Ahead of commencement of public protests on Thursday 1st August, 2024, hoodlums in Calabar, capital of Cross River State, have descended on journalists, critically maiming one of them, a Nigerian Tribune reporter, Joseph Abasi-Abasi.
The hoodlums have also vandalised an 18-seater NUJ bus which was conveying food items from State Emergency Management Agency warehouse to the Ernest Etim Press Centre, Calabar.
The incident happened at about 10 am.
They also beat up the NUJ bus driver, Mr Joseph Akpaenin, as well as the NUJ auxiliary staff, Mr Saviour Ekpenyong.
The palliatives belong to Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council.
After beating up the journalists, they succeeded in carting away some of the food items from the vehicle.
The bus driver, Joseph Akpaenin, whose phone was also stolen, was left with a battered shoulder and face from the attack.
A few more journalists sustained heavy bruises.
Chairman of the NUJ in the state, Comrade Archibong Bassey has condemned the criminal act.
Protest: Hoodlums maim journalists, vandalise NUJ bus, confiscate palliatives
Protest: Hoodlums maim journalists, vandalise NUJ bus, confiscate palliatives
19 million girls face intimate partner violence before 20
The World Health Organisation said that close to 19 million teenage girls will have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the time they turn 20 years old.
This is contained in a statement released by the WHO on Tuesday from a new analysis published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.
It added that one to six or 16 per cent of adolescent girls also experienced such intimate partner violence in the past year.
The Director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research Department, Dr Pascale Allotey, said that intimate partner violence has started alarmingly early for millions of young women around the world.
According to Allotey, given that violence during these critical formative years can cause profound and lasting harm, it needs to be taken more seriously as a public health issue with a focus on prevention and targeted support.
“Partner violence can have devastating impacts on young people’s health, educational achievement, future relationships, and lifelong prospects.
“From a health perspective, it heightens the likelihood of injuries, depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and many other physical and psychological conditions,” she said.
Allotey said that high rates of violence against adolescent girls reflect deeply entrenched inequalities.
she said, “The study drew on existing data to provide, for the first time, a detailed analysis of the prevalence of physical and sexual partner violence experienced by 15- to 19-year-old girls who have been in intimate relationships.
“It also identifies broader social, economic and cultural factors that increase their risks,” she said.
“While violence against adolescent girls occurs everywhere, the authors highlight significant differences in prevalence.
“Based on whose estimates, the worst affected regions are Oceania (47 per cent) and central sub-Saharan Africa (40 per cent), for instance, while the lowest rates are in central Europe (10 per cent) and central Asia (11 per cent).
“Between countries, there is also a substantive range: from an estimated 6 per cent of adolescent girls subjected to such violence in the least affected countries, to 49 per cent in those with the highest rates.”
According to her, the new analysis found that intimate partner violence against adolescent girls is most common in lower-income countries and regions, in places where there are fewer girls in secondary school.
She said that it is also common where girls to have weaker legal property ownership and inheritance rights compared to men.
Allotey said that child marriage which is before the age of 18 years significantly escalates risks.
She added that spousal age differences create power imbalances, economic dependency, and social isolation all of which increase the likelihood of enduring abuse.
The director said that the study highlighted the urgent need to strengthen support services and early prevention measures tailored for adolescents.
She said that it would also have alongside actions to advance women’s and girls’ agency and rights from school-based programmes that educate both boys and girls on healthy relationships.
According to her, since many adolescents lack their own financial resources, they can face particular challenges in leaving abusive relationships.
The Technical Officer for Violence against Women Data and Measurement at WHO study author, Dr Lynnmarie Sardinha, said “The study showed that to end gender-based violence, countries need to have policies and programmes in place that increase equality for women and girls.
“This means ensuring secondary education for all girls, securing gender-equal property rights and ending harmful practices such as child marriage, which are often underpinned by the same inequitable gender norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.”
According to her, no country is currently on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal target date.
She said that ending child marriage affected 1 in 5 girls globally and expanding girls’ access to secondary education will be critical factors for reducing partner violence against adolescent girls.
According to her, the WHO supports countries in measuring and addressing violence against women, including efforts to strengthen prevention and response within the healthcare sector. New WHO guidelines on the prevention of child marriage are planned for release by the end of 2024.
(NAN)
Dele Momodu tackles Fayose over comments on northerners
Veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu has called out former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose over his comments about northerners.
Fayose had contended the failure of the federal government to develop Nigeria was because northerners were marrying multiple wives and having many children indiscriminately thereby constituting a huge problem for Nigeria and a burden on the government.
Fayose who made the comment in an interview programme with Channels Television on Monday night, said Nigerians should not embark on the planned #EndBadGovernance protests as the hunger in the country did not start under Tinubu but as a result of the huge population from the north.
“The reason why it is difficult for Tinubu to develop Nigeria is because Northerners are giving birth to children they can’t cater for,” Fayose had said, among other things.
But in a post on X on Tuesday, Momodu said Fayose had spoken out of turn and should caution himself.
READ ALSO:‘You have become a blind defender of Tinubu’, Dele Momodu blasts Omokri
“My dear Brother AYO FAYOSE, I have just two questions Sir: who is more destructive to the nation, the poor man with plenty wives and children or the politician with one wife and many high maintenance girlfriends, who waste public resources on extravagant lifestyles including private jets?” Momodu said.
“Who is more productive, the politician who steals the sweats and resources of the citizens or the poor man who sends his many poor wives and childten to the farmlands to grow crops for everyone of us!!!”
“Your Excellency, my dear Brother, please, let’s all accept that we’ve failed this country and we need urgent reset.
“We cannot afford the blame games at this perilous time… May God forgive our transgressions…
Warmest regards always…”
CHIEF DELE MOMODU
"My dear Brother AYO FAYOSE, I have just two questions Sir: who is more destructive to the nation, the poor man with plenty wives and children or the politician with one wife and many high maintenance girlfriends, who waste public resources on extravagant lifestyles including… pic.twitter.com/UsZsnjtYVM
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) July 30, 2024
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NARD gives FG two-week ultimatum to rescue kidnapped doctor
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the government for the unconditional release of its member, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped seven months ago at the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.
NARD said industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed if her release is not secured within two weeks.
The doctors made this known in a communique issued on Tuesday after its National Executive Council meeting in Katsina from July 22 to 27, themed ‘The Nigerian economy and its impact on residency training: Challenges and Opportunities for a Robust healthcare system.’
The communique was signed by the association’s President, Dr Dele Abdullahi; the Secretary-General, Dr Christopher Anaduaka; and the Public and Social Secretary, Dr John Egbe.
Our correspondent gathered that Dr Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023, at about 1 am within the Senior Staff Quarters at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.
She was abducted with her husband, a Squadron leader, Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew who stays with them, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.
After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were not released.
It was also gathered that since the incident, the abductors have called severally at will and occasionally to allow some family members to speak to them, and they were spoken to last on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to prove that the doctor and her husband’s nephew are still alive.
The NEC also observed with grave concern persistent manpower shortage, crippling our healthcare system despite different changes in the recruitment modalities, the casualisation of its members in different health institutions all over the country with consequent jeopardy to their welfare, and the non-payment of upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears for all her members post-implementation in February 2024.
The communique partly read, “The NEC seriously frowned at the alarming increase in insecurities: Kidnapping and assault on doctors, threaten our very existence. The NEC observed with despair that our dear colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew are still held in captivity for over seven months in inhumane conditions.
“The NEC decried their failing health while under captivity and the little to no efforts by the security agents to salvage the situation.
“The NEC decried the nonchalant attitude of the Kaduna state government to the travails of our colleague and her nephew.
“The NEC appreciates the government for the quick payment of 2024 MRTF albeit noticed that some centres and individuals are yet to receive payment.
“The NEC decries the unresolved outstanding issues of MRTF 2023, 2022, and 2021. The NEC observed with appreciation the promise made by the Governor of Abia state, Dr Alex Otti to pay an extra month’s salary every month to clear the 21 months owed salaries arrears of the ABSUTH Staff,”
The NEC, however, demanded an expedition in the process of waiver issuance by the Ministry of Health to cover the massive manpower deficits in health institutions, a cap on the work hours of healthcare professionals to prevent burnout, and additional pay for extra hours worked.
Labour Party fires back at Kenneth Okonkwo over attacks on Peter Obi won’t diminish trust
The Labour Party has responded to Kenneth Okonkwo’s resignation and criticism of Peter Obi, saying that such attacks will not erode the trust Nigerians have in the former Anambra governor.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh on Monday, the party dismissed Okonkwo’s comments as attention-seeking.
The party noted that Okonkwo’s resignation was not surprising, given his history of switching parties. They also accused him of being a mole planted to instigate crisis within the party.
The Labour Party reaffirmed its commitment to Peter Obi as its leader and presidential candidate for the 2027 election. They expressed confidence that Nigerians, particularly the “Obidients” and youths, will continue to trust Obi, despite coordinated attacks from some quarters.
It reads, “Kenneth Okonkwo’s resignation from the Labour Party didn’t come to us as a surprise. We also think that his attack on the party’s leader, Peter Obi is rather unfortunate however we will continue not to dignify him with any response as we understand that his attention-craving attitude knows no bounds.
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“If you recall, recently a former Director General of the party’s presidential campaign organisation resigned and rejoined the APC. Only last week, a former deputy Director General of the presidential campaign organisation also resigned and rejoined the APC. Today, it is the turn of Mr. Okonkwo, a former member of APC, who smuggled himself into the presidential campaign, and his destination is already known to us.
“Needless to say Nigeria is not in want of political jesters and jobbers whose stomach are their gods. Labour Party is not perturbed by his decision to move on and in fact, we wish him well in his future endeavours, whether in acting, law practice, politics or otherwise.
“We also wish to note here, that the party is aware of a few other persons who are planted as moles, who are presently instigating crisis within the party, and who have unsuccessfully attempted to hijack the party for the use of their paymasters. We urge them to act fast and do the needful before they are exposed and fumigated out of the party.
“Labour Party is keeping to its decision to stand with Peter Obi as its leader and presidential hopefully come 2027 presidential election and we are not apologetical about that position. Coordinated attacks from some quarters will not in any way diminish the trust Nigerians, particularly, the Obidients and youths in Nigeria have in him. We know that with him, a new Nigeria will be possible. Nigerians spoke loudly in 2023 and they will speak even louder come 2027.”
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Education minister mourns NERDC boss, Ismail
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has mourned the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Prof. Junaidu Ismail.
In a terse statement posted on the official X handle of the ministry, @NigEducation, on Tuesday, Mamman described the late Junaidu as a “shinning star in the education sector.”
Junaidu reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday last week in Damaturu, Yobe State, where he was attending the Joint Consultative Committee on Education programme.
He was born on June 3, 1953 and obtained his qualifications in Linguistics and Language: PhD University of Indiana, USA; Master’s Degree University of York, England and Bachelor’s Degree, ABU, Zaria-Nigeria.
He was a Professor of Linguistics as well as Educator, Educational Administrator, Curriculum Developer, and Educational Policy Facilitator and Designer.
Mamman was quoted as saying, “A shining star in Nigeria’s education sector has gone dark. Our thoughts are with his family, NERDC, and the countless lives he touched.
“His legacy will continue to inspire us.
“Let’s honour his memory by continuing his great work in education. Prof Junaidu’s impact on Nigeria’s education sector will be felt for generations to come! Let’s celebrate his life and legacy.”
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NCAA cracks down on private jet operators over submission of technical logs
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to private jet operators, mandating the submission of detailed technical logs before August 2nd or face suspension.
The move is a clear indication of the aviation regulator’s determination to enhance safety standards among the private jet owners.
In a statement on Monday signed by Oyerinde Modupe, NCAA general manager (GM) of facilitation and economic regulation, the aviation authority said failure to comply with the directive will result in the suspension of operating authorisation of jet operators.
“This is to follow up on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) previous correspondence regarding the submission of your tech log for the past two (2) years,” the aviation authority said.
It continued, “The authority is yet to receive the required documents from you.
“Therefore, in line with part (g) of the conditions attached to your Permit, you are again reminded to forward to the NCAA the Tech Log information of your operations for the last two (2) years by completing the Summary Sheet with details of number of Sectors flown per month per aircraft as indicated in the attached PNCF OPERATIONS TECH LOG FORM.
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“Please note that the format for submission of the requested information should either be electronic completion of the PNCF Tech Log Form or scan copies of the required Tech Log information to this email datrlicensingunit@ncaa.gov.ng.
“For further enquiries, do not hesitate to contact the Authority through: Phone number: +2348039588761.”
In a bid to prevent incidents and ensure the airworthiness of private jets, the NCAA is demanding comprehensive records of all aircraft malfunctions, maintenance procedures, and repair history. This directive is part of a broader effort to strengthen oversight and accountability in the industry.
The NCAA has remained steadfast in its stance, emphasizing the importance of safety and compliance. The agency has warned that failure to adhere to the deadline will result in severe penalties, including suspension of operating licenses.
As the August 2nd deadline looms, the private jet industry is bracing for a period of intense scrutiny. The outcome of this regulatory crackdown could significantly impact the operations of private jet operators and, ultimately, the safety of air travel in Nigeria.
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Deji Adeyanju warns army chief against deploying soldiers
Activist and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to withdraw soldiers deployed across the Federal Capital Territory and other cities ahead of the proposed hunger protest.
The According had reported the increased presence of security agents, including military personnel, within the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the proposed nationwide protests slated for August 1 to 10.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, denied that the deployment was intended to intimidate protesters. He said, “Troops have always been deployed across the country in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. There is nothing new about that (deployment), please.”
However, in a letter addressed to the Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday, Adeyanju stated that providing security during protests is the job of the police.
He recalled that the deployment of soldiers for protests in Kenya and during the 2020 #EndSARS movement led to riots.
Adeyanju said, “We write as a pro-human rights law firm to draw your attention to the disturbing deployment of men of the Nigerian Army across the Federal Capital Territory and other cities to suppress the scheduled August 1, 2024, national protest.
“The task of providing internal security, including the protection of protesters during the scheduled protest, lies with the Nigerian Police Force and not the Nigerian Army.
You may also recall that at all times when the armed forces intervened in any protest, including the recent ongoing Kenya protest, such protests often escalated into full-blown riots leading to loss of lives and property.
“It is on the premise of the foregoing that we urge you to withdraw your men back to the barracks as we do not want a repeat of soldiers killing protesters as was witnessed during EndSARS.”
No bad governance in Nigeria, says Tinubu’s aide
The Senior Presidential Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, said on Tuesday that there is no bad governance in Nigeria.
Rahman stated this at the Second Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos.
“They tagged the protest ‘End Bad Governance,’ and I don’t think there’s any bad governance here,”
“I’ve seen headlines like ‘Hardship Protest’ and ‘Hunger Protest,’ and I think those (headlines) are editorialised,” he told the audience, largely dominated by editors and media professionals.
He further claimed that the organisers of the August 1, 2024, planned protests “are faceless.”
Rahman’s comments elicited mixed reactions from the attendees at the event organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu as he addressed the country’s economic challenges.
The Take It Back Movement, one of the organisers of the nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday, has affirmed its intention to proceed.
In response, security agencies, including the police, military, and civil defence, have deployed officers across states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to ensure security during the planned protests.
The hashtag “EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” continues to trend on X as Nigerians await developments from Thursday.
The Managing Director of According Nigeria Limited, Joseph Adeyeye, is also expected to speak at the event with the theme “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Media Survival Strategies.”
Long queues return to Ibadan as fuel scarcity lingers [PHOTOS]
![Long queues return to Ibadan as fuel scarcity lingers [PHOTOS]](https://tvn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MixCollage-30-Jul-2024-01-04-PM-6855-768x768.jpg "Long queues return to Ibadan as fuel scarcity lingers [PHOTOS]")
Long queues of commercial buses, private cars, motorcycles and tricycles have returned to petroleum stations in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Our correspondent reports that this is due to the ongoing scarcity of petrol in the ancient city.
TVN reports that Ibadan has been witnessing a scarcity of PMS in the last few days.
The situation became severe on Monday when the majority of the petroleum stations shut down their operations.
Petroleum stations in areas visited on Monday and Tuesday such as Bodija, Sango, Apete, Sango/ Eleyele Road, Agodi Gate and Secretariat Road have shut down their operations since Monday.
This is responsible for the long queues being witnessed across the ancient city.
TVN reports that only a few of the petroleum stations that belong to independent marketers in these areas are selling between N800 and N850.
It was, however, observed that petroleum stations that belong to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, have continued to sell for N580 per litre.
Our correspondent reports that the situation has remained the same as of the time of filing this report on Tuesday.
A commercial cab operator who spoke with TVN in the Sango area noted that petrol stations he visited recently were selling between N800 and N850.
He said, “We are buying between N800 and N850. That is what they are selling to us. Some of the ones that were selling before are not selling again”.
Long queues return to Ibadan as fuel scarcity lingers [PHOTOS]