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June 12: ‘Immortalise Abiola, Wife’

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Thirteen years after the death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Poll, his family on Saturday called on the Federal Government to immortalise him. Abiola died while in custody in Abuja on July 7, 1998.

He was arrested for declaring himself president following the annulment of the election which he was adjudged to have won.

Speaking at a forum organised by the Action Group of Nigeria (AGN) at Abiola’s residence in Ikeja, his son, Jamiu Abiola, said it was high time the late politician and his late wife, Kudirat, were immortalised.

“Nigeria should name monuments after MKO and his late wife, Kudirat.

“My parents sacrificed their lives for the democracy Nigerians are enjoying today and it is so painful that they are yet to be given their rightful place in the annals of the nation’s history.

“If the government refuses to properly honour them, we leave it to God. In civilized countries, it would never have happened,’’ he said.

Abiola said the family was not asking for contracts or appointments as compensation, but that the nation should recognise the sacrifices his parents had made.

“For Nigeria to move forward, one of the ways is to honour all those who laid down their lives for democracy.

“People like Alfred Rewane, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti and others should also be immortalised as heroes of our democracy,” he stressed.

“How will Nigeria move forward when the beneficiaries of my father’s sacrifices refuse to acknowledge that he bought them democracy with his life?,’’ he asked.

Abiola thanked Nigerians who stood by the family by keeping the ideals of June 12 alive.

In his speech, Prof. Pat Utomi, the Protem National Chairman, Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) and Chairman of the forum, said June 12 should be observed as a national memorial day.

“The day should be set aside in memory of the nation’s heroes.

“Nations are built on myths. A country without heroes will lack the soul and spirit to overcome challenges that come with nation building.

“This is why we are thankful for the privilege of having had men like Abiola walk the path they did and gave their all that generations yet unborn may be inspired to give.

“It is for Nigeria to attain the dreams of its founding fathers,’’ he said.

Mr Mike Igini, a newly-appointed INEC National Commissioner, stressed the need for a fresh voters’ register if Nigeria must get it right in 2011.

He noted that the June 12, 1993, elections were successful because voting took place simultaneously and were free and fair.

He urged states Houses of Assembly to adopt the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee, describing them as panacea to free polls.

In his remarks, Mr Tony Uran, the National Secretary, United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), called for adequate mobilisation and sensitisation toward the 2011 polls.

Mr Mohammed Fawehinmi, son of the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, said:“Abiola gave us a platform to actualize participatory democracy.

“We must do our best to make 2011 a year of electoral rebirth.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Kelvin Etta, and the National Secretary of SDMP, Dr Sadiq Abubakar.

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NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians To EU Ban On Dex Soap

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The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted Nigerians on the ban on Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower), by the European Union (EU).
The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 012/2024, signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, and issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
“The product does not comply with the cosmetic products regulation; it also contains Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system.
“It also causes harm to the health of unborn children and may cause skin sensitisation.
“It is as a result of the defective nature of the product that the EU banned it.
“The products is not in NAFDAC database; importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain,” she said.
NAFDAC boss urged marketers and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the product, stressing that product’s authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.
She enjoined members of the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

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Communities, Volunteers Ready To Face Upcoming Floods – Red Cross

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The Country Manager of the British Red Cross in Nigeria, Karsten Voigt, says communities and volunteers are ready to face the challenges expected with the upcoming floods.
Voigt said this at the sidelines of the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch.
The Tide’s source recalls that the British Red Cross donated resilience items to some communities in December 2023, to help mitigate the effects of flooding.
The items included cash, rain boots, rain coats, mosquito nets, handheld flashlights, solar powered lights with radio, USB chargers and a bridge to link the communities.
The communities that benefited included Agboyi 1, Agboyi 2, Agboyi 3 and Odo Ogun in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
Voigt said the Red Cross had measured the impact of the project in the communities and noticed that a lot of progress had been made.
According to him, apart from the cash and items given to the communities, simulation exercises have also been carried out to prepare the volunteers ahead of the floods.
“We have seen that people used the cash to address immediate needs they have after floods.
“Many households have used part of the cash to build up businesses.
“The solutions we have given to them are not only addressing their immediate needs after the disaster but actually building family income for their future,” he said.

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Nimet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Thunderstorms

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorm from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released yesterday in Abuja, forecasts sunny skies on Monday with a few patches of cloud over the northern cities and prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba later in the day.
According to the forecast, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorm over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara States.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Benue States.
“The southern region is expected to be cloudy with spells of sunshine with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States.
“ In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Ekiti, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa States,” it said.
NiMet also anticipated sunny skies on Tuesday with few patches of cloud over the northern states with prospects of isolated thunderstorms envisaged over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.
It envisaged the North Central region to be sunny with patches of cloud during the morning hours.
The agency also envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Niger States, later in the day.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South, with chances of morning thunderstorm over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa States ,” it said.
It predicted a sunny atmosphere on Wednesday, with patches of cloud over the northern region, during the forecast period.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue States, during the afternoon/evening periods.
“ Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.”
Other states to experience cloudy atmosphere, are “Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States, later in the day.”
NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
The agency also urged airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from its office for effective planning in their operations.

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