Nation
THE STATES
Lagos
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie has called on the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola to immediately arrest the growing immorality and moral depravity in Lagos.
Okojie made the call Monday while reacting to a media report on the increase in strip clubs in parts of Lagos State, where girls danced stark naked, attracting a lot of patronage from men.
“Evil has taken over Lagos. The way things are going, when girls of between the ages of 15 and 25 dance nude and throw caution to the wind with boys and men watching them, then they are sending a strong signal to the society. It portends danger. We are sitting on a loaded gun”, said Okogie in a statement signed by the Director of Social Communications, Lagos State, Reverend Gabriel Osu.
Okogie called on Fashola to act now because the strinp clubs are on the increase, while those shut earlier have reopened with impunity and with change of name.
“I hope this is not making mockery of Lagos as mega-city, centre of Excellence and City of Aquatic Splendour,” he said.
He called for a ban on gambling in the state as well as prevent people from playing Kalokalo game, while under-aged girls should be disallowed from dancing naked in hotels.
“Parents should not allow girls who are supposed to be under their watchful eyes to patronise hotels. It is contrary to the feeling of the people of the state,” Okogie said.
According to him, the current trend amounted to a defiance of government and government, he said must do something to stem what he called the rising tide of evil sweeping across the state.
“Some VIPs are among them, some top civil servants are with them. They lured innocent girls into prostitution. We don’t want Lagos to be spoilt,” Okogie said.
Bauchi
A Bauchi High Court has restrained the State Signage and Advertisement Management Agency (BASSAM) from charging commercial banks in the state on their billboards and signages, after months of legal tussle between the 21 banks operating in the state and the agency.
Justice Haruna Tsammani of Bauchi High Court Four, ruled that the agency, established early this year to collect taxes on signages in the state, has no legal rights to do so and that the law establishing the agency was inconsistent with paragraph 1 (k)i of the 4th Schedule of the 1999 constitution and therefore unconstitutional, null and void.
Briefing newsmen after the ruling, counsel to the banks, Victor Dalbadal, said the banks believed that the agency was not the constitutional body vested with the powers to collect taxes on signages, saying it was the power of local government which the banks were paying to and had never defaulted.
It was gathered that commercial banks pay about N15,000 each to their host local government as tax on their signages before the establishment of the agency managed by a consulting firm, which demanded that they pay million of naira for the same purposes.
In January this year, all the 21 commercial banks closed their gates to customers for a day, to protest what they described as the exhorbitant and arbitrary fees being charged by BASSAM on their signages, billboards and other commercials around the state.
The agency however, declined to speak on the court rulling.
Zamfara
Zamfara State Director of State Security Services (SSS), Alhaji Mohammed Tanko Mingi, has said failure of political parties to fully co-operate with security agencies is the major reason for political thuggery in the country.
The problem, according to him, is more pronounced during election period when parties deliberately attack each other without recourse to laid down rules and regulations.
Speaking when he received executive committee members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who visited him in Gusau yesterday, Mingi said tackling the menace of political thuggery had beenone of the greatest challenges.
Ningi said the only way security agencies in the state could effectively and efficiently work to rid the society of criminals is by getting first hand information about people of suspicious character living among members of the community.
Oyo
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan yesterday sacked a member of the house of representatives representing Ibadan South-West/Ibadan North-West Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Hon Folake Olunloyo Shinoldo.
The three man appellate court removed Olunloyo-Oshinowo from the lower legislative chamber on the ground of irregularity and non-compliance to election rules. INEC had declared Olunloyo Oshinowo, People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, winner of April 21, 2007 election. Action Congress (AC) candidate at the poll Dr Idayat Adebusuyi, had headed to the tribunal to contest the election which was, however upheld at the lower tribunal until the appellate court finally upheld the prayers of the AC candidate and ordered a re-run.
The appellant, among others wanted the Appeal panel to order that Olunloyo-Oshinowo did not win the election, and that INEC and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner were biased in their declaration.
She also wanted the court to return her as the valid winner of the election, or alternatively, cancel the election and order a fresh run.
The court of Appeal panel agreed with her that the election was indeed fraught by many irregularities. Reading the lead judgment, Justice Charles Ogunbiyi, said Adebusuyi, through her counsel, had been able to convince the panel that there was wide spread irregularities in the election and that INEC did not do its job of an umpire effectively.
Ondo
Ondo State government has banned viewing of television in all government offices. The decision was contained in a circular dated October 20, 2009 and signed by the head of service directing all commissioners, chief of staff to the governor, permanent secretaries and heads of department. The ban, the circular stated, was sequel to the discovery by government that television had become a major source of distraction in office, leading to low productivity among civil servants. The government observed that the situation was so bad that some members of the public were on routine visit to offices in various ministries, department even after the close of work to watch TV.
The government also banned the use of computer system for entertainment purposes, adding that TV sets in public offices are now restricted to waiting rooms of offices of the head of service, permanent secretaries or those of similar positions.
Kogi
In his continued efforts to boost healthcare delivery in the state, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has approved the immediate employment of more medical doctors, nurses and consultants to meet the desired need of the people.
The governor disclosed this in Lokoja last weekend while taking delivery of five containers of medical equipment worth millions of naira from the United States of America.
Inspecting the consignment at the state Essential Drug Warehouse in Lokoja, Governor Idris directed the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Dorcas Onumijan to ensure equitable distribution of the equipment to all the existing health institutions across the state.
He said another five containers of same equipment that were also ordered from the US had already arrived Lagos and would soon be delivered to the state.
The governor who reiterated his commitment to the health sub-sector in view of its important role to human existence, promised to continue to provide enabling environment that would boost healthcare delivery services in the state.
Kwara
Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara state has promised that all efforts would be put in place by the government to eradicate poliomyelitis in the state so as to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This, he noted would go a long way in bringing healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of the rural people.
Saraki stated that at Kaima, the headquarters of Kaima local government council area of the state during the official commissioning of the newly upgraded hospital constructed at the cost of N76 million.
According to him, “poliomyelitis among the children should be totally eradicated as this would ensure steady growth, thereby accelerating the socio-economic development of the country.”
He said that the main thrust of the present administration is to provide effective and efficient healthcare delivery services to the people of the state and this would be pursued to the letter.
Abuja
The Court of Appeal, Abuja yesterday fixed November 12, for the adoption of written addresses in a suit filed by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the April 14, 2007 governorship election against Martins Agbaso.
The court fixed the date after granting the two applications filed by his counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN). Agbaso is appealing the judgment of a federal high court, Abuja, which struck out his suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce the result of governorship election.
INEC cancelled the election which Agbaso believes he won, but INEC declared Governor Ikedi Ohakim then of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) as the winner.
Dissatisfied with the court’s decision, Agbaso took his case to the court of Appeal whch assumed jurisdiction in the matter, after dismissing the preliminary objection filled by the respondents on February 26.
It summoned Ohakim and INEC to appear before it on the matter but the respondents appealed the verdict at the court of appeal. In its ruling delivered on September 29, Justice Dahiru Mustapha who led other justices queried the defendants for coming to court to file an appeal in a matter that had not been heard and decided to its merit.
The court, while striting out the motion, ordered an acceleration of the appeal. Yesterday, Ikwueto withdrew his motion seeking the leave of the court to appeal at the Supreme Court, which was granted.
Osun
Osun State police command yesterday said it had impounded some electoral materials allegedly smuggled into the state.
The materials included 300,000 copies of form EC 40A, Ballot Papers Account and Verification Statement. The materials according to the police investigation, did not have stamps and dates on the ballot papers account and verification statement.
State police command spokesman, ASP Clement Akinola said it was surprising to see such materials because the police was not aware of any election in the state that should warrant such movement of INEC materials.
But the driver of the Mazda Bus with registration number Osun XD 214 GNN, Mr Bonniface Ahmed, who allegedly brought in the materials claimed that they were authentic and therefore were not being smuggled into the state.
He said the contract for the materials was allegedly awarded to Jike International Investment Limited, Abuja to print for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before its delivery in Osogbo, noting that one Chinedu’s wife was the contractor that handled the printing of the materials in Abuja.
Consequently, he said he was only asked to deliver the material to the state INEC office in Osogbo with the waybill attached to it.
Akinola said that the police should look into the matter so as to arrive at the truth behind the alleged smuggling of the materials into the state
However the state zonal director of store for INEC, Mr M. J. Oyegha confirmed that the materials belong to INEC.
He said since Osogbo is the zonal office for INEC, all INEC materials were not given police escort as required by the law, he said only sensitive INEC materials are usually accorded such escorts.
Oyegha stressed that materials form INEC headquarters to any of its zonal offices across the country may come without prior notice as it applies to the case in question.
Reacting to the development, the director of Research and Strategy of Action Congress (AC) in the state, Mr Sunday Akere said the materials are the ones that are likely to be tendered in the on-going retrial case of Governor Olagunsoye Oyimlola.
He observed that his party is about to conclude its case before the justice Garba Alli-led tribunal in due course while the PDP will soon open its own defence.
However, the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday chided the Action Congress (AC) in the state for raising false alarm.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
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