The Initiative for Grassroot Advancement INGRA in Nigeria has appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to sign into law an HIV Anti-stigma bill which was recently passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly.
The Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu made the appeal on Thursday in Lokoja at a media round table on advancing the HIV Anti-stigma bill and addressing issues around HIV stigma reduction.
TVN recalls that the Kogi State House of Assembly on 19th June 2024 passed into law the bill to provide for the prevention of HIV and AIDs based discrimination and protection of the rights and dignity of people living and affected by HIV and AIDs.
Aliyu explained that the purpose of this proposed law is to protect the rights and dignity of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS; and eliminate all forms of discrimination based on their health status.
Aliyu asked Governor Ododo to sign the bill into law to create a supportive environment for people living with HIV and AIDS to work under normal conditions for as long as they are medically fit to do so.
“When signed into law, it will promote appropriate and effective ways of managing HIV in the workplace, community, institutions and other fields of human endeavour. Create a safe and enabling working and learning environment for all people living with and affected by the disease HIV and AIDS.
“It will also create a balance between the rights and responsibilities of all persons in the society; and give effect to human rights guaranteed in Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, and obligations under international and regional human rights and other instruments”.
He opined that the rationale behind the proposed law is a lack of understanding about the virus and how it spreads, which results in discrimination against those infected with HIV and AIDS.
Continuing he said, “Other rationales behind the proposed law is “Lack of information and awareness, combined with outdated beliefs, lead people to fear getting HIV, and the thought that only certain groups of people get the dreaded disease thereby attaching negative value judgements about the people who are accordingly infected and affected.
“The disease itself has challenged the sense of well-being, complicated the existence, in most cases, with mental health conditions, as well as affected the nervous system of those living with and affected by it. People living with HIV are discriminated against, their rights denied and, regrettably, this has also contributed to an increase in suicide and poor treatment outcome”.
Sign HIV Anti-stigma bill into law – INGRA begs Gov Ododo
Sign HIV Anti-stigma bill into law – INGRA begs Gov Ododo
Senate vows to expose economic saboteurs in petroleum sector
The Senate has pledged to expose and bring to book individuals and entities responsible for economic sabotage in the petroleum sector, including those behind the importation of toxic fuel into Nigeria.
The Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Economic Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry made this assertion at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasized the gravity of the task, citing threats to economic prosperity, fiscal stability, and public health.
He said the committee was determined to unravel the roots of sabotage and make recommendations to promote global best practices, attract investments, and protect national interests.
He said, “We are taking this task seriously with a view to addressing fundamental issues that pose grave threats to our economic prosperity, fiscal stability, and public health as a federation.
READ ALSO:Senate, Women’s Group push for inclusion of domestic servants in National Minimum Wage
“In line with our mandate, we will definitely unravel the roots of economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and make necessary recommendations that will entrench global best practices in the industry and open it up for more investments, especially in the midstream and downstream sectors.
“We are utterly committed to this mandate. We shall also carry out this national assignment without fear or favour.”
Bamidele assured that the committee would conduct its investigation without fear or favor, ensuring fairness and justice for all parties involved.
He added, “We shall be fair and just to all parties with a view to promoting and protecting the strategic national interests of our fatherland.”
This move signals a significant step towards addressing the longstanding challenges plaguing Nigeria’s petroleum industry and holding accountable those responsible for the toxic fuel scandal.
The post Senate vows to expose economic saboteurs in petroleum sector appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Edo Guber: I have forgiven Obaseki – Shaibu
The court-reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, says he has forgiven Governor Godwin Obaseki for marginalizing him despite his sacrifices and loyalty.
Shaibu made this announcement while speaking with newsmen after meeting with the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, at the party headquarters in Abuja.
He said as human beings everyone has different ways he or she behaves, stressing that only God is perfect.
The Deputy governor said he had to forgive his principal because God handed down a commandment of loving one’s neighbour as himself, stating that there would be peace in the world in adherence to that commandment.
“From my own end, I gave everything. I gave all to have him succeed because, for me, it is about the state and the state in everything. So, I gave up all my earnings. Even to my official earnings. I forfeited lots of my official entitlements. Why? Because I didn’t want any trouble or disagreement. And the easiest way you can have disagreements could be money. Even my official entitlement, most of them I didn’t apply for.
“As small as 28 days, that is the first earning that you earn whether as a civil servant or in government, the first and second terms I didn’t have it. That is, anything that has to do with going to meet the governor, to apply for anything even personal entitlements or official entitlements, I didn’t. I confined myself to the official salary that came to me.”
The Deputy Governor, who returned to APC last Saturday, also faulted the state government for asking him to return the 22 official vehicles in his care.
According to him, all but one Jeep the governor bought for him in the third year of their administration belongs to him.
He reiterated the need to strengthen internal party democracy to stabilize the country’s fledgling democracy and identified the lack of internal party democracy as the major cause of leadership crisis among politicians who always want their interests to override the wishes of the majority.
On the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, Shuaibu said the contest is for the APC candidate to win.
Edo Guber: I have forgiven Obaseki – Shaibu
Northern youths knock Reps over call for NMPDRA boss’ suspension
Northern youths under the aegis of Northern Youths Frontiers on Thursday condemned the call for the suspension of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, Farouk Ahmed by the House of Representatives.
The According had earlier reported that the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to suspend the NMDPRA boss pending the conclusion of the investigations of allegations against him.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Esosa Federal Constituency, Edo State, Esosa Iyawe, during Tuesday’s plenary on the need to address issues arising from Farouk’s utterances about the nation’s local refineries.
The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that claims of adulterated fuel in the Nigerian market must be thoroughly investigated, stating that fuel quality can impact engine hardware.
In a statement by its North-west coordinator, Abdul Usman, the group expressed shock at the call by the legislative arm of government.
“We are appalled by the House of Representatives’ resolution to sack the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, Farouk Ahmed, over alleged ‘unguarded comments’ on local refineries.
“This move reeks of desperation and blatant bias,” Usman said.
Speaking further, the group asked, “the House of Representatives to retract its resolution and uphold fairness and protection for whistleblowers and industry regulators who dare to speak truth to power.”
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BREAKING: Ohanaeze President General, Iwuanyanwu is dead
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu has been reported dead.
More to come.
BREAKING: Ohanaeze President General, Iwuanyanwu is dead
Hardship: We’ll rather protest for Kanu’s release – Southeast group
A pro-Biafra group under the aegis of the South East Renewed Hope Ambassadors, SERHA, disassociated itself from the planned #EndBadGovernance# nationwide protest slated for August 1, 2024, saying the people of the Southeast have nothing to benefit from it.
The group claimed that the only valid reason to gather was to protest the continuous detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and demand his release.
SERHA claimed that Kanu is the only true Nigerian still held in detention and called on the people of the region not to participate in any form of protest that could worsen the security situation in the region and bring unrest to the country at large.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Arinzechukwu Awogu, Anambra, Ugochukwu Ugwu, Vice President, Enugu, Nwogba Morgan and Secretary General, Ebonyi, Joseph Odumuko, Youths President, Abia, Mrs Lovett Emere, Imo, SERHA, urged the people of Southeast, to reflect on the past experiences where crisis and violence arising from the Western Region, saw the people of Southeast being the bearers of the brunt as it culminated in the Nigerian civil war that singled out the Igbos for annihilation.
It said the Civil War which started in 1967 and ended in the year 1970, left the entire Igbos in a state of ruins which they are yet to recover from and cannot afford to be sweet-tongued and cajoled into joining any such gang-up against the government of the day.
“Recall that during the same agitation in the West that all together led to the January 15, 1966 coup and the pogroms and eventually led to the brutal Nigerian Civil War, which particularly left a legacy of destruction against Ndigbo, death toll of over 3,000,000 people of Igbo origin, marginalization, economic setbacks/deprivations, criminal neglect/denials towards the people of the Eastern Region and in all of these; we suffered alone without the rest of the country coming together to protest against the travails of the South-East,” the group said.
Hardship: We’ll rather protest for Kanu’s release – Southeast group
Everton’s Branthwaite demands pay rise amid Man Utd interest
Everton defender, Jarrad Branthwaite, is reportedly seeking a significant pay increase amid interest from Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail.
Mirror UK on Thursday via its website reported that the 22-year-old centre-back, who has become a key player for Sean Dyche’s side, is said to be demanding that Everton match the £160,000-a-week salary offered by Manchester United.
Everton have already rejected two bids from United this summer, with the Merseyside club valuing Branthwaite at £70 million. United’s latest offer of £50 million fell short of this valuation.
Despite having three years remaining on his current contract, which is reportedly worth around £70,000-a-week, Everton are keen to offer Branthwaite improved terms. However, negotiations are likely to be postponed until the end of the transfer window.
The Daily Mail reports stated, “Branthwaite is ready to refuse any new terms if Everton do not come close to matching United’s proposal.”
This potential standoff comes at a crucial time for Everton, who have recently seen takeover talks with Friedkin Group collapse, prolonging owner Farhad Moshiri’s two-year effort to sell the club.
Manchester United, under new minority ownership, have reportedly taken a step back in their pursuit of Branthwaite after Everton reaffirmed their commitment to their £70 million valuation.
United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth’s last conversation with Everton’s Kevin Thelwell appears to have cooled negotiations.
United have already spent £52 million on defender Leny Yoro but are still in the market for defensive reinforcements.
Branthwaite is seen as an ideal candidate for United’s needs, but the club is adhering to a transfer policy that avoids “splashing needless cash on players.”
Despite the ongoing speculation, Branthwaite has returned to pre-season training with Everton.
The club remains hopeful of retaining their star defender while also pursuing other targets, including a potential loan deal for Napoli winger Jesper Lindstrom.
Nigeria has no future with thieves as leaders – Sam Amadi
The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, has said that Nigerians have no future with thieves as their leaders.
According to him, Nigeria buys one drone for $150m while the real cost is $5m, adding that it is the reason why the country cannot defeat insecurity.
Amadi, a former Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, noted that those who deceived Nigerians that they could vote for corrupt politicians as President and Governors lied to them.
“Nigeria buys one drone for $150m while the real cost is $5m. Now you know why we cannot defeat insecurity.
“Whoever told you in 2023 that we could afford to vote normal corrupt politicians as president and Governors lied to you.
“We have no future with thieves as leaders,” Amadi posted on X.
His statement comes amid planned nationwide protests against bad governance in the country.
TVN reports that some Nigerians are mobilising for a nationwide protest slated for August 1 to August 10, 2024.
Tagged #EndBadGovernace, organisers of the protest have lamented the widespread hunger and inflation in the country.
Nigeria has no future with thieves as leaders – Sam Amadi
Buhari’s ex-aide, Ahmad opts out of #EndBadGovernance protest over Nnamdi Kanu
Former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, says he would never be a part of any protest seeking the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
According to him, the Biafran agitator is a terrorist.
Ahmad made his feelings known following the release of demands from Omoleye Sowore, one of the organisers of the EndBadGovernance protests scheduled to commence on August 1st.
READ ALSO:IPOB hints it may resort to violence over continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu
Sowore had unveiled 14 key demands to be tabled to President Bola Tinubu’s government as reasons for the planned protests and part of the demands included the unconstitutional release of Kanu who has been in detention since his arrest in Kenya in 2021 despite courts granting him bail.
Ahmad, in a post on his X account on Thursday, faulted the decision of organizers of the protest to add the release of the leader of Kanu to their demands and vowed never to join the protest as a result of that.
“You should not expect me to join a protest where the unconditional release of terrorist Nnamdi Kanu is listed as one of the non-negotiable demands. Never!” Ahmad wrote.
You should not expect me to join a protest where the unconditional release of terrorist Nnamdi Kanu is listed as one of the non-negotiable demands. Never!
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) July 25, 2024
The post Buhari’s ex-aide, Ahmad opts out of #EndBadGovernance protest over Nnamdi Kanu appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Protest: Tinubu meets traditional rulers in Aso Rock
President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a private meeting with Traditional Rulers at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President’s meeting with the monarchs is said to be the second closed-door meeting he is holding on Thursday amid calls for planned protest on August 1.
The only government officials reported to be at the meeting include the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Members of the President’s cabinet, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyar, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, among others.
The traditional rulers in attendance are the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Dein Of Agbor, His Rohal Majesty Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborokuzi I.
The ongoing meeting is coming after an earlier meeting of the President with the members of the Progressive Governors Forum held earlier in the day.
The meeting also follows a Wednesday evening encounter with the Nigerian Governors Forum after the cancellation of the National Economic Council meeting earlier scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
It was gathered that the meeting might not be unconnected with moves to appease those planning to protest against the present administration over the prevailing economic situation in the country.
Protest: Tinubu meets traditional rulers in Aso Rock