Blog

Gunfire, protests erupt in Bangui

NAN-F-20

Protest

Bangui, Oct. 24, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) U.N. peacekeepers and armed men exchanged fire on Monday in Central African Republic’s capital Bangui, while hundreds of protesters gathered to call for the mission’s departure, the UN said.

According to the report, crowds gathered near a major roundabout, carrying anti-U.N. posters, throwing stones and shouting at their troops who responded with warning shots.

“One injured man was carried into a police truck, but it was unclear how he was wounded.

“Central African Republic has been in chaos since early 2013, when fighting between mostly Muslim Seleka rebels and anti-Balaka Christian militias prompted the establishment of the MINUSCA mission a year later.

“Criticism of the 13,000-strong mission has mounted in recent weeks with local people accusing the peacekeepers of not doing enough to protect them.

“Civil society groups called for a general strike on Monday to pressure the mission to leave,’’ the report said.

An eye witness who is an Information Technology expert, Didier Balandegue said “we have seen that their mission has no use and it’s just better that they leave.

Spokesman for MINUSCA Herve Verhoosel said a brief firefight broke out in the morning when a U.N. patrol was fired at by unidentified armed men.

“There were other cases where we fired warning shots and removed barricades,” he said by telephone, adding that he was not aware of any casualties.

“The streets are now calm, he said.

The civil society groups launched a petition last week calling for MINUSCA’s departure and the rearming of the national armed forces, currently subject to an arms embargo. (Reuters/NAN)

OYE/OU

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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Obike Ukoh

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Court hears Maj.-Gen. Ijioma’s Nov 10

NAN-H-60

Army

By Doris Esa

Abuja, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) The National Industrial Court will hear Maj,-Gen.Ijioma Ijioma’s case against the Nigeria Army Council on Nov.10.

Ijioma is challenging his retirement by the Nigeria Army Council through a letter dated June 9, 2016.

At the resumed hearing, the court could not continue because the clamant’s counsel Mr Benson Igbanoi, who held brief for Chief Michael Ozekhome (SAN),had made an oral application to adjourn the suit.

Igbanoi said that an adjournment was necessary to enable the court hear all the pending applications before it.

He told the court it was a good development and that the issue of representation
of the respondents had been sorted out.

“Today, we know who is representing who; this is one of the issues that brought us to court today,” he said.

Counsel to Nigeria Army Council and Chief of Army Staff, Mr Michael Owolabi, opposed the application, saying that no cogent reason was given.

Owolabi said that the application for adjournment was a ploy by the claimant to keep the case “in view”.

“Today, we are ready; why are they not ready? the lawyer in court is competent and has not given us any cogent reason.

“This is a court of Justice and Justice is not one way; if your right is encroached upon why are you running away from defending your right,” he questioned?

The judge, Justice Maureen Esowe, assured the parties that the adjournment sought would not incur any loss on parties.

She held that due to her transfer to another division of the court, the case was likely to be heard de novo by the in coming judge.

“We have not started the case but the case is bound to start de novo anyway; either way, nobody loses anything ,” Esowe held.

It would be recalled that on Oct. 12, the court could not proceed with the case because it was not clear which counsel represented the defendant.

The court then adjourned hearing to enable the counsel Owolabi and Ibrahim Etsu sort out the issue of representation.

The claimant joined the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army staff as co-respondents. (NAN)
ORD/HAS/OFN
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Edited By Hajia Sani// Felix Nwadioha

Expert raises concern on socio-economic consequences of STIs

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Infection

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kema Onu, Site Coordinator, Aids HealthCare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, said untreated Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) could lead to a long-term health and socio-economic consequences in adolescent girls and young women.

Onu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that STIs refer to more than 25 infectious organisms transmitted primarily through sexual activities.

He said STIs are largely preventable despite the burdens, costs and complications yet remain a significant public health problem in Nigeria due to ignorance, poverty and stigmatisation.

According to him, teenagers and young women were more prone to STIs because of the anatomy of their open vagina.

Onu explained that the skin that lines the vagina of a young girl was not as strong as that of a matured woman and early exposure to sexual activities could bruise the fragile skin and infections spread faster.

“Teenagers and young women presents STI such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, among others, early clinically while there are delay presentation in men.

“This however can affect her ability to conceive, encounter embarrassing situation because poorly treated STIs could block the tubes and further lead to social neglect.

“Some women smell and constantly use pads due to discharge from the vagina which is caused by repeated infection contracted from their partners or spouses.

“Husbands also abandon infertile wives, become violent and even divorce them due to the financial burden involved in treatment,’’ he said.

Onu stated that such challenges were largely unrecognised by the public and some healthcare facilities, adding that STIs causes many harmful, often irreversible, and costly clinical complications.

Such complications, he said, include reproductive health problems, foetal and perinatal health problems, cancer and facilitation of sexual transmission of HIV infection.

He said education, sensitisation and prevention was essentially the primary care strategy for improving reproductive health. (NAN)

TIM/EAL/MST
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-AE-8
Fishing

By Muhammad Nasibashir
Dutse, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Association of Fishermen in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa has organised a four-day fishing festival in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fishing festival, which is first of it kind in the area, is currently taking place at Sakuwa River in Sakuwa village of the council area.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Alhaji Umar Illu, who spoke through the council’s Information Officer, Malam Nasiru Yusif, said the council would continue to support the festival to enhance its revenue generation.

He appealed to Jigawa government to stock the dams and rivers in the area with fingerlings.

In their separate speeches, Alhaji Shuaibu Sarki and Malam Suma’ila Gwaram, who are the chairmen of Gwaram and Sukuwa fishermen associations respectively, urged the council and state government to assist fishermen in the area.

This, they said, was to increase the number and variety of fish in the waters.

The spokesperson further said that fishermen from within and outside the state are participating in the competition.

He added that the festival, which began on Oct. 22, would end on Oct. 26. (NAN)
MNB/AAB/AFA
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-65

Anniversary

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Oct.24, 2016 (NAN) The General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Mr Solomon Begashaw, says the economic recession in Nigeria was temporary.

Begashaw made the assertion at the 70^th Anniversary Celebration of the airline’s operation in Lagos on Monday.

Begashaw assured its passengers in Nigeria that it would continue its scheduled operations to the country in spite of the recent withdrawal by some airlines from the Lagos and Abuja routes.

“As veteran pan-African carrier, it has always been our source of pride to serve our beloved continent, Africa, both in good and bad times.

“Our presence in Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s, same time the Federal Republic of Nigeria got independence from foreign colonisation.

“The airline has been part of Nigeria’s historic growth and always considers itself as a partner in the history and growth of Nigeria.

“The management of Ethiopian Airlines wishes to clarify its stance of pursuing its operation to Nigeria and keep Nigerian travelers connected to five continents around the globe”, he said.

According to him, as an indigenous pan-African carrier, Ethiopian airlines  will remain with the Nigerian public in good and bad times like it has always done in the past 50 years.

Begashaw said the airline had been in the highs and lows of Nigeria and had been providing the link between the country and the outside world.

He said: “Currently, Ethiopian Airlines serves the Nigerian traveler from four airports of Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano.

“To re-inforce its support to Nigeria;  Ethiopian Airlines is offering to hire Nigerian pilots for its ever growing fleet of B777,B787,B737 and Dash 8 Q-400 Aircraft and also train more Nigerians in its aviation academy, which is the largest in Africa.

“Besides, Ethiopian Airlines had always served Nigeria with the best Aircraft in its fleet like the A350 Airbus,  B787 Dreamliner and the B777 wide body.

“In the spirit of African brotherhood, Ethiopian Airlines does not wish to be in Nigeria only when the going is good.

“Rather, we are ready to make sacrifices along with Nigerians in this trying time knowing that Nigerians are resilient and resourceful and will soon come out of the temporary recession.”

The country manager said “as the airline celebrates 70 years of existence, it had extended free tickets to Nigerians who liked Ethiopian Airlines’ Nigeria Facebook page.‎ (NAN)

WAC/ASO/EAL/IEA

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Idahosa Asowata
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Low progesterone causes miscarriage, infertility – Expert says

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Progesterone

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, OCT. 24, 2016 (NAN) Dr Adaora Ukoh, an Abuja based gynaecologist, has said that low progesterone could lead to miscarriage and infertility.

Ukoh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that if a woman doesn’t have enough progesterone it would be difficult for pregnancy to occur.

She described progesterone as one of the hormones in a woman’s body that stimulates and regulates various functions such as the ovulation and menstrual cycle.

The expert also explained progesterone as a female sex hormone produced mainly in the ovaries following ovulation each month which is crucial in menstrual cycle as well as maintaining pregnancy.

According to her, progesterone is one of the steroid hormones secreted by the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine gland that the body produces after ovulation during the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

She added that fertility and menstruation are largely controlled by hormones such as progesterone and if it becomes low could reduce the chances of having a normal menstrual cycle as such leads to infertility.

“Women who have low progesterone will have abnormal menstrual cycles and also have difficulty conceiving because the progesterone does not trigger the proper environment for a conceived egg to grow.

“Those that succeed in getting pregnant are at higher risk of miscarriage or pre-term delivery because the hormone progesterone helps maintain pregnancy.

“If you have low progesterone it will be difficult to become pregnant as well as staying pregnant,’’ she said.

However, Ukoh said that treating the condition could start from introducing hormone therapy in order to increase progesterone as well as thicken the uterine lining.

She suggested oral medications, creams and gels that could be used in the vagina in order to help promote the level of progesterone.

Ukoh also recommended the intake of vitamins such as B and C as well as consuming foods rich in zinc such as shellfish to help treat the condition.

She further enjoined women with the condition to avoid stress, noting that cortisol are released when stressed, which reduces the level of progesterone.

The expert however advised women trying to conceive who have liver disease and blood clots among others, to avoid the use of hormone therapy. (NAN)

CSO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

My witnesses insults me, prosecution tells court

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Witnesses

Abuja, Oct.24, 2016 (NAN) A Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Ijeoma Ukagba, on Monday told an FCT High Court that her witness insulted her on phone

Ukagba is prosecuting the case of Kelechi Issac standing trial on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.

She told the court that the witnesses in the trial on various occasions, insulted her when they spoke on phone.

The prosecution said that  Anita Patrick, particularly insults her, Chidi Okwashi, kept on promising that he would  come, but “each time I call him, he claims that he has travelled”.

She also said that another witness, Agboola Peter, told her that he had left his place of residence and was no longer interested.

”There are many of them but these are the ones I can reach,” the prosecutor said.

The judge Justice Abubakar Talba, adjourned the cas till Nov. 29 and warned that if the prosecution failed to produce her witness, ”the court will do what it is supposed to do”.

The judge also said that there was no need to keep the defendant in detention if the witnesses were no longer interested in the matter.

”The beauty of the prosecution is to prosecute and not to persecute,” Talba said,madding that  the defendant had spent more than a year in detention.

At the last adjourned date on Oct. 10, Talba, had set Oct. 24 for consideration of the bail application by the defendant.

Isaac was first arraigned on July 29, 2015 and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution had told the court that Okwashi and seven others reported the matter at the Kuje Police Station on March 6, 2015.

The defence Counsel, Mr Alexander Ayuk, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the case had suffered many adjournments and needed to be finalised. (NAN)
SET/HAS/OFN

Edited By Hajia Sani//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-64
Corruption
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has enjoined all Nigerians to support the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government.

Making the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Okoh, however, advised that the anti-corruption fight should encompass every level of the society.

He said that the government look beyond people in positions of authority and tackle corruption at every level.

“If you go to most local markets, you will find corruption there; people selling groundnut are even involved in corruption.

“The university teachers are involved in corruption; some of us in the church are in one form or the other involved in corruption too.

“What it means is that we have all been sensitised and every nook and cranny of the country should be focused to ensure that we produce better generation that would be free from corruption.

“It may not be easy to eradicate but we can at least beat it down in such a way that it will not impede our development.’’

Okoh further advised Christians to stick to the principles of Jesus Christ in their marriages, adding that the failure of most marriages was caused by non-adherence to the Christ’s teachings.

According to him, many couples are more concerned about flamboyancy of marriage as well as the dictates of their peers and the society at large.

“We can do more to keep our marriages by intensifying pre-marital counselling, marriage seminars and teachings about the home,’’ Okoh said. (NAN)
OYS/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-58

Judges

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Oct. 24 (NAN) The Forum for Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria (FONGON) has called on serving judges recently arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) for corruption to step down from their immediately.

Chairman of the forum, Mr Wole Badmus, made the call on Monday in Abuja at a news briefing.

Badmus said that the call became necessary because the National Judicial Council (NJC) had refused to suspend the indicted judges and justices as expected.

According to him, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)’s opposition to the arrest of the judges on corruption charges is based on selfish interest.

He said that though they had not been declared guilty by any court of law, the judges had been tainted in the court of public opinion.

Badmus added that the positions of the judges were no longer tenable until they had cleared the allegations against them.

He stated that if the affected judges and justices failed to step down, the forum would mobilise Nigerians to besiege their courts until they heeded public opinion.

He added that the forum which comprised 50 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) would also embark on a peaceful demonstration to support Federal Government`s efforts to rid the judiciary of bad eggs.

The chairman threatened that the forum would ground the judicial system if the judges accused of large scale bribery were not prosecuted.

“We want to say that this is not President Mohammadu Buhari`s war, neither is it a war of any political party; it is a war of all Nigerians.

“We call on Nigerians not to allow themselves to be misled by those who have constituted themselves into stumbling blocks against this war.’’

He urged the Federal Government to continue to take the lead in the prosecution of the battle against corruption in the judiciary, in particular, and the polity in general.

He, however, decried the continued silence of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NUC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other groups on the issue.

According to Badmus, this is one moment when silence should not be seen as golden; all hands should be on deck to fight corruption in the country.

He also called on the Federal Government to call to order, the governors of Rivers and Ekiti state, who according to him, have been using their immunities to obstruct the course of justice.

He also said that disciplinary actions should be taken against law enforcement agents who colluded with the governors to thwart justice. (NAN)

EEM/AAB/OPI

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-57
Partnership
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Raising Hope Foundation (RHF), has called on the Oyo State Government as well as other stakeholders to partner it in caring for the needy in society.

Miss Solape Adegbenro, a nurse and the Coordinator of RHF, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

According to her, the need to cater for the less-privileged members of the society prompted her to establish the charity organisation.

NAN reports that the organisation, which was founded in July, had distributed textbooks, exercise books and water bottles to pupils in some public primary schools in the state.

Adegbenro said that the aim of the organisation was to provide succour to pupils in public primary schools whose parents find it difficult to meet their basic needs.

“I am appealing to the Oyo State Government to see this as one of the ways to affect the lives of the less-privileged in the state by partnering us in any way.

“Gov. Abiola Ajimobi and his wife have been trying their best to provide for the needy in the state

“But we will continue to call on him as our father for assistance in areas where we lack the resources.

“I will also use this medium to appeal to other interested stakeholders, irrespective of religious affinities, for voluntary donations as the less-privileged need our help.

“With our widow’s mite, we can turn many lives around positively as government cannot do it alone,’’ she said.

She said that the foundation had since inception raised contributions through its members, adding that there was need to make it open to interested members of the public.

Adegbenro also urged the pupils to see the gesture bestowed on them as a morale-booster for their academic pursuits.

She also urged parents and guardians to always provide for the basic needs of their wards in order for them to be assured of a better future.(NAN)
TAA/GOM/OJO
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Mufutau Ojo)