the Federal government. “For your allowance, don’t worry, as soon as the ongoing negotiation on the minimum wage is concluded, you can be so sure that your allowance too will definitely go up. “There is no way the government will forget you because you are really special.” He warned the corps members against posting camp activities on their social media handles, saying that it is against the rule. General Ahmed said that three corps members who violated the rule have been expelled from the camp. “Let me also remind you of the camp rules that you are not allowed to post the camp activities online or on social media, three of your colleagues elsewhere were found breaking these rules, posting camp activities on social media, and they have been decamped.”
Fact-Check has revealed that though the clauses on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights in the $150 billion Samoa Agreement were contained in the initial draft of the Samoa Agreement, but because of protests by some member states, including Nigeria, the European Union (EU) was forced to abolish the clauses in the final document that Nigeria signed on June 28, 2024. The Nigerian government signed the agreement seven months after it was formally signed in Samoa. The government said that it delayed its consent to allow it to carry out a thorough review and ensure no clause in the agreement contravenes Nigerian laws. “The general public is invited to note that Nigeria was not represented at the Signing Ceremony, which took place in Samoa on Wednesday, 15th November 2023 and hence has not signed the Agreement,” Francisca Omay, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said last year. “Relevant Nigerian stakeholders are currently studying the instrument to ensure that its provisions do not contravene Nigeria’s domestic legislation.” In a document, the Nigerian government made declarations against 13 articles in the signed agreement. For instance, the Nigerian government, in its declaration concerning Article 9.2, which borders on Human rights, democracy and the rule of law, noted that the Nigerian Constitution has provisions on human rights. This includes the “prohibition of discrimination in any form and further includes the grounds upon which the National Assembly has and may enact legislations for the advancement of persons within Nigeria who have been politically, socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged by past discriminately laws or practices. This position is also consistent with various United Nations Conventions on Human Rights and discrimination to which Nigeria is a party.” Other declarations made by the Nigerian government are Article 1 (Objectives), Article 3 (Partnership Dialogue), Article 4 (Policy Coherence), and Article 79 (Cooperation in International Organisations and Forums). In addition to this, the government also made declarations about Article 19 (Serious crimes of concern to the international community); Article 36 (Gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment); Article 49 (Trade and sustainable development); Article 51 (Trade in services) and Article 97 (Other agreements and arrangements). Others include Article 101 (Disputes settlement and fulfilment of obligations), Article 22 (Services), Article 40 (Gender equality and empowerment of women), Article 51 (Climate action), and Article 3 (Foreign exchange).
Verifying the claim We reviewed the 172-page document to find out whether it contains LGBT clauses as claimed by Daily Trust and other newspapers. Mr Ekwowusi, whose opinion article formed the basis of the newspaper’s report, claimed some articles of the agreement systematically legalise LGBT. “Certain Articles of the Agreement, especially Articles 2.5 and 29.5 legalise LGBT, transgenderism, abortion, teen sexual abuse, and perversity in African countries,” the Lagos-based lawyer who doubles as the Chairman of Human and Constitutional Rights Committee, African Bar Association (AfBA), wrote in his article published by Daily Trust on 3 July. Mr Ekwowusi’s interpretations of these articles contrast with what we found in the agreement document reviewed by our reporter. “The Parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies,” article 2.5 of the agreement reads without a mention of any sexual orientation as claimed by Mr Ekwowusi. Similarly, the lawyer slipped in his interpretation of article 29.5: “The Parties shall support universal access to sexual and reproductive health commodities and healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.” Contrary to the lawyer’s claims amplified by the newspapers, there is no mention of LGBT in the article above. According to the reviewed document and EU press statements, the Samoa agreement focused on addressing global challenges. Its objectives aim to contribute to achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement adopted under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In one of its press statements, the EU highlighted the priority areas of the agreement to include human rights, democracy and governance, peace and security; human and social development, inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development, environmental sustainability and climate change; and migration and mobility. There was a series of negotiations before the agreement was finalised – the Nigerian government’s press statement issued last year and another EU press statement confirmed this. Emphasising that the parties will commit to promote, protect and fulfil all human rights, be they civil, political, economic, social or cultural, the EU, in the press statement, noted that “some ACP states were reluctant to see the foundation agreement mention sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTI rights) – an issue on which there are also differences among EU Member States.” In the statement, the EU referred to the provision of Article 36.2 of the agreement when it says: “As a matter of compromise, the parties will commit to the implementation of existing international agreements – notably the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action on sexual and reproductive health and rights, the Beijing Platform on gender equality and their follow-up.” However, it grumbles that the above wordings “falls short of the EU negotiators’ ambitions.” LGBT clauses were contained in the initial draft of the Samoa Agreement, but protests by some member states forced the EU to abolish the clauses in the final document. This was evident when the EU, in another document, said it welcomes the commitment to promote universal human rights without discrimination based on any ground “but regrets that the Agreement fails to mention explicitly that discrimination could be based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” The EU went ahead to plead with parties to “avoid any discrimination based on sexual orientation and to put an end to the criminalisation and punishment, including the death penalty, of LGBTI people…”
Conclusion It is evident that the EU subscribes to the idea of LGBT and wants to co-opt member states of the Samoa Agreement into protecting the rights of LGBT people. But protests by some member states,, including Nigeria, forced it to omit it in the new document uploaded on the EU’s database on 22 December 2023. When the document was uploaded, Nigeria had yet to sign the agreement, which, according to the EU, took effect earlier this year and will elapse in the next two decades. Meanwhile, Article 101 of the new agreement is focused on dispute settlement and fulfilment of obligations. In contrast to what was widely reported in sections of the media, Article 2.2 of the new agreement states that: “Parties reaffirm their commitment to developing friendly relations among nations, based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality among all states, and to refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations (the UN Charter).” Nigeria, as a sovereign state under the leadership of former President Goodluck Jonathan, signed into law an act that prohibits same-sex relationships or marriage. This is why critics argue that Nigeria should not be part of the Samoa Agreement. These critics were, however, ridiculed by public commentators who argued that such an international agreement, even if signed, must be debated on the floor of the National Assembly as stipulated in Section 12(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Rabiu Yusuf, chairperson, House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements Chairman, and Asabe Ndahi, a Programme Manager with the Kukah Centre, recently said the National Assembly has yet to be fully involved in the conversation around the Samoa Agreement. Yusuf, who spoke at a webinar organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), to understand Nigeria’s position on the Samoa Agreement, noted that the document spells out many benefits for Nigeria as a participating nation.
Verdict Contrary to what was reported in sections of the media, there are no LGBT clauses in the new Samoa Agreement recently signed by Nigeria, according to PREMIUM TIMES findings. The Daily Trust report did not present any clause in the agreement that mandates LGBT rights beyond quoting the opinion of Mr Ekwowusi, despite also quoting the administrative secretary of the NSCIA as saying the council did not find same-sex marriage in the draft shared with it by the government before signing the agreement, In addition, the interpretation of Mr Ekwowusi, the Lagos-based lawyer whose opinion article the media outlets relied on for their reporting, is misleading. Source: Premium Times.
The United Kingdom-based Diageo has exited Nigeria, joining about 15 other multinational companies that have left in the past three years. The exit of the multinationals is coming on the heels of the economic crisis that was sparked by the twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of FX windows, introduced at beginning of President Bola Tinubu government. Diageo announced its departure on June 11 by way of selling its 58.02% stake in Guinness Nigeria to Tolaram. Among others multinationals that have exited Nigeria are Kimberly-Clark, manufacturers of Huggies and Kotex brands of diapers; US-based Procter and Gamble (P&G); GlaxoSmithKline (GSK); Unilever and Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria. They either exited completely or reduced their exposure in a country facing its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades. Unilever Nigeria announced its exit from the home care and skin cleansing markets in Nigeria in November 2023, saying it did so “to find a more sustainable and profitable business model.” Procter & Gamble was the last to announce its exit from the country the same year. Similar reasons given by these and other companies include high energy costs, currency depreciation, insecurity etc. The Federal Government itself acknowledged these challenges in an interview granted by Minister of Finance, Wale Edun on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, where he said “lack of a liquid foreign exchange market was the major reason why some multinational companies exited Nigeria.” According to him, the inability of the exiting multinationals to access foreign exchange was a major impediment to their operations in the country. This was even as the Director-General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, (NECA), Adewale Oyerinde, confirmed, in his assessment, that “Over 15 organisations, with a combined value-chain staff strength of over 20,000 employees, have either divested or partially closed operations.” He lamented that the development has dire consequences not only for organised businesses but also for labour, government revenue and the households; massive job losses across sectors, which would continue to create insecurity challenges. “When NECA examined the exit of prominent companies like GSK, Sanofi, Procter & Gamble, Nampak and others, who had been doing business in Nigeria for decades and were huge employers of labour, it was worried about the ripple effect on the broader business ecosystem. “Within the value chain, numerous enterprises serve as suppliers to these major corporations, and their sustainability is significantly compromised when the primary businesses they cater to face extinction. “The survival prospects of these secondary businesses are at stake, and their employees are also at risk, as the departure of the main clients could lead to their demise. The crisis within the value chain deserves more attention than it currently receives.” Analysts believe the persistent exit of multinational companies from the country would impact negatively on the economy. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the performance of the GDP in the first quarter of 2024 was driven mainly by the services sector, which recorded a growth of 4.32 per cent and contributed 58.04 per cent to the aggregate GDP, whereas the nominal GDP growth of the manufacturing sector in the first quarter of 2024 was recorded at 8.21 per cent (year-on-year), 9.64 per cent points lower than the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2023. Real GDP growth in the manufacturing sector in the first quarter of 2024 was 1.49 per cent (year-on-year), lower than the same quarter of 2023. President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye asked the government to frontally address insecurity, improve electricity supply, promote fiscal sustainability and ensure policy consistency. “Among other priorities, the fiscal authority must also lend supportive measures by adequately incentivising the manufacturing sector and other productive sectors. “This is very important to boost non-oil export earnings in addition to the increase in oil export proceeds occasioned by increased oil production, rising global oil prices and the coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery.”
A variant of polio, known as vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), which is a rare and mutated form of the virus has reportedly surfaced in Nigeria, about four years after the country was declared polio-free. The Africa Regional Certification Commission had certified Nigeria polio-free on August 25, 2020, marking a milestone in the global fight against the disease. But just recently, the country reported cases of cVDPV, which is a variant of the poliovirus that can cause disease in individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have weakened immune systems. According to health experts, cVDPV is a rare phenomenon that occurs when the weakened poliovirus in oral poliovirus vaccines (OPV), mutates and regains its ability to cause disease. This mutated virus can then spread to others, posing a risk to public health. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, GPEI, a public-private partnership that led the efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria, expressed concern over the new outbreak. “While we celebrate the progress made in Nigeria, we must remain vigilant and ensure that we maintain high vaccination coverage to prevent the spread of cVDPV,” the GPEI spokesperson said. Health officials in the country have launched an investigation into the outbreak and are believed to be working to strengthen vaccination efforts, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates. “We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive a full course of polio vaccines to protect them against this preventable disease,” a health official said. The outbreak of cVDPV in Nigeria serves as a reminder that the fight against polio is not yet over. While significant progress has been made globally, with five of the World Health Organization’s six regions now polio-free, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure that all countries remain polio-free. Meanwhile, health officials are asking the public to remain calm but vigilant, and to take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cVDPV. Source: Realnews.
Bandits in their large numbers, yesterday night (July 6), stormed Danhonu community in the Millennium City of Chikun local government area of Kaduna State and kidnapped two journalists reporting for The Nation newspaper and Blueprint newspapers in the State. The reporters, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe and AbdulRaheem Aodu, respectively, were kidnapped alongside their wives and children. Alhaji Alabelewe is the current chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council. A family member of one of the victims, Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, said that the bandits stormed the community at about 10:30pm yesterday night and started shooting sporadically before carrying out the kidnap. He said that they kidnapped Alhaji Alabelewe, his wife and two of his children, while Alhaji Aodu and his wife were kidnapped, leaving behind their sick daughter. “Initially, they picked Alhaji Abdulgafar, his wife and three of his children and a girl staying with them before asking the girl to return back with one of the children, leaving with Abdulgafar, his wife and two children. “They shattered their doors, windows and removed their burglary after scaling the fence.” Olayemi, who is a family member of Mr. Aodu and lives close to the victims’ houses, further said: “they came around 10:30pm on Saturday night and started shooting sporadically. “They first forced Aodu’s door open and picked him and his wife and left their sick daughter behind. “Then, they entered Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and jumped into his house. They went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife and two of their kids and left immediately, after which the vigilantes arrived and started shooting into the air.” The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for reaction as his phone was not connecting as at the time of filing this report. Source: Leadership newspaper.
The Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu is angry with Daily Trust newspaper organisation over some stories the newspaper published in recent past that threatened national security and peace, including the recent one on Samoa agreement, with particular reference to same sex. Speaking to newsmen today, July 6, on behalf of the government, the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said that the Federal Government has resolved to lodge an official complaint to the Newspapers Proprietors of Nigeria (NPAN) about Daily Trust, adding that the government will also seek redress in court against the newspaper’s misinformation and fake news. “The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained an open arm relationship with the media. It is in line with the philosophy of the President as an avowed democrat who spent a lifetime fighting for the entrenchment of democracy and human rights. “This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. “We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability. “While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism. “The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar. On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option. “In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, Daily Trust championed a jaundiced narrative that the Federal Government was driving the country into a war and twisted it with regional sentiment to cause disaffection. The same newspaper gave a banner headline to a baseless accusation that the Government was working on citing foreign military bases in the country. Neither Daily Trust nor originators of that imaginative allegation provided any shred of evidence. “Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant. “We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point. “The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story thereby raising tempers. “On the part of the Government, we continue on the honourable path of civility by restraining ourselves from taking self-help or draconian measures. While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are however toeing the path of civility and the rule of law. “This afternoon, I have the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning to provide more clarity on this issue. “But beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting. “In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law. “The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and it’s national security lightly. “We once again thank you for your support and cooperation.”
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
