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Psychiatrists blame hardship for rising suicide attempts

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Psychiatrists blame hardship for rising suicide attempts

Psychiatrists have warned that the current economic hardship in Nigeria may lead to an increase in suicidal thoughts among citizens, urging Nigerians to visit clinics for mental health check-ups.

According to Metro reports that between August 25 and September 4, 2024, there had been at least five suicide attempts, with four individuals reportedly taking their lives in Ogun and Lagos states.

Recently, Nigerians across many states of the federation staged protests under the banner of ‘#EndBadGovernance’ to voice their frustration over widespread hunger and hardship affecting the population.

While some victims of these suicide incidents did not survive to share the reasons behind their actions, others who were prevented from ending their lives attributed their attempts to their financial struggles.

In Lagos State, a 65-year-old visually impaired man, Ewenla Adetomiwa, was rescued after attempting suicide by jumping into the lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge. He had brought his two children with him, intending to end his life, believing the government would take care of them after his death.

A similar incident occurred on August 30, when an 18-year-old boy named Elijah, believed to be mentally unstable, attempted to jump into the same lagoon.

Likewise, earlier on August 28, a 35-year-old man, Emmanuel Urhobocha, took his own life in his apartment on Alafia Street in Sango-Ota, located in the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

According to Metro also reported that on August 28, a 32-year-old man named Olúwaseun Shorinola took his own life in the Kémta area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

On September 4, a 26-year-old man named Joshua Freeborn ended his life in his apartment at Olapo Family House on Sokoto Road, located in the Atan-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Responding to these incidents in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, a retired Professor of Psychiatry from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Medical Director

Ogun NNPP warns OGISIEC against underhand dealings

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Ogun NNPP warns OGISIEC against underhand dealings

The New Nigeria People’s Party, Ogun State has said that it would not hesitate to take legal actions against the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commissions if it suspected any foul play in the electoral process of the forthcoming November 16 local government election.

The Chairman of the party, Olufemi Aina, stated this during the party primary elections for its councillorship and chairmanship aspirants held at the party secretariat, Adatan, Abeokuta on Sunday.

Aina insisted that NNPP won’t take it lightly with state electoral body if it fails to conduct the elections according to the laid down guidelines but would rather allowed a political party to be teleguiding its sacred role

He said, “We are here to elect the candidates that will be representing our party during the November 16 local government elections

“I must however say that this time around, OGSIEC must not allow any act that could lead to questionable integrity, they should stop it because if they do, we at NNPP will challenge them and ask them questions”

“They need to be very careful and avoid anything that can question the integrity of the elctoral process, they should not engage in any scheme-mongering tactics that will scuttle democracy, we as members of NNPP are going to resist such attempts very vigorously, this local government election is very important to the community.”

He also admonished OGSIEC to consult with INEC for an hitch-free election.

“I will urge the OGSIEC to consult with INEC to see how things are being done.

“We have our reservations as to the way they are going about it, and if they think that they can short-change us they will have this NNPP to contend with,” he added.

Talking about the preparedness of the party for the local government elections, Aina said, “Our party is prepared and ready for the challenge, we have been working for about three weeks, we are united and that is why our candidates for the elections are the product of consensus. So, NNPP is not joking at all with this local government elections”.

APC to monitor Kano use of N3bn flood relief funds

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APC to monitor Kano use of N3bn flood relief funds

The All Progressives Congress in Kano State, on Sunday, said it will closely monitor the state government’s use of the N3 billion flood relief funds provided by the Federal Government.

The party’s Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, who disclosed this on Sunday stressed that the APC is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the funds’ utilisation.

While expressing concern about the potential diversion of the Federal Government’s N3 billion flood relief funds, Abbas, who recalled the previous misuse of palliatives highlighted the importance of using the funds for their intended purpose, to benefit the people.

To oversee the distribution of palliatives, a committee led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has been constituted.

Abbas assured that the APC will work to prevent any repeat of past incidents, where funds were misappropriated and emphasized the party’s dedication to safeguarding the funds against political misuse.

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Obi tackles Presidency for likening him to Trump

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Obi tackles Presidency for likening him to Trump

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has tackled the present administration’s recent effort to discredit him by likening him to a former United States
President, Donald Trump, saying it is a glaring sign of the weakness of the government.

Obi who spoke through his Media Office, in a statement titled, “Why desperate Obi traducers are kissing the dust?” signed by his Spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, in Abuja, on Sunday, also said the move by the incumbent reflect their crassness and inability to discern the realities, especially the pains and pangs their actions and policies have foisted on the nation in the past year.

According to him, desperate propagandists along with their presidential enablers were indulging in the distortion of facts all in a bid to destroy his impeccable image.

The statement added, “For these traducers, it would be a huge omission for a day to pass without finding something to negatively link Obi within the media space, if he and his family members are not being arrested imaginarily (a kite being flown to test waters?), he is being wickedly accused of sponsoring violence or twisting his public appearances in a manner to suite their dubious motives.

“Perhaps the most laughable of such delusions is the Presidency’s effort to ridicule Obi by dragging his name into the United States of America, USA electioneering process, by scandalously linking him with the Republican Party Candidate, Donald Trump.

“We are very much aware of the motive behind these ridiculous comparisons, which is their uncanny way of currying favour so undeserved from the Democrats.

“Nigerians who mused about the derisory and facetious comparison have tried to ask: ‘Will your calling Peter Obi ‘a Trump’, translate to or mean that Tinubu is Harris?.”

He pointed out that every discerning mind who wants to compare Obi and Tinubu and attempts to equate them with the two American Presidential candidates, Trump and Harris, knows too well the similarities and parallels in terms of morality, transparency, good-standing antecedents and people-focused policies.

“Nigerians are not so gullible to be fooled by such empty propaganda.

“It’s even ironic that the spin doctors of a leader who since the early campaign days into over a year as President has remained disturbingly aloof and seemingly incapable of presenting himself and his policies to Nigerians through the media, and who has continued to evade public accountability, are trying to malign Obi who has easily emerged in all ramifications as the most visible, focused and articulate political personality in this dispensation.

“Obi remains a man who has not only become the conscience of the people but also their hope for a new and egalitarian Democracy.

“Rather than strive to market and justify their rusty and anti-people deleterious policies that have put Nigeria and Nigerians in the most horrendous, conditions, they have resolved to convey misleading accounts of our Principal’s activities just to distract the credulous public.”

He noted that understanding the frustration of selling a bad product in a competitive market, the FairPlay rule demands that there is no room for de-marketing a good product by forcefully associating it with the ugly product.

“We know the intention of these trolls and spin doctors, who have also gone ahead to provoke our Principal’s massive supporters across the country and diaspora by twisting his recent media interview to insinuate that he is ready to be Vice President to anyone.

“But that fallacy could not be true of a man who has repeatedly stated in various forums that he is not desperate to be President but desperate to see Nigeria work.

“Such plebian conduct that is utterly devoid of integrity, remains the height of mischief from propagandists, who are envious of the rising profile of our Principal.

“Finally, POMR wishes to plead with Nigerians especially the Obidients within and outside the country and across all the political parties to remain undistracted in their aspirations and desire to see a new Nigeria that is possible.”

PDP asks FG to review anti-people policies

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PDP asks FG to review anti-people policies

As Muslims observe Eid-el Maulud tomorrow, the Peoples Democratic Party has urged the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to reassess all policies that negatively affect the people and focus more on citizens’ welfare.

The Federal Government had announced Monday as a public holiday to allow Muslims to celebrate Eid-el Maulud.

In a statement on Sunday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, urged the Federal Government to address wasteful spending, tackle corruption, and focus resources on projects that directly benefit Nigerians.

The statement read in part “The Peoples Democratic Party celebrates with Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el Maulud, charging them to strengthen their resolve for a national rebirth to overcome the biting economic hardship and worsening insecurity fuelled by the anti-people policies of the All Progressives Congress administration.

“The Party urges Nigerians to use the occasion to reinforce their hope in the Almighty Allah for direction as well as care for one another especially at this critical time when millions of citizens have been subjected to misery, hopelessness and utter destitution as a result of bad governance by the APC.

“Eid-el Maulud, the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW), offers humanity and indeed our nation, especially leaders at all levels, the rare opportunity to retrace our steps and submit to the Will of the Almighty Allah in all our dealings as exemplified in the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.”

The opposition party encouraged Nigerians to stay calm and hopeful and to use Eid-el Maulud as a time to show love to one another while earnestly praying for divine guidance in the nation’s affairs.

It continued “Lamenting that most Nigerians cannot afford to celebrate and enjoy with their loved ones on an occasion as significant as the Eid-el Maulud, the PDP counsels leaders whose decisions and policies inflict hardship and pain on citizens to use this occasion for deep introspection.

“For the umpteenth time, the PDP demands that the Federal Government immediately review all life-discounting and suffocating policies, particularly the increase in the pump price of petroleum products, hike in taxes, tariffs and other anti-people policies which have a consequential asphyxiating effect on the lives of Nigerians.

“Furthermore, the PDP charges the Federal Government to end profligacies, curb corruption, be more sensitive in prioritizing the need of the citizens by channelling resources to projects and programmes that have a direct bearing on the welfare of Nigerians.”

PDP, messiah people can look up to, says Ondo gov candidate

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PDP, messiah people can look up to, says Ondo gov candidate

Few days to the governorship election in Edo State, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Ondo State election, Agboola Ajayi, has declared that the party would win the poll.

Ajayi, however, called for unity among the party leaders and faithful to ensure victory for the ruling party on the Saturday, September 21 governorship election in the state.

Ajayi stated this in a chat with journalists in Akure, the state capital on Sunday.

According to him, the PDP was well accepted in Edo State, saying it was indicative of the resolve of the party to take up the challenge of restoring the glory of Nigeria.

He said, “The mood in the country today is that the PDP is the only messiah the people can look up to because of its antecedent of a capable manager of people, economy, and country.

“With the show of camaraderie displayed, it is obvious that the party is ready to take up the challenge to rescue Nigeria from her current handlers. I can’t remember the last time the party supported a cause like this Edo election with its full strength as we have seen there today.”

Ajayi, who was a former deputy governor in Ondo State, advised the electorate to queue behind the governorship candidate of PDP in Edo, State, Mr Asue Igodalo on Saturday as he told the party faithful to remain resolute in retaining the state.

On the November 16 governorship poll in Ondo Stat, Ajayi promised to turn around the fortune of women and empower them financially when elected as governor, as he promised 35 percent women inclusion in his government.

He said, “The United Nations affirmation on gender equality would be adhered to from February 24 when I assume office as the governor of this state

“We will ensure 35 percent of women are given appointments and we will also turn around the fortune of our women and empower them financially.”

NDLEA busts UK-bound opioid shipment, arrests freight agent, businesswoman

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NDLEA busts UK-bound opioid shipment, arrests freight agent, businesswoman

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested an Ibadan, Oyo State-based businesswoman, Mrs Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, and an auto parts dealer, Arinze Ora, over attempts to export consignments of opioids and cocaine to London, United Kingdom, and Congo Brazzaville, respectively.

The Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

He said, “NDLEA officers at the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday, 6th September 2024, intercepted a cargo bound for the United Kingdom. A thorough search of the consignment revealed 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup weighing 135.70kg and 5,250 tablets of Rohypnol hidden in cartons of foodstuffs.

“The freight agent, Owojori Olanrewaju Sunday, who presented the cargo for export, was promptly arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Adewunmi Akeem Temitope, who claimed that his mother, 58-year-old Mrs Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, sent the consignment from Ibadan for him to deliver to the agent. A follow-up operation on Saturday, 7th September, led to the arrest of Mrs Adewunmi in Ibadan, where she deals in foodstuffs and cargo export.

“In his statement, the agent Owojori confessed that he had been working for Mrs Adewunmi to export cargoes to the UK, adding that he was paid ₦2,411,000.00 for the job and ₦2.1 million for a similar consignment he handled for the businesswoman earlier.”

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the export shed of Lagos Airport on Wednesday, 11th September, intercepted some cartons of auto spare parts and containers of checkers powder custard bound for Congo Brazzaville via Ethiopian Airlines. A diligent search of the cargo led to the discovery of 300 grams of cocaine concealed in the containers of checker powder custard packed together with some auto parts.

Babafemi said a follow-up operation led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, Arinze Ora, who deals in auto parts at Shop 12, Block 7, Aspanda Trade Fair Auto Parts Wing, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Special Operations Unit of NDLEA, on Tuesday, 10th September, arrested two brothers, Ikechukwu Ikeabba and Ugochukwu Ikeabba, who are sponsors of drug traffickers specialising in exporting drugs by ingestion to Vietnam. Their arrest followed a diligent investigation into the earlier arrest of Onitsha-based businessman, Ibeanusi Solomon Nosike, who excreted 68 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.282 kilograms after 12 days of excretion observation following his arrest at the local wing of Lagos Airport by NDLEA operatives.

The 36-year-old Ibeanusi was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, 8th August 2024, at the old domestic terminal of Lagos Airport while attempting to board the first flight out of Lagos to Abuja, where he was scheduled to join a Qatar Airways flight to Vietnam at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 10 a.m. the same day.

Another Vietnam-bound businessman, 54-year-old Paul Okwuy Mbadugha, was arrested by NDLEA operatives at Abuja Airport on Monday, 12th August 2024, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Hanoi, Vietnam via Doha after he tested positive for ingestion of cocaine. After four days under observation, Mbadugha egested a total of 88 wraps of the illicit drug with a gross weight of 1.710 kilograms.

At the time of the arrest of the two kingpins, the Ikeabba brothers, they were caught with 87 wraps of cocaine dummies used in training intending swallowers.

In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence, on Saturday, 14th September, arrested three suspects: Auwal Abdullahi, Isah Rabiu, and Abubakar Da’u, along Bauchi-Gombe road while travelling in a DAF truck marked GME 552 ZU. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 2,490,000 tramadol pills concealed in bags of salt.

The statement further read, “A suspect, Idris Adamu, 23, was arrested with 41.5 kilograms of cannabis sativa in Kachia town, Kaduna State, on Tuesday, 10th September, while two suspects, Godiya Sekyen Jikuk, 36, and Yusuf Umaru, 65, were nabbed in Isinbode-Ekiti, Ekiti State, with a total of 73.6kg of cannabis on Wednesday, 11th September.

“In Bauchi State, no fewer than 208,920 tramadol and diazepam pills were seized from a suspect, Chinedu Asadu, 35, on Thursday, 13th September, while 104kg of cannabis was recovered from two suspects, Abba Abdullahi and Mustapha Yahaya, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Tuesday, 10th September by operatives in Lagos State.

“Not less than 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered by NDLEA operatives in two containers shipped from India during a joint examination of the containers with Customs officers and other security agencies at Tincan Port, Lagos, on Tuesday, 10th September. The containers were part of those targeted by NDLEA for 100 per cent examination.”

With the same vigour, commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others, over the past week. These include WADA enlightenment lectures to students and staff of Government Secondary School, Galamawa, and Government Junior Secondary School, Kaci, Dutse, Jigawa State; students of Kukudus Islamic School, Minna, Niger State; nurses and midwives at UBTH School of Nursing, Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State; members of the Vulcanisers Association of Nigeria in Ibarapa Central LGA, Oyo State; Muslim faithful at Central Mosque, Demsa, Adamawa State, and a WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Rano, Kano State, Alhaji Muhammad Isah Umaru, among others.

While commending the officers and men of the Special
Operations Unit, MMIA, Tincan, Lagos, Gombe, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Ekiti Commands of the Agency for their arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), stated that their operational successes, along with those of their compatriots across the country, are highly appreciated.

He urged them to continue intensifying ongoing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Police probe killing of Enugu market chairman

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Police probe killing of Enugu market chairman

The Enugu State Police Command has stated that it has begun a probe into the suspected murder of the Chairman of Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, Stephen Aniago, who was shot by yet-to-be-identified assailants on Saturday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Ndukwe stressed that a preliminary investigation by the police had revealed that the armed assailants had waylaid Aniago along the Amechi Road area of the state, shot at him, and escaped with his car.

He added that upon receiving a report of the incident, policemen stormed the scene and took the victim to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The PPRO said, “The Enugu State Police Command Operatives are on the trail of the armed assailants that shot and murdered the Chairman of Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, Enugu, Stephen Aniago, at Topland, along Amechi Road, Enugu, around 8:20 p.m. of September 14, 2024.

“A preliminary investigation reveals that the unknown armed hoodlums, operating in a Toyota Corolla car, double-crossed and shot the victim, making away with his blue-coloured Toyota Corolla car.

“He was taken to the hospital by police operatives who hastened to the scene but was confirmed dead by doctors. His corpse was deposited in the mortuary for preservation and further investigative actions,” Ndukwe said.

He continued that a tactical team had been deployed to trail and arrest the suspects behind the killing of Aniago while assuring that justice would be served.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered tactical squads of the Command that are on the trail of the assailants to deploy all the intelligence and operational resources at their disposal to hunt the criminals down.

“He also orders the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to conduct a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances of the incident.

“CP Kanayo assures the public that the police will leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book soonest,” Ndukwe concluded.

Fire guts Lagos Plank market

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Fire guts Lagos Plank market

Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency are currently attending to a fire outbreak at the Oko Baba plank market in the Ebute Metta area of the state.

An X user, Adedeji Olalekan, tweeting as #Stylomedia, disclosed on Sunday that the fire also affected the shanties in the market.

Credit: X | #Stylomedia

He tweeted, “Okobaba Street is on fire now, all the shanties are burning.”

Confirming the incident in a terse message on WhatsApp, LASEMA’s spokesperson, Nosa Okunbor, said emergency responders are at the scene carrying out a search and rescue operation.

Okunbor said, “LASEMA Response Team, LRU Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in search and rescue operation at Oko Baba plank market by Ibadan Street, Ebute Metta.”

Details later…

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Typhoon grounds flights in China

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Typhoon grounds flights in China

All flights at Shanghai’s two main airports were cancelled on Sunday as authorities in the Chinese megacity prepared for a strong typhoon bringing high winds and heavy rain.

Typhoon Bebinca is expected to make landfall along a swath of China’s densely populated eastern seaboard between Sunday night and Monday morning, according to Beijing’s emergency management ministry.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that all flights at Shanghai’s two main airports would be cancelled from 8 pm on Sunday (1200 GMT) because of the storm.

“Affected by Typhoon Bebinca, the traffic capacity of Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports has decreased today,” CCTV said.

“Flight adjustments at the two main airports will be promptly released to the public in accordance with the impact of the typhoon,” it said.

The emergency management ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Bebinca would cause “heavy to torrential” downpours with “local heavy or extremely heavy rainstorms” between Sunday and Tuesday.

Officials held a meeting on Saturday to “research and deploy flood and typhoon control work in key areas”, it said.

Bebinca’s expected landfall will come during the Mid-Autumn Festival public holiday.

China’s railway operator is expecting passengers to take 74 million trips during the holiday, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday.

The emergency management ministry said officials must “pay close attention to the development of the typhoon”, adding that “many people will be travelling, mobility will be high and safety risks will be prominent”.

The water resources ministry launched on Saturday a level-four emergency response — the lowest in a tiered system — for flooding in Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, according to Xinhua.

The weather office issued orange typhoon warnings — the second-highest in a four-tier system — for several districts in Shanghai and areas of nearby provinces on Sunday.

It advised that people refrain from gathering in large numbers, boats return to port and rickety structures be strengthened against high winds.

Shanghai municipal authorities urged residents on Sunday to “strengthen efforts to guard against harmful effects of the typhoon on high-altitude work, transportation, infrastructure and agriculture”.

Passenger shipping lines were also scheduled to be suspended in Shanghai from Sunday, according to an official statement on the social media account of the municipal port and shipping development centre.

– Trail of destruction –
China is the world’s biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases that scientists say are driving climate change and making extreme weather more frequent and intense.

Another typhoon, Yagi, killed at least four people and injured 95 when it passed through China’s southern Hainan island this month, according to national weather authorities.

Bebinca passed through Japan’s Amami island overnight, carrying gusts of up to 198 kilometres (123 miles) per hour, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, warning of an increased risk of landslides due to heavy rain.

The storm also slammed into the central and southern Philippines on Friday.

Philippine officials said on Sunday that falling trees had killed six people as the tropical storm brought strong winds and floods.

AFP

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